Cebu: Cebu-based reservists belonging to a reserve infantry brigade are undergoing a month-long record-firing marksmanship test, an army official said Monday. Record firing is a training exercise for army reservists that involves marksmanship and recording their levels of competence to shoot using a rifle with 5.56mm ammunition.

According to Philippines News Agency, Col. Edgar Mangabay, group commander of the 7th Regional Community Defense Group, said the activity is part of Philippine Army Reserve Command’s effort to hone reservists’ combat and non-combat skills. The reservists who are undergoing marksmanship training on three weekends of February belong to the 1901st Ready Reserve Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army headed by Brig. Gen. Erik Miguel Espina.

Mangabay said the reservists have been subjected to different skills training to improve their capability and readiness to augment the regular force when the state needs them during emergencies. He said the reservists are required to undergo regular record-firing training to improve their warfighting capabilities.

‘The reserve force has multiple roles in times of peace and war, including disaster relief, military exercises, and combat support. During peacetime, reservists train with the active force through military exercises, career development, and unit training,’ he explained. Reservists also volunteer for disaster relief and rehabilitation operations during calamities, as they are equipped with skills in humanitarian aid and civil-military operations, he added.