THE Army’s 1st Infantry Division (1ID) held Wednesday, June 3, a new normal Open Collar Ceremony or Recognition Rites for the 241 trainees.

The trainees--228 males and 13 females--belong to the Candidate Soldier Course Class 622-2020.

Colonel Jonathan Obena, commandant of the 1st Division Training School, said the usual event that used to be attended by the families, friends and relatives of the trainees was set aside due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

Obena, in his message during the ceremony, underscored the revised open collar ceremony and importance of health of trainees in order to survive and soon serve the country.

“We strictly enforce and follow the protocols. Likewise, we will not risk the health of our trainees and their instructors just for a day,” he said.

“We all know that Family Day is important for them to gain strength and boost their morale to persevere, but we have to distance ourselves and avoid the deadly invisible enemy,” Obena added.

The opening of collar is a military tradition where trainees are granted limited privileges and be recognized for what they have achieved during training.

The training of the Candidate Soldiers started on March 17.

They are expected to graduate come on the week of July, this year. (SunStar Zamboanga)