Not Cracking Under pressure: A Phenomenological Study of Cadet Officer
Keywords:
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, Cadet Officers, Lived Experiences, Sacrifice, Resilience, Leadership Identity, Transcendental PhenomenologyAbstract
Abstract. Sacrifice is an inherent yet often overlooked dimension of leadership, particularly among Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadet officers who navigate overlapping demands of academics, military duties, and personal commitments. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences, forms of sacrifice, and resilience of twelve cadet officers from Holy Child Central Colleges Incorporated in Surallah, South Cotabato, to understand how they endure pressure and how these experiences shape their leadership identity. Anchored on Transcendental Phenomenology, complemented by Identity Fusion Theory and Quest for Significance Theory, data were gathered through in-depth semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, analyzed using thematic analysis aligned with phenomenological principles. Findings revealed that sacrifice is a multifaceted, purpose-driven journey encompassing trade-offs in time, finances, personal well-being, and comfort; it is perceived not merely as a burden but as a transformative discipline that fosters character, competence, and commitment. Cadet officers employ a balanced mix of cognitive strategies, spiritual and physical practices, and social support systems to withstand pressure, while their experiences of sacrifice solidify an identity rooted in service, accountability, and preparedness for future leadership. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of youth leadership development, offers evidence-based recommendations for responsive ROTC program policies and support systems, and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of strengthening peace, justice, and strong institutions.
References
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20. Jensen AE, Bernards JR, Jameson JT, Johnson DC, Kelly KR. The Benefit of Mental Skills Training on Performance and Stress Response in Military Personnel. Frontiers in Psychology. 2020;10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02964
21. Johnson S, Gil A, Dickerson B, Lilly J, Sowinski R, Martin S, et al. Dietary Knowledge, Habits, and Barriers Among Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets. Current Developments in Nutrition. 2024;8:102707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.102707
22. Jr R, Vallezer JH, Nara D, Remulado JB, Zabala RC, De MC. Leadership Commitment Crisis: A Systematic Inquiry on Students’ Perspective of Davao Central College. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. 2025;9(6):3155–3178. https://doi.org/10.47772/ijriss.2025.906000232
23. Kabakov ND, Orozaliev ES. The psychological and pedagogical foundations of developing resilience in cadets of military universities. Vestnik Bishkek State University Af K Karasaev. 2025;70(4):144–149. https://doi.org/10.35254/bsu/2024.70.20
24. Karolus Wulla Rato, Wehelmina U. Tanggu, Teresia O. Malo, Yunia SAN, Viktoria S. Ngongo, Yuliana OA, et al. Menjadi Pemimpin Hebat Dimulai Dari Diri Sendiri. Karunia: Jurnal Hasil Pengabdian Masyarakat Indonesia. 2026;5(2):445–450. https://doi.org/10.58192/karunia.v5i2.4930
25. Kim R, Kim M, Joe S. A Phenomenological Study on the Lived Experiences of Reality Shock among Junior Army Combat Officers. Korean Journal of Military Nursing Research. 2025;43(2):35–51. https://doi.org/10.31148/kjmnr.2025.43.2.35
26. Kumar N, Wang C, Bhutto MY. Responsible leadership practices amid COVID-19 to foster nurses’ occupational calling and curtail emotional exhaustion: a pre-and post-intervention effects analysis. BMC Psychology. 2025;13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02544-z
27. Lanaj K, Gabriel AS, Chawla N. The self-sacrificial nature of leader identity: Understanding the costs and benefits at work and home. Journal of Applied Psychology. 2021;106(3). https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000505
28. Matthews MD, Ryan DM, Lerner RM. Developing Military Leaders of Character. Journal of Character Education. 2020;16(1):65–75. https://doi.org/10.1108/jced-06-2020-0007
