AROUND AROUND THE CORPS

Every military organisation is equipped with a headquarters where decisions are made. The 247th NROTCU’s main office is located in Medrano Hall, St. La Salle Building, DLSU-M. This is the third office for the unit with the first at the Department of Naval Science and Tactics near the Enrique Razon Sports Complex, and the second inside the John Gokongwei building. The offices at the second floor of Medrano, combined with the spacious mezzanine area, allow it to be a sufficient base of operations where workflow can become efficient and organised.

Training in drills best takes place in an outdoor environment. The Marian Quadrangle, downstairs from Medrano hall, is an easy-access, 950 square-metre grassy area. It is only one of the open-space areas for training in the campus, but benefits from being spacious enough for a battalion. It accounts for less footfall from regular students -- offering uninterrupted training sessions. The eye is not only led to the pleasing sights of the nearby botanical garden and the soaring, graceful pillars of the Teresa Yuchengco building, but is also drawn to the flagpole with the National Ensign to remind trainees of the country they serve.

When paved ground is desired, or the Marian Quadrangle is otherwise reserved, the Central Plaza becomes the next option. Often a parking space for the university ambulances and security vehicles, this half-shaded area sees training for cadets, trainees, and officers alike. A PowerMac centre and historic Archer statue are some of its landmarks.

The field by the Philippine Navy Seabees - the Navy’s combat engineering brigade -- is one of two locations where DLSU ROTC can train at the Bonifacio Naval Station in Taguig, NCR. Training in this area is often sweltering hot, so the mini-forest area gives a cool respite for cadets during periods of rest. Cadets who wish to join the Navy as a combat engineer may be inspired by the tractors, forklifts, and other such equipment parked nearby.

The newest of the ROTC training locations. The association of a home with comfort does not remove the trials it takes to train in one’s own living room. Discipline is still necessary to resist the call of one’s bed when it is so near. Adaptability is also practised in the confidence the cadets and cadet officers handle technological operations and the problem-mitigation techniques applied when challenges such as a disconnection arises. Online or physical, flexibility is key in being able to conduct operations effectively in the current COVID-19 situation.

This 2,682 square-metre gargantuan of open space is the main mustering and training ground for physical training days. The combined space of CADS and the field in front of it can comfortably house two ROTC units with room to spare. The exterior facade of the Henry Sy Sr. hall above is designed to redirect wind from the sky into the open space of CADS. Training days are always a breeze when conducted in this area.

Across Lawton Avenue is the Marines base camp where the Grandstand is situated. With a spacious parking lot, a long track running around its circumference, and a wide field, the unit could not ask for more in a BNS Training Day location. The site is host to main military parade operations where generals and presidents have seated in attendance. The unit aims to follow in the footsteps of its betters by also training in drills and conducting reception rites at this ground.