PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE AIR EDUCATION, TRAINING AND DOCTRINE COMMAND NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER SCHOOL Fernando Air Base, Lipa City SUBJECT: SELECTIVE ENLISTMENT AND REENLISTMENT REFERENCES: a. Commonwealth Act #1, as amended b. Presidential Decree #1043 as amended by PD 1030, s-84 OBJECTIVE: To know and understand the prescribed policies, regulations and procedures governing enlistment and reenlistment in the Regular Force, Armed Forces of the Philippines. CIRCULAR NR 13 15 July 1991 SELECTIVE ENLISTMENT AND REENLISTMENT GENERAL 1. Authority: a. Commonwealth Act #1, as amended b. Presidential Decree #1043 as amended by PD 1030, s-84. 2. Purpose: This circular prescribes the policies, regulations and procedures governing enlistment and reenlistment in the Regular Force, Armed Forces of the Philippines. 3. Enlisted Grades: a. Enlisted grade designations corresponding to pay grade symbols indicated in the Major Services/Units shall be as follows: PAY GRADE SYMBOL ARMY AIR FORCE E1 Private Airman E2 Private 1 st Class Airman 2 nd Class E3 Corporal Airman 1 st Class E4 Sergeant Sergeant E5 Staff Sergeant Staff Sergeant E6 Technical Sergeant Technical Sergeant E7 Master Sergeant Master Sergeant NAVY (except Marines MARINES E1 Apprentice Seaman/Fireman Marine E2 Seaman/Fireman 2 nd Class Marine 1 st Class E3 Seaman/Fireman 1 st Class Marine 1 st Class E4 Petty Officer 3 rd Class Sergeant E5 Petty Officer 2 nd Class Staff Sergeant E6 Petty Officer 1 st Class Technical Sergeant E7 Chief Petty Officer Master Sergeant (Airwoman, Seawoman or Firewoman in case of an enlisted woman) 1
b. Technical ratings for navy and Air Force personnel may be used as equivalent to the various grades as prescribed in appropriate PN and PAF regulations. 4. Term of Enlistment: a. Enlistment and reenlistment in the Regular Force shall be for a term of three years, provided, that: (1) All enlistment/reenlistments in forces at the outbreak of war of other grave national emergency, or entered into during its continuation, shall continue in force until after six months of its termination as declared by competent authority or until the expiration of the term of enlistment/reenlistment, which ever is later, unless sooner terminated by the President. (2) Enlistment/Reenlistment of personnel, serving overseas with a Philippine contingent shall continue in force until the end of two months after arrival of such personnel in the Philippines or until the expiration of the term of enlistment/reenlistment, whichever is later, unless sooner terminated by competent authority; provided, however that nothing herein shall operate to prevent the reenlistment of an enlisted person of the AFP on the date immediately following the expiration of three years from the date of his previous enlistment/reenlistment. (3) The term of enlistment/reenlistment of a person facing a criminal case before a civil court involving an offense committed in the performance or military or official duty or directly attributable to such, without misconduct on the part of the enlisted person as determined by appropriate enlistment/reenlistment authority, shall be extended until final, resolution of the case. The service-connection of the offense shall be determined in accordance with regulations governing restoration to, or relief from, duty status. (4) The term of enlistment/reenlistment of a person due to expire while awaiting trial by court-martial on the final result thereof shall be extended to the day of the decision becomes final or when the discharge can be affected. (5) The term of enlistment/reenlistment of a person due to expire while enjoying his/her accumulated furlough prior to separation shall be extended until the expiration of such furlough. (6) The term of enlistment/reenlistment of a person who cannot be discharged under existing laws or regulations on the date of its expiration due to sickness or injury contracted in line of duty, fortuitous event, force majeure, or any other justifiably unavoidable cause, shall be extended to the day when the discharge can be affected; provided, however that when hospitalization is necessary, it shall not exceed one year. Nothing, however, in this paragraph shall operate to prevent the discharge prior to the expiration of the term of enlistment/reenlistment (ETE) in accordance with existing regulations and the subsequent reenlistment of qualified personnel on ETE. b. Enlisted personnel shall automatically be discharged and cease to be in the active service upon ETE, unless sooner discharged or reenlisted by competent authority or unless the military service is extended as provided for under subparagraph above. Orders or enlistment should be worded as to be self terminating. c. An enlisted woman who contracts marriage shall automatically be separated from the active service on the date of such marriage, unless she 2
