Beyond Drill and Duty: Reclaiming the Potential of the ROTC Remember the awkward salutes, the crisply ironed uniforms, and the endless marching drills? If you went through tertiary education in the Philippines, chances are the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) holds a unique place in your memory. Yet, under the umbrella term of "ROTC," lies a complex program with a potential often overshadowed by its military training aspect. Republic Act No. 7077 , in Sections 38 and 39, institutionalized the ROTC with a grander vision: motivating, training, organizing, and mobilizing tertiary students for national defense preparedness. But is military training the only way to achieve this? Can we reclaim the true potential of the ROTC and redefine its role in shaping responsible global citizens? From Battlefields to Boardrooms The traditional focus on military exercises, while important for national security, limits the program's impact. Imagine if the ROTC's resources wer...