How to Join as Philippine Army Reservist | Qualification, Application, and Benefits #Arescom #AFP

This article is basically a guide for Philippine Army Reservists in general. If you want specific info about PN and PAF Reservist application please visit the link at the bottom of this post. 

Who are qualified to enlist as a reservist?

The Reserve Force is composed of different social groups which are as follows:

• Degree holders who are Basic  and Advance ROTC graduates
• Out-of-school youth or undergrads who are graduates of the Special Basic Citizen Military Training (SBCMT)
• Basic Citizen Military Training (BCMT) graduates
• Professionals/Degree Holders (with or without PRC License)
• Graduates of MNSA at NDCP
• Key and technical personnel of govt and private utilities & companies
• Elected/appointed government officials
• Incorporated Officers (Retired Military personnel)
• Members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU)
• Deserving NCO’s of the AFP
• Former enlisted personnel

What are the general qualifications?

There are certain qualifications to become a citizen-soldier which include:

a.) Applicant must be a Filipino citizen

b.) Must not be less than twenty-one (21) years nor more than sixty-four (64) years of age at the time of appointment as a reserve officer

c.) Must pass the physical examination standards conducted by an authorized AFP hospital or civilian / government hospitals and the physical examination report to be validated by the Major Service Chief Surgeons

d.) Must be a graduate of a baccalaureate degree / Honorary degree except deserving Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) / Petty Officers (POs).

e.) Must take the AFP aptitude test battery (AFPATB) except the elected government officials, appointed government officials, holders of government licenses, Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) graduates and Armed Forces of the Philippines Affiliated Reserve Unit (AFPARU) Personnel.

f.) Appropriate Pre-Commission Training for individual applicants and Military Orientation Training for AFPARU applicants shall be required prior to Commission into the Reserve Force.

Can women enlist and be commissioned as reservists?

Women shall have the right to serve and as such, relevant standards for admission, training and commissioning of women shall be the same as those required for men.

However, essential adjustments shall be made in such standards due to physiological differences between men and women.

What are the necessary documents needed to enlist as a reservist?

For degree holders and ROTC graduates, Transcript of Records (TOR), diploma, ROTC Declaration of Graduate and Order of Merit are needed. For out-of-school youth and undergraduates on the other hand, medical certificates and local clearances are also required.

What is the process to be enlisted as a reservist?

An interested applicant, an undergraduate or an out-of-school youth, must undergo a Special Basic Citizen Military Training (SBCMT) course at any community defence centre (CDC) for 15 consecutive Sundays to become a reservist.

ROTC graduates, CAFGU and former enlisted personnel should visit the CDCs to signify their intent of activate in the Reserve Force after getting an order of separation from their previous armed service.

What ranks and assignments will they be given?

The basic ROTC graduates, they will be given a reserve enlisted rank and serial number and will be assigned to their provincial reserve units and mobilization centers. The positions to be awarded shall be from private to sergeant. Those to be awarded ranks above private shall be chosen based on merit. The same goes for the graduates of the SBCMT.

To those who wish to continue to the advanced ROTC course, they shall carry their enlisted rank until after their successful completion of advanced ROTC.

On the other hand, the graduates of advanced ROTC shall be recommended for a commission in the reserve force as second lieutenants and will also be assigned to their respective provincial reserve units and mobilization centers.

Those with manifest potential may be commissioned in the regular force as 2LTs; but, those who fail to complete the course shall be conferred the enlisted rank of Sergeant.

Will there be training after enlistment?

Training are conducted to enhance the readiness of individual reservists and reserve units to respond to the call to service. One of which is the Compulsory Training for the First Category Reservists, which takes about not less than thirty days but more than sixty days in a given year.

Voluntary Training is also encouraged for individual reservists, and commissioned and non-commissioned officers to upgrade their proficiency.

What is the status of reservists on training?

Reservists on compulsory and voluntary training shall be subject to military law and shall not receive pay but shall be entitled to allowances and burial benefits as provided by law.

How about the status of reservists under mobilization?

When enlisted or officer reservists are called to active duty by virtue of mobilization, they shall receive all the pay and allowances, medical care, hospitalization and other privileges and benefits prescribed by law or regulations for officers and enlisted personnel of the regular force.

Who are qualified to be commissioned as an officer of the Reserve Force?

a) Degree holders who are Advance ROTC graduates or have successfully completed the prescribed program of instruction for the Probationary Officer Training Course (POTC/MS-43) conducted by the Major Service RESCOMS

b) Degree holders requiring four (4) or more years of study in the courses of interest to the AFP and who are graduates of the basic ROTC

c) Elected government officials and presidential appointees who may qualify for commission

d) Non-commissioned officers (NCOs) COs/Petty Officers (Pos) of the regular force with outstanding records of service and technical experience and those who have rendered exceptional services in combat or other activity involving risk of life or limb

e) Graduates of the Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) conducted by the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP)

f) Key and Technical personnel of affiliated reserve units

g) Regular Officers who have resigned his/her commission and the acceptance of which was not for cause or Reserve Officers who are no longer qualified for Call to Active Duty (CAD) provided his reversion is not for cause

What is the process for application?

The AFP Reserve Command and the Major Services through their respective RESCOM are responsible for soliciting applicants for commission. All applications shall be thoroughly screened by the screening boards which shall recommend candidates for the commission to the Major Service /AFPRESCOM Commanders then to the Chief of Staff, AFP.

The Reserve Commands, in this case, the Army Reserve Command, upon receipt of the complete application, shall request for conduction of background information (BI). While BI is still ongoing, an Interim Clearance shall be issued so that the supporting documents can be processed.

The Chief of Staff, AFP, based on the evaluation and recommendation of the DCSRRA J9, shall recommend to the President, through SND, the commission in the Reserve Force, AFP of qualified candidates. The Adjutant General, AFP shall then publish the appropriate orders announcing the appointment of reservist officers commissioned.

Please also read:  How to join as Philippine Air Force Reservist and How to Join Philippine Navy Reservist

SOURCES : PHILIPPINE ARMY | ARESCOM | PA | PN | DWDD
Photo credits : ARESCOM / Davao Occidental LGU