Matteo Guidicelli completes Scout Ranger training
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Fri, 28 Jun 2019 12:46:43 +0000
MATTEO Guidicelli before and after Scout Ranger training. (IG)
FILIPINO-Italian actor and now Philippine Army reservist Probationary 2nd Lieutenant Matteo Guidicelli finally graduated from his military leadership training class at Camp Tecson in Bulacan, the military said Friday.
Lieutenant General Macairog Alberto, Army commanding general, led Thursday the closing ceremony of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Masaligan” Class of 2021 Leadership Development Course, which Guidicelli volunteered to join.
Guidicelli, along with 97 graduates composed of officers and PMA cadets, underwent 39 days of rigorous leadership training at the Scout Ranger School (SRS), First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR) at Camp Tecson.
At the ceremony, the Philippine Army bestowed the Military Commendation Medal to Guidicelli as an outstanding student getting a grade of 95.20 percent from the course, the highest mark in his class.
Brigadier General William Gonzales, FSRR commander, said the officers, cadets and Guidicelli – the lone Army reservist volunteer – were trained to the limits of their physical and mental abilities to be “future leaders.”
In a statement from the Philippine Army, Guidicelli could not help but look back at the hardships and sacrifices he had to make during his first days in the camp.
“The physical aspect, given na mahirap, pero what got me is the first four days na psychological effect sa akin. Dahil galing ako sa civilian na buhay, isang araw lang ‘yong transition ko at pumasok na ako sa military. Akala ko kaya ko, pero sa totoo lang gusto ko nang umuwi,” he said.
Guidicelli added his respect for soldiers has “gone up” experiencing the same path they pursued.
“As a civilian before, looking at soldiers, we give them so much respect. Now that I immerse, I live, I train with them, my respect for them has gone up that words cannot explain,” he said.
“Sila ang totong VIP and without them, we wouldn’t be here, we wouldn’t be protected. The level of sacrifice a soldier goes through for their families, for their country, is beyond expectation,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Alberto advised the graduates to carry the important lessons they have learned and use it as they move forward to become leaders and protectors of the country.
“Each one of you here has the potential to do great things, not just good things, but great and life-changing deeds,” he stated.
Guidicelli first joined the Philippine Army as a reservist on April 29.
It was on the final week of May when he announced that he would finally undergo a 30-day scout ranger training to pursue his military career. (MARTIN A. SADONGDONG)