training (CAT)
programs
.
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
.
.
.
..
..
.
.
.
.
The CAT Enrollment is usually conducted during the first week of the school year. This is when Basic and Model Cadets get their "Baptism" into Citizen Army Training. They are oriented to the Military structure and methodology of the Corps' leadership which will enable it to function effectively and accomplish it's goals. This is through the teaching and practice of the basic Military Courtesy and Discipline needed when participating in it's training programs.
During this day, they will also receive their unit assignments and get their names listed on the roster of the Corps.
Drills and Ceremonies
The Cadet Corps Don Bosco Makati conducts drills and ceremonies during the training days and to highlight different school events such as the Foundation Day celebration.
One of the ways for the Cadets to learn to work together as a unit and develop their camaraderie is through these Drills.
Lectures are also conducted by the Corps on different subjects such as Courtesy and Discipline, Leadership and Command, Map Reading, and other basic Military Subjects to broaden the Cadets' knowledge of their role as a Citizen in the defense of the state and future leaders.
Guard Detail
The Cadets of the Corps, both Basic and Model also help the school administration in maintaining order in the Campus. Guard Details are mobilized during most school days to secure the classrooms and students' belongings during breaks. On major occassions such as Distribution of Report Cards, PTA Meetings, NCEE exams, Concerts and off campus School functions, Cadets also help in tasks such as ushering guests, directing vehicle traffic flow and manning security cordons. (One fringe benefit of being in a guard detail is having free entrance to on-campus concerts such as that of Gary V, Side A and many others :).
Details are officiated by the Cadet Officer of the Day (COD) and are supervised by Sergeants of the Guard (SG).
Physical Training (PT)
Physical fitness is an important aspect of youth development. The Corps conducts Physical Training (PT) activities such as road-runs, sports, Army Dozen calisthenics and other physical activities to develop the stamina and strength of the Cadets.
In addition to being very competent, one of the distinct marks of a Bosconian in the Business and Corporate world is his being highly competitive on the job. This is because of the learning environment in Don Bosco where students are made to prove themselves and gain self esteem by participating in competitive activities either in sports or intellectual challenges. The school has a modest display of awards gained through the years and victories by it's pupils in competition with other schools. Winners are looked highly upon by Bosconians.
Citizen Army Training is no exception to this custom. The Don Bosco Makati CAT HQ proudly displays it's share of victory's bounty for the school such as banners, trophies, citations and medals brought home by the victorious generations of the Cadet Corps from Invitational Competitions, Tactical Inspections and other events. Further proof that Bosconians are a force to reckon with.
Special Operations
The Corps conducts Special Operations when faced with unusual events. These are mostly relief operations during calamities such as floods, earthquakes and the like.
One of the most memorable relief operations of the Corps was during the Mount Pinatubo eruption when Don Bosco launched the "Piso-Pisong Pinatubo" campaign. Here, the Officers and Cadets of the CCDBM showed their valor in their own little way by working tooth and nail in accumulating relief goods and donations (even in the streets!) for the Mount Pinatubo victims. Through their efforts hand in hand with the school Admin and personnel, the school was able to send a steady supply of basic necessities to the victims for their needs. To those who participated in PPP, here's to you!
Incorporation into the Cadet Officer Candidate Course (COCC)
Model Cadets from first to third year high school fall under this category. They are usually required to wear the "COCC Uniform" (White tucked in Polo, Black Tie, Garrison Belt with Polished Buckle, Overseas Cap, COCC and CAT lapel pins) during school days for a specified period. During this period, they are required by the Cadet Officers to report during breaks and obtain their signatures after passing tests of leadership and Cadet Knowledge. Only those sincere in pursuing a slot in the Corps of Officers are expected to pass this period of training and be classified as COCCs. From that point forward, they will be under tight scrutiny and are expected to have a highly developed character and eagerness to develop leadership skills.
Good conduct in the classroom and high Academic Grades are highly encouraged for members of the COCC.
Presentation of Sponsors (POS)
This activity serves as the opening ceremonies that kick off the campus party days called the "School Fair" which usually coincides with the Foundation Day celebrations of Don Bosco Makati. The entire Cadet Corps proudly parades in unison and is presented to the Educative Pastoral Community, School Administration, Faculty, Staff, the Student Body, the Guest of Honor and to specially selected pretty "Sponsors" or females paired with every officer.
This ceremony symbolizes the high standards that the Corps has and inculcates in each and every Cadet as they march in review with clockwork precision and crisp movements that are both fascinating and pleasing to the eye. It is the culmination of the formal Military Training of the Basic and Model Cadets and signals the beginning of a new stage - The Ranger Training.
Silent Drill
The Silent Drill is a special ceremony in which the Model Company performs complex movements and formations sequentially. This performance can be classified as Military Drills at its best. It is usualy performed after the POS. Sometimes, it is also performed by Amber Company in other campuses during competitions / CAT events and always draws the admiration and applause of other Cadets and spectators.
This ceremony symbolizes the fruits of hard work and patience of the Comandant, Officers, COCCs and Cadets in going the extra mile to serve the School, Community and the Country.
Jail Booth
It is a custom in the school fair for student organizations to maintain their own "booths" to raise funds for their worthwhile causes.
The Cadet Corps maintains the "Jail Booth"during the school fair as a means to raise funds amidst the fun and frenzy of the foundation day celebrations.
Beret Donning
During Beret Donning, members of the Cadet Officer Candidate Course are donned the sacred Red Beret by Cadet Officers after proving their skill and stamina in Field Training as a prelude to their Ranger Training.
The Red Beret is the most elite headgear of the Cadet Corps. Earning the right to wear this however, cannot be expected to be easy because it requires a substantial amount of character, skill, leadership, patience, discipline, strength and endurance (Both Physical and Mental).
Those who pre-terminate their training and those discharged from the Cadet Corps however, unfortunately lose the right to continue wearing the Red Beret.
Ranger Training
All Cadets of the CCDBM have to undergo Ranger Training in preparation for the Bivouac. In this module, the platoons are divided into Seven Man Ranger Teams and are taught the way Army Scout Rangers operate in the combat zone.
They are also taught skills such as rope climbing, rappelling, rope work, survival, orienteering, river crossing, traversing through an obstacle course and many more.
In this stage, the Cadets in their different teams learn to bond with each other and their unit for survival. Their camaraderie is at a high point at this time.
Morale is also very high during this stage because the Cadets enjoy these new activities that are a break from the formal Military Drills / Lectures of the past. Here, they participate with increased enthusiasm, learn new exciting things and most of all, learn to laugh at their hardships.
High Adventure Camp (HAC / Bivouac)
This climatic three to four day event is the culmination of the CAT training and is one of the most memorable experiences of a Bosconian's High School life. It is the ultimate test of the unity and camaraderie of the different training units where they will conduct field training exercises and maneuvers in an actual jungle environment.
Mostly done in places like Sacramento Valley, Tanay Rizal or Munting Buhangin, Nasugbu Batangas, the Cadets will experience the adventure of having to face the rigors of the "great outdoors" such as cooking (and catching!) their own food, fetching their own water (and saving it because supplies are scarce!), pitching the team's tent, keeping the camp clean (Inspectors are strict!), taking care of each other (or get captured by other units!), working in unison (to accomplish the required tasks, or for your plain survival!) and many other things you have to experience to know.
Some highlights of the HAC include:
Orienteering, Obstacle Course, Combat Maneuvers, Camouflaging, Camp Inspection, Survival Cookout, Rappelling, Rope Climbing, River Crossing, Night Patrolling Missions, Ranger Tactics, Frolics (Showtime for the Companies where each presents a "show" like a song, dance, skit etc... around a campfire) and the most fun part - WAR GAMES!
The bivouac closes with an awarding ceremony wherein the units are awarded in areas where they have shown their strength and unity. The winner in the war games is also announced. After this, everyone goes home happy and with a lot of fond memories and great stories to tell.
CAT Graduation
All Fourth Year High School Cadets are given their CAT diplomas as they pass this government requirement for high school graduation. Special awards are also given to deserving cadets.
Turn Over of Command
The outgoing Corps of Officers turn over the Corp's leadership to the next batch of leaders. The next Corps Commander is identified during this event.
Schooling for Cadet Officers (SCO)
The Schooling for Cadet Officers, alternately referred to as "Summer Training" is the final stage of training required to polish the COCCs aspiring for the prestigious leadership positions in the Corps for the coming school year.
Cadet Officers also have to undergo this course as a refresher. All have the status of Trainee during this period. Trainees are normally referred to as SCOs. Officers also undergo the same activities side by side with the COCCs and occasionally submit to Officers their Junior and COCCs if those mentioned are assigned as Cadet Officer of the Day (COD).
Here, everyone develops their leadership skills by actually leading people to accomplish different tasks. More knowledge of the Military Arts and Leadership are also taught by instructors. Sometimes, a bivouac is conducted at the end of the training. This bivouac is mostly referred to as the FTX or Field Training Exercise.
The SCOs are made to discover their physical and mental prowess through rigid activities during the SCO that develop their confidence and management skills. This prepares them to face the rigors of leading the Corps in the next school year.
Commissioning of New Officers
In this event, new Cadet Officers are formally incorporated or "Commissioned" to the Officer's Corps of the Cadet Corps Don Bosco Makati. Here, they pledge to give their services to the Corps, School, Community, Country and God as part of their sworn duty as Cadet Officers.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...for this is the TRADITION of yesterday...
...the CHALLENGE of today...
.....and the PROMISE of tomorrow...
.