29. Marlina J. Self-management: aspek penting dalam meningkatkan prestasi akademik mahasiswa. Jurnal Alternatif Wacana Ilmiah Interkultural. 2023;12(1). https://doi.org/10.60130/ja.v12i01.115
30. Mele PA. Army ROTC and Military Science: Developing Trusted Army Professionals. New Directions for Student Leadership. 2020;2020(165):137–148. https://doi.org/10.1002/yd.20375
31. MNSA CTD. Determinants of NSTP Component Selection and Perceptions of the ROTC Program among First-Year Students of Sultan Kudarat State University: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. 2026;10(5):10629–10645. https://doi.org/10.47772/ijriss.2026.100500715
32. Navickienė O, Vasiliauskas AV. The effect of cadet resilience on self-efficacy and professional achievement: verification of the moderated mediating effect of vocational calling. Frontiers in Psychology. 2024;14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1330969
33. Nafis A, Robbi A, Simada B, Ulum B, Surbakti AA, Ramadhan R. Coping Mechanism Taruna Sekolah Kedinasan dalam Menghadapi Tuntutan Akademik dan Disiplin Semi-Militer: Studi Kualitatif. Empiricism Journal. 2025;6(4):2150–2159. https://doi.org/10.36312/jhzzvd32
34. Oskarsson E, Österberg J, Nilsson J. Work-life balance among newly employed officers – a qualitative study. Health Psychology Report. 2021;9(1). https://doi.org/10.5114/hpr.2020.101250
35. Permatasari N, Rahmatillah Ashari F, Ismail N. Contribution of Perceived Social Support (Peer, Family, and Teacher) to Academic Resilience during COVID-19. Golden Ratio of Social Science and Education. 2021;1(1):1–12. https://doi.org/10.52970/grsse.v1i1.94
36. Raabe J, Zakrajsek RA, Orme JG, Readdy T, Crain JA. Perceived cadre behavior, basic psychological need satisfaction, and motivation of US Army ROTC cadets: A self-determination theory perspective. Military Psychology. 2020;32(5):398–409. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2020.1781028
37. Roche R, Manzi J, Bard K. A Double Bind for the Ties that Bind: A Pilot Study of Mental Health Challenges among Female US Army Officers and Impact on Family Life. Journal of Veterans Studies. 2020;6(1):200. https://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v6i1.164
38. Rush KA, McNamee LG, Garner JT. More than Emotional Coping: Cultivating Resilience in Human Services Volunteering. Western Journal of Communication. 2022:1–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/10570314.2022.2139153
39. Tabvuma V, Carter-Rogers K, Brophy T, Smith SM, Sutherland S. Transitioning from in person to online learning during a pandemic: an experimental study of the impact of time management training. Higher Education Research & Development. 2022;41(7):1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2021.2010665
40. Tactacon AS, Madtaib AR, Ricardel KN, Jalalon VT, Elma Fe Gupit, Cuevas JF. The Journey of Advanced Reserve Officer Training Course Cadets: Balancing Academics, Leadership, and Military Training. International Journal o
2. Ade J, Anggam AY, Iyog JFM, Atad HR, Culanag TY, Cuevas JF Jr. A Case Study on Physical Harassment Encountered by ROTC Advanced Officer. Mediterranean Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences. 2026;10(1):47. https://doi.org/10.46382/mjbas.2026.10104
3. Argueta Ayala WL, Osorio EGM. El costo del crecimiento personal: sacrificio, resiliencia y construcción de una vida con sentido. Revista Integración. 2026;14(1):74–82. https://doi.org/10.66092/a08gzd27
4. DMB. What Transformative Leaders do: Emerging Perspectives in the 21st Century. International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology. 2020;12(4):85–93. https://doi.org/10.5897/ijsa2020.0871
5. APA PsycNet [Internet]. n.d. Retrieved August 2, 2026 from: https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fapl0000505
6. Bartone PT. Psychosocial development and leader performance of military officer cadets. Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal. 2008;22(2). https://doi.org/10.1108/dlo.2008.08122bad.009
7. Bilyk V, Omelchuk O, Knysh S. Enhancing Cadets’ Psycho-Emotional Resilience Through Sports Games Activities. Scientific Journal of National Pedagogical Dragomanov University. Series 15. Scientific and Pedagogical Problems of Physical Culture (Physical Culture and Sports). 2025;4(190):220–225. https://doi.org/10.31392/udu-nc.series15.2025.04(190).46
