What is inside the mind of the PARTICIPANTS OF MILITARY PARADES AND CEREMONIES?
This particular blog will reveal what is running inside the mind of an HONOR ESCORT BATTALION MEMBER especially as a GROUP or BATTALION STAFF. (This is a specific story of my participation as member of the HONOR ESCORT BATTALION STAFF for numerous occasions). I presume that all the other members of the parading elements from the Troop Commander down to every rifleman have the same story to tell.
But before that, let me provide some background about the MILITARY PROFESSION and about PARADES and MILITARY HONORS.
MILITARY PROFESSION is a less-traveled road. There are plenty of things and occurrences that only members of the organization who can fully understand and totally explain the joys, the pains, the challenges, the toils, the triumphs, the disappointments and all other factors in a JOURNEY called "MILITARY SERVICE".
MILITARY CEREMONIES like parades are customs and traditions that make us unique from other institutions.
ARRIVAL HONORS, DEPARTURE HONORS AND OTHER MILITARY HONORS are now being "professionalized" and being provided by the HONOR ESCORT BATTALION.
The HONOR ESCORT BATTALION is a group of officers and enlisted personnel who are assigned within the offices and units within VILLAMOR AIR BASE designated to provide MILITARY HONORS for OFFICERS who are promoted to the rank of GENERAL and who are compulsory retired from the service. Military honors are also rendered to the PRESIDENT of the REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES being the Commander-in-Chief of the AFP, other government officials and dignitaries from other countries.
The tour of duty of the members of the Honor Escort Group is one year commencing during the celebration of the Philippine Air Force anniversary on July 1.
I am already in the military service for more than 2 decades. Military parades are integral part of my existence in the profession of arms from being a cadet at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), then as a junior officer up to this time as a Field Grade Officer.
Being designated as member of the PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE HONOR ESCORT BATTALION is both a great HONOR and a gargantuan CHALLENGE. It is another chapter in the colorful pages of our JOURNEY in the military service worthy to be treasured and shared.
This is actually my second tour of duty as member of the PAF HONOR ESCORT BATTALION. I do not exactly know the justification why I was given another tour of duty for this particular task. My first designation was from 2012 to 2013 where most of my duties were in MALACANANG PALACE and GENERAL HEADQUARTERS. During that stint, I was the regular PAF representative to the composite BATTALION staff that provided military honors for 4 heads of state in MALACANANG. I was also a member of the BATTALION STAFF during the arrival honors for the PRESIDENT and COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF during the PAF ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION at FERNANDO AIR BASE, LIPA CITY in 2012 and during the PAF ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION at CLARK AIR BASE in 2013. I was also a member of the Honor Escort Battalion Staff for the TURN-OVER Ceremonies for the 2 of the last 3 Chiefs of Staff.
For that tour of duty, proper mindset greatly helped me to stay for a maximum of 4 hours under extreme weather conditions and other pressures such as the scrutinizing eyes of the guests, the physical condition and current concerns and problems whether at work or at home. There were also numerous instances when our performances were shown live on TELEVISION and LIVE STREAM adding to the pressures that we have to deal with.
MINDSET is the most important factor that will spell success in this particular endeavor. Although physical toughness is another significant requisite to perform excellently and to stay standing under extreme pressures of the scrutinizing eyes and unforgiving weather condition, proper mindset is the best way to hurdle all the challenges and peripheral factors.
When I was designated for the first time as member of the PAF HONOR ESCORT BATTALION, there were so many things running inside my mind. First, what are the parameters that made me in the detail? From among the many officers assigned within Villamor Air Base, what is the reason behind why I was selected. The first requisite maybe is my height at 5'11". But there are also designated officers who are about 5'6" or 5'7" which make the disparity in height very wide. I was also tempted to think that I was snappy with good posture, calm disposition and physical strength. But these were all speculations since there is no written policy for that particular detail.
