Ateneo de Manila University ROTC Unit

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=Ateneo de Manila ROTC Unit


caption=
dates=1918-Present
country=Republic of the Philippines
allegiance=
branch=Philippine Air Force (Reserve)
type=Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit
role=Training
size=2,000+
command_structure=131st Air Defense Center
garrison=Quezon City, Philippines
garrison_label=Ateneo de Manila University
equipment=M14 Dummy Rifle, M16A1 Assault Rifle, M1 Garand
equipment_label=
nickname=Air Cadets
patron=St. Ignatius of Loyola
motto="Lux in Domino"
"In Altum Vola"
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identification_symbol=
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aircraft_transport=The Ateneo de Manila ROTC Unit or Ateneo de Manila Corps of Cadets, designated as the 131st Department of Air Science and Tactics, is the official ROTC unit of the Ateneo de Manila University.

Authorized by and serving under the First Air Reserve Command (ARCEN) of the Philippine Air Force, the Ateneo de Manila ROTC is recognized as an academic department under the care of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the Ateneo de Manila Loyola Schools.

Hailing from a tradition of excellence, honor and heroism, the AdMU ROTC bears a proud history of having served the country valiantly during the Second World War. During the time that other ROTC units were being disbanded, the Ateneo ROTC cadets of that era voluntarily forged onward in the service of country. To this day, these Atenean heroes are honored and remembered every year by the AdMU Corps of Cadets and the rest of the Ateneo community during the traditional December homecoming ceremonies and parade.

Although the present day is rife with challenges for this distinguished ROTC unit, the AdMU Corps continues to implement a wholesome, comprehensive training program that proves to be both fun, challenging, and definitely worth the while of those who willingly choose the Corps. Heading this ROTC unit is the Ateneo Corps of Cadet Officers, a small but highly trained cadre of dedicated students who volunteer to tirelessly plan, execute and personally handle the entire training program of instruction of the Ateneo de Manila ROTC.

=History=

How it Began

In 1918, cadet corps was first established at the Ateneo.

Instructors were Major Morrisey of the 27th Inf.Regt., USA; Col. Robert Hill, Chief of Staff of the Philippine Department; Lt. William A. Knapp, 27th Inf. Regt., USA.

The organization made an appearance during the Liberty Loan Parade on 10 October 1918. The Ateneo Battalion won the Carnival Cup and it was first in a series of its awards and commendations.

The cadet corps was officially mobilized during the year 1921. There were four formal inspections conducted. A couple of years later, the cadet corps was admitted into the Reserve Officers Training Corps. Four reviews were held to honor prominent government and military officials during that time.

During the years 1924 to 1925, the cadet corps under the reserve unit made its first public appearance on the Fourth of July parade. Again, the company was selected as the best among other units such as the University of the Philippines and the National University.

Numerous invitations to exhibition drills followed.On 3 February 1926, the Corps received nothing but praises for its accomplishments. Governor General Leonard Wood was impressed with the parade-in- review and declared the Ateneo Corps as "The West Point of the Philippines". More competitive drills followed, giving more laurels to the disciplined and excellent training unit.

The succeeding year found the cadets wearing the regulation full- dress West Point uniform. It was until 1927 that the Ateneo Cadet Corps had a distinction of being the only military unit in the Far East. Its program- of- instruction was patterned after the United States' ROTC units.

Experiencing Life in Camp

Baguio camps became part of every cadet's life. This takes place during the summer vacation. It aims to provide each cadet an opportunity to experience the life of a soldier at camp. These were the most glorious days for the Corps.

General MacArthur was especially interested in the Ateneo Camp. The commanding general then directed the production of all necessary equipment and materials such as tents, tables, chairs, blankets and ammunition among others. He saw to it that the camp was implemented efficiently to the last detail.

=Training & POI=The First ARCEN of the Philippine Air Force has arranged a general curriculum which is implemented in all ROTC units in schools under their command. The Ateneo Corps of Cadet Officers, however, under the supervision of Military Training Instructors, was given the chance to modify the Program of Instruction (POI) to suit the demands of training Atenean cadets.

The Ateneo Reserve Officers Training Corps (AROTC) POI is classified into four themes: citizenship training, parade and review, combat training, and survival training.

Citizenship training serves as an introduction to the proud military organization. The cadets are oriented about the institution’s values, standard operating procedures, and objectives.

Parade and Review involves traditional marching and rifle drills that help prepare the cadets for parades held to welcome and honor university guests, for sentinel duties during ACET and graduation ceremonies, and for ushering duties for other school programs.

Combat training aims to train the cadets in basic self-defense and in handling common military weapons. This includes assembly and disassembly of rifles, squad tactics using M16, M14, and M1 rifles, martial arts training, live firing exercises, and a paintball challenge.

Survival training is about learning everything the cadets need to know in the field including signal communication, first aid, map reading, orienteering, ropesmanship, and camping basics. The cadets undergo rescue operation simulation, solar still / water collector construction, scavenger hunt, cookout, rappelling, and the army obstacle course.

The Corps of Cadet Officers plan to add aircraft familiarization, small arms training, and camping in the curriculum for the next school year. ROTC is a one-year character development program that aims to train Air Force reservists. The Ateneo ROTC through its POI does that in ways that are fun, challenging, educational, and definitely worth your while.

=References=
*http://www.ateneorotc.com/ - Official Website of the ADMU ROTC Unit
*http://www.ateneorotc.cjb.net/ - Official Website of the ADMU Corps of Cadets