8. Borges HR, Marchi E. Espiritualidade E Saúde Dos Estudantes De Medicina. Rcmos - Revista Científica Multidisciplinar O Saber. 2024;1(1). https://doi.org/10.51473/rcmos.v1i1.2024.535
9. Carreon RKT. Navigating Financial Stress: Impact on Job Performance and Well-Being of PNP Personnel at Bataan Police Provincial Office. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology. 2025:2653–2662. https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25oct1502
10. Cawyer CR, Blanchard C, Kim KH. Financial Literacy and Physician Wellness: Can a Financial Curriculum Improve an Obstetrician/Gynecologist Resident and Fellow’s Well-Being? American Journal of Perinatology Reports. 2022;12(1):e64–e68. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1742268
11. Cecep Sobar Rochmat, Meylasari DR, Nur Alya Yusra. Transformational Leadership and Self-Discipline Strategies in Student Organizations. MANAGERE Indonesian Journal of Educational Management. 2025;7(4):411–420. https://doi.org/10.52627/managere.v7i4.1228
12. Clinton M. Pushing yourself to the edge: The relationship of worker self‐sacrifice behaviour with perceived role performance, emotional exhaustion, and partner self‐sacrifice. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology. 2023;96(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12453
13. Dixon DP, Raver C, Ledford A, Miles P, Miles G. A Deep Dive into Perseverance: The Role of Self-Leadership in Progressing Through Long-Term Stressful Experiences in U.S. Navy SEAL Training. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1177/15480518251341400
14. Ekwonye AU, Sheikhomar N, Phung V. Spirituality: a psychological resource for managing academic-related stressors. Mental Health, Religion & Culture. 2020:1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2020.1823951
15. Elbogen EB, Zeber JE, Vogt D, Perkins DF, Finley EP, Copeland LA. Financial Status and Well-being in Recently Separated Military Veterans. Military Medicine. 2022;188(7–8). https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usac030
16. Falon SL, Hoare S, Kangas M, Crane MF. The coping insights evident through self‐reflection on stressful military training events: Qualitative evidence from self‐reflection journals. Stress and Health. 2022;38(5). https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.3141
17. Gantalao JS. Preparedness among Reserve Officers” Training Corps Graduates on the Rigors of ROTC and Defense Security: Basis for Policy Enhancement. International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research. 2023;4(5):1510–1520. https://doi.org/10.11594/ijmaber.04.05.13
18. Haris Puji Prasetiawan, Deni Dadang AR, Sigit Purwanto. The strategy to improve the character of military academy cadets through the role of mentors in shaping professional officers to support the main duties of the indonesian army. Santhet (Jurnal Sejarah Pendidikan Dan Humaniora). 2025;9(6):2184–2191. https://doi.org/10.36526/santhet.v9i6.5822
19. Jane P. Andoy J, Astillero LN, Gawahan M, Carpio H, Allanic EA, Cuevas JF Jr. A Case Study on Reservist in Handling Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Cadets. Mediterranean Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences. 2025;9(4):124–137. https://doi.org/10.46382/mjbas.2025.9411
20. Jensen AE, Bernards JR, Jameson JT, Johnson DC, Kelly KR. The Benefit of Mental Skills Training on Performance and Stress Response in Military Personnel. Frontiers in Psychology. 2020;10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02964
21. Johnson S, Gil A, Dickerson B, Lilly J, Sowinski R, Martin S, et al. Dietary Knowledge, Habits, and Barriers Among Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets. Current Developments in Nutrition. 2024;8:102707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.102707
22. Jr R, Vallezer JH, Nara D, Remulado JB, Zabala RC, De MC. Leadership Commitment Crisis: A Systematic Inquiry on Students’ Perspective of Davao Central College. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. 2025;9(6):3155–3178. https://doi.org/10.47772/ijriss.2025.906000232
23. Kabakov ND, Orozaliev ES. The psychological and pedagogical foundations of developing resilience in cadets of military universities. Vestnik Bishkek State University Af K Karasaev. 2025;70(4):144–149. https://doi.org/10.35254/bsu/2024.70.20