As the tallest among the group, I was always sent as PAF representative whenever there were HEAD OF STATE to be honored at MALACANANG. During that one year, I became a member of the BATTALION HONOR GUARD at MALACANANG 4 times. It was certainly a great privilege to be given that honor to see the PRESIDENT in close proximity together with other TOP RANKING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS both from our country and other countries. The cost is the practices and dress rehearsals in MALACANANG were conducted during Saturdays and Sundays, meaning no weekend rest for me.
The close encounter being just about 3 to 4 meters away from the honoree added to the extreme pressure to stand at attention with proper posture, looking straight ahead, chin in, hands-back, reaching for the ground and holding bananas properly, chest out, stomach in, clipped knees, and feet at 45 degrees angle. When commands are given, there is a need to have undivided attention to execute properly with snap free from errors and without unnecessary movements.
The most challenging part actually of rendering military honors is not the execution part but on the ABILITY to stay standing still while waiting for the HONOREE to arrive. PROPER MINDSET comes into significant ROLE. For that one year tour of duty from 2012 to 2013, it was my "STRONG MIND" that kept me ALIVE and came out successful in all my performances that I was detailed. It was thinking POSITIVE THINGS, HAPPY MOMENTS and BEAUTIFUL FORESIGHT that carried me to survive overflowing challenges of unexpected physical strain and mental drain during the seemingly endless waiting while standing snappily. Appreciating the beautiful sights within the grasp of my eyes diverted my attention from the feeling of numbness, muscles cramps, or itchiness in my different body parts and the burning sensation under my feet due to cemented ground or at my forehead due to the headgear both being subjected to the scorching heat of the sun. One member said "para kang bibingka na niluluto kasi may parehong may nag-aapoy na pakiramdam sa ibabaw at sa ilalim". There are also instances when ants and other insects crawled in my face, nose, ears, hands, legs or even at sensitive parts. But the worst feeling is when COMFORT ROOM is urgently calling you for a visit (good thing, I haven't experienced this one because I always wake up 3 hours before the assembly time to remove unnecessary baggage inside my mind and body). But when you are out there standing still in GALA UNIFORM wearing black gloves and holding the SABER, there is no turning back. You have to deal various challenges and unwelcome distractions with PROPER MINDSET in order to survive the ordeal and perform well.
I was thinking POSITIVE THINGS like not everyone has given the great privilege to render honors to the PRESIDENT of the REPUBLIC.
I was thinking HAPPY MOMENTS like visits to the amazing places within and outside the country, or successfully graduated from a difficult course or enjoying remarkable moments with LOVED ONES.
I was thinking BEAUTIFUL FORESIGHT, to have a whole body massage, to watch my favorite PBA team live in a championship game or a suspense-thriller 3D movie, to visit beautiful places during weekends or to savor delicious food in a buffet restaurant.
Preparations and proper mindset before the actual performances are also significant KEY FACTORS. There is a need to commit your mind, body, heart and spirit that you have to perform well during the rehearsals and actual performances. Complete rest the night before the d-day is a very important factor. Uniform and other requirements should be prepared ahead of time. Ill-fitting uniforms should be repaired not only provide comfortable wearing but also to unfold snappy presentation. Taking revitalizing food and hydrating drinks will certainly help a lot. Waking up about 2 to 3 hours before the actual assembly time is very important to completely prepare body, heart, spirit and mind.
For this year, 2015 and until year 2016, I am again detailed as member of the PAF HONOR ESCORT BATTALION. My duty commenced when we conducted series of challenging rehearsals and performed actual military honors during the ARRIVAL of the GUEST OF HONOR for the PAF RETIREES DAY on June 29 and during the ARRIVAL HONORS for the PRESIDENT and COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF as GUEST OF HONORS for the PAF 68th FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION yesterday, July 1.
During the PAF RETIREES DAY, it was about 30 to 40 minutes standing and actual arrival honors. During the PAF 68TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY, it was about an hour of standing and waiting under extreme weather conditions and scrutinizing eyes of the guests and spectators.
