2LT Jerson Pulac Balagot, a proud member of PhilippIne Military Academy (PMA) "MABALASIK" Class of 2019, an Airborne and Scout Ranger qualified, once again proved how competent Igorots are.
Previously on his schooling, he secured the first spot on his specialization course at Scout Ranger Course Class 214-2021 held at Camp Tecson, San Miguel, Bulacan, wherein he graduated as number 1 out of 219 students last February 26, 2022.
Now for his career course, he graduated as number one (1) on Basic Officer Leaders Course 3 (Infantry) Class 28- 2022 held at Mindanao Army Training Group (MATG), Training and Doctrine Command, Camp Kibaritan, Barangay Malinao, Kalilangan, Bukidnon.
The course opened on September 19, 2022 and was declared closed on December 9, 2022. With an average of 94.60%, 2Lt Balagot graduated first in a class of 38 officer students of his class.
Aside from the Certificate of Completion, he also received the Certificate of Merit and Letter of Commendation from Lieutenant Colonel Rey B Ocampo, the Group Commander of Mindanao Army Training Group.
Also, for graduating number one (1) with no failing grade in both academic and non-academic events, he received the Infantry Award from 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division signed by its commander, Major General Wilbur C Mamawag PA.
Basic Officer Leaders Course 3 (Infantry), also known as BOLC 3 (Inf) or Basic Infantry, is a 12- week career course mandated to be taken by Commissioned Officers of the Philippine Army taking the Infantry as Armed Forces of the Philippines Occupational Specialty (AFPOS).
Though not considered to be rigid training or schooling, physical activities are still present, such as individual equipment run, buddy run, squad run and platoon run. This also includes several Physical Fitness Tests or PFTs and the Philippine Army Warrior Fitness Test (PAWFT). These activities fall under the non- academic events.
Aside from physical tests, it also covers the mental preparedness of young officers or academic events. This encompasses tests on various military knowledge (such as map reading, land navigation and infantry operations at tactical levels) and simulation of how student officers decisively plan, thoroughly brief and boldly execute operations in various scenarios at the tactical level.
