***Note : As i was looking through my archives i realised that this post was never completed nor posted......i wonder why...maybe it isn't complete? Hahah I'll post it anyway....Good job Alan of 2006! =D***
Alright i'm now gonna attempt to chronicle my NS experience through the pictures i've taken while i've been all over the place. Haha. From the dark jungles of Lim Chu Kang to the typhoons of Taiwan.
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It all started out on the 8th of Jan 2005. I readied myself to report on time to BMTC in Pulau Tekong. There i was seperated from my parents and was huddled into a sheltered area, awaiting registration aka "enlistment". There i surrendered my Pink IC and awaited the taking of the Oath of Allegiance. It was something i've always wanted to do since like i dunno when. haha.
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BMT
It all began here, i was posted to Scorpion Company Platoon 3, Section 1, Bed 11. My rifle butt number was S111 and my PS was 2SG Suhaimi while my PC was 2WO Liaw.
It was a time of fun and laughter, hardships and tears as i struggled to fulfill my dreams of going to OCS. I found my limits and tried as i might i could not break it. However i did get a reasonable IPPT Silver after trying very hard. I was never the fittest guy in the platoon. haha.
During Route marches, i took on a very interesting role - that of Song IC. I became so proficient in that role that i could mix and match any song together in an instant. I could come up with a medley almost on the spot. My fellow recruits often told me that they wanted this song and i would start it. Haha I even had my own special songs that i came up with. =) It was fun, especially during route marches when you're so tired, someone just shouts "YOUR LEFT~~~ YOUR LEFT~~ YOUR LEFT RIGHT~~~" Hahaha. Bmt was a moment of self-discovery and hastened adaptation. We were put through the metal to attain required skills. We were forcefully guided along the syllabi and made to excel in it.
Live firing was memorable. After all the dry runs and practises, we were finally allowed to fire a live round. Not to mention a live grenade. Haha. It was interesting and memorable. I remembered my hesitation when i took up the rifle for the very first time. When i squeezed the trigger and when the first round when off, i was like "WHOA~~~" hahaha. Seeing the target drop also made it more memorable for me. =)
Hi people, this post will be rather nostalgic as i reminicise on my Army days, especially more so during my time at 1 Guards.
In a blink of an eye, it has been more than half a year since i ORD-ed from the force. I must admit that i miss those days of chionging with my men very much. I may sound crazy saying all this, but yes i seriously miss my army days very much. haha. The whole lifestyle then is something that i cannot find anymore, the espirit de corps, commaderie and brotherhood. Is something that i miss.
Not to mention the things i did during my time. Grooming and leading the recruits into operational soldiers. Right now, my men who were once recruits are already nearing their final phase in 1 Guards. Soon they will be fighting ATEC and i do hope they do well. =)
I came across a couple of videos that made me really think back on my Guards days, though they are not of my men's but they were filmed in Dieppe barracks of the 11th MONO (Mine's 12th Mono), where i spent a good 3-4 months there training to be a Guardsman and earning my Khaki Beret from. So i can relate to it. =)Those bittersweet memories of 02/05 Guards Conversion Course.
This video especially made me think back. The rappeling and the section and platoon training are all things i can relate to. =)
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Nothing beats the sensational of rapelling, the desperation you feel as you are in the L-Shape on the skid of the helicopter with the down-wash pushing you down, hanging on for dear life. The exhilaration of jumping off 80-Feet in the air with nothing but a rope seat harness you tied yourself.
With a clap, you push yourself off the skid and let go of the rope slidding down and seeing the helicopter move further away from you. That is of course if you oversome the initial vertigo you feel as the helicopter rises into the air and the people below get smaller and smaller.
Or that exhilaration when you do an Australian (Face-down, walking rappel) off a cliff edge. I did try the inverted once too. =)
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I might sound a little masochistic to say that i did enjoy all those outfield exercises and fighting alongside my section. Or those endless night marches that never seemed to end. The complete exhaustion one feels when you are bogged down my equipments and responsibility. But i always felt a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when i complete them and see my section intact. =) Those fierce firefights and quick-thinking moments. Shouting through the gunshots and advancing towards the enemies. It is a feeling that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
My Section that i left behind Top Row : Kalai (2nd SAW), JJ (1st M203) Bottom row : CPL Saiful (2nd M203, my capable Sect 2ic), LCP Fadli ( 2nd LAW, Sharpshooter), Andy (1st LAW) Missing : Raizahan (1st Saw)
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I always wore my uniform with pride and i miss that feeling. Of wearing something that you have earned and built over two years to reflect your efforts. The Guards Tab, the Khaki Beret, the CSB Badge, the Rank and the formation patch....Even till now, i always hang a ready set of #4 in my room as a testament to me as a Guardsman and a trained Soldier of the SAF. I may sound crazy, but this is how i want my NS to be. As one of proud moments and good memories, to say after so long that i did my best and i did it well. I do not want to remember my NS as one blur spot, but rather one in which i truly understood who i was and who i could be. I may just be one soldier in a vast sea of Servicemen, but my memories of my time as one will remain as something precious to me for a lifetime. I used to complain how sian i felt at times of NS, but in retrospec, i wish i could go back to myself then and tell me what i feel now. There were things i could have done better and things i could have done without, if only.
