My PMA Cadet Years (Fourth Class) - Beast Barracks (2nd Plebe Detail)

Continuing with my PMA memoirs... It’s the second plebe detail and the Army group was handling us... we were expecting for the worst... and more rigid training... since this is what we were told... 

April 30, 1995 – It’s Sunday, we went to church and had a quiet time with Yahweh... really had a hard time fighting such dozing-prone moments... maybe because those strenuous activities we had, with adrenaline levels started to drop, left us off guard and weariness had catch-up... thanks to our squad mates, we kept looking after each other to avoid bad endorsement.

And then back to barracks with our normal routine... road run then “masi-masi”...

“Masi-masi or mess to mess” is from the word mess (obviously).  Mess is what we termed our meal breaks (morning, noon and evening mess).  Literally, it means  series of exercises performed starting at the end of a meal break and ends before another meal break starts... but this didn't happened much... luckily, we also had other duties to be busy with. (lol)

Obstacle Course and Film Viewing.  Was it just a coincidence that we were having our rotting obstacle course on Labor Day  and it was raining... The obstacle course is a series of task where you need to balance yourself on cross elevated logs; crawl under barbwires, into concrete culverts and elevated bars; climb up and down in ropes; go over logs; jump, bounce, leap were just a few to mention... and the best part was... there’s a time limit and exceeding beyond it would mean repetition and a low score.

Then, we had a chance to see a part of the documentation done by the ladies from De La Salle University for their thesis on PMA women cadets.  We finally saw what transpired during our reception day from other’s perspective... it was unlikely fun to watch since it was the day we didn’t want to happened again... haha...

Bogged Down.  It was May 2, 1995, we had our squad run.  It was just like any other run in our normal route and distance but with a little twist... we ran by squad, in our camouflage uniform with all the accessories and full backpack.  Just a couple of meters away from the finish line, I started catching my breath and then my feet gave in... I was carried by my squad mates to the finish line and then rushed to PMASH (our station hospital).  No findings though... maybe it’s just fatigue or the extra baggage or simply, just lost the correct timing of my breathing (lol)... I don’t know...  it was new to me... never bogged down in running before.

I was “sick in quarters” (SIQ) for 24 hours... quite enjoyed the early mess and being excused from a couple of activities.  This was the first time I heard the mess hall from afar... If you’re an outsider, you would definitely not think it’s a place where cadets eat their meal... hahaha.

Rope Course and Stamina.  The following days were about learning how to cross different rope bridges (single, double and triple rope bridge)... and several revelry road runs in preparation for our second “foot march” to Camp 6.


May 6. 
No Saturday Inspection... we're having our foot march and our destination was Camp 6 (about 11 kilometers from PMA).  It was much tougher than the first foot march since we travelled on rugged terrains and passed along cliffs.  We took an alternative route on our way back... Cannon Road.  It was all concrete and asphalt roads going up... and took our rest upon reaching Luwakan airport.  Then we continued until we heard the band... and we marched “head-up and chin-in” ‘til our final halt in the Borromeo field.



Marksmanship and Rappelling.  I really enjoyed both courses... For the marksmanship training, we were asked to shoot the M-16 automatic rifle in different positions and in single shots and rapid firing... hit some bull’s eye (don’t ask where the other bullets went, I don’t know either... hehe)

And for the rappelling, we started at a few feet structure (the tree house) and then on top of a 4 storey building (Florendo Hall).  It was quite hard looking down and thinking I’m going to fall, but I had my confidence from the sergeants with their years of experience on this... come to think of it... I was attached to the rope and doing it according to instructions... and more importantly, I just prayed... what could possibly go wrong?  Most challenging... “the lizard” or head first rappel... it’s an awesome experience.

May 14.  Our Lord’s Day and it was Mother’s day.  Why is it that if you are having a hard time with your life, you always think and wish for your mom and not anyone else... my children does that all the time... haha.

Record Firing, Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and Obstacle Course.  A hectic week... and more, it was raining most of the time.  It had made the tests a lot difficult, especially the obstacle course.  I’m a marksman in record firing (that means average)... I missed a lot in the standing position; I’m blaming it to the rain and fog covering my sight (lol).

The PFT is composed of the following tests: push-up, sit-up, pull-up, trunk forward flexion, standing long jump and 3.2 km run.  I passed all the standards or minimum requirement for the tests.  My record for the run was 12’50”... and I can’t beat that anymore...

And for the obstacle course, I really wasn’t expecting but I did a pretty good job here.  I finished 9^th with a time of 11’19” (27’19” less 16’)... that’s good enough for me. (Please don’t ask me about the computation, go ask PMA... but just a wild guess, the 16 minutes buffer was for the mud in our boots and the wet obstacle course... hehe)

Swimming, Boodles and Uniforms.  The week also had its fun and surprises.  We had our swimming lesson where we were asked to jump from an elevated board to a pool which I guess was10-12 feet deep.  It was fun, especially if you’re not afraid of heights and already knew how to swim...