had, at the time of the said marriage, already completed at least three years of continuous active military service. 5. Qualified Status: Only persons in qualified status shall be enlisted or reenlisted in the Regular Force. he/she: a. A person shall be considered in qualified status for enlistment if (1) Is a citizen of the Philippines (2) Is unmarried and without dependent; (3) Has completed the second year of a collegiate course from an educational institution recognized by the government, or in the case of a male applicant, is a high school graduate who possesses technical or special skills needed by the AFP; or in case of a female applicant, is a high school graduate who possesses technical or special skills necessary in the performance on non combatant/administrative duties; (4) Is not less than 18 years but not more than twenty-six year of age; (5) Has a height, barefoot, which is (a) Not less than one meter and 63 centimetres or 64 inches, in the case of a male applicant; or (b) Not less than one meter and 57 and one-half centimetres or 62 inches, in the case of the female applicant. (6) Is physically and mentally fit for military services, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 11 below and other applicable regulations; and (7) Is a good moral character and habits. b. An enlisted person shall be considered in qualified status for reenlistment if; (1) He/she satisfies subparagraph a(1), a(6) and a(7), above; (2) She has remained unmarried and without dependent for three years; (3) The difference between the age and the active service rendered by him/her does not exceed twenty six years; and (4) His/her previous term of enlistment/reenlistment was terminated under honourable conditions. c. Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs a and b above, a person is not in qualified status of enlistment or reenlistment if he/she: (1) Has definite psychoneurotic tendencies or is a chronic alcoholic; (2) Has been imprisoned under final judgement of a court for commission of an offense involving moral turpitude or for conviction of any of the crimes against national security and the law of nations; crimes against the fundamental laws of the state; crimes against public order or crimes against public morals; (3) Has been discharged from the service under conditions other that honorable; (4) Has been punished three or more times under article of war 105; (5) Has been found to be an intemperate or illegal user of drugs or is addicted to them; 3
(6) Has a pending case in a court of law; (7) Has been found to have homosexual tendencies or has been determined by medical/psychological experts to manifest such behaviour while in the active service; (8) Is a deserter or a felony, or (9) Has failing or marginal efficiency rating. d. Unmarried minors below twenty one year of age may, if qualified, be enlisted only on the written and duly attested consent of the father, if living or not legally incapacitated to give such consent; or by the mother if the father is not living or not living or are legally incapacitated to give the consent. 6. Enlistment Authority and Responsibility a. The Chief of Staff, AFP shall see to it that enlisted man and enlisted woman of the Regular Force are recruited proportionately from all provinces and cities as far as practicable. b. Major Service Commanders shall have the authority and responsibility to enlist personnel in qualified status to fill-up the authorized enlisted strength of their respective services, subject to the provisions of this Circular. c. Enlistment of the Major Services, however, may only commence after the General Headquarters, AFP has, among others, issued the necessary guidelines and granted the enlistment quota and the block of serial numbers which will be issued to the recruits individually. 7. Re-enlistment Authority a. Commanders of Major Services, Area Commands, Infantry Divisions, Brigades, Army Separate Units, Wings, Air Force Separate Units, Naval Shore Establishment, Naval Operating Forces, Coast Guard, Philippine Fleet, Philippine Marine Brigades, Naval Districts, AFP Wide Support and Separate Units shall have the authority to reenlist personnel in qualified status to fill up the authorized reenlistment strengths of their respective organizations and shall here in after be referred to as reenlistment authorities, subject to the provisions of this Circular. b. The reenlistment authority may designate subordinate officer(s) in his unit who will have the function of reenlisting provided, however, that the power of approval or disapproval of applications for reenlistments shall remain with the reenlistment authority that shall ensure that reenlistment procedures conform to this Circular. 8. Reinstatement/Re-entry Authorities: Major Service Commanders and TDCS AFP for GHQ and AFPWSSUs shall have the authority to reinstate or to reenlist former enlisted personnel subject to the provisions of this Circular and other applicable regulations. 9. Authorized Strength for Enlistment/Reenlistment: The Authorized enlisted strength which shall be the basis for enlistment/reenlistment is embodied in the approved TOE/TD, Troop Base, Troop Ceiling for any particular unit, whichever is the lowest. 10. Effective Date of Enlistment and Reenlistment. 4