Rawdy Platoon 2, 12th Mono-Intake with Second Year Cmdrs. (I ORD-ed by then already)
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On a brighter note, today had dinner with Ms. S's mum and sister at Sakae Sushi. =) It was a simple dinner but a fun one at that. =)
Thank you for the dinner Dear. =) it was truly sweet of you to treat your mum and sister to such a feast =)
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It is late and tomorrow i'm going shopping for my very first pair of sneakers. =) Hopefully i get to find a cheap but good one! =)
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They were tough while they lasted, but thier impressions in my life lasts a lifetime.
So finally, on the 7th of Nov 2006, i henceforth cease to be a NSF but a NS-man. I've completed my full time liability to the army. Not to say that i'm entirely thrilled about ORD-ing. I know many will be shocked as to WHY ARE YOU NOT HAPPY?
I am, i am happy now that i have more time to myself, my family and my dear. But, having to ORD means having to abandon a life i've gotten so used to in the past 22 months. Its like having to leave a family that you've grown to love. Especially more so in 1 Guards, i've gotten so used to the life, the people in it, the men, the commanders that it is really hard to leacve, though inevitable. We know eachother and we all live together, its an experience that is hard to find elsewhere.
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As i was walking out of the Bedok camp complex with my pink ic and my 11B in hand, somehow or another the timing was so perfect that the moment i stepped out of the guardroom, the daily flag-lowering music starts playing. Its a bugle call that has a very solemn tune to it. It is played everyday without fail at 1800 hrs when the flag is lowered on the Parade square. Every camp in the SAF adheres to this routine. So yes, you can say that the SAF literally halts to a stop at 1800 everyday.
As i was saying, as i was walking, the bugle call started playing, it was somehow very symbolic for me as the first bugle call i heard in the SAF was the flag lowering one back in BMT. So walking out of camp with the bugle call calling out somehow reflects me coming full circle, and just like the flag, it has to end. It will come down. It signalled the end of the most memorable 2 years of my life.
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2 Years in which i've fought hard, played hard, cried hard and laughed hard. I put in my best for every task, however meaningless or menial it was. I did not see NS as a waste of time, as i knew that NS was something i had always looked forward to and it was reflected in the way i did things.
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Many of my peers just could not wait to get their pink ic. For me, i deliebrately took my time. I just did not want it to end on such a low note. Many often tell me that NS is a waste of time. My response? Of course i will listen and advice, but to me, it will only be a waste of time if you choose it to be. It is not by choice that we have to serve, it is a duty, an HONOR to be able to serve our nation. Though we may not see its tangible rewards, but through NS, how many of us cannot deny that it made us realise something about ourselves that we never knew? or thought we could ever do? I'm not paying lip servcie to the SAF. Being in the army has taught many things.
About politics, about cause and effect, about tenacity, leadership, goals, visions, pushing my limits and ultimately breaking them. It was never a waste of time. Not for me at least. I relished every moment cause every task given to me was a challenge.
Like the War cry during Guards Day. It was a challenge that i undertook. I started out with not a single idea in mind, i had to come up with a war cry routine, i had to amass my strength, i had to coordinate my war cry team, i had to motivate them ad spur them on eventhough i needed it myself too. In the end? I emerged Champion during the 1 Guards Games day. And when i was asked to represent 1 Guards during Guards day, pitting myself against 3 Guards, ADF and other units, it was an even bigger challenge. But i never once felt like giving up, cause i know it was for the glory of my battalion. I revamped my guys, re-did the whole routine, came up with new ideas, costumes etc and we won, thumping the other battalions. The best part? We got the ENTIRE 1 Guards to recite the Guards creed with me and join us in the war cry. It was absolutely wonderful being able to win the support of my fellow comrades. I even won the approval of my CO and my RSM. Who personally came up to me and shook my hands.
So you see, we need not recieve any tangible rewards, any plaques or "Best Trainee" things to make us feel that our time in the SAF was worthwhile, it is the culmination of little things that will ultimately define out NS experiencw. I was never Best Recruit in BMT (though i know i was #2), i did not get my silver bayonet. HOWEVER, at the end of my 2 yrs in NS i have achieved much more than those who garnered awards along the way.
In BSLC, i was Best Trainee, in GCC i was the Best Specialist, I went for PS course, i went for CSM course and graduated top 5 trainee. In 1 guards i received a Best Commander award.
