Inspiring Team Army

(Published in Zamboanga Today on February 28, 2008.)

It was far from a loyalty check, but a commander’s visit to his troops on the ground—thus said Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano when asked about the purpose of his visit to the Army Brigade in Zamboanga Sibugay.

“I have not doubt that the soldiers in the area will remain loyal to
the chain of command,” he had said, likewise stressing that the
“Filipino soldier is first and foremost a citizen of the Philippines.
They have their own opnions and personal views, and are free to express
them. But if their personal opinions do not conform to that what is
prescribed by the chain of command, then they’re free to leave the
Armed Forces provided they follow the apropriate steps.”

Yano’s statement is far from assuring that all soldiers especially
those on the ground will definitely not join any of these street
marches and protest actions to end up being where the likes of some
officers in the Philippine Marines or some soldiers led by Sen. Antonio
Trillanes. However, his pronouncement bespeaks of a psychological
warfare in the internal organization which has long been triggered by
discontent however hard the leadership of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines in general, the Philippine Navy, Philippine Marine Corps,
and the Philippine Army in particular, would deny. Yano’s statement
actually is a subtle but intent dare to soldiers of any rank to think
before going against the chain of command, and as AFP chief of staff
Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon put it, being “deviants”.

On one hand, one may say that deviants exist when there is something
wrong with the structure, or when there is discontent in the structure
because the leaders who are supposed to be role models have stained the
good image of the organization and crushed the ideals of many hopeful
followers.

But on the other hand, one can be quick to point out that the military
is supposed to be a structure where non-conformists are not allowed to
exist. In fact, one will always hear the famous line that is said to
be of military nature: “Obey first before question. If possible,
don’t question at all.”

But Yano’s visit to the ground troops should not be given color.
Nothing more can inspire men with the lower ranks than for their own
superior coming down to where they are, reaching out, and reminding
them always how they should be proud all the time not just as
Filipinos, as soldiers, but as part of Team Army. (frencie l. carreon)