Laborer’s son tops new batch of soldiers

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur, Dec. 17 -- A laborer's son has topped the new batch of soldiers as the Candidate Soldiers Training for 2012 formally ended in a simple graduation rites Friday, December 14.

Private Joey B Gernale led the 95 members of the Candidate Soldier Course Class 300-12 after five months of rigid training starting on July 18 this year at the 9th Division Training Unit here.

Gernale, 23 years old, is the son of a laborer and a part time jeepney driver in Sorsogon City. He is the youngest of three siblings. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Technology degree Major in Automotive Technology before deciding to join the military service.

“I decided to join the Army to have a stable job in order to help my family financially,” said Pvt Gernale. “But during the course of the training, I realized that the profession of arms is a very noble profession,” he added.

According to Gernale, life has been very hard financially for his family as his father is “on and off” with his job while his mother stays home as plain house wife.

Gernale said that he remained unemployed after completing his college degree. “I heard on an Army radio program about the recruitment of the Army last year, so I tried my luck,” said Gernale.

Gernale is one of the more than 4,500 young Bicolanos who took the Philippine Army Qualifying examination for 9ID last year. About 3,000 passed the examination, however, only the top 100 were selected after series of physical/ medical examinations, trade skills tests and interviews were conducted.

“The hardships that our family had became my motivation to complete the very hard training,” said Gernale.

The new graduates were granted a fifteen day vacation by MGen Romeo V Calizo, Commander of the 9th Infantry (Spear) Division , after which, they will be deployed to the different field units of 9ID.

“I missed my family, so I’ll make this vacation a fruitful,” said Gernale. “When we report to duty, it’s the beginning of our service to God, Country, People, and the Bicolanos,” he added.

As a sign of gratitude to the all out support of his family, Pvt Gernale said that he will be giving all his savings during his training to his parents. (MAL/Maj. AGuzman-9ID-DPAO-PA/PIA5)