PMA to have older graduates due to K to 12

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The implementation of the K-12 basic education program, which adds two more years in high school, will mean that the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) will have older graduates who are commissioned as lieutenants, and thus shorter terms for senior military officers.

Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Hernando Iriberri said that while there will be no vacuum in the PMA with the implementation of the K-12, there will still be an effect.

“If that (K-12) will be implemented, we will have older graduates because based on the law, those who will join the PMA are high school graduates. By that time, with the K-12, there will be additional two years, so aspiring cadets will be 18 years old,” Iriberri said.

“Because the cadets and lieutenants will be older, the effect is shorter term for military officers because we also have to consider the mandatory age of retirement,” he added.

But based on PMA records, most of those who join the academy came directly from high school.