THE UST Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Unit clinched the ROTC Unit of the Year title for the second time, besting about 500 institutions and universities that offer the military training program.
In a Facebook post, the UST Department of Military Science and Tactics said the title was conferred on the Thomasinan unit by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
“The recognition cited the unit’s outstanding performance in administration and organization, as well as its accomplishments in community engagement and competitions,” the department said.
The Plaque of Merit was received by Asst. Prof. Eleighn Vanessa Grace Castro, assistant director of the Office for Student Affairs, along with the unit’s assistant commandant, Xavier Celestial and Sgt. Jemimah David.
“This recognition is not only a reflection of the efforts of our cadets, cadet officers, and training staff, but also of the support and trust given to us by the University administration,” Iosef Delos Reyes, executive officer of the unit, told The Flame.
According to David, awardees were determined through assessments conducted at the regional and national level.
“The [Regional Community Defense Groups] look at how actively the units participate in university activities, command-directed activities, regional competitions, and other engagements,” she told The Flame.
Last year, the UST ROTC Unit served at various events both on and off campus, including donation drives and civil-military operations for public safety during calamities.
Some events held in the University include the UAAP Season 88 opening, Paskuhan festivities, the second elimination rounds of the third ROTC fancy drill competition and the La Naval grand procession, where cadet corps worked as honor guards.
Political Science junior and corps commander Ian Drens Santos said receiving the award is a “testament” to the collective effort between the training staff and cadets.
“May this recognition ignite a flame in the hearts of today’s youth to challenge themselves and strive for their greatest potential. This is not just a trophy for the UST ROTC Unit, but a call to action for the next generation of great leaders,” Santos told The Flame.
The Thomasian Corps was first awarded the ROTC Unit of the Year in 2025. The unit ended UST’s seven-year losing streak in the Regional Annual Administrative and Tactical Inspection that year. F