Just like in 2012 and 2013, it was PROPER MINDSET that helped me survived and performed well for the past two activities. Our tour of duty has just begun. There are many challenging minutes, hours, days, weeks and months that will come our way. There is no absolute guarantee that I can sustain my excellent performances because just like anybody I am just a human being with limitations. But I will always utilize the same successful formula of having the proper mindset to successfully accomplish my duties as member of the PAF HONOR ESCORT BATTALION. I am also gathering best practices from other participants who successfully hurdled the same JOURNEY.
I will constantly unfold the stories behind my JOURNEY as a member of the PAF HONOR ESCORT BATTALION, not only to share successful ways and best practices for the incoming members of the detail, but also to make people understand that MILITARY PROFESSION is not only about COMBAT or fighting the ENEMY in the BATTLEFIELDS. However, whatever experiences we gained from other endeavors like being detailed as member of the PAF HONOR ESCORT BATTALION will essentially help us to hurdle challenges and conquer victories when we are sent to fight the enemies in the real battlefields.
My JOURNEY as member of the PAF HONOR ESCORT BATTALION for the second time is very RARE. Very few officers are given such challenge. Experiences and insights that will help me to recommend for POLICY FORMULATION and AMENDMENT to highly professionalize the organization and create effective and responsive systems.
"WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, THE BODY CAN ACHIEVE."
This particular blog will reveal what is running inside the mind of an HONOR ESCORT BATTALION MEMBER especially as a GROUP or BATTALION STAFF. (This is a specific story of my participation as member of the HONOR ESCORT BATTALION STAFF for numerous occasions). I presume that all the other members of the parading elements from the Troop Commander down to every rifleman have the same story to tell.
But before that, let me provide some background about the MILITARY PROFESSION and about PARADES and MILITARY HONORS.
MILITARY PROFESSION is a less-traveled road. There are plenty of things and occurrences that only members of the organization who can fully understand and totally explain the joys, the pains, the challenges, the toils, the triumphs, the disappointments and all other factors in a JOURNEY called "MILITARY SERVICE".
MILITARY CEREMONIES like parades are customs and traditions that make us unique from other institutions.
ARRIVAL HONORS, DEPARTURE HONORS AND OTHER MILITARY HONORS are now being "professionalized" and being provided by the HONOR ESCORT BATTALION.
The HONOR ESCORT BATTALION is a group of officers and enlisted personnel who are assigned within the offices and units within VILLAMOR AIR BASE designated to provide MILITARY HONORS for OFFICERS who are promoted to the rank of GENERAL and who are compulsory retired from the service. Military honors are also rendered to the PRESIDENT of the REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES being the Commander-in-Chief of the AFP, other government officials and dignitaries from other countries.
The tour of duty of the members of the Honor Escort Group is one year commencing during the celebration of the Philippine Air Force anniversary on July 1.
I am already in the military service for more than 2 decades. Military parades are integral part of my existence in the profession of arms from being a cadet at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), then as a junior officer up to this time as a Field Grade Officer.
Being designated as member of the PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE HONOR ESCORT BATTALION is both a great HONOR and a gargantuan CHALLENGE. It is another chapter in the colorful pages of our JOURNEY in the military service worthy to be treasured and shared.
This is actually my second tour of duty as member of the PAF HONOR ESCORT BATTALION. I do not exactly know the justification why I was given another tour of duty for this particular task. My first designation was from 2012 to 2013 where most of my duties were in MALACANANG PALACE and GENERAL HEADQUARTERS. During that stint, I was the regular PAF representative to the composite BATTALION staff that provided military honors for 4 heads of state in MALACANANG. I was also a member of the BATTALION STAFF during the arrival honors for the PRESIDENT and COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF during the PAF ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION at FERNANDO AIR BASE, LIPA CITY in 2012 and during the PAF ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION at CLARK AIR BASE in 2013. I was also a member of the Honor Escort Battalion Staff for the TURN-OVER Ceremonies for the 2 of the last 3 Chiefs of Staff.
