PAGADIAN CITY, Oct. 18 (PIA)- The 315 new graduates of the Candidate Soldiers' Course (CSC) Class 720 and 721 of the 1st Infantry Division Training School (IDTS) are considered competent, equipped and capable soldiers in the country.

Thus, BGen Antonio Nafarette, the commander of the 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army said at the closing ceremony of CSC Class 720 and 721 held at the Division Grandstand in Camp Major Cesar Sang-an, Pulacan, Zamboanga del Sur recently.

The graduates of CSC class 720 consisted of 173 trainees and class 721 with 142 trainees have undergone rigorous training during four months of basic military training.

Nafarette said that the graduates completed their four (4) months of rigorous training from IDTS where they went through heavy sweating, tears and sacrifices and strictly followed the rules set by their professional trainers.

"During your training, you have changed yourselves from being civilians and you have become competent, equipped and capable individuals. Now that you have completed the requirements, you have achieved your dream of becoming full pledge soldiers," Nafarette happily announced.

The good general encouraged the graduates who are the newest members of noble men and women of the Philippine Army and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to serve and protect the people and the country with utmost dedication and integrity.

Meanwhile, Mac Charlie Sta. Rita from Barangay Poblacion, Mahayag is happy that he is one of the lucky trainees who graduated from CSC in the Tabak Division.

"I am happy that I am one of those who passed the Candidate Soldier Course Class 720 conducted by the Philippine Army. I joined this strong organization because I want to preserve our democracy and protect our country and people from violators of the law," Santa Rita said.

Bryan Kitz Guerra, a resident of Cagayan De Oro City is also very happy that his dream in life has come true.

"I am very grateful that my dream of becoming a soldier has come true. What I learned in four months of rigorous training, I can use it to protect our country and people," he said.

Of the 315 graduates, 245 of them will report to the 1st Infantry Division for the Infantry orientation course class 07-2022, while 45 of them are part of the candidate soldier quota of the 55th Engineering Brigade.

The newly enlisted soldiers are mentally, physically and psychologically ready to serve the Philippine Army. (RVC/EDT/GCC/PIA-Zamboanga del Sur)