I did not get my Silver Bayonet but it did not deter me from doing my best in everything i did or undertook. I always finished what i started and never once wanted to throw in my towel.
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I have always been asked, both specialists and officers alike why is it that i'm not an Officer. I ponder that question many times myself too. But i guess for everything that happens, there must be a reason. To gain the recognition from them is a reqard in itself. Though i do wish that i had gone to OCS having fought so hard for 8 months. The fact that i didn't gave me the opportunities to go Guards and attend the PS and CSM courses as a Guardsman. I was recognised as a spec who did his job well not just by my CSM but by my RSM as well. Its a gratifying feeling that i contribute to the image of the Spec Corps.
I'm not blowing my trumpet but this is what i feel. That it is an HONOR for me to represent and contribute to the Spec corps. Life might be different if i'm an officer. I will miss out on the feeling of leaving 6 men behind, people whom you've single handedly groomed from recruits to fighting soldiers. Its a feeling that officers will never be able to understand as the specs are usually very close to thier men and they do not really like it when the officer steps across the line and tries to get close to the men too. I don't really like it when my pc does that anyway. I'm not being selfish but by doing so, it really makes it hard for the spec to do his job as it might open the door for comparison. So sometimes as a spec it makes me understand how officers should conduct themselves. Perhaps next tiem when i decide to sign on as an Officer, such experieces will put me in good stead because i will view things from a bottom-up and not a top-down perspective.
=)
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What lies ahead is still unknown, i most probably will not be called up so early as my men have another year to go. I hope that by the time they ORD and they go into reserve i have the opportunity to go back to Rawdy and be their CSM. AT least if only for a week every year, we get to relive what it was like to be part fo a family that lived, suffered, ate and slept together as one body as one company and as one brotherhood.
I will miss everything that the Army has given me, the opportunities, the experiences the sorrows, the hardships but above all, the satisfaction of being able to do things and be recognised for it. =)
My time in NS was definitely a fun, fulfilling, memorable and a positive experience. =)
Well on the night of the 27th, my men bravely entered a new phase in their Army career.
They flew off to Brunei for what is definitely to be a very daunting and shiong time in the thick and neutral jungles of Brunei.
I wish them all the best.
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Anyway i was reading Mr. Bbrown.com when i came across this series of commercials on his blog. It was so funny i just have to place it down here for all to read and for myself to remember it. Hahaha!
I especially like the way they make the commercials. To be like dramatic movies and in it, capturing all the emotions of victory and celebration. =) HAHAHA.
I love the second and the last one. Especially when he shouts CRAB!!!! HAHAHA. And the expression of the driver is classic!
After watching them, i went on a thai commercial spree!
FOund somemore funny ones!
The expression of the protangonist after the light turns green is so funny! As if nothign happened. HAHA!
HAHAHAHAHA. I couldn't stop laughing at this one!! Especially when he throws the wig..HAHA
Ok this isn't exactly Thai but its hell as funny! HAHAHA.
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Dear is gonna bring lunch over, yay!! Can't wait to try her cooking. =D
In case you're wodnering, what does CCC stand for, it stands for Civillian Conversion Course. Well like all other like minded NSFs about to ORD, we chose to embark on this course as we approached the inevitable end to our short stint in the Army.
Of coruse if your vocation was that of a driver, storeman, clerk or some Private in some obsucre office cubicle, whose exixtence is merely proven by your name on a piece of nominal role, you would have successful have had a headstart to the CCC much much earlier, so the whole course syllabi of having to readapt back to cv life will not come as a rude or awakening shock to you.
Instead, it will be just a mere continuation of what you've been douing. Hell, you might already have a headstart in your next phase of life (i.e : long hair, missing uniforms, moonlight jobs). To which i say kudos to you!
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But for the many of us, at least a majority of those i know who is in active (or was actually) servcie with me, the moment we embarked on our block leave signalled the beginning of what is to be perhaps the most confusing part of my lfei thus far. Having ti readapt back to CV life.
I mean, we are combatants, we train to fight, to kill. When we talk outfield, we use words like "Kill the enemy" "Lets rip out their guts" "Make sure you are aggresive, brutal and fierce!!" "I want to see your WAR FACE!! AHHH~!~!!"
Ok so that last line was from Full Metal Jacket. But hey its true! In this past 2 years, i have been intrinsically tuned to fight and to kill. To be brutal and menacing when the time arrives. NOT to say that i am a raging lunatic now but yea, the fact remains that i was and AM trained to kill even with my bare hands.
Hence, this whole business of having to readapt to CV life is just weird.
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I was just telling Fu Yee how werid it is. I mean, when we were still in active service, being at home during weekdays was like weird to me. I mean we enjoyed it because we were either on off or leave and we were enjoying it. But at the same time i will feel guilty because i'm not in camp and i'm always on guard should i receive a callback. So on one hand, i feel happy that i'm not in camp, on the other i'm guilty that i'm not and well....on the other....other hand...i'm wary. SO suffice to say, being away from camp on a weekday was like an emotional sandwich...with 3 layers...It was very hmm, wird.
