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Armed Forces Meaning
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is the official military force of the Republic of the Philippines. It consists of three major branches: the Navy, Army, and Air Force, as well as several smaller units. The AFP is charged with protecting and defending the rights and interests of citizens in all matters pertaining to national defense and protecting Philippine sovereignty over its territories.
The AFP has a long history that dates back to 1898 when it was founded as a militia force during the Spanish-American War. Since then, it has seen service in every major conflict in which the Philippines was involved, including World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, People Power Revolution and more recently in counterterrorism operations against extremist groups such as Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
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The AFP has a long history that dates back to 1898 when it was founded as a militia force during the Spanish-American War. Since then, it has seen service in every major conflict in which the Philippines was involved, including World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, People Power Revolution and more recently in counterterrorism operations against extremist groups such as Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
The Philippine Constitution enshrines the duty of citizen-soldiers to “defend their homeland against external assaults” and “preserve public order”. The AFP is composed primarily of active duty personnel from all branches plus reservists from both regular and auxiliary services. They are supported by civilian staff working for various departments such as logistics, medical services, legal affairs and education programs.
In addition to their role in national security operations, members of the Armed Forces also help with relief efforts after natural disasters like typhoons and earthquakes. They often provide assistance for rescue operations by providing essential medical aid or setting up shelters for affected individuals. This commitment to public service reflects the dedication and patriotism of its members towards protecting the safety and security of their fellow Filipinos while respecting international law at all times.
Philippine Army Ranks
Philippine Army ranks are divided into five major categories: Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs), Enlisted Personnel, Warrant Officers (WO) and Chaplains.
Officers make up the majority of the Philippine Army. They are promoted mostly through merit and seniority, but sometimes also through a variety of selection processes like examinations or competitions to assess their leadership skills. Promotion is done through the General Orders System (GOS).
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) are the backbone of the Philippine Army. NCOs serve as leaders in their respective units in times of war, disaster or peacekeeping operations. NCOs can advance up to Senior NCO level without any examination or training course requirement. However, they must demonstrate exemplary leadership capabilities throughout their service in order to qualify for further promotion.
Enlisted personnel form an integral part of the Philippine Army’s operational force and are responsible for carrying out day-to-day operations. They must possess traits such as physical strength and mental agility to be eligible for promotion within their respective units.
Warrant officers are professionals who provide specialized knowledge and expertise in different spheres such as engineering, communications and logistics. They require specific qualifications before being considered for promotion to higher positions within their respective field or unit.
Finally, Chaplains play an important role in providing spiritual guidance to members of the Armed Forces when needed. They offer moral support during trying times and provide assistance when it comes to matters concerning personal beliefs or values while respecting individual rights and choices at all times.
Position
- Candidate Soldier
- Private
- Private First Class
- Corporal
- Sergeant
- Staff Sergeant
- Technical SergeantMaster Sergeant
- Senior Master Sergeant
- Chief Master Sergeant
- First Chief Master Sergeant
- Cadet
- Probationary Second Lieutenant
- Second Lieutenant
- First Lieutenant
- Captain
- Major
- Lieutenant Colonel
- Colonel
- Brigadier General
- Major General
- Lieutenant General
- General
To get highly ranked in the Philippines Army, one needs dedication and commitment towards service by demonstrating exemplary professionalism and competence throughout one’s career tenure. Those seeking advancement should also strive to become leaders who are able to inspire others through their actions and words while staying mindful on international law at all times.
