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Strength
At its peak, the Cadet Corps reached a little more than 600 members -- both cadets and cadet officers. It
was organized with the following subordinate units:
- two (2) infantry battalions
- headquarters and support company with the following sections:
- Military Police
- Medic
- Radio/Signal Communications
- Admin
- Transportation
- Light-Duty (non-Sunday)
- two (2) research and special studies sections (including Cadence)
- two (2) special operations platoons
In short, the Cadet Corps reached a size of 'regiment-minus'.
For more information on the units, you may click on the links at the left.
The Corps of Officers is lead by the Corps Commander, with the rank of Cadet Colonel (commonly if first
class) by the end of second semester. Most of the battalion commanders have the rank of cadet lieutenant colonel or cadet
major, depending on their class. The Corps Staff have ranks ranging from cadet first lieutenant to cadet lieutenant colonel.
Due to the shortage of competent and committed officers, the Corps commonly has to make do with cadet officers
having dual positions, which is taxing both to the cadet officer and the units he/she would be commanding.
Line and Staff
As a very classical organization, the Corps of Cadets has its concept
of line and staff. It might be called bureaucratic, but its efficiency is tried and tested.
The authority in the Corps of Cadets starts with the Corps Commander,
the holder of the Manila Sword (a kris). He or she is a cadet officer who has been selected by a board from a number
of brave individuals who apply for leadership of the organization. The selection board is a mix of DMST officials, UP Manila
ROTC alumni, sponsors and UP Manila officials.
The Corps is assisted by the Corps Staff, which authority lies with
their function to the Corps Commander. In theory, the Corps Staff does not have command authority (authority to give orders),
but it speaks in the name of the Corps Commander, and they have functions for the general organization and functions of the
Corps.
The Corps Staff members have specific functions:
- Corps Adjutant - Administrative functions of the Corps
- Corps G1 - Personnel and Officer development
- Corps G2 - Intelligence
- Corps G3 - Operations and Training
- Corps G4 - Logistics
- Corps G7 - Plans and Civil Military Operations
Aside from the general staff, there are special staff which are
concerned with particular concerns of Corps functions and activites.
- Provost Marshall - Exactment of discipline.
- Barracks Commander - In charge of overall maintenance of the
cadet quarters.
- Headquarters Commandant - Normally, this position is given to the
Service Support Unit Commander, as he is commanding the cadets in the Headquarters and supervising headquarter functions.
After the Corps staff, the next in the line of authority are the
unit commanders. In the cadet regiment, these are the battalion commanders. They lead the cadets into the training standards,
and guide their battalion staff for battalion concerns. The battalion staff have the same functions as the Corps staff, but
are rather specific to their own battalion. In addition, the battalion staff does not have the G7 position - not because the
battalions do not plan, but rather the G7 also has liaison functions which are for the Corps as a whole. Battalions do not
"speak" to any other organizations outside the Corps - only the Corps G7 has the authority to do that.
The battalion commanders, as mentioned earlier, do their own planning.
This planning, of course, is in line with the vision and mission of the Corps. Battalions - and their subordinate units, companies,
platoons and squads - operate within a reasonable wiggle room when planning and operating. Thus, battalion commander position
is a very important position and is entrusted to persons of responsibility, leadership and skill. The command of the Cadet
Corps (i.e., Corps Commander) and the cadets themselves rely on a battalion commander to have such characteristics and perform
excellently.
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