a. Enlistment shall be made effective on the date of issuance of orders unless otherwise specified, but in no case shall it be retroactive. b. Reenlistment shall be made effective on the date effective on the date of expiration of the previous term of enlistment/reenlistment, or on the date of discharge if the previous term of enlistment/reenlistment is sooner terminated, provided the reenlistee on such date is in qualified status and actually assumes his/her position, otherwise reenlistment shall effect on the date of issuance of orders. 11. Mental and Physical Examinations: a. A minimum score of ninety in the AFP Qualification Test (AFPTQ) shall be required for all original enlistment; and b. Only mentality and physically fit applicants shall qualify for enlistment or reenlistment as determined in the physical examination required by existing regulations, including, among others, chest radiology, a serological test for venereal diseases and a careful neuropsychiatric study. 12. Forms: The following forms shall be prepared and accomplished for enlistment and reenlistment: a. Enlistment Record b. Service Record c. Soldiers Qualification Card, and d. Soldiers Individual Pay Record 13. Report: Report on status of enlistment shall be submitted to the Adjutant General of the Major Service concerned and The Adjutant General, AFP for the AFP-Wide Support and Separate Units every quarter to the fiscal year. Report on status of reenlistment shall be submitted by reenlistment authorities at the end of every month to The Adjutant General of the Major Service concerned, and to The Adjutant General, AFP for AFP Wide Support and Separate Units indicating the number of individuals reenlisted by grade. II. ENLISTMENT 14. Enlistment Priority: In recruiting for enlistment, priority shall be given to the following applicants, provided they are in qualified status of enlistment. a. Graduates of the Candidate Soldier Course b. Ex-PMA or PAFFS Cadets; c. Those possessing special skills and/or technical qualifications critically needed in the AFP. d. Outstanding trainee graduates; and e. Outstanding WATC graduates, for enlistment in the Women s Auxilliary Corps. 15. Grade on Enlistment: a. Original enlistment shall be made in grade E1, except as provided hereunder: (1) An active reserve officer may be enlisted in any grade up to and including E6, provided that the difference between the individual s age and active service does not exceed twenty six years and that he/she is otherwise in qualified status for enlistment. 5
(2) A cadet of the Philippine Military Academy, PAF Flying School or other Military, Air and Naval School, who has been honorably discharged from such school, may be enlisted in any grade up to and including E4, provided that he is in qualified status for enlistment. (3) An individual detailed by the AFP to undergo officer candidate in an Officer Cadet School of a foreign country or in other similar schools may be enlisted in any grade up to the including E4 provided that he/she is in qualified status of enlistment. (4) A technician whose technical qualification is highly desirable in the AFP may be enlisted in any grade up to and including E6; provided, that the difference between the exceed twenty six years and that he/she is otherwise in qualified status for enlistment and provided, further that the individual passes the applicable technician s examination prescribed by the Major Service for the grade in which he/she is to be enlisted. b. Enlistments in grades above E3 in subparagraph a(1), a(2), a(3) and a(4) above shall be subject to the prior approval by the Deputy Chief of Staff, AFP for AFP-Wide Support and Separate Units and by the Commanders of the Major Services for their respective Commands. c. Any former enlisted person of the AFP who has had at least two consecutive terms of enlistment may be enlisted in two grades lower that the permanent grade last held provided that the difference between the individual s age and active service does not exceed twenty six years and that he/she is otherwise in qualified status for enlistment. d. Enlistment in grade E1 and E2 may be exceed the authorized strength of these grades in a unit, as prescribed in accordance with paragraph 6 above, by the number of cumulative vacancies that exist in higher grade (s). 16. Recruit Training for Candidates for Enlistment: a. Candidates for enlistment shall be required to undergo the three months Candidate Soldier s Course as 2 nd Class Trainees at the AFP Training Command or in such training centers as maybe designated by the Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Training, J-8, AFP. Candidates/trainees who fail to satisfactorily complete the Candidate Soldier s Course shall immediately be discharged. b. Enlistment authorities, may however waiver the required recruit training (Candidate Soldier s Course for those who have had previous military training. III. REENLISTMENT PRIORITY: a. Reenlistment, being a renewal of the contract of enlistment, shall be by application and subject for the approval by the reenlistment authority concerned, in accordance with the policies prescribed in this Circular Reenlistment is not a matter of right of the enlisted individual, neither is it matter of personal consideration. The interest of the military service shall be given primary consideration. b. In effecting reenlistment, with the end in view to revitalizing the AFP, reenlistment authorities shall consider attiring a number equivalent to at least ten percent (10%) of the reenlistment applicants for any given period. For 6
