Five officers were selected to actively take part in the regular training of the Battalion. Selection of the Officers depended solely on the X factor. Nothing else.

Pseudonyms would be used for the privacy of the individuals involved. Without further ado, meet the "Daydream Believers".

# 1 = Angel Eyes - That's me, the author of this site. I was the most senior ranking officer of the five, thus, stayed at the helm during the training days. I always brought the megaphone with me to avoid exhausting my vocal cords. I was the one pressured by the higher ups about the battalion's training and suffered from them everytime I missed a command.

So all you guys of the unit out there, you know now why I acted that way. I was just doing my part for the mission. I really am a nice guy and very friendly outside ROTC training.

I am very persistent and patient in everything I do. The program ignited a passion in me that burned like wildfire till I became dead serious about pursuing a Military Career - to the point of choosing an easier college course to finish so I would have more time for the Corps. I saw it as my key to a colorful and flambuoyant career in uniform after graduation.

Why the name? I remember people telling me I look like an angel and a cute nurse back in high school told me I have beautiful hazel brown eyes, thus the not so modest pseudonym. No, I'm not vain (though a bit defensive), but that was their observation.

# 2 = Scholar Man - He was a STUFAP scholar, yet he joined the Corps. This was admirable because it was immediately known that he didn't join the Corps of Officers just because of the scholarship privilege, but he really wanted to serve. He was Alpha Company's first platoon leader and his staff function was Battalion Personnel Officer (We had limited manpower, thus the double designations). I admire this guy's intelligence and his desire to uplift his family's status by using his brain power to finish college in one of the most exclusive and expensive schools in the country.

# 3 = Pops - No, not the concert queen, but that was what he was fondly known as. His platoon, Alpha 2, was the most unruly in the battalion. Although I couldn't openly condone it, I tolerated it because we needed some comic relief for us not to feel the pressure of our training. I knew the instigators of the circulating jokes and side comments who were in that platoon, Instead of being angry about it, we used it to our advantage by making them entertain us during lectures, and they did. Pops was also a capable leader who can handle these type of people. He was responsible for Battalion Logistics which included paraphernalia such as pershing caps, patches, belts and our trademark brass guidon poles.

# 4 = Van Damme - He was called that name even before due to his martial arts skill in Sari-an and his very strong physique. As Bravo Company First Platoon Leader and Operations Officer, he was a big asset to the battalion because of his charisma that enabled him to gain loyalty and rapport from his men. He also has superb leadership skills that gained him the respect of both superiors and subordinates. Whenever I have to leave or absent myself, I tell him to take charge of the unit. That's how much I trusted his abilities.

# 5 = Forrest - General Nathan Bedford Forrest of Civil War fame or Forrest Gump? Figure out. =) ... Kidding aside, he was a dedicated officer who fully cooperated in accomplishing our mission. He had a snappy bearing and carried the uniform well. He was the Bravo 2 Platoon Leader and the Battalion Intelligence Officer.

Since our selection, we found ourselves in the "thick of the battle" directing drills and conducting lectures, never ceasing till the force becomes formiddable enough to stand up against the finest units of the Naval ROTC including PMMA.  I'm so glad to have worked with these four fine gentlemen.  With them around, nobody could ask for anything more. We survived with our wills of steel, hearts of gold, iron clad discipline, single minded dedication, unfailing resolve and a hundred barrels of laughter which kept us from breaking apart and brought us closer together.

The Overseers

Of course, we should also acknowledge these senior Officers who were also involved in our operations, one way or another.

Sinatra - O'l blue eyes himself. A campus hearthrob with his trademark blue eyes and towering height which makes engineering girls pause to look pretending to observe the ROTC training, but it was obvious to me that it was Sinatra whom their eyes were set upon. He was a skilled officer who provided vital pointers to us needed to polish our drills and knowledge.

The Commander - Being the Deputy Corps Commander, he was officially the commander of the EHB, but since he was working on his thesis, I fully understood that it was his number one priority that's why he couldn't participate that much in the training. But I was thankful that he gave me the honor and trust to be at the helm of the Battalion during the training days. Everytime he visited us, even just to say "Hello Boys! Kamusta na kayo?", tell a few jokes or make motivational speeches, it really made the battalion's morale skyrocket. My salutes Sir!

Katapat - He participated during the latter part of the training. Outside the training, he was the easy going quiet type. But during training hours, he made sure the proper discipline and decorum was followed - or else.

Command Master Chief

Bru - A member of the De La Salle Marines, our loyal and efficient First Sergeant provided support whenever it was needed without hesitation whatsoever. "Top" selflessly contributed to the success of the Corps and the Battalion. A product of a Military Family, he is a soldier in every aspect. He eventually became the Corps Commander  after a drastic turn of events and after graduation, went into active duty in the Philippine Navy as an Officer.

Drill Instructor

MSGT R Talaguit - A member of the Philippine Marines, he worked hard for the physical, technical and tactical training of the battalion. He taught us the rifle PT exercises and how to sing "I've been working on the railroad". Remember the time he got mad at some Alpha 2 members becaues they danced like a broadway chorus line when singing that song?

The Upperclassmen

The Model Company composed of Charlie and Delta Company members of SY 1993-1994 also helped in the training of their "children", the next generation of the Escort and Honor Battalion. Led by Manning, they participated actively in training the lowerclassmen.

So there we have it, the crew, the overseers, upperclassmen, first shirt and Sir Talaguit. The believers of our huge wet daydream of victory in the competition. With these fine people working for us, how can we not succeed? =)

A NAVAL OFFICER:

It is by no means that an officer of the Navy should be a capable mariner. He must be that, of course, but also a great deal more. He should be, as well, a gentlemen of liberal education, refined manners, punctilious courtesy, and the nicest sense of personal honor.
He should be the soul of tact, patience, justice, firmness and charity. No meritorious act of a subordinate should escape his attention or be left to pass without its reward, even if the reward be only one word of approval. Conversely, he should not be blind to a single fault in any subordinate, though, at the same time, he should be quick and unfailing to distinguish error from malice, thoughtlessness from incompetency, and well-meant shortcoming from needless or stupid blunder. As he should be universal and impartial in his rewards and approval of merit, so should he be judicial and unbending in his punishment or reproof of misconduct.

JOHN PAUL JONES

Next: Operation Dolphin Charmer