Last Sunday 30 September 2007 the Rainbow Ranger Alumni Assn Inc. had its 39th Homecoming and our Guest Speaker by the name of Atty R Lumaig touched/ spoke on the return of ROTC. He mentioned that Congress is discussing the matter and that if ever, skills training will be incorporated in ROTC which will be useful to Cadets once outside our academic institutions.

Sir Amber1, any plans to revived the AFP Rainbow Ranger Project? That would be one of the best alternatives. Purely voluntary with the quality trainings most of the students opting for ROTC are looking for. Maybe held it at Camp Aguinaldo on weekends.

Sir Saver, I think most of Us in the Rainbow would very much like to see the Project once again. But it woud'nt be easy, when we talk about logistics we had back then. I can't say we had all the weapons available to the AFP back then not to mention the boots, ammo belts, communications equipment and uniforms, but I think we had enough back then to train, prepare and arm us if the need arises. But the most important which I think made the difference is our Father BGEN Benjamin R. Vallejo, Sr. Rainbow II has to have a father like the General or anyone close to having what our father had. If I may say most of us are infavor for ROTC's return however possible may it voluntary or otherwise. I only wish our legislators would hurry because juvenille crime cases is increasing so with drug addiction.

If I may Suggest to the DND and the AFP, if they might want to introduce the Rainbow concept to the reserves.

I recently spoke with two Officers in the PA Reserve a few weeks ago and after noticing my transcript of Records that I had a stint with the AFP Rainbow, they said that there were Reservists with their own group of RRs. This I want to confirm maybe from your end?

This would be a great starter to revive it. Seeing a united group, former Rainbow Rangers showing how it should be done.

Well, with so many of you Alumnis, I believe there would be one that could stand up and continue that legacy. Do we still have active officers in the service?

I've learned that ROTC now from Basic to Advance takes only about 3 years to complete, with graduates, still only on their 3rd year college courses unable to meet the requirements for POTC training. Some of which even fails to complete their courses since their ROTC scholarships are also finished.

I would like to suggest that we take care of that one vacant year of these advance graduates and maybe introduce specialize training courses that would motivate them more to go thru POTC. I have in mind some courses like Ranger, Airborne, PSYOPS, Scuba, SAR, etc.

As to uniforms, these are now issued to Advance ROTC Cadets. As to equipments, these will be where Rainbow Ranger Alumni comes in, thru donation. Other Reserve units have gotten their communication and transport equipments thru donations. With an established organization and functioning, these would catch the eyes of other believers and funding would come in. Some of our gov't and politicians are Reservists themselves. If they see that it would be a good alternative than compulsory ROTC, considerations might take place.

I suggested the GHQ as venue so that higher ups could supervise, equipped and manage it. Maybe like before, we could make it as a composite group. I remember our 7 man team was composed of Army, Airforce, Constabulary, Navy and Marines. Man, what a specialize team it would be if it would be a Reservist team of college graduates.

At present there are 2 Div Cmdrs with the NCR Reserves both are Vanguards and Rainbow, if you happen to be at Fort Bonifacio during a Sunday don't be surprised if you will see a Rainbow on uniforms of some of the Reservist undergoing training. Retired Gen Cayton is also both UP Vanguard and Rainbow. In the Regular Force there are still many Brothers, many of my Batchmates in the PNP are SSupts and Bu. of Fire likewise are Cols I think. In the AFP there are Bn Cmdrs at present who came from the Rainbow. I heard that a batchmate of mine is a Bn Cmdr in the South. Many of them will be retiring sooner or later and I know of some will volunteer as Resrvist. As they say "a volunteer 'til death". I will also enlist in the Reserves, I Founded a Volunteer Organization here in our Subdivisions to cater to various emergencies not only Security, I'm just finishing up with my Training plans and Projects.

I did mention Rainbow in the Reserves to some of the Alumnis, I shall again try come our scheduled gatherings. Thank you for believing in the Rainbow, by this I'm inviting you to join us as an Honorary Member of our Association, I shall inform you of the Developments on this matter.