The boodles were also distributed for our final foot march.  It was a treat for us back then.  Plebes were unauthorized to go to public places and establishments during the summer camp even if it was inside PMA.  We were confined and restricted to barracks and always accompanied by an upperclassman or an officer during outdoor activities... Anyway, we had no money to offer... unless the store wanted to trade... socks for boodles, anyone (lol)

We were also already issued with some of the corps uniforms; the dress coat and the corps jacket.  It was a big deal, especially to a plebe that I was then.  This meant that I was near to surviving the beast barracks and incorporation was just days ahead.

May 19-20.  Our third and final foot march for the summer camp and our destination... the radars at Mt. Kabuyaw.  We had an early mess that day (0430H) and jumped off at 0600H.  We brought our shelter halves (yes ½, one needs to have a partner to complete 1 tent) since we spent an overnight in the camp site.  Actually, it should had been termed as “foot march climbing a foggy mountain” since it’s all up and for just a few meters you could no longer see the person in front of you... more, we were all wet with sweat and rain... hehe.

We enjoyed the night being loose even for a while... no heading-up and chinning-in... and no shouting.  No bias with the other group, but I guess the Army group wasn’t what they were telling us to be.  They were more of the “people” person.  Still strict during training but they mingled well with their people than the other group. Maybe that’s just the “army way”...  And since it was raining the whole night with our poncho on, a squad mate and I played a little trick to a group of “mistah” from the other company... pretending to be upperclassmen (acting “cool na cool”), they actually became uneasy with our presence... we asked them to stay at ease... and we returned to our platoon.  Haha... lucky for us we were not caught by their yearlings or squad leader.  Coz if we were... we’re deadly endorsed.

The following day, it was still rainy when we returned to the academy.  Our officers were just glad no one bogged down in our company considered we traveled 15 kilometers to reach PMA... though cadets maybe tough still there were those who had been feverish after the event... we’re no steel, after all.

Incorporation Day Preparations.  Final examinations, drills, road runs, cleaning... and lots and lots of cleaning composed the last week of May.  We were all busy preparing for a very important event... the Incorporation Day.  We had road runs with our M-14 so we would be used to its weight... we will be using it from then on in our parade and review.  Our lacking items and uniforms were already issued.  Closing and summing up our military subjects with their final examinations.  And drills, drills and drills for the incorporation parade... it was actually one way to show the corps that we deserved to be a part of it... we all crossed our fingers and hoped for the best...

And best part was, we will again see our family, after 2 long months... just 2 months, but why did it feel like a year?  But no matter what, I still thanked the Lord, I survived the beast barracks...

To Yahweh be the glory...

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My PMA Cadet Years (Fourth Class)... Beast Barracks (1st Plebe Detail)

From my previous post “April Fools’ Reception Day”, I’ve imparted to you my first day as a cadet in PMA.  I will be sharing to you now my life inside the cadet corps...in general.  Some of my experiences, corps practices, traditions and teachings... more of the good stuff.

1^st year – Plebe hood (4^th Class)

This is the part of my cadet years I remembered the most... As cadets jokingly say “plebes are the lowest life form in the corps”.  I was a member of the PMA class of 1999 (we still didn’t have our class name “Masikhay” back then).  I was assigned to the 1^st battalion of the “beast barracks” or summer camp, bearing the serial number C-10425.  The Navy and Air Force group of 2nd classmen were handling us, being the first plebe detail.

As a plebe, we were tasked to memorize plebe knowledge, mess hall (dining area) menus, guard details, upperclassmen details, especially our squad leader and yearling “3^rd class” buddies and a lot more.  We were also taught by our upperclassmen to do the basic things and techniques in how to properly shine our shoes and metal parts, ironing our uniforms and clothing, washing our clothes, cleaning the hallway in simultaneous rhythm and a lot more.

The first few weeks were mostly about the “get to know” and “get the feel” period.  We were 7 plebes in our squad, with 2 yearlings and a squad leader.  A day after the “rotting” reception (April 01, 2005), we had our very first Sunday mass at St. Ignatius Church inside the PMA compound.  Even just for a moment we had again silence and peace... since after that, it’ll be one whole day of strenuous exercise or as we termed it “masi-masi”.  Many quitted on this day, as expected, due to the extreme pressure and sudden change of environment.  For me, after what I’ve been through and after losing all of my hair (just kidding), I told myself there’s no turning back.

Revelry Road Run.  On Day 3, we had our very first road run, 4 rounds around the Borromeo field.  This is usually done very early in the morning.  The Corps run by platoon and chanting was made to synchronize movement and pacing.  The distance progressed as the weeks passed by... to the gasoline station (about 3.2 km), then the PMA entrance gate or the “check point” (about 5 km), then the Loakan airport (about 5.7 km) and the whole stretch of the Loakan Airport (about 8.5 km).

