Aerospace Cadets of the Philippines
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Aerospace Cadets of the Philippines or ACP is a co-educational youth program oriented in aerospace technology, whose aim is to promote national enthusiasm by developing youth leadership in aviation. To date, at least twenty schools in the Philippines are affiliated with the ACP program.
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[edit] History
During the month of March in the year 1969, the Aerospace Assosiation of the Philippines created the Aerospace Cadets of the Philippines. It was for young men who have predilection towards aviation-related industries.
On December 28, 1977, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports established the ACP program as a substitute for Civilian Army Training requirements.
By the year 1983, five schools were affiliated with the ACP program, making it a requirement in their curriculum for all students whose citizenship is Filipino, and today, male and female Filipino students of the five ACP-affiliated schools take ACP as one of their subjects.
[edit] ACP Insignia
- Triangle - this represents the 'holistic' personality of the youth, bred for courage, honor, loyalty, integrity, and purity to serve God, country and others.
- Three Sides - represent the three domains in the total formation of the youth: Knowledge, Skills and Values.
- Three Stars - The three geographical divisions of the Philippines: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
- The Spaceship at the center of the Philippine map - The desire to stimulate the youth's dreams and aspirations to promote the aviation industry, hand-in-hand with the country's economic development and industrialization.
[edit] Colors
- White - purity, honor and integrity.
- Blue - patriotism and loyalty.
- Red - courage.
- Yellow - charity, truth and love.
- Green - justice and hope
[edit] Curriculum
The current program of instruction for ACP is 40% Aviation Education, and 60% Leadership, Citizenship and Military training.
[edit] Aviation Education
Under Aviation Education, students learn about the history of Aviation and current advancements in the field of Aviation technology. It also covers Philippine Aviation, and Philippine Air Force heroes (i.e. Jesus Villamor, Danilo Atienza, Cesar Basa and Antonio Bautista)
[edit] Leadership
Students learn to value leadership by respecting their commanding officers, majority of which are students themselves who have earned their rank through training after school hours. Officers, likewise, have to learn not to abuse their power and learn humility, as well as leading by example.
These are the ranks of ACP, from highest to lowest:
- Cadet Colonel (C/COL)
- Cadet Lieutenant Colonel (C/LTC)
- Cadet Major (C/MAJ)
- Cadet Captain (C/CPT)
- Cadet First Lieutenant (C/1LT)
- Cadet Second Lieutenant (C/2LT)
- Cadet Probationary Second Lieutenant (C/P2LT)
- Cadet Master Sergeant (C/MSG)
- Cadet Technical Sergeant (C/TSG)
- Cadet Staff Sergeant (C/SSG)
- Cadet Sergeant (C/SGT)
- Cadet Airman/Airwoman First Class (C/A1C, C/AW1C)
- Cadet Airman/Airwoman Second Class (C/A2C, C/AW2C)
- Cadet Airman/Airwoman (C/AM, C/AW)
- Cadet New Recruit (C/NR)
However, it is also possible to become a medic, flag bearer (also known as guidon bearer), or member of the marching band of the ACP. Most students begin at the lowest rank, Cadet New Recruit, when they begin ACP at their school. It is possible for a Cadet to ascend in ranks if the Cadet’s performance is excellent, and it is also possible to receive demotions and lower the rank of a Cadet if he performs poorly or disrespects his commanding officer.
[edit] Citizenship
Cadets in the ACP learn patriotism and pride in their nationality, and are punished for disrespecting their homeland, the Philippines. For example, Cadets are punished if they run during the playing or singing of the Philippine National Anthem. Cadets are likewise punished even more severely for disrespecting the Philippine Flag (Letting any portion of the flag touch the ground is worthy of a demotion, and 100 push-ups). Cadets are encouraged to sing the National Anthem with pride. Cadets are also encouraged to recite the Panatang Makabayan and the Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat with zest and valor.
[edit] Military Training
Being an extension of the Philippine Air Force, ACP requires students to learn military commands, drills, punishments, the military alphabet, and obedience to the commanding officer. Commands are mostly in Tagalog, such as ‘Manumbalik’ (As you were). Cadets also learn how to handle an M16 rifle (However, guns are forbidden in schools, so replicas of M16 rifles are used instead), and the proper use of sabres. ACP requires students to wear a military uniform, which is inspected during every meeting (this includes the proper military haircut of the boys). Also, ACP students have their own Cadet Oath and Honor Code, which must be memorized.
This form of military training is said to give a sense of nationalism and instill self-discipline (the highest form of discipline) in the youth.
[edit] List of schools currently affiliated with the ACP
[edit] The first five schools to implement ACP
- Colegio San Agustin, Makati
- St. John's Academy
- FEATI University
- Las Piñas College
- Mindanao Aeronautical & Technical School
[edit] Present schools that implement ACP
- Saint Jude Academy, Valenzuela City
- Colegio San Agustin, Makati
- La Consolacion College, Caloocan
- La Consolacion College, Daet, Camarines Norte
- La Consolacion College, Biñan, Laguna
- Manresa School, Parañaque City
- Caritas Don Bosco School
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Philippines
- Mary Mother of God Parochial School, Philippines
- Saint John's Academy, San Juan
- South Crest School, Philippines
- Maria Montessori School of Quezon City
- St. James Academy, Philippines
- Sto. Rosario Academy, Batangas
- Our Lady of Mercy Academy, Batangas
- Holy Family, Batangas
- San Isidro Catholic School, Makati
- St. Joseph's Institute, Batangas
- Don Bosco, Sta. Rosa
- Laguna State University
