Golden Paddler joins ROTC cultural, leadership training in Hawaii

Cadet Colonel Francis Elli Caliguid 1CL, a Forestry student and Corps Commander of Caraga State University—Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), is among the eight delegates from the Philippines who will attend the ROTC-Cultural Understanding and Leadership Program in Hawaii, USA.

The international exchange program, which will start on April 23-29, is a collaboration between the United States National Guard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It aims to broaden reserve officers’ cultural and global perspectives and leadership skills. By exposing the AFP ROTC Cadets in the field training exercise of the University of Hawaii, they will enhance their cultural leadership and communication, and share mutual concerns and insights.

Caliguid has been serving as Corps Commander of the university's ROTC Unit for almost two years starting in 2023. Since his third year as a reserve officer, he has been overseeing and directing about 430 basic cadets and cadet officers within CSU.

This opportunity is important, according to Caliguid, because they will be exposed to and “adapt to how the ROTC in the US is implemented with emphasis on cultural traditions, field exercises, and best practices. We will learn from them and they will also learn from us.”

He expressed gratitude to the university community for its support, especially “Vice President Rissa L. Mercado, PhD, Ms. Rebecca Cabatingan, and Mr. Master George Tortola of the NSTP for their assistance in preparing the travel documents and University President Rolyn C. Daguil, PhD, for his commitment to the students' endeavors.”

Caliguid’s participation in the competitive program is a first for CSU. Along with him are seven (7) other cadets under the Philippine Army (1), Navy (3), and Air Force (3). This engagement will strengthen the sense of nationalism and collaboration and broaden the university’s civic engagement beyond the region.  

All the best, Cadet Caliguid. Bugsay!

This article is aligned with SDGs No. 4 (Quality Education) and 16 (Pleace, Justice, and Strong Institutions)