In this blog, I will be primarily tackling my remarkable journey as C1 (Personnel Officer of the AFPCGSC, now AFPETDC) to the designation as the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Air Reserve Center (2nd ARCen).
When I went back to the Philippines after my 10 months stay in China for my Command and Staff Course, only one thing is sure and that is my assignment at the AFP Command and General Staff College (AFPCGSC), now AFP Education, Training and Doctrines Command (AFPETDC), to serve for at least one year as mandatory contractual service obligation for any officer who took up his or her CGSC or MNSA or MASTERS abroad.
When I reported for duty on August 15, 2016 at AFPCGSC, I was initially assigned at the Research and Special Studies Center (RSSC) because of my background in research. However, after more than a month, on September 23, 2016, I was designated as the ACS for Personnel, C1 and concurrent Command Adjutant of the AFPCGSC. The positions were not new to me since I was already designated as C1 of the Air Education and Training and Doctrines Command (AETDC) from 2009 to 2010 for 10 months. The only difference at AFPCGSC, I managed personnel from other services since that was also my first assignment outside the Philippine Air Force. The peculiarities of the Army and the Navy were great learning experience for me. I also became the Wing Adjutant of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing in the early 2000s for almost 3 years. But after a month of occupying both positions at AFPCGSC, I relinquished my position as Command Adjutant to my Deputy C1 to provide separation of duties and responsibilities between the two significant staff positions, C1 and Adjutant.
The JOURNEY as the C1 of AFPCGSC was both challenging and rewarding. Challenging because I had to constantly deal with the fast turn-over of personnel especially for officers who already rendered the mandatory contractual service obligation of 1 year at AFPCGSC. About seventy percent (70%) of officers assigned at AFPCGSC are from schooling abroad. Comprehensive planning was highly required to designate qualified and capable officers especially to key staff and Center Head positions. Rewarding because I learned so much about how other services manage personnel matters. Additional skills that I can utilize in my future assignments and endeavors.
Notably interesting at the Office of C1 during that time. I was the C1, Chief of the Office, an Air Force guy. My Deputy C1 was a Navy guy while all the 3 Enlisted Personnel assigned in our Office were from the Army. A good mix for us to share best practices from our respective branch of service.
It is also interesting to note that maybe I have the distinction of being the only one in the Philippine Air Force who was designated as C1 of the AETC (now AETDC) and later as C1 of AFPCGSC (now AFPETDC).
After only 9 months of being assigned at the AFPCGSC, I received a written information that I was being recalled back to PAF to occupy the position of Commanding Officer, 2nd Air Reserve Center stationed at Air Force City, Clark Air Base, Mabalacat City, Pampanga. It was both a very good and not so good development. Very good development because I will be occupying a Commander position with TO rank of Colonel (O6). Although my current position as C-1 is also an O6 position, being a Commander is far different from being a staff. The projected designation was also my first of being assigned at Clark Air Base and Northern and Central part of Luzon. Not good development, because I cannot complete the 3 years mandatory AFP GHQ assignment for me to be able to get the maximum 3 points in the Qualitative Rating Sheet (QRS) which will be used as basis for promotion to the rank of Colonel. In management, it is called OPPORTUNITY COST. I welcomed the new designation both as a blessing and as a challenge.
It was 14 June 2017 when I assumed the Command of the 2nd Air Reserve Center replacing the former Commanding Officer who was designated as the Chief of the Office of the Air Force Engineers. The simple ceremony was presided by the Commander of the Air Force Reserve Command who became the Commandant of the Philippine Air Force Officer Candidate School (PAFOCS) when I was its Director for Operations and concurrent Senior Tactical Officer (STO).
The 2nd ARCen was adjudged as the CG, PAF Streamer Awardee in the Group Non-Flying Category for PAF Anniversary 2017. It was both a challenge and an opportunity for me to command an outstanding unit. The credits all go to the men and women of the 2nd ARCen especially to the former Commanding Officer for his sterling leadership and inept commitment to positively transform the unit. His new designation is a fitting tribute for his gargantuan efforts to build and develop the 2nd ARCen into one of the best units in the Philippine Air Force. He will certainly make a great contribution in building the PAF into formidable force.
The 2nd Air Reserve Center has the mandate "To TRAIN, DEVELOP and UTILIZE the PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE Citizen Armed Force in Northern and Central Luzon." Northern and Central Luzon has a total of 4 Regions composed of 22 provinces. A huge area of responsibility on our shoulders to cover to recruit, train and utilize the PAF reservists.
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| Receiving the award of Commanding General, Philippine Air Force Streamer for PAF Anniversary 2017. |
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| Photo Opportunity with the Commanding General, PAF, the Vice Commander, PAF and the Air Force Inspector General. |
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| Together with the men and women of the 2nd Air Reserve Center |
TO BE CONTINUED...
