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Real Journey Begins Right Now

Message of Lt General Oscar H Rabena AFP CG, PAF

Dinner for PMA Class 2010, 27 Feb 2010

Amenities…

“I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – (pause)

….I took the one less traveled by…

AND THAT HAS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.”

These are excerpts from that poem by Robert Frost, a Pulitzer award winning poet and one of the most famous literary figures of his time.

Tonight is about making that difference, making the right decisions and choices and making that first step…that bold and intricate step towards this less-traveled road where COURAGE, not timidity that should prevail amidst any challenges…where INTEGRITY is the bedrock of values…and where LOYALTY to the flag and constitution reign above any kinship, affiliation and affinity. Your reason for being is as vivid as the lush greens surrounding the academy and as majestic as the façade seen before sunset at flirtation walk. You are at the doorstep of a defining moment in your life and that journey begins right here…right now…and as you shed those cadet uniforms into these the real challenge will reveal itself in unknown circumstances, each bequeathing a lesson or two because your service to the nation is not one that is set lightly…it is a labor of love…Yes it is challenging, but I assure you that you will have the greatest experience ever!

REAL CHALLENGE BEGINS RIGHT NOW

Tonight, it gives me great pride to be here, to stand before you and offer my thoughts and advice to the Philippine Military Academy graduating Class of 2010 who will be joining the Philippine Air Force exactly two days from now. Before I proceed, let us all give the graduating cadets a warm round of applause! (applause)

The way I see it, you have lots of potential to succeed in the service, as long as you arm yourself with those lofty virtues that have been indoctrinated since day one of your appointment as cadet. Let these creeds be the steady moorings of your life long service…to God…country…and people. So don’t forget and make it always a part of your life – courage, integrity and loyalty.

Thirty two summers ago, when I was in the same age as you are right now, I had subtle vision of what to expect after my days in the academy. Yet, I didn’t mind, not one bit…for one thing that I held here in my heart is that insatiable curiosity and gung-ho mentality to succeed because as I said, the circumstances will just reveal itself…the unexpected; is always expected hence, I should be a step ahead just so I can act and decide with conviction. A few months after graduation, I found out for myself that these were the essential elements in being a pilot…a military pilot. You have to be a step or two steps ahead, prepare yourself for any eventuality that may unfold before your very eyes and not lose sight of the situation, however grave it may be. The reason why I am telling you all of these things is because I agree to what someone once said that what separates a speaker and his audience is a story. I have tons of stories to share, so are the distinguished officers in your company this evening. They, too, are people with lots of stories to boast and in fact some have become legends in their own rights; experiences which might interest you. So please, do not hesitate to ask any of these gentlemen on, what to expect later on as you join the Philippine Air Force. Do not worry! They are kindhearted individuals and can advice you on a lot of things and issues. HINDI NAMAN SILA MAGAN KAYA OK LANG NA MAGTANONG KAYO SA KANILA! (with jest) and I’m sure you’ve already ask them questions.

Going back, I honestly believe that you are fortunate to be serving an organization that is constantly evolving despite some constraints we have to bear. It is important for all of you to know, that our capability upgrade programs are currently in the pipeline and that some of these projects will materialize in due time… and to cite an instance, our acquisition of 18 new basic trainer aircraft is on the way. We are waiting the signing of the contract and after which it will be implemented very soon. In gradual terms and in accordance with existing laws and agreements. I urge all of you to be the best you can be, upon your entry into the air force and let the hierarchy take good care of you. Once you enter the sacred portal of the air force, you will have varied responsibilities yet common goal and vision—to be contributors in our command philosophy of being operationally-responsive to the attainment of peace and to be the country’s reliable partner in national development.

NOT A GUARANTEE

However, let me just point out that your graduation and your standing from at PMA does not equate to your success in the military service. Remember, you will all start from nil, YOU ARE THE PRODUCT OF YOUR OWN DOING and only you, hold the secret to your success. My two cents advice is that, determination, commitment and hard work are commodities and investments that pose tremendous rewards.

On the other hand, let me point out that there are those who came from other institutions who are doing well most in their respective endeavors. Officers, who have earned the respect, and admiration of their co-workers because they have done well this, despite the fact that they are not graduates of the academy. Always bear in mind that in the service, especially in the battlefield, there are those who are as good as we are, if not even better. Get along well with your peers, superiors and subordinates. As a dynamic organization, the Air Force does not thrive on individualism but on collective gains brought about by oneness and synergy. We are one family. in the Philippine Air Force At the end of the day, it will not matter where you come from, everything in your career will hinge on your service reputation. I say again, everything in your career will hinge on your service reputation., on how you deliver that performance of yours and how you exemplify in words, and in deeds the virtues of the academy, and air force are core values embedded in the acronym InSTEP--just so you can easily live with it by heart. And I am happy to note that all of you have internalized or have become accustomed to our core values of integrity service above self, team work, excellence In everything we do and professionalism.

This early, I suggest that you set your own benchmarks, raise the bar if need be, and let history judge you on how you serve as officer of the Philippine Air Force. Novelist Michael Korda once said, and I quote, “Success has always been easy to measure. It is the distance between ONE’S ORIGINS AND ONE’S FINAL ACHIEVEMENT.” Make your Alma Mater, your respective families and your loved ones proud of your achievements!

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

I have been in the service for more than three decades and have seen lots of upperclassmen, classmates and underclassmen who denigrated their career because of behavior that is clearly the opposite of what is noble and ideal.

Some got consumed by vices and influenced by iniquities that in the end, their families were the ones who suffered most from their malfeasance and indiscretions.

Some thought that the right way was their way, that they challenged our democracy and mocked the constitutional provision under Article II, Section 3 which states that, “civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military.”

I hope and fervently pray that you will be guided by the wisdom that distinguishes unmistakably what is just and right. That if confronted or coerced to go against the system, you will have the courage to resist and remember that pledge and vow of yours to protect the country and the constitution because it is the people’s interest that should prevail above any other interest. And perhaps, you will also remember this day and these thoughts of mine…

At this time and age, what we need are officers of highest values who will build the nation rather than destroy it; officers who will create opportunities for our people to alleviate poverty, rather than put it further into the abyss; and men and women who will unite the country rather than be the cause of divisiveness. Remember that in the real world, there are no perfect laws and systems and even the most advanced air force in the world has to deal with flaws and problems. And we just have to open our minds and deal with these imperfections, armed with our moral compass and our best judgments.

These are our expectations. These are what you will expect from you as you enter the doors and join the ranks of the men and women in blue. Certainly, there are large shoes to fill because the demands are often exacting yet they are achievable. Sometimes our job is easy to describe as it is difficult to execute. But with character, right skills and faith in the Divine Providence, everything is within reach. As officers, I’d like you to bear in mind the pillars of leadership which is character, professional competence, caring for your men and vision. There are only four pillars of leadership – character, professional competence, caring for your men and vision.

CONCLUSION

Before I end, to our graduating cadets and soon to be officers of the Philippine Air Force, please convey my warmest felicitations to your proud parents and families. I know how proud they are of what you have achieved for yourselves but this is just the beginning of even bigger challenges. To rephrase that old Chinese maxim, and I quote, “The journey of a thousand challenges in the service begins right after graduation.” Just do your best, nothing more…nothing less…nothing else… and the rest will take care of itself!

Good luck to all of you! Once more, congratulations!

Mabuhay ang Philippine Air Force, Mabuhay ang PMA Masidlak Class of 2010. Mabuhay tayong lahat.

To God be the glory.

Good evening