By: MGen Alphonsus “Tiger” Crucero, The Commander of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC)

In the military service, training is part of soldier’s lives. All are required to undergo series of training in varying degrees. The training will make them into soldiers who can carry our respective roles effectively and efficiently so that they contribute greatly to the accomplishment of their team’s mission.

So, training here at TRADOC has a two-fold purpose—the transformation of attitudes by instilling the Army core values and the acquisition of aptitudes through teaching technical know-hows and skills needed in performing specific jobs. Each fold requires the inherent use of all five (5) senses — sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste. The Extra Sensory Perception (ESP), also known as the 6^th sense, is taken into account but is coupled with a lot of common sense, which is considered as the 7^th sense. When I was assigned here at TRADOC, I immediately oriented my officers and men to what I call the 8^th sense.

In a day’s work of a soldier, the use of the different senses is maximized. In most undertakings, the sense of sight is applied first – it is used to see the things that need to be done. By seeing, we can immediately apply the necessary degree of efforts to be exerted to accomplish a task. At other situations, the sense of hearing is used such as in receiving instructions – through which we clearly understand an order and are able to respond properly to what is expected. In some cases wherein the use of the sense of seeing and hearing are hindered by impediments, such as darkness and noise, the sense of smell can be of great value. The sense of touch will also make the difference. I do not mean only by holding but also by applying – “a touch of class”, so to speak to how we do things. The sense of taste facilitates our intent to maintain and promote ourselves, manifested by our taste and etc. Taste does not refer to food or drink alone.

About the 6^th sense, this is cultivated and nourished in the soldiers’ system when they have stayed long in the battlefield. Their basic instinct will be developed on how to sense danger. If they have not done so, they can strive to develop in themselves the real essence of extra-perception through the use of keen analysis of things that exist and take place in his surroundings so he can act accordingly. Another word for this is gut feeling. In the absence of information, commanders decide through gut-feel.

The 7^th sense, Common sense, is the proper application of capabilities for the interest of the service even in the absence of orders. Have you heard the term people empowerment? This is one of the primary qualities that are being stressed in molding soldiers now. Commanders need not keep on repeating their policies nor imposing strict application of laws, if only all members of the unit will conscientiously adopt the proper and timely application of common sense. So when it comes to behavior and doing things here at TRADOC, we use the “Golden Rule” in applying common sense. We’ll never go wrong!

Now, let me reintroduce (perhaps you have forgotten or took it for granted) – the 8^th sense, which is the sense of urgency. Among the elements in the human system, this is the most neglected, abused or wrongly applied. As I have frustratingly observed, only few among us in the service consider its significance because most remain passive in accomplishing one’s job. The terminology for the insensitivity to this sense is “mañana” habit. This kind of attitude has affected lots of projects; and worst, the quality of output is below par. Instead of solving the problem, the outcome produces more setbacks. It is indeed alarming that some of us obviously manifest the principle that personal matter is their foremost priority, rather than the call of service. It is by this reality that we may lose professionalism in the military service if not instantaneously corrected. But with proper awareness, we can compel everyone to take vigorous move to consider that all our endeavors are matters of urgency. Values and attitudes should be geared towards professionalism of the service. The 8^thsense would then wake us up to take the right path starting from the origin of the direction: “WHERE TRIUMPH BEGINS!” This is the reason why in our organization, military professionalism should be given the utmost importance. We are trying to do our share here in TRADOC. We feel that the sense of urgency is what we need. As the late GENERAL ENRILE said, “Kung hindi ngayon, kalian? Kung hindi tayo, sino?”

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This was published in the “The Professional Magazine” Anniversary Issue August 2004. I, J. Irving, was his Chief-of-Staff, constantly hearing him lecturing on missed deadlines, I articulated this for him to be posted at the CG’s Corner of the magazine . . .