the purpose of establishing reenlistment priority, they shall require applicants for reenlistment who are in qualified status to take the AFPQT or it s equivalent and to undergo physical fitness test, marksmanship firing, and/or any performance test, and shall examine their qualifications irrespective of length of service. Other things being equal, however, priority for reenlistment shall be given to younger applicants. 17. Grade of Reenlistment: a. An enlisted individual may be reenlisted in the permanent grade last held if such reenlistment is made on the day of following his discharge. b. An individual, who has served at least two consecutive terms of enlistment and has not reenlisted on the day of the following his discharge but reenlists thereafter within 60 days from the date of discharge may be reenlisted one grade lower than the permanent grade held at the time of his/her discharge. c. An enlisted individual, who has not been reenlisted by virtue of a pending criminal case before the civil court but who, subsequently is acquitted or whose case is provisionally dismissed may be reenlisted in the permanent grade last held if such reenlistment is accomplished within 60 days following the date that he or his legal counsel obtains notice of the judgment of acquittal of the provincial dismissal of the case. d. An enlisted person who has served a tour of active duty as a reserve officer may, within 60 days after reversion to inactive status, be reenlisted in the permanent enlisted grade held provided that if he/she has completed at least two years of continuous active commissioned service, he/she may be reenlisted in the grade next higher than the permanent enlisted grade previously held, and provided, further that he/she has not been reverted for the reason that she contracted marriage before completing five years of continuous active military service. e. An enlisted person who has been admitted as a cadet of the Philippine Military Academy, PAF Flying School or other Military Air or Naval schools and subsequently honorably discharged from any such school, may be reenlisted in the permanent grade last held prior to such admission provided such reenlistment is done 60 days after the date of his honorable discharge. f. Reenlistment in any grade may exceed the authorized strength of that grade in a unit by the number of cumulative vacancies that exists in a higher grade (s). 18. Application for Reenlistment: a. Applications for reenlistment shall be filed at least six months before ETE and shall be endorsed by Unit Commanders to the reenlistment authority concerned that shall approved or disapprove such request upon the recommendation of his Selective Reenlistment Board. b. Reenlistment of enlisted personnel on TDY or DC with other units shall be effected by the reenlisted authority of the unit to which the individual is an organic member. 7
19. Selective Reenlistment Board: a. Each reenlistment authority shall, within 30 days from the effectively of this Circular create a Selective Reenlistment Board, which shall be composed of at least three commissioned officers, one of whom shall be Medical Officer to receive a process application for reenlistment from personnel assigned to this unit and to recommend to him, not later than 30 days prior to ET of applicants concerned, approval of this Circular, particularly paragraphs 5, 17 and 18 thereof. b. The Selective Reenlistment Boards shall sit en banc to deliberate on each applicant person. c. In order not to disrupt the proceedings of any Selective Reenlistment Board, no enlisted person shall be transferred or reassigned within six months prior to his/her ETE from one unit to another not under the same reenlistment authority. Reenlistment authorities shall have reenlistment jurisdiction only over personnel assigned to their respective units for at least six months immediately prior to ETE, assignments were in their respective units. IV. MISCELLANEOUS 21. Airman performance ratings or its equivalent in the PA or PN shall hereafter be submitted to the Selective Reenlistment Boards by applicants for reenlistment. 22. Implementing Guideline: Implementing and/or supplementing guidelines shall be issued by Commanders or Major Services and The Deputy Chief of Staff AFP for AFP-Wide Support and Separate Units, provided that they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Circular. 23. Recission: Circular Nr 17, this Headquarters dated 6 February 1968, Circular Nr 7, this Headquarters dated 21 July 1978 and other Regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Circular are hereby rescinded. 24. Effectivity: This Circular shall take upon publication. BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE: OFFICIAL: LISANDRO C ABADIA General, AFP Chief of Staf JORGE A AGCAOILI Colonel, PAF (GSC) The Adjutant General DISTRIBUTION: A 8