Now that i'm at home, on a weekday, i don't feel that sense of happiness, mixed with guilt and topped with suspicion. Truthfully i miss that feeling. It was precisely that feeling that made me feel occupied. Right now i just feel so listless. So...lost in everything.
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Don't get me wrong, i'm quite glad to ORD. To take a break from i it all. But as i told him, its weird. Because all these while we've been so in tuned to killing...not in a murdeorus way...but right now, the only training we'll ever get to do with relation to killing is how to kill that darn cockroach that is running about in the kitchen.
Oh well.
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My mind is kinda blank now. I just hope that i can be safe and my dear is healthy and we're both happy together now that i have more time for her too.
I brought my section guys out for dinner at Marina Bay for one the last time yesterday. Simply put, it was fun, but with a tinge of sadness. These guys have been with me since they were recruits, blur sotongs who enlisted without knowing what to expect. I carried them along through AIT, thorugh their conversion to be Guardsmen. Even as the stumbled out of conversion and into section ops, they still needed alot of guidance and direction to go.
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How time flies, from being totally reliant on the section commander, i've trained them to be self-reliant, they are a capable fighting unit that can readily take over and take care of themselves when the time arises, should the section commander be down, i know my 2IC is more than poised to run the show. HE has done it before with amazing results and i'm proud to have chosen and trained him to be my 2IC.
As the new section commander will be bringing them to Brunei, i honestly feel very worried for my guys. I know their strengths, their weaknesses, their pros and their flaws. The new section commander doesn't. How then will he be able to draw out and motivate my men to go the distance in Brunei? He just took over a few weeks ago without my outfield experience with them. Things do not look that positive. But i pray and i hope that everything will turn out fine.
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I'm honestly worried for them. I really hope that they will be able to stick together and fight together in Brunei and not ever give up. I have alot of faith in my section, they have good spirit and i'm confident they will never let me down. But still, i cannot help but feel worried for them. They have told me before that section 1 is different from the rest to which i agree. I believe i did the right things in choosing my section men. They each have their own distinct characteristic and every single one of them adds something different and unique to the section. But the most important thing was that i managed to choose people who could work well together. Because their characteristics and working styles are more of less very moderate and no one person has a very "explosive" character. They are able to synergise and produce results far better than many of the other sections.
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Case in point, my section moves out for missions with almost 100% strength all the time and the only time that they will not be able to move out together is if they are injured to which also, more often than not they will still move out. Its not because they want to show that they're garang, they are so past that stage, but rather, i feel that its because they do not want to let their section and me down. They know that they've trained hard and they've trained together. I believe it is these intrinsic values that sets them apart from many of the section in Rawdy coy.
I'm able to draw out their potential and they are able to draw out mine. We share good synergy with eachother. I'm able to encourage them when they need to and likewise, they encurage me when i need it too. As of now, even to the run up to Brunei, my section has never had a major fight, nor showed any signs of unhappiness within. They are still able to work and synergise, they are able to overcome all obstacles together, support eachother in times of need and give eachother a reason to smile and laugh when the need arises. I have a good section and i believe they will go far.
Even for Raizahan a guy of his size, for him to come this far from where he was when he was in BMT is testament to his spirit, resilience and attitude. I'm so immensely proud of him all the time because i know that he puts in 100% for everything that he does.
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I do not need a section made up of very good people, i'm willing to rope in less than perfect people so that i can mould them easily to become the section that i desire and want. This is what i feel most happy about, that i'm able to mould them, train them and bring out their best in them everytime. =)
I told my 2IC Saiful, that if there is anything that must not change in the section, that will be the Section Spirit and Integrity. Everything else can change, the way they clear trenches, or the way they do fire and movement. But the ONE thing that must NEVER change is the Section Integrity and Spirit. It is this Spirit and integrity that makes Section 1 what it is. Section 1 is Section 1, people recognise us for what we stand for, our abilities and our strengths. Hence, it must never change. It is this spirit that makes Section 1 US. This spirit of tenacity, aggressiveness, speed, unity and care for eachother is what sets us apart from the other sections in the company. Even my men have told me before that they feel that section 1 is different. We are able to work together and get things done properly.
Under their new Section commander, their standards must never drop, they must maintain it and IMPROVE on it. If they choose to let it slide or if the new cmdr lets it slide, they will undo all the good work they've been doing all these while and If i get wind of it, i will personally go back and sort it out. I do not want my section to grow weaker from where it is now. They must grow stronger, improve on everythign as time goes by.
I'm not boasting, but the results speaks for itself and the comments i always get from my PC and PS about my section is more often than not, postive and very encouraging.