Philippine military ranks and salary
The Philippine military is composed of officers, non-commissioned officers (NCOs), enlisted personnel, warrant officers (WO) and chaplains who are all afforded different levels of rank and salary according to their position within the branch. The following table outlines the different ranks and corresponding salaries in the Philippine military:
RANK SALARY
Officers:
| General/Admiral/Marshal | ₱ 128,105.00 |
| Lieutenant General/Vice Admiral/Lieutenant Marshal | ₱ 107,415.00 |
| Major General/Rear Admiral/Major Marshal | ₱ 78,805.00 |
| Brigadier General/Commodore/Brigadier Marshal | ₱ 55,205.00 |
| Colonel/Captain | ₱ 40,855.00 |
| Lieutenant Colonel/Commander | ₱ 35,155.00 |
| Major/Lieutenant Commander | ₱ 30,005.00 |
| Captain / Lieutenant | ₱ 25,205.00 |
Non-Commissioned Officers:
| Sergeant Major of the Army/Master Chief Petty Officer | ₱ 18,905.00 |
| First Sergeant/Chief Petty Officer | ₱ 16,305.00 |
| Master Sergeant/Senior Chief Petty Officer | ₱ 13,705.00 |
| Sergeant First Class/Petty Officer First Class | ₱ 10,805.00 |
| Staff Sergeant/Petty Officer Second Class | ₱ 8,405.00 |
| Sergeant/Petty Officer Third Class | ₱ 6,605.00 |
| Corporal/Seaman | ₱ 5,105.00 |
Enlisted Personnel:
| Private First Class/Seaman Apprentice | ₱ 3,905.00 |
| Private/Seaman Recruit | ₱ 2,705.00 |
Warrant Officers:
| Chief Warrant Officer 5/ Master Chief Warrant Officer | ₱ 11,005.00 |
| Chief Warrant Officer 4/Senior Chief Warrant Officer | ₱ 9,105.00 |
| Chief Warrant Officer 3/Chief Warrant Officer | ₱ 7,605.00 |
| Chief Warrant Officer 2/First Class Petty Officer | ₱ 6,205.00 |
Chaplains:
| Major Chaplain/Lieutenant | ₱ 30,005.00 |
| Captain Chaplain/Ensign | ₱ 25,205.00 |
| Lieutenant Chaplain/Officer Cadet | ₱ 21,605.00 |
| Chaplain Assistant/Seaman Apprentice | ₱ 4,305.00 |
| Chaplain Aide/Seaman Recruit | ₱ 3,105.00 |
At each level of rank within the Philippine Armed Forces, it is important for personnel to maintain a high degree of professionalism and commitment to their duty in order to be eligible for promotion and receive higher salaries. In addition to this, they must also demonstrate strong loyalty towards the country they are serving while consistently adhering to the core principles and values of their branch. This includes respect for human life, adherence to international laws and regulations, and upholding the nation’s honor, dignity and ideals. By fulfilling these requirements, personnel can be assured that they are on the path towards advancement in their career.
Philippine military benefits and bonuses
- Combat Pay: Philippine military personnel in combat zones are eligible for an additional pay bonus.
- Education Benefits: Military personnel may be eligible to receive tuition fee reimbursement, book allowance and other educational benefits through the Armed Forces of the Philippines Educational Benefit System (AFPEBS).
- Medical Benefits: Military personnel are provided with access to a comprehensive health care system which includes medical consultations, hospitalization benefits and treatment coverage for serious illness or injury.
- Retirement Pay: Upon retirement, military members are entitled to certain pension benefits depending on their rank and length of service in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
- Survivor Benefits: In case of death during active duty, surviving family members may be entitled to receive a range of financial support from the AFP such as death gratuity payments and survivor pensions.
- Housing Assistance Program (HAP): This program provides housing loans for active duty servicemembers at reduced interest rates that make it easier for them to own homes or purchase property near their place of assignment upon completion of their tours-of-duty with the AFP.
- Other Benefits: The AFP also provides additional incentives and benefits such as travel allowance, subsistence allowance, clothing allowance, hazard pay and various other forms of financial assistance in order to recognize the service and sacrifice of its personnel.
These benefits are all part of the Philippine military’s commitment to providing for the well-being of their servicemembers through fair compensation packages that reflect their level of dedication towards protecting the nation and its people. With these benefits in place, Filipino servicemen and women can be sure that they will continue to be valued members of society who are worthy of respect and admiration.
Military salary loans in the Philippines
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) offers military salary loans to its personnel in order to help them finance their needs such as housing, education, healthcare and other personal expenses. Military salary loans are open to all members of the AFP who have served for at least one year, regardless of rank or position.
Military salary loans are usually offered at fixed rates with no collateral required. The loan amounts are determined by one’s rank and length of service within the AFP. Loan applicants must also meet certain eligibility criteria such as having a good credit rating and no unpaid debts.
The repayment terms for military salary loans vary depending on the size and duration of the loan. Generally, borrowers can choose between two payment options: monthly installment payments or lump-sum payments. Interest rates for these loans tend to be lower than those offered by commercial banks due to their low risk profile.
