CAPAS, TARLAC – Officers Candidate School (OCS) of the Training and Doctrine Command, Philippine Army held the customary
reception rites for the Officer Preparatory Course (OPC) Class 70-2019 and Officer Candidate Course (OCC) Class 53-2020
during the joint opening ceremony at TRADOC Grandstand this afternoon.
The OPC CL 70-19 is composed of 75 individuals; 60 male and 15 female. On the other hand, the OCC CL 53-20 has a total
of 216 new cadets; 173 of them are male and 43 are female. The OPC will hurdle six months of rigorous physical training
and meticulous exams, whereas the OCC will be regimented for the next twelve months to prepare them to be the next junior
officers of the Philippine Army.
A military reception rite has been part of the tradition of the Armed Forces which welcomes the chosen few who heeded the
call of becoming a soldier. Reception rites mark their initial military career and signify the last day of their civilian lives.
TRADOC Commander Major General Devesa served as the keynote speaker on the ceremony. “This is just the start of your first
day your objective is to pass the Basic Military Training (BMT). You will have to adapt common values in the Army.
You will be given new set of rules. In the process, you will have to learn everything and soon contribute to the
betterment of our country. Your journey here will not just hard and difficult but definitely fulfilling”, he said during
his speech.