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I feel that all the money, time and patience commited towards them, buying food and supplies for them, treating them dinner, will gel and make the section aware that we're in this together, that they are one section, fighting together and helping eachother along the way. But the most important this is that i hope that it will put them in good stead to fight atec.
Many of my men have asked me why don't i extend my ORD, because they want to go all out to beat the Commandos in the Best Combat Unit award next year and they say that they want the Old commanders to fight with them. They have faith in us. But to extend means that i will only ORD next NOV (min term is 1 year). Whihch will be a problem for me because i will have to disrupt my University studies for another year. Don't get me wrong, i love the Army, i love the adventures, i love that adrenaline rush when i have to make split second decidions, when the lives of 6 men under me is at stake and at my fingertips. I love that happiness that cannot be found elsewhere when my section completes a missiosn successfully, when they all come back safe and sound. Such experiences cannot be found elsewhere. Only a Section Commander will know how it feels. A PC will never get a chance to feel that strong sense of attachment to the men as much as a Section Commander.
I Feel sad to leave them, i really want to go all out, i really really want to. However, i'm split, torn between the two. My Passion AND my education.
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Being a pragmatic person, i have to make a decision and i chose the latter over the former.
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As of now, before they are flying off to Brunei. I believe that they are poised to do well. It is not going to be easy i know but i have alot of faith in my men. I know and i believe that they will go all out, they will not disappoint me, the platoon or the company. But most importantly, they will not disappoint themselves. They wil do what is right and they will do it well. I have faith in every single one of them.
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Section 1 buckle up! Prepare to jump! Lets FLY!
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Some pictures taken last night using my camera phone. =)
Before i left i gave each of them a personalized card with what i wish to say to them together with some pictures of themselves. I also attached a personalized key chain to their cards.
In the blink of an eye, i'm done with my CSM course. =)
Been a hectic 3 weeks but the experience was well worth it. THe friends made and the experiences shared all amounted to a great and wonderful course. It was great going back and reliving my SISPEC days as a trainee, though at times it was kinda frustrating. Still, the fact remained that i enjoyed myself tremedously.
On the last day, 2WO Maran showed me my course repor and simply said, i fulfilled my own goals of doing well. =) I did very well according to him. He also said that "I'm too good for NS". A hint for me to sign on? Haha Maybe, but not as a specialist, i would rather be an officer. Oh well, for now i just wanna ORD and take a break from it all. Signing on can come later. I want to explore the outside world, see how it is like first.
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Yesterday was my 6th Month with Ms. S. We had an enjoyable day. I met her after her school and we went down to Kuishin-Bo for dinner. =) Well, though it was a simple dinner, i enjoyed her company very very much. =) Shes such an angel to be with.
After that, we watched Date Movie together, wihch holds significant memories for us. =)
Heres the scoop, its the end of the week of yet another hectic and totally exhaustive week at ASTW.
Honestly, its been quite a while since i last attended a course in SISPEC. (The last time was earlier this year) so it was kinda inconvenient having to re-adapt to life as a trainee. The good thing is that, since i'm in the CSM course (The most adv course run by SISPEC), we are given priviledges. SO i may just be a 2SG, but i'm given the same priviledges that the SSGs and MSGs get. We are treated fairly and equally throughout.
The PS course trainees are harder off. They do not have as much priviledges as we do. They have to do more exercises..basically for them, the course is tougher. But, as much as i pity them sometimes, it reminds me of myself when i was attending the PS course earlier this year. It never struck me how busy and hectic the course was till today when i looked at the PS course trainees. Their missions and exercises are back-to-back whereas ours are spaced out quite nciely. Of course we do missions concurrently with them but for only 3 out of the 5. The other 2, they do it on their own.
Before i left, my PS told me to aim for the Best Trainee award. But i don;t think that i want to go down that line again. I've done my best for the many courses so far and its is testament to me now that you do not have to be the Best trainee in every single course that you go for in order to rise. For me to stand where i am now as a future CSM of a NS battalion (quite Possibly a RSM as well if i get selected for NS-JWOC(NS Junior Warrant Officer Course)) is justification of the many months of hard work that i've invested in my span of 2 years.
Sometimes as i reflect, we need not always have to aim for the best to be the best. Just do your part, keep your heads up high and stay alert, one door closes,but many more will open. It depends on whether you want to go look for it.
I wonder what if i had gone to OCS, yes, i will be a PC, but most likely just a PC for the rest of my NSmen days.
But since i did not go down that route, i went to SISPEC, passed out as a 3SG (a year ago), instead of condemning myself to the role of a section commander even in the prospect of my NSmen days ahead, i did my best during GCC and as a result i had the opportunity to go for Platoon Sergeant Course that will qualify me to be a PS. And just when i thought i had attained the highest level that was possible for me, i was selected to go for this current CSM course (and quite proudly may i add, by my Battalion RSM.)