24. Karolus Wulla Rato, Wehelmina U. Tanggu, Teresia O. Malo, Yunia SAN, Viktoria S. Ngongo, Yuliana OA, et al. Menjadi Pemimpin Hebat Dimulai Dari Diri Sendiri. Karunia: Jurnal Hasil Pengabdian Masyarakat Indonesia. 2026;5(2):445–450. https://doi.org/10.58192/karunia.v5i2.4930
25. Kim R, Kim M, Joe S. A Phenomenological Study on the Lived Experiences of Reality Shock among Junior Army Combat Officers. Korean Journal of Military Nursing Research. 2025;43(2):35–51. https://doi.org/10.31148/kjmnr.2025.43.2.35
26. Kumar N, Wang C, Bhutto MY. Responsible leadership practices amid COVID-19 to foster nurses’ occupational calling and curtail emotional exhaustion: a pre-and post-intervention effects analysis. BMC Psychology. 2025;13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02544-z
27. Lanaj K, Gabriel AS, Chawla N. The self-sacrificial nature of leader identity: Understanding the costs and benefits at work and home. Journal of Applied Psychology. 2021;106(3). https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000505
28. Matthews MD, Ryan DM, Lerner RM. Developing Military Leaders of Character. Journal of Character Education. 2020;16(1):65–75. https://doi.org/10.1108/jced-06-2020-0007
29. Marlina J. Self-management: aspek penting dalam meningkatkan prestasi akademik mahasiswa. Jurnal Alternatif Wacana Ilmiah Interkultural. 2023;12(1). https://doi.org/10.60130/ja.v12i01.115
30. Mele PA. Army ROTC and Military Science: Developing Trusted Army Professionals. New Directions for Student Leadership. 2020;2020(165):137–148. https://doi.org/10.1002/yd.20375
31. MNSA CTD. Determinants of NSTP Component Selection and Perceptions of the ROTC Program among First-Year Students of Sultan Kudarat State University: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Study. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. 2026;10(5):10629–10645. https://doi.org/10.47772/ijriss.2026.100500715
32. Navickienė O, Vasiliauskas AV. The effect of cadet resilience on self-efficacy and professional achievement: verification of the moderated mediating effect of vocational calling. Frontiers in Psychology. 2024;14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1330969
33. Nafis A, Robbi A, Simada B, Ulum B, Surbakti AA, Ramadhan R. Coping Mechanism Taruna Sekolah Kedinasan dalam Menghadapi Tuntutan Akademik dan Disiplin Semi-Militer: Studi Kualitatif. Empiricism Journal. 2025;6(4):2150–2159. https://doi.org/10.36312/jhzzvd32
34. Oskarsson E, Österberg J, Nilsson J. Work-life balance among newly employed officers – a qualitative study. Health Psychology Report. 2021;9(1). https://doi.org/10.5114/hpr.2020.101250
35. Permatasari N, Rahmatillah Ashari F, Ismail N. Contribution of Perceived Social Support (Peer, Family, and Teacher) to Academic Resilience during COVID-19. Golden Ratio of Social Science and Education. 2021;1(1):1–12. https://doi.org/10.52970/grsse.v1i1.94
36. Raabe J, Zakrajsek RA, Orme JG, Readdy T, Crain JA. Perceived cadre behavior, basic psychological need satisfaction, and motivation of US Army ROTC cadets: A self-determination theory perspective. Military Psychology. 2020;32(5):398–409. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2020.1781028
37. Roche R, Manzi J, Bard K. A Double Bind for the Ties that Bind: A Pilot Study of Mental Health Challenges among Female US Army Officers and Impact on Family Life. Journal of Veterans Studies. 2020;6(1):200. https://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v6i1.164
38. Rush KA, McNamee LG, Garner JT. More than Emotional Coping: Cultivating Resilience in Human Services Volunteering. Western Journal of Communication. 2022:1–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/10570314.2022.2139153
39. Tabvuma V, Carter-Rogers K, Brophy T, Smith SM, Sutherland S. Transitioning from in person to online learning during a pandemic: an experimental study of the impact of time management training. Higher Education Research & Development. 2022;41(7):1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2021.2010665
40. Tactacon AS, Madtaib AR, Ricardel KN, Jalalon VT, Elma Fe Gupit, Cuevas JF. The Journey of Advanced Reserve Officer Training Course Cadets: Balancing Academics, Leadership, and Military Training. International Journal o
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2026-08-10
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