Basic Information, Skills and Tasks.  The first week was allotted to teach and provide us the basic information we needed to know... History and Organization of CCAFP and PMA, the Honor Code and Cadet Pay and Allowances.  On Day 4, we were taught the basic drills and marches and on Day 5 we were already tasked to memorize basic plebe knowledge and the menu for the day. And on Day 6, we started our military classes.

Cadet’s Welfare.  It’s quite cold in Baguio City, so since we were still adapting to the climate.  After a few days of our stay, many of us suffered from cracked lips, so we received lip balms which we were hesitant to use since it resembled a woman’s lipstick.

Though it’s cold, noon time were also quite hot.  Maybe because in high altitudes, we were also nearer to the sun (lol).  Masi-masi was usually done in outside, in the asphalt area, but due to the growing cases of plebes having wounds in their palms, it was transferred inside barracks.

Saturday Inspection.  We were asked to prepare the night before this day... we shined our combat boots, ironed our uniforms and cleaned our room.  Day 8 came and as expected, we had gained a lot of demerits but it was from this “laxities” that we learned to improve and correct our previous mistakes.

Physical Fitness.  Aside from the “masi-masi” conducted by squad or platoon, we had our first “circuit training exercise” and “grass drill” (composed of different exercises) on Day 11. Onwards a series of road runs were also made in preparation for our very first foot march.

Our squad... taken during our stop at
Malboro Country: 1st Administrative Foot March

Administrative Foot March.  Day 15, our destination was Malboro Country, more or less 12 km from PMA.  Here we passed by different terrains such as hills, plantation fields and cliffs (in Apugan trail).  Actually, what we were looking forward to was the “boodles” or food our squad leader had prepared for us.  It had been days since we had our taste of softdrinks (soda) and other goodies .It may not be a feast but for an underprivileged plebe... it’s heaven. (LOL).  We also returned that day, we were all very glad that we completed our very first foot march.

Athletics and Sports.  Not always did we have serious stuff... simultaneous with the other activities, we had our fun and recreation.  We had sports competition which started in Day 16.  It was between the 4 battalions and whoever won that time got a reward through merits or additional dessert in the mess hall... and we did have our share of victories as well as defeats.

Birthday.  Day 21, I celebrated my 18^th birthday in PMA.  They said it would be a relaxing day for me.  No usual “head-up and chin-ins”.  I was also given the “load and load” (eat everything in your plate) privilege... I’m just not sure if it’s really a privilege or a punishment.  But still, I was able to eat without fixing my plate and following the proper decorum... if you’re lucky, sometimes your squad leader would allow you to stoop down and tell you not to attend to any of their needs for the mean time.  But that’s their prerogative and should never be assumed.

M14 A-1 US Rifle.  I received my rifle in Day 25.  Good thing its serial number was easy to recall C-494967 since we were told to memorize it.  It’s not that hard though, since we would be with our rifle for almost our whole cadet life in PMA as it’ll be part of most activities we will be having in the cadet corps... that’s the primary reason why this rifle was termed as our wife or girlfriend... we took good care of it, always by its company and we never left it out of our sight... not until we’re sure that it’s safe.

Resignation and Confinement.  On day 27, a squad mate resigned due to family call and another was confined in the hospital due to muscle weakness.  No one’s really sure of their stay in the academy.  There were a lot of possible things and twist of events that change the path we’re going to.  Today you’re there... the following day, you’re gone.

Boodle Fight.  A military tradition where the viand and rice are served together in a long table, using banana leaves as table mat, as everyone eat side by side using their bare hands.  In the academy, it was “Day 28” when our company had a boodle fight.  We usually did it on special occasions.  That time, it was for the birthday of an upperclassman and a farewell present from the 1^st plebe detail (navy and airforce group).  The presentation had slight modification, instead of banana leaves and tables, food is served in the hallway at the top of old newspapers... nevertheless, it just taste the same for a plebe.

Letters and Thoughts.  I never expected to receive any letters since I thought it’s never a plebe’s privilege.  Yet, when an officer asked me to do some push-ups, then I knew something good was about to come. It was also in Day 28 when I received my first letter in PMA.  It was from my parents and brothers for my birthday.  Pictures and thoughts along with it, this simple things means a lot for someone so far from home... it gave me strength and encouragement to go on with what I started.

Turned-over.  Day 29, the last Saturday inspection with the first plebe detail, at the same time, we were turned-over to the 2^nd plebe detail... the 2^nd classmen army group.  New squad leader and yearlings... another adjustments and new expectations.  They told us that the army group would give us tougher and rougher trainings... we just crossed our fingers and hoped for the best.  I guess it’s just the way it was and always will be... create fear and gain instant control.

Yahweh bless...

Next: Beast Barracks - 2nd Plebe Detail