So you see, when we think of NS, we cannot just confine ourselves to our NSF days, we must look at the bigger picture - NS as a whole that INCLUDES your reservist. Yes, i may not be an officer or a PC, but i will be a CSM, a Specialist not only in charge of the discipline, welfare, moral, equipment, medical and training standards of the entire corp of men in the company, but also the specialist corps. In other words, i'm am holding a position that will require much more determination, perseverance and attitude than any other postition in a Guards company.
I've done my best, and it has bore fruit. I've done my parents proud, but most importantly, i've not let myself done. =)
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Enough about Army. Haha.
Well, yesterday i had nights off and i met Ms. S for the evening. =) =) It was the first time we travelled from Boon Lay to Bugis..haha since shes now in NUS and her lessons ended at 6 and my nights off was at 6.30, the timing was just right. Wetn down to bugis, walked around and then went to the national library. A Place that holds special memories for the both of us. =)
We were perplexed by the high level of security, just to enter the main library section, we had to have out bags checked and our phones declared. Haha. But its udnerstandable considering that the nationla library is gonna hold some play to do with Israel. With all the terrorist concerns and all, it was udnerstandable and much appreciated.
S borrowed 4 books of Baby Blues...haha...that was so adorable man.......woooo i love her so much!! She adds so much colour and livery into my life. It is always fun, even after almost half a year to be with her all the time.
While we were at Cold Storage Bugis, i saw an offer which i couldn't resist.
2 TUBS OF B&Js ICE-CREAM FOR $15.50!!!!!
I was like OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG................!!!!!! but i could not bring it back to camp since it would have melted and i had no means to keep it frozen, neither could S and i eat two tubs at one go. Haha, but we still bought it anyway and we're gonna enjoy it together tomorrow. =) Can't wait!! To eat our favourite ice-cream together. hahahaha.
=)
I really enjoy such simple moments with her, enjoying the simple things in life together, not being bogged down by superficial fears like infidelity, we just trust eachother so much and enjoy the simple and relaxed company that we draw out from eachother. Its such a wonderful feeling. =) I love her so very much. You just know that shes the one for you.
Dear, if you are reading this, thank you for the happy times that we've spent together, it certainly was a miracle that we got to know eachother, to be able to find what we're looking for in eachother.
Love ya ;)
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Next week will be the last outfield week in this course, climaxing with Ex. Hawk a 4D3N summex in Tekong. =) will do my very best if i'm given an appointment, if not then even as a member of the fighting group or section, my commanders can be assured of a performace that will make them feel good to fight alongside me. Hahahahahahaha. =)
I'm like OMG, its been so long since i last blogged. Haha
Well, many things have happened since then. NDP is now over, the men are preparing for company OPS, and i'm on course again.
The 58th Company Sergenat Major course in SISPEC. NEver will i imagine that less han 1 year on, i will be back at ASTW training to be a CSM in the NS battalion. I mean, such opportunities are good for me in that i've managed to achieve a certain level of position in my space of 2 years.
Never will i imagine that i will go for a CSM course. When i was a recruit, all i was concerned about was going to OCS and being a officer. NEVER did it cross my naive little mind that one day, i'll be standing side by side to SSGs and MSGs as coursemates.
Its a whole different dimension, coming from a place whereby you fear any rank that is 2 levels up. But now, i have SSGs helping me out with sand models, talking to me and joking to me. To say the least, it is a little of a culture shock for me. It willr equire time getting used to.
THis whole week has been a hectic and nail-biting rush for me. It started on monday with me in-processing at SISPEC ASTW (Adv. Specialist Training Wing) without my FFI (Fit For Infantry) Cert. This was because the Medical Center at Bedok cmap had no MO when i went to do my FFI. So thinking that i could do it at Pasir Laba instead, i went ahead.
Little did i know that this little slip of paper might be the reason why i may be pulled out of course!
So it was a mad rush throughout the week trying to convice my instructors that i could get my FFI by the end of the week.
It ended up with me rushing back to Bedok camp this evening to get my FFi done once and for all. It cost me $45 travellign back and forth. URGH!
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Hahaha.
Anyway time is up, i gotta go back to the wing. Got 84mm Live firign tomorrow! BIG BANG!!
Well, i'm finally back, after nearly a month's haitus from blogging.
So many things have happened in my life that just one post will not do justice to these significant events.
Well, suffice to say, from the frequnecies of my posts, i hav somewhat lost that drive to blog so frequently like how i used to. Haha, but maybe as time goes by, i might pick up my habit of blogging again and continue revealing little nuggets of my life that more often that not, is incoherent, ranty and totally juvenile. Haha, but as i once said, being able to read your archives a few years down the road will actually make you realsie how much different (or otherwise) you are now as opposed to then.
