A POSITION PAPER ON HIGH PROTEIN 

DIET FOR PAF OCC CL 2021 

P2LT GAEVIN KANE R DE VERA OC-2138 PAF 

 Submitted to the faculty of  

Philippine Air Force Officer Candidate School  

in Partial Fulfillment of the requirements for  

Philippine Air Force Officer Candidate Course Class 2021 

 INTRODUCTION  

In military training, we are trained in physical and mental challenges like longer periods of intense physical exertion and food deprivation. These are some realities that soldiers face. In order for the trainees to recover from such activities consume healthy food that includes lean protein for the muscles to recover. One of the best ways to build strength and stamina is to eat nutritious foods that will provide our body with the energy and nutrients it needs in order for us to perform our best.  Proteins are made up of amino acids that join together to form long chains. Our body needs enough protein to stay lean, healthy, and work the way it should. Protein is essential for the growth and keeping up of tissues. Protein is also a perilous part of the processes that fuel our energy and carry oxygen all over our body in our blood. It also helps make antibodies that prevent us from infections and different diseases and help keep cells healthy and create new ones. Some proteins transport nutrients throughout our entire body, while others store them.  

In this paper, the author suggests a high protein diet for PAF OCC CL 2021. This paper will discuss the three reasons why the author's position is valid. First, Officer Candidates are expected to perform different strenuous activities and thus need faster body recovery. Secondly, Protein is also a perilous part of the processes that fuel our energy and carry oxygen all over our body in our blood. Lastly, as a military trainee of PAF OCC, protein plays a big part in our daily lives and it should be always comprised in every day’s mess. Instead of eating frozen foods and processed food, it is healthier to eat such beans, beef, or natural foods. Though, mess hall usually serves chicken, and egg together with another viand. It is much better to increase protein intake in every mess. By substituting some viands that are processed and frozen food, especially during morning mess like Frankfurt, ham, and bologna into natural foods like strips of beef or chicken or fish.  

BODY 

Proteins are vital to Officer Candidates and play a specific role in our physical appearance. Our body needs enough protein to maintain muscle mass and promotes muscle growth with the help of strength training. 

 Officer Candidates are expected to perform various strenuous activities. Officer Candidates are deprived of food and sleep and need a high intake of protein to maintain muscle mass. I understand that food deprivation is normal and part of military training. The purpose of food deprivation is to put further pressure on the officer candidates in order for us to become accustomed to even higher pressure during combat. 

Officer Candidates usually experienced a lack of energy during physical development and also have a higher chance to doze in class which is mainly the effect of low protein intake. Having an intake of high protein will help Officer Candidates to perform such activities properly. I can say that it is possible that having a high intake of protein with low carbohydrates such as rice will maintain the discipline and the food deprivation being familiarized to them. 

Eating frozen foods on a regular basis can have a negative effect on our health. Frozen foods not only pose a lot of health hazards but also lose nutrients over the course of time. Frozen foods contain a large amount of trans fat that may be the cause of heart diseases and also may increase body cholesterol levels, which further leads to heart problems and also cancer. Including frozen foods on mess not on a regular basis is good for the Officer Candidates but in moderation. 

CONCLUSION 

Valid reasons were discussed why the authors’ position needs to be implemented which are covered by the following. First, Officer Candidates are expected to perform different strenuous activities and thus need faster body recovery. Secondly, Protein is also a perilous part of the processes that fuel our energy and carry oxygen all over our body in our blood. Lastly, as a military trainee of PAF OCC, protein plays a big part in our daily lives and it should be always comprised in every day’s mess. Instead of eating frozen foods and processed food, it is healthier to eat such beans, beef, or natural foods.  

For these reasons, the author recommends a High Protein diet for PAF OCC Class 2021. Implementation of a High Protein diet for PAF OCC CL 2021 will help the Officer Candidates to become more effective and energized in performing different activities. High protein intake is important for the students, especially military trainees who undergo tough physical activities. High protein intake may also help the Officer candidates to become leaner and healthier during training. Intake of high protein foods instead of frozen foods may help lower the risk of having different diseases such as cancer or heart problems.