BUTUAN CITY -- With the hope to become a cadet officer in the Reserved Officer Training Corps (ROTC), the personnel of 1501st Community Defense Center (CDC) and Northern Mindanao Colleges Incorporated (NMCI) ROTC unit welcomed some 107 aspiring cadets from NMCI during the opening ceremony of Cadet Officer Qualifying Course (COQC) held on April 30, 2022 at the NMCI quadrangle, Cabadbaran City. 

In the said event, Major Frances Belarmino, commandant of NMCI ROTC Unit, served as keynote speaker. He emphasized the discipline and positive mental attitude that the applicants should acquire during the training, and imparted his experiences being a Cadet Officer years back. Major Belarmino also shared his idealism for the cadets to join the Philippine Army someday.

After the opening program, the cadets went through the traditional military reception wherein they performed several military exercises under the downpour to test their stamina and physical strength.

The COQC is a pre-entry training program for Basic ROTC cadets interested in becoming cadet officers or Advance ROTC cadets. It provides physical and mental challenges to aspirant cadets, allowing them to improve their leadership skills to prepare them to handle basic ROTC MS1 cadets. 

With the joint endeavors of Sgt Jay Famador (Reserve), NMCI  NSTP director, ROTC cadet officers, graduate military assistants, and 1501st CDC organic personnel and reservist, the said training will keep on pushing ahead on weekends until May 22, 2022. (1501st CDC, 15RCDG/PIA-Caraga)