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It is almost gonna be 4 mths from the day i made my promise to S, and truth be said, life hasn't been better for the both of us. Caring and understanding one and other is what this special union has and will be all about. I can be myself around her without any worry of any negative backdraft, whihc allows me to feel at total complete ease in her presence. She is like my refuge from the tempestuous tribulations of reality, from which i seek solace, comfort and draw confidence from. Right now she is down with Gastroentritis, which in lay man's term is gastric flu.
It really pains me whenever i see her wrinching in pain. I really hope that i can just banish the pain away from her with a simple stroke of the finger. She is precious to me and seeing her in such a state only shrouds me in pain and an utter feeling of uselessness. Haha.
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Actually, i have nothiing much to blog about. 1 Guards has gone ful swing into NDP and i have completed a majority of my last fe outfields before i lose my job (aka ORD).
Really, the thought of ORD kinda makes me a little sad. Its like i'm gonna be retrenched from my job that i've been so busily immersing myself to for the past 2 years. Suffice to say, i am anti-trend by making such "crazy" statments, who wouldn't want to ORD right? But honestly, i know i will miss the Army when i receive my pink IC and i Know for SURE that i will feel a certain tinge of sadness when i finally step out of Bedok Camp as a civilian, no longer a Army Personnel. All the memories, all the friends, all the hardships, all boil down towards receivign my Pink IC as a testament to all that my comrades and i have been through.
But definitely, all these thought will coem to nought if i choose to sign on the army. A crazy thought i know, but nto totally inconceivable.
Oh well, its getting late and i still gotta go down chinatown tmr for Ticketing collection. Hahaha
Its been a while since i've last blogged. Haha, nothing much has happened. AIT Phase 2 has begun which will prep my men up for Platoon Training. =)
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Having her in my life now is just so...wonderful. She gives me an additonal pillar of support, an extra cushion to break my falls. She is always there for me, to listen to my rants and unhappiness while quelling my fire. She understands me, understand what i want and provides me with the love, care and affection that i've been wanting to find. Why didn't i meet her earlier, why didn't i get to know her earlier, lest i save myself from all the previous heartache.
She truly is a god-sent and every moment that i spend with her just feels so right. Even when we're doing nothing, having her by my side will suffice. I do not need gifts as evidence for my love or her love for me, all i need is her word, as my trust towards her is as sure as the constant air that we breathe and as binding as the sun's promise to rise and set every single day.
I care for her, i cherish her and aboveall, i love her, so very much.
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Indeed, after the tempest comes the rainbow, i'm glad some how, that we parted, though it was painful and not the best of ways to do so, you gave me the opportunity to meet someone better, someone who appreciates me more and someone whom i can put full trust and love into.
Perhaps, thank you is the word, for being cruel and heartless that time, but for now, i'm glad and thankful, thankful to you for paving the way, so that i can now walk down this road with her, confident, aware and above all, more mature than i was last time.
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Nay-sayers won't understand the depth of emotions that has intertwined the both of us in the short space of a few months. I'm surprised myself, that she and i had that immediate connection of familiarity. It seemed that from the on-start, we knew how or what eachother was thinking. Itr is often easy to rationalise that is is such because we're still in the so-called "Honeymoon Period" but i told her and i state that to me, my love for her is not bounded by time, it is not proportional, neither is it pegged to it. I do not love her more just because we've been together for many years, neither will i love her any less just because we've been together for a short period of time. My philosophy is just to make the best out of every moment we're together regardless of time.
=)
Oh well, as what flea said, it was well worth the wait i guess. =) And i'm glad i left my options open.
It has been a throughly hectic and tirign week for me. Rigth after Battalion Games day (for which i helped Alpha get a Gold for War-cry) i had to go back camp the following morning for COS duty.
Then somehow or another, encik was extra stringent on that day and i got screwed badly due to the inadequatcies of the individual PDS. As a consequence, encik threw me an extra duty on the following friday.
Thursday was Guards Day and just like for battalion games day, i won for 1 Guards a another Gold medal for war-cry for whihc with my team from Alpha, we represented 1 Guards. 1 Guards won the title again though, having an almost clean sweep of all the medals. =) We won a record number of Golds. Haha.
So the day after Guards day, i had to stay back in camp to do COS duty while the rest of the commanders could book out to go home. I mean, BOTH times, i borught glory and won something for the unit and the coy, and both times i was so called "rewarded" with an extra duty. The thing is, last Sunday's duty wasn't even supposed to be mine. I was doing a favour to one of my fellow commanders and bah, got thrown an extra duty instead. Where is the justice!
Then yesterday, while i was COS, i had to lead the platoon int he fast march. IMMEDIATELY after the fast march, i had to take care of area cleaning, then change into smart 4 from a wet dirty long 4 to do cookhouse duty. Standing in the cookhouse for 2 bloody hours, feeling all exhausted and overworked (due to the many late nights i suffered preparing for the Guards Day). Almost immediately after cookhouse duty, its into my long 4 and webbing again to bring my section out for section training.
