8th ID now accepting soldier recruits

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Amy’s 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, based in Catbalogan City, has announced the opening of applications for this year’s candidate soldier course on February 1.

Major Andres Ian Fabelleon of the 8th ID said the quota for soldier recruits this year is 180, consisting of 162 male applicants and 18 females, as approved by the AFP general headquarters.

Fabelleon said the 8th ID Training School will be in charge of the overall training requirements to mold the recruits into topnotch soldiers, loved and appreciated by the people.

An applicant must be a natural-born Filipino citizen; with 72 units in college, or with any certification of  vocational courses, at least 18 to 26 years old, at least 5 feet tall, single and without a child; and of good moral character.

He or she should have taken the AFP-SAT with a score of at least 45 or the Philippine Army Aptitude Test Battery with a score of at least 80, and then passed the pre-qualifying physical fitness test and physical medical exam to show they are fit for military training.

Aspirants must bring along the following documents: school transcript of records (original copy); college or high school diploma (original); birth certificate (NSO copy) with original receipt; marriage contract of parents (NSO copy) with original receipt; and AFP-SAT results with dry seal (possibly with code number).

Fabellon said this batch of army recruitment in Eastern Visayas, for the first quarter of this year, could also help lessen the unemployment rate in the region, which was posted at 14.6 percent, as of the last months of last year. (FREEMAN)