PMAyers are posting their cadet photos in defense of PMA and the Honor Code
It is a simple school regulation like a rule in your school handbook. But it is unique in two ways-its source of authority and purpose. The code is preserved through the Honor Committee, which is a group of cadets elected by other cadets to ensure everyone abides by the code. What is the purpose of the Honor Code for the cadets? It is a means to instill discipline amongst cadets that during their stay in their Academy, there is no theft of property, there is no lying and misleading information spread around, and there is no cheating during examinations. Your word is your bond.
The PMA does not exclusively own the Honor Code. Almost all military academies, the West Point, Annapolis and the Air Force Academy of the United States in particular, have an honor code. Did you know that the fabled Gen. Douglas Macarthur who was then Superintendent of West Point, created the Honor Committee of cadets?
We, the CADETS, do not lie, cheat, steal nor tolerate those among us those who do so.
Yes the Code is just for the cadets, but each graduate that steps out of the Academy keeps that as a guide as he progresses in his military career. Whether or not he becomes the ideal officer and gentleman, well, we are all imperfect. That includes you and me.
Fifteen years ago I found myself in a similar situation. Like Cadet Cudia, I was a graduating navy cadet, the Deputy Baron, and was in the top 5 of the class. In an unfortunate miscalculation of time, I came back late from a holiday pass. With my rank and class ranking to lose, I could have made up a story and lied about why I was late.
But I did not. I accepted my fate, and yes I lost my rank, got demoted and ended up outside of the coveted Top 10 ranking. After serving the mandatory punishments, I graduated with my class with head held up high and a new respect for alarm clocks. I ended up marrying the cause of why I was late from my pass, Daphne Ruiz Miranda.
It is unfortunate that Cadet Cudia’s case is stirring protest about the Honor Code. I pity him. Like all graduates and even ex-cadets, I know he still respects and loves the Academy. I believe he is not supporting the actions of his relatives who are putting his case on social media. He may be the only one that can put an end to this assault on the PMA and the Honor Code.
Has anybody asked where Cadet Cudia is now?
(Re-Post from the facebook wall of an icon from PMA Masikhay Class of 1999 - Jake Miranda)
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| Photos of Cav. Miranda's Foster Family, uploaded by a foster-sister. |
The case of Cadet Cudia is putting the PMA and its Honor Code in the spotlight this week. Before you set your mind to calling PMA graduates and cadets as hypocrites for not following the Honor Code outside the walls of the Academy, let me explain to you what the Honor Code is.
It is a simple school regulation like a rule in your school handbook. But it is unique in two ways-its source of authority and purpose. The code is preserved through the Honor Committee, which is a group of cadets elected by other cadets to ensure everyone abides by the code. What is the purpose of the Honor Code for the cadets? It is a means to instill discipline amongst cadets that during their stay in their Academy, there is no theft of property, there is no lying and misleading information spread around, and there is no cheating during examinations. Your word is your bond.
The PMA does not exclusively own the Honor Code. Almost all military academies, the West Point, Annapolis and the Air Force Academy of the United States in particular, have an honor code. Did you know that the fabled Gen. Douglas Macarthur who was then Superintendent of West Point, created the Honor Committee of cadets?
We, the CADETS, do not lie, cheat, steal nor tolerate those among us those who do so.
Yes the Code is just for the cadets, but each graduate that steps out of the Academy keeps that as a guide as he progresses in his military career. Whether or not he becomes the ideal officer and gentleman, well, we are all imperfect. That includes you and me.
Fifteen years ago I found myself in a similar situation. Like Cadet Cudia, I was a graduating navy cadet, the Deputy Baron, and was in the top 5 of the class. In an unfortunate miscalculation of time, I came back late from a holiday pass. With my rank and class ranking to lose, I could have made up a story and lied about why I was late.
But I did not. I accepted my fate, and yes I lost my rank, got demoted and ended up outside of the coveted Top 10 ranking. After serving the mandatory punishments, I graduated with my class with head held up high and a new respect for alarm clocks. I ended up marrying the cause of why I was late from my pass, Daphne Ruiz Miranda.
It is unfortunate that Cadet Cudia’s case is stirring protest about the Honor Code. I pity him. Like all graduates and even ex-cadets, I know he still respects and loves the Academy. I believe he is not supporting the actions of his relatives who are putting his case on social media. He may be the only one that can put an end to this assault on the PMA and the Honor Code.
Has anybody asked where Cadet Cudia is now?
(Follow-up Post)
Gentlemen and ladies, I just wish that the sweeping statements and generalizations will stop.
Sirs and mesdames, let me give you some numbers. From 1906 to 2013 there have only been 9,525 graduates of the Academy-what we call the Long Gray Line. That gives you an average of just 95.25 graduates per year.
There were eight years that the Academy did not produce graduates, all because the Corps of Cadets fought in the wars. Appreciate the fact that 10% are killed in the line of duty and service within 5-10 years after graduation, you have the remaining 90% continuing on to serve the AFP and government. Eventually some will resign, get separated, and retire early, so let's say that is another 20%-30%. So there may be only 60%-70% left of each class.
Now will you quickly brand all 60% or 57 graduates in each class to be rogue and worthless?
Let's look at how many currently serve in the AFP. Sixty percent of "in service" classes from 1981 to 2013 gives you 3,750 active officers (as the AFP grew in this period, so did the PMA). By the way, these 3,750 PMA graduates compose just 25% of the whole officers corps in the AFP. Yes they are the leaders of the AFP, and are responsible for the actions of other non-PMA officers in the Corps. Those currently serving in government as private citizens number few to count.
Now, sirs and mesdames, will you be so quick to assume that each of them or a majority of them are astray and corrupt?
The Honor Code again is a beacon for graduates and even non-graduates. Admittedly, some will be lost and there are some who have broken rank. But a great majority of the Long Gray Line stand firm.
You know what? The idealism is rooted not just in the Honor Code but the fact that there is no other school in the country that expects its graduates to bear arms, face death in the eye into dense jungle, rough seas and windy skies. Yes the price to pay for Two Million Pesos-the cost of each PMA graduate.
Most have argued on the basis of wasting such a sum of money. To save Two Million Pesos just to save one cadet's career, is to devalue the other graduates, all the graduates. Is it really worth it, you think?
PMA graduates themselves fully understand that they are indeed government scholars-much has been given and so much more is required. We do our very best as mere mortals. We certainly are not the source of corruption. Like you, we aspire to walk the straight path. Is it ever that easy and simple?
Get to know a PMA graduate, and you will have a better appreciation of what we are, and who we are, and what the Honor Code is. Don't just settle for reading about us in the news, sirs and mesdames.
Mabuhay po tayong lahat!
Sirs and mesdames, let me give you some numbers. From 1906 to 2013 there have only been 9,525 graduates of the Academy-what we call the Long Gray Line. That gives you an average of just 95.25 graduates per year.
There were eight years that the Academy did not produce graduates, all because the Corps of Cadets fought in the wars. Appreciate the fact that 10% are killed in the line of duty and service within 5-10 years after graduation, you have the remaining 90% continuing on to serve the AFP and government. Eventually some will resign, get separated, and retire early, so let's say that is another 20%-30%. So there may be only 60%-70% left of each class.
Now will you quickly brand all 60% or 57 graduates in each class to be rogue and worthless?
Let's look at how many currently serve in the AFP. Sixty percent of "in service" classes from 1981 to 2013 gives you 3,750 active officers (as the AFP grew in this period, so did the PMA). By the way, these 3,750 PMA graduates compose just 25% of the whole officers corps in the AFP. Yes they are the leaders of the AFP, and are responsible for the actions of other non-PMA officers in the Corps. Those currently serving in government as private citizens number few to count.
Now, sirs and mesdames, will you be so quick to assume that each of them or a majority of them are astray and corrupt?
The Honor Code again is a beacon for graduates and even non-graduates. Admittedly, some will be lost and there are some who have broken rank. But a great majority of the Long Gray Line stand firm.
You know what? The idealism is rooted not just in the Honor Code but the fact that there is no other school in the country that expects its graduates to bear arms, face death in the eye into dense jungle, rough seas and windy skies. Yes the price to pay for Two Million Pesos-the cost of each PMA graduate.
Most have argued on the basis of wasting such a sum of money. To save Two Million Pesos just to save one cadet's career, is to devalue the other graduates, all the graduates. Is it really worth it, you think?
PMA graduates themselves fully understand that they are indeed government scholars-much has been given and so much more is required. We do our very best as mere mortals. We certainly are not the source of corruption. Like you, we aspire to walk the straight path. Is it ever that easy and simple?
Get to know a PMA graduate, and you will have a better appreciation of what we are, and who we are, and what the Honor Code is. Don't just settle for reading about us in the news, sirs and mesdames.
Mabuhay po tayong lahat!
I appreciate the way you write and confront the issue, Sir.
ReplyDeleteIt is not oozing with anger unlike other posts defending the Honor Code, although understandable because of the bullets used against it are lethal, who are cavaliers convicted and charged with grave crimes who are unfortunately presumed by the public as products of the Honor Code. In fact, it is too fresh, while the PMA is under question; a graduate of 2006 serving in the Presidential Security Guards (PSG) was caught with cloned ATM cards.
Nevertheless, I know you understand that the outsiders who relish do so because of the immoral and corrupt scandals committed by the few amongst you whose acts exploded too loud that have silenced completely the muffled voice of the great majority who have stayed true to the spirit of the Code.
However, I could also blame the cavaliers for not speaking up against their co-alumni who blackened the reputation of that Code, including those who openly kiss the asses of politicos and corrupt Presidents to edge out fellow PMAers in the race for ranks and positions and those in the PNP who even openly engage in protection rackets.
Because of this silence, the observers tended to lump all of you as rotten tomatoes and this, you should know, is a habit of life that requires overwhelming acts to at least neutralize the effects in the mind of the public.
At any rate, this is a WAKE-UP CALL TO SEE WHAT NEED TO BE DONE MORE.
Patriotically,
Berteni "Toto" Cataluña Causing
Sir Buddy Molina,
ReplyDeleteI am asking permission from you to publish you writings here in my blog.
Patriotically,
Berteni "Toto" Cataluña Causing
Sir Toto, your opinions will surely be read by the cavaliers. Thank you for the open-mindedness.
ReplyDeleteHope you can place the url of your blog.