All in all, my whole week has been filled with stress, both mental and physical and late nights. But then again, i have a gold medal in my cupboard plus a Guards dry-fit shirt upon my shoulders. so i guess i won't complain much.
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Todayt after i booked out from camp from COS duty, i met dear and we went to EXp together to talk a walk and just laze the afternoon away in eachother's arms.
Being the tired me, i fell asleep alot of times, but dear was patient and understainding enough to watch me sleep. =) Thank you darling.
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Yesterday while cleaning up encik;s office i read this creed he had in his office.
It is friggin good. i LURVE it.
THE CREATION (Special Forces Version)
And the Lord spoke forth unto the heavens and said, "let there be Airborne." The earth did tremble and quake and the waters did rise up and the clouds did part and there came forth a multitude of parachutes that filled the sky. God looked down and saw this was good. And they were good; they were AIRBORNE.
God then spake forth unto the land and said: "Let there be Rangers." And all at once the day turned into darkness, and the winds did howl, and mountains crumbled into the sea, and the great rocks did part, and there sprang forth a horde of Mephistopheles' disciples wearing Ranger tabs and carrying all sorts of deadly weapons. God looked down and saw that this was bad. And they were bad; they were RANGERS.
Then God spoke forth thrice, unto the sky, the earth, and the sea, and said: "Let there be Special Forces." Lightning did flash and echo across the sky. Mountains spewed molten rock and rained fire upon the land. Tidal waves surged against the shore. Despair, disorder and turmoil did prevail. Forthwith, there did appear a band of twelve extraordinary men. A few came from beneath the waves; others jumped from the sky; and more still stalked silently from the dense forests. Each one was in camouflage battle dress, wearing a Green Beret. Working together, they brought peace unto the land. God looked down and saw that this was amazing. And they were amazing; they were SPECIAL FORCES.
Besides himself, God now spake forth again and commanded: "Let all ye that be weak in mind and body, arise and go forth." And lo, from the abyss they crawled forward with indecision and limped weakly upon the earth. God looked down and shook His head, for this was pathetic. And they were pathetic; they were LEGS.
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Will update better ones next time. I';m tired, over worked and underpaid. Haha but i have a loving and understanding girl by my side and nothing else makes me happier than that. I love her. So so much
I bought an Asics shoe about a week back and just today i had the opportunity to finally try out my new running shoe.
Introducing the Asics GT-2110 running shoe, featuring (from the website)
Impact Guidance System (I.G.S.®) ASICS® design philosophy that uses linked componentry to encourage optimal gait while allowing for natural foot movement from heel strike to toe-off
DuoMax® Ensures that the shoe maintains proper support for the foot during the critical transition from heel strike to toe-off
SpEVA® Midsole Material Provides superior shock attenuation along with a cushioned ride and enhanced durability
Space Trusstic System™ An advanced system that creates a pocket between the Trusstic System® device and the midsole, allowing for greater midsole deformation and more efficient foot function
GEL® Cushioning Systems Provides maximum rearfoot and forefoot shock attenuation
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I will not profess to be a good or excellent runner, i just sometimes run to keep my physical levels in check. I really admire and respect people who take up running as a hobby cause for me, running is more of something that i will rather not do. Perhaps its the fact that i'm not that proficient in running anyway that causes this attitude of mine But sometimes i believe that with proper time and training i will one day be able to run 10, 20 km without even breaking a sweat. As of now, i'm trying to fit running into my daily routine as much as i can, being in the army hardly gives you time to actually do your own running cause most of the time you'll be so exhausted that running becomes the last thing on your mind.
But one cannot deny the importance of physical fitness in the army, hence i must still find means and ways to fit decent mileage into my schedules.
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Sigh if only one day i can run with free abandon, not having to worry about stitches, muslce aches and just being slow. Hahaha.
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Anyway, today Plt 02 was SUPPOSED to go Sentosa for a outing. but apparently, everyone "forgot" about it, hence it was "cancelled" haha. Luckily i was still in camp when Shuqi called me telling me that the chao Privates had hung them. lol. Saved myself a trip down to Sentosa. =P
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Talking about Sentosa, i had a great time on thursday with who else but S. Hehe, though we did absolutely nothingg and almost missed the last bus out of Siloso beach, it was still pretty fun talking to her. =) Oh and btw, i saw the RSAF's new Apache Longbow attack helicopters Flying and circling around Siloso Beach. It looks superbly cool man.
Of course i did not take this picture, i cope-ed it fromt he net. Muahaha
I was telling S about how the RSAF only owns fighter jets, AA missles and other misc items, helicopters etc are bought by the RSAF under the army's budget. Thence this actually makes the Helis property of the Singapore Army. HAHA, Above All indeed!
Beautiful weather, beautiful day, beautiful sunