In the early part of S.Y. 1953-54, the Cadet Corps, under the leadership of Cadet Colonel Luzmindo B. Fajardo as the Corps Commander, drew up plans to put up a distinctive gala uniform. Cadet Colonel Paterno Villanueva fabricated the design of the new gala uniform. As a result, the "Special Regiment", under Villanueva's command, was created composed of the MP Battalion, the Model Battalion of three full-sized companies in addition to one Infantry Regiment and one Medical Regiment. The MP Battalion, organized a year earlier, became the nucleus of the newly Special Regiment. The new gala uniform's design and traditions were patterned after England's Buckingham Palace Guards - which have for centuries been the embodiment of discipline and pride, also noted for their pomp and splendor.

With a dashing Commandant (Colonel Albert B. Friedlander) and very supportive Rector (Fr. Rector Angel de Blas O.P.) and Regents (Rev. Fr. Agapio Salvador O.P. and Rev. Fr. Jesus Merino O.P), the Corps was riding the peak of its popularity. The realtionship between the DMST and the UST Administration was excellent!

The new gala has the following features:

	Cadet Officer	Model Cadet	Band Leader	Band Cadet
Head Wear (Shako)	Made of black-dyed soft feathers (Buckingham Palace 'Foot Guard' style)	Made of black-dyed soft feathers (Buckingham Palace 'Foot Guard' style)	Made of white-dyed soft feathers (Buckingham Palace 'Foot Guard' style)	West-point style cap
Head Wear Ornament	None	None	White(?) 'pom-pom' worn on the upper right side of the shako	White(?) tassels similar to the British Royal 'Life Guard' Cavalry's plume.
Collar	Gold with white lining	Black with white lining	Gold with white lining (?)	White (?)
Tunic	Bright Red with white lining on the middle	Bright Red with white lining on the middle	Bright Red (Tucked in). The middle front of the tunic has a large white part in the shape on an inverted trapezoid with gold lining. On each side of the inverted trapezoid are golden buttons where golden cords hung accross the tunic.	Bright Red. The middle front of the tunic has a large white part in the shape on an inverted trapezoid with gold lining. On each side of the inverted trapezoid are golden buttons.
Shoulder Ornament	Black straps with gold lining	Black straps with gold lining	Braided golden boards with round-shaped ends.	Braided golden boards with round-shaped ends.
Rear Tunic Slit Ornament	Golden patch with three-sections and inner black lining and white outer lining. The shape of this patch resembles a pine-tree vertically split in the middle.	None	None	None(?)
Chevron	None	British-style (pointing down), white in color representing rank from C/Pfc to C/Msgt	None	None
Cuffs Ornament	Golden Crown-shaped covering the entire forearm. The crown has a white outer lining and three sections delimited by black inner lining. Each section was tacked with a golden rank pin.	None	Gold with white lining (?).	Gold with white lining (?).
Waist band	Golden Sash accross the abdomen. On the rear side, the sash has a 'tail' positioned on the left side. The tail ends are decorated with red braids.	White Belt with UST-buckle.	Golden Sash accross the abdomen.	White Belt with UST-buckle.
Pants Pipings	1.25"-wide red pipings on each side.	Inch-wide red pipings on each side.	Inch-wide red pipings on each side.	Inch-wide red pipings on each side.

In addition, different gala units' uniform have the following common features:

• Overseas cap - Worn ,instead of the fur cap (shako), in gala formations other than parades and special ceremonies. The cap has a red top, black sides, and yellow tassel in front. Designed by C/Col Luzmindo Fajardo after the cap of the Spanish soldiers during the civil war.
• Class bars - Gold-linings diagonally placed from the elbow towards the white lining above the black wrist part of the tunic. Four bars for the Firstclass and one bar for the Fourthclass cadets.
• Black cuffs.
• White gloves.
• Black pants.
• Black socks.
• Black patent leather (tsarol) shoes.

To assure quality, the Model Battalion drilled extra hours in the evening in front of the main building. They were experts in manual of arms and drill formations. There were several 'firsts' for the Model Battalion during this period:

• Demonstration to the Philippine Army at Ft. Wm. McKinley, now Fort Bonifacio, of a formal guard mounting ceremony (picture shown above).
• First Model Battalion evening parade for the public at the Luneta Park.
• First time Model Battalion provides escort to the La Naval procession.