When Growth Wears a Uniform
On July 29 and 30, forty-one Lionheart employees traded their usual routines for military drills and discipline. Over two days, lectures at the PBO Main Office and hands-on exercises at the firing range immersed them in the rigors of basic military preparatory training under the leadership of LT Karl John F. Pedroso (INF) PA and SSg Dixon N. Duran (INF) PA.
The program went beyond learning combat lifesaving, tactical casualty care, weapons familiarization, and rifle marksmanship. It demanded discipline, obedience, and loyalty while instilling the values and ethics of military service. It also sharpened the qualities that every strong team needs–teamwork resilience, leadership and focus.
These values don’t stay in the field. They return to work and shape how people think, move and lead. That’s what it means to invest in people.
Discipline That Lasts
On the training ground, every command mattered. Every move had a purpose. Time felt strict, and there were no shortcuts.
The trainees learned that discipline isn’t a one-time choice. It comes from doing things right again and again. Whether tapping sap before sunrise or managing stock, the rule is the same—show up ready, act with focus, and finish what you start.
Teamwork Under Pressure
As drills became harder, the group stopped working alone and began moving as one. Every exercise required trust. If one person fell behind, the whole team felt it.
The same happens in the workplace. Farmers depend on logistics. Logistics depends on the warehouse. Each role connects to the others, and under pressure, strong teams talk more, adapt faster, and carry the load together.
Leadership Beyond Titles
Leadership wasn’t about rank. It appeared in small actions like fixing a teammate’s gear, helping someone catch up, or encouraging the group to keep going. It showed the way individuals stayed alert for those who were struggling and stepped in without being asked. Even in moments of fatigue, the ones who kept calm inspired the rest to push through.
True leaders don’t always stand in front. They stand with the team and keep it steady. They lead through presence, not position.
Pride in Service
The training wasn’t just about skills. It was about discovering strength in identity.
One trainee shared, "Joining the military reservists showed me my identity and my service are one. My strength, resilience, and commitment come from who I am. I stand ready to contribute—not despite my identity, but because of it."
Their words reflected a truth the whole group felt. When someone embraced their full identity in service, it inspired others to step forward with their own strengths without hesitation.
Why They Train
Those two days left the group tired but fulfilled. The goal wasn’t to turn them into soldiers. It was to build unity, focus, and resilience. These qualities remain long after training ends. The lessons learned in the field echo in the workplace, shaping how people face challenges and support one another. Every drill, every moment of pressure, added another layer of trust.
Here in Lionheart, we don’t only grow crops. We grow people who stand together and act with courage. And that kind of growth lasts far beyond the training ground.
