CAMP CAPINPIN, Rizal - The Army's 2nd Infantry "Jungle Fighter" Division formally opened the basic military training of 424 Candidate Soldiers here on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

The Candidate Soldier Course Classes 722, 723, and 724-2022 are composed of 401 males and 23 females from the regular quota of 2ID and the 14th Installation Management Battalion of the Installation Management Command. They are all skilled civilians, with 90 of them being college graduates and 214 senior high graduates. Of the total number, 17 are from indigenous people communities.

The trainees will undergo 16 weeks of rigorous training at the 2nd Division Training School to learn the basic foundations of soldiery and the Army’s core values which will transform them from civilians to reliable, responsible, and committed professional soldiers of the Philippine Army.

In his speech, Maj. Gen. Tolentino congratulated the candidate soldiers for overcoming the tedious application process and challenged them to overcome the hardships of the training.

"Huwag niyong sayangin yung pagkakataong ito. Kailangan kayo ng ating bayan so kailangan magkaroon kayo ng positive mindset at attitude, yun lang naman ang idedevelop sa inyo. Kasi kapag tama ang inyong attitude, lahat yan ay malalampasan niyo," said Maj. Gen. Tolentino.