In addition to the loan facility, the AFP also provides additional financial assistance such as educational benefits, medical coverage, retirement pay and survivor benefits. These incentives and benefits serve as a way of recognizing the sacrifices made by servicemen and women in protecting their country while providing them with an adequate source of income during times of need.
How to join the Philippine Army?
The Philippine Army is the main branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that is responsible for protecting the nation and its citizens. Joining this branch of service is a great way to serve your country and to honor those who have gone before you. So if you’re interested in joining, here’s what you need to know:
The first step in joining the Philippine Army is to meet the basic requirements. These include being a Filipino citizen between 17 and 24 years old, having completed at least two years of college or university education, and having no criminal record or negative ratings on drug tests. Additionally, applicants must undergo a medical examination, including vision and hearing tests, to ensure they are physically fit for military duty.
Once you’ve passed all these requirements, you’ll need to take an examination given by the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). This exam consists of five areas: Mathematics & Science (M&S), English & Verbal Reasoning (E&VR), General Information (GI), Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and Interviews & Character Evaluation (I&CE). Depending on your score on this exam, further training may be necessary after acceptance into the PMA. Once accepted into PMA, cadets will then undergo four years of rigorous physical training together with developing leadership skills such as military etiquette, weapons handling, communication techniques and more.
Finally, after graduating from PMA cadets will be commissioned as officers and assigned their post within the Army depending on their chosen specialization such as Infantry Officer or Engineer Officer. After completing their active duty service leading troops at various posts around the country they can continue their career in fields like teaching in colleges or universities or taking up civilian posts related to their military experience.
Philippine Military Academy
Joining the Philippine Army through the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) is an excellent way to serve your country, gain invaluable leadership experience, and honor those who have come before you. The PMA is one of the most prestigious military academies in Asia, having produced numerous leaders and officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The first step to joining PMA is meeting its basic requirements. Applicants must be Filipino citizens between 17 and 24 years old with at least two years of college or university education and no criminal record or negative ratings on drug tests. All applicants must also undergo a rigorous medical examination including vision and hearing tests to ensure physical fitness for military duty.
Once accepted into PMA, cadets will then undergo four years of intense physical training as well as developing their leadership skills such as military etiquette, weapons handling, communication techniques and more. After graduating from PMA they will be commissioned as officers and assigned their post within the Army depending on their chosen specialization such as Infantry Officer or Engineer Officer. Cadets can also choose to pursue specialized studies like pilot school or special operations schooling to become more knowledgeable and competitive for higher positions within the Army.
Officer Candidate Course (OCC)
The Officer Candidate Course (OCC) is an alternative way to join the Philippine Army. The OCC offers a fast-track route for those who have completed at least two years of college or university education and meet all the necessary medical requirements. The program is designed to transform these candidates into officers within a short period of time, usually ranging from three months to a year depending on their background and training.
The OCC requires applicants to undergo intense physical training as well as leadership development while gaining theoretical knowledge in areas such as Military Science, Human Rights Law, Military History, Tactics & Strategy, and more. The key emphasis laid on the program is on honing the leadership skills that are essential to be successful in any military operations. Candidates are also encouraged to take specialized courses like Intelligence Operations or Special Operations Schooling in order to gain more experience and increase their competitiveness when applying for higher posts.
Upon successful completion of the OCC’s rigorous curriculum, candidates will receive their commission as officers and will be assigned a post within the Philippine Army accordingly. This fast-track program provides a great opportunity for citizens to serve their country through military service without having to complete a lengthy undergraduate degree program from PMA first.
Officer Preparatory Course (OPC)
The Officer Preparatory Course (OPC) is a great option for those looking to join the Philippine Army without enrolling in the PMA or OCC. The OPC offers an accelerated route to becoming an officer in the army, providing applicants with a comprehensive training program that focuses on developing the necessary skills and knowledge needed to assume an officer
Summary
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) provides a range of generous benefits and incentives to its personnel in order to recognize their dedication towards protecting the nation. These include pay bonuses, educational benefits such as tuition fee reimbursement and book allowance, medical benefits, retirement pay, survivor benefits and housing assistance loans. Military salary loans are also offered at fixed rates with no collateral required based on an individual’s rank and length of service. The AFP also provides additional financial assistance such as educational benefits, medical coverage, retirement pay and survivor benefits. These incentives aim to provide adequate sources of income for servicemen and women while recognizing their sacrifices in protecting the country.
