ROTC as a symbol

I AM happy that others have commented on the possible return of the ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps). Some columnists older than me praised it. Interestingly, most columnists my age (am 63) and younger seem to view their ROTC memories on a scale from a waste of time to contempt. To repeat, I am not supportive of its reimposition as it really isn't military training like one must do on a mandatory basis for two years in Singapore and in some other countries. Like many programs in the Philippines, it was lip service and form without substance. It is not only a waste of time and money but its revival in the same manner may achieve the opposite of its goals which are military preparedness and patriotism. Before it was abolished as mandatory, as others wrote, it was merely marching around, no training with actual weapons, no real war games, or the like. So, it was just playing soldier for teenagers but without a choice. Our president did not have to go through it having spent the equivalent of his high school and university years in England. I suggest he have his sons try it out or at least observe it for a few weeks at one of the universities that have it as a voluntary program as it is being done at present and get their opinion before deciding whether to make ROTC mandatory again. And if yes, should it be done in the way it is being done now?

Real training