Thank you. 10-44

Hahaha, volunteer till death. Reminds me of my father, maybe one of the virtues I've inherited.

Good to hear you were able to establish your Volunteer Organization. That's one of my plans long been delayed. Maybe I'll consult you one of these days. BTW, which reminds me of, since you're planning to join the Reserves, why not bring along your whole organization thru the Affiliated Reserves? At least one unit that's intact. With that you could also encourage other RR Alumni to do the same. Wow that would be a sight to see. A Rainbow Ranger Unit in every town and cities, a real READY RESERVE force.

Thank you Sir for inviting me to be an Honorary Member of your prestigious organization, it's an Honor.


:salute:
saver111
27th SSR Co 9th Bn 3rd Bgde
AFP Rainbow Ranger Division
1979 - 1980
ANAHAW X STA'82

Sirs if I may butt in. Mr Amber, do you mean the armory at Diliman is now empty?. I also notice your avatar, are you one those true blue SSRs? I was an Anahaw VI graduate but never pursue the advance RO

I've not seen the Armory and don't know where its located now. And yes Sir, I had my Advance training with the Rainbow, but you came in before me. I was with Anahaw VII, 1979 and so on. Thank you for asking Sir.

:ssalute: Thank you sir.

Hey Saver did'nt you say sometime ago that you were also an Anahaw VII grad?
Man talk about small world.

Do both you guys recal names like Torres, Cabrido? Abril? this guys were my buddies and were promoted to Ranger trainors on the A-VII summercamp. How about the girls/rangerettes from Commel Coy? :armycheers:

I don't want to hurt your feelings again but since you've asked, go three post up.

:aberet:

If you remember Datu and Remegio they are batchmates of mine, I think Datu is w/ the Army a Lt Col and Remegio is w/ PNP also a Col (SSupt) if I'm not mistaken they are also w/ COMel during ANAHAW 7, they Both graduated Class of 1981 Rainbow, you should attend Bonifacio Day on 30 Nov as well as other gatherings of the Rainbow anybody who became part of the history of the Sunday Soldiers are welcome, see you there.

:armysad: Forgot, matanda na nga pala ako. :armycheers:

Datus name ring a bell, not sure about Remegio. Would love to come but unfortunately I'm no longer PI based. Been out of the country since '84 and usually come home at odd times (typhoon season). Thanks though.

Sir Amber agree ako dyan.

During my reservist time back in 1997. I've heard the legend of Gen. Vallejo and his Ranger Rainbow Division. This would be a great alternative. Even we don't have the logistics or to comply for division TO&E.

I think we can start allover again in baby steps. For now this division will exist in skeletal organization. For me, we just need a headquarters, a classroom and a basketball court as parade ground. For other trainings we can arrange that later on at ARESCOM, AFPRESCOM or any other training facilities that we can access. To trained and rotate one battalion or company at a time. For now, sa pioneer rifle companies KKB muna sa BDA's.

Realistically, I think we can't stockpile weapons and ammunition in our armory for obvious reason. So for now concentrate on manpower and maintain strength.

Amber1, I don't know if you have read some of my communications about the rainbow rangers in the Adroth project... but, it looks like we belong to the same batch. Col. Datu and SSupt. Remigio are my batchmates... RR Class'81, Batch Jaguarundi. If you remember Agno, he is a SSupt with the PNP, Maligsay, Laforteza, Sibya, Magbanua, Maghacot and so on... pls. contact me on my e-mail address. I need some updating regarding the Rainbow Ranger Alumni. Thanks. :ssalute:
Jojo
RR - Jaguarundi

A friend of mine belongs to Class 77-Lynx, ka-batch nya yata si Col. Hilario Estrella, Medal of Valor Awardee. Dating CO ng 1304th RDGC, Army Reserve Command, si Maj. Felix Benitez, Rainbow Ranger din yata.