THE 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army promoted to next higher ranks 1,920 soldiers under its jurisdiction Panay, Negros, and Guimaras.
Major Ray Tiongson, head of the 3rd ID Public Affairs Office, said that of the number, 940 are corporals, 580 sergeants, 293 staff sergeants, 57 technical sergeants, and 50 master sergeants.
They were promoted after having satisfactorily complied with the requirements set by the Philippine Army's Promotion System.
Candidates were selected after looking into their individual evaluation record which gauged a soldier’s competency and reputation in the service.
Other requirements included required minimum number of years in one's current rank, passing grade on a competitive promotional examination, completion of a career military occupational specialty course, physical and neurological-psychological examination and physical fitness test.
Promotion to the next higher rank also comes with an increase of a soldier's pay and allowances, Tiongson said.
The pinning of ranks ceremony was held at Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz last Friday.
Field units under the 3rd ID are also scheduled to conduct the rites, a symbol of the rich military custom and tradition where officers and non-commissioned officers pin new collar chevrons on the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) of the promoted soldiers as the promotion orders are being read in front of a military formation.
As a professional organization, the Army recognizes that changes or movements in leadership, promotions, and change of positions are part of the dynamics and essential mechanisms in a military institution. Promotion of a soldier who is carefully selected is based largely on his or her character, competence, and capacity to perform an assigned mission and task.