For that tour of duty, proper mindset greatly helped me to stay for a maximum of 4 hours under extreme weather conditions and other pressures such as the scrutinizing eyes of the guests, the physical condition and current concerns and problems whether at work or at home. There were also numerous instances when our performances were shown live on TELEVISION and LIVE STREAM adding to the pressures that we have to deal with.
 |
| while waiting for the ACTUAL PERFORMANCE to start as member of the PAF HONOR ESCORT BATTALION from 2012 to 2013 when I was still a MAJOR... |
 |
| ...during the PARADE AND REVIEW for a RETIREMENT CEREMONY at CAMP AGUINALDO in 2012... |
MINDSET is the most important factor that will spell success in this particular endeavor. Although physical toughness is another significant requisite to perform excellently and to stay standing under extreme pressures of the scrutinizing eyes and unforgiving weather condition, proper mindset is the best way to hurdle all the challenges and peripheral factors.
 |
| The SABER will be our "WIFE" for ONE YEAR...during the duration of our tour of duty as members of the PAF HONOR ESCORT BATTALION... |
 |
| The CAP for the FIELD GRADE OFFICER who are members of the PAF HONOR ESCORT BATTALION... the "GOLDEN" CAP is usually for GENERAL OFFICERS... It is another distinction and privilege for us since we are authorized to wear the "GOLDEN" CAP although we are not yet GENERAL OFFICERS |
As the tallest among the group, I was always sent as PAF representative whenever there were HEAD OF STATE to be honored at MALACANANG. During that one year, I became a member of the BATTALION HONOR GUARD at MALACANANG 4 times. It was certainly a great privilege to be given that honor to see the PRESIDENT in close proximity together with other TOP RANKING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS both from our country and other countries. The cost is the practices and dress rehearsals in MALACANANG were conducted during Saturdays and Sundays, meaning no weekend rest for me.
The close encounter being just about 3 to 4 meters away from the honoree added to the extreme pressure to stand at attention with proper posture, looking straight ahead, chin in, hands-back, reaching for the ground and holding bananas properly, chest out, stomach in, clipped knees, and feet at 45 degrees angle. When commands are given, there is a need to have undivided attention to execute properly with snap free from errors and without unnecessary movements.
 |
| The BLACK GLOVES for OFFICERS who are members of the PAF HONOR ESCORT BATTALION...WHITE GLOVES are provided to ENLISTED PERSONNEL... |
The most challenging part actually of rendering military honors is not the execution part but on the ABILITY to stay standing still while waiting for the HONOREE to arrive. PROPER MINDSET comes into significant ROLE. For that one year tour of duty from 2012 to 2013, it was my "STRONG MIND" that kept me ALIVE and came out successful in all my performances that I was detailed. It was thinking POSITIVE THINGS, HAPPY MOMENTS and BEAUTIFUL FORESIGHT that carried me to survive overflowing challenges of unexpected physical strain and mental drain during the seemingly endless waiting while standing snappily. Appreciating the beautiful sights within the grasp of my eyes diverted my attention from the feeling of numbness, muscles cramps, or itchiness in my different body parts and the burning sensation under my feet due to cemented ground or at my forehead due to the headgear both being subjected to the scorching heat of the sun. One member said "para kang bibingka na niluluto kasi may parehong may nag-aapoy na pakiramdam sa ibabaw at sa ilalim". There are also instances when ants and other insects crawled in my face, nose, ears, hands, legs or even at sensitive parts. But the worst feeling is when COMFORT ROOM is urgently calling you for a visit (good thing, I haven't experienced this one because I always wake up 3 hours before the assembly time to remove unnecessary baggage inside my mind and body). But when you are out there standing still in GALA UNIFORM wearing black gloves and holding the SABER, there is no turning back. You have to deal various challenges and unwelcome distractions with PROPER MINDSET in order to survive the ordeal and perform well.
I was thinking POSITIVE THINGS like not everyone has given the great privilege to render honors to the PRESIDENT of the REPUBLIC.
I was thinking HAPPY MOMENTS like visits to the amazing places within and outside the country, or successfully graduated from a difficult course or enjoying remarkable moments with LOVED ONES.
I was thinking BEAUTIFUL FORESIGHT, to have a whole body massage, to watch my favorite PBA team live in a championship game or a suspense-thriller 3D movie, to visit beautiful places during weekends or to savor delicious food in a buffet restaurant.
Preparations and proper mindset before the actual performances are also significant KEY FACTORS. There is a need to commit your mind, body, heart and spirit that you have to perform well during the rehearsals and actual performances. Complete rest the night before the d-day is a very important factor. Uniform and other requirements should be prepared ahead of time. Ill-fitting uniforms should be repaired not only provide comfortable wearing but also to unfold snappy presentation. Taking revitalizing food and hydrating drinks will certainly help a lot. Waking up about 2 to 3 hours before the actual assembly time is very important to completely prepare body, heart, spirit and mind.
For this year, 2015 and until year 2016, I am again detailed as member of the PAF HONOR ESCORT BATTALION. My duty commenced when we conducted series of challenging rehearsals and performed actual military honors during the ARRIVAL of the GUEST OF HONOR for the PAF RETIREES DAY on June 29 and during the ARRIVAL HONORS for the PRESIDENT and COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF as GUEST OF HONORS for the PAF 68th FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION yesterday, July 1.
During the PAF RETIREES DAY, it was about 30 to 40 minutes standing and actual arrival honors. During the PAF 68TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY, it was about an hour of standing and waiting under extreme weather conditions and scrutinizing eyes of the guests and spectators.
 |
| ARRIVAL HONORS rendered to the COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF and PRESIDENT of the REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES during the PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE 68TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION at CLARK AIR BASE, PAMPANGA |
Just like in 2012 and 2013, it was PROPER MINDSET that helped me survived and performed well for the past two activities. Our tour of duty has just begun. There are many challenging minutes, hours, days, weeks and months that will come our way. There is no absolute guarantee that I can sustain my excellent performances because just like anybody I am just a human being with limitations. But I will always utilize the same successful formula of having the proper mindset to successfully accomplish my duties as member of the PAF HONOR ESCORT BATTALION. I am also gathering best practices from other participants who successfully hurdled the same JOURNEY.
I will constantly unfold the stories behind my JOURNEY as a member of the PAF HONOR ESCORT BATTALION, not only to share successful ways and best practices for the incoming members of the detail, but also to make people understand that MILITARY PROFESSION is not only about COMBAT or fighting the ENEMY in the BATTLEFIELDS. However, whatever experiences we gained from other endeavors like being detailed as member of the PAF HONOR ESCORT BATTALION will essentially help us to hurdle challenges and conquer victories when we are sent to fight the enemies in the real battlefields.
My JOURNEY as member of the PAF HONOR ESCORT BATTALION for the second time is very RARE. Very few officers are given such challenge. Experiences and insights that will help me to recommend for POLICY FORMULATION and AMENDMENT to highly professionalize the organization and create effective and responsive systems.
 |
| as member of the PAF HONOR ESCORT BATTALION staff before rendering arrival honors to the COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF and PRESIDENT of the REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, HIS EXCELLENCY BENIGNO S. AQUINO III as GUEST OF HONOR during the PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE 68th FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION on July 1, 2015 at AIR FORCE CITY, CLARK AIR BASE, MABALACAT CITY, PAMPANGA... |
"WHAT THE MIND CAN CONCEIVE, THE BODY CAN ACHIEVE."
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