How to Join the Philippine Navy

How do you want your story to be told?

This was the words that captured me when I asked for an application form for joining the Philippine Navy.  Seem fitting for someone who wants to serve the armed service of the government.  Philippine Navy by the way is the AFP major branch of service that is tasked to guard and defend our seas.  They are the first to react in case of war with other countries or external threat.

Anyway, let's take a closer look on how you can join the Philippine Navy.

Naval Officers

• Must be a natural born Filipino citizen and of good moral character
• Must be between 21 to 28 years of age
• Unmarried and with no child to support
• Graduate of a 4 year baccalaureate degree (preferably technical courses)
• Height of at least 5 feet
• Must not have pending civil/criminal case
• Physically and mentally fit for training
• Must pass the AFPATB, IQ and SWE exam

Basic Seaman Course (BSC) and Marine Basic Course (MBC)

Please take note that these qualifications are applicable to both sailors and marines of the Philippine Navy.  Sailors being the people who runs warship and Marines are the ground combatants of the Philippine Navy.

• Must be a natural born Filipino citizen and of good moral character
• Must be between 18 to 23 years of age
• Unmarried and with no child to support
• Holder of at least 72 units in college (preferably with technical courses)
• Height of at least 5 feet
• Must not have any pending civil/criminal case
• Physically or mentally fit for training
• Must pass the AFP Aptitude Test, and IQ exam

A big development and good news for people who are vertically challege = ), take note that the height requirements have been changed from 5 ft and 4 inches for male applicants and 5 ft and 2 in for female applicants to 5 feet for all.  Now that is a big welcome change to all.

What will be your benefits for joining the Philippine Navy?

Naval Officers

• Basic Pay of Php 27,425.00 in the rank of Probationary Ensign or 2nd Lieutenant 
• Additional monthly allowance of Php 5,040.00
• Longevity Pay - 10%  of the current basic pay compounded for every five years of active military service
• Cash gift and bonuses 

Sailors and Marines

• Basic Pay of Php 11,265.00 in the rank of Apprentice Seaman and Private for the Marines
• Additional monthly allowance of Php 5,040.00
• Longevity Pay - 10%  of the current basic pay compounded for every five years of active military service
• Cash gift and bonuses 

Other benefits and privileges

• Meal allowance
• Housing facilities
• Clothing allowance
• Free medical and dental service (including dependents)
• Financial assistance (in terms of salary loans, business loans and housing loans through AFPSLAI, RSBS, PNSLAI, MBAI and PAG-IBIG fund)
• Scholarship grants to qualified dependents
• Local /foreign schooling for qualified personnel in the active military service
• Disability pension
• Commutation of accumulated leave

Where to take the exam

If you are within the greater manila area you can go to this address to take your entrance exam every Thursday of the week except official holidays:

Testing and Holding Office
Naval Station Jose Francisco
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Office Mobile # 09223924722
Tel (02) 774-7083
Trunk Lines: 812-7416 to 39 loc 6448

For those applicants in the Provinces, you can go to respective Naval Forces to take your entrance exam being administered by their Mobile Recruitment Team. Be sure to contact the above numbers and ask for their examination schedule on the different provinces through out the Philippines.

You should also bring with you the following requirements for initial screening:

• Transcript of Records
• Original and photocopy of college diploma 
• Original and photocopy of Form 137/ High School records
• Certificate of Completion from any vocational courses (for BSC and BMC)
• NSO Birth Certificate
• NBI Clearance
• 2x2 ID picture with white background

You can also visit the following sites for more details

Philippine Navy Official Website

Philippine Navy Facebook Page

In parting words, I think, the pay and allowances being offered are very competitive or slightly higher to private companies, this is good if you motivation is to get a stable job with average pay.

But the most fulfilling thing for joining the Philippine Navy is knowing that you are serving the mother land,  helping to secure our sovereignty so that other people may sleep soundly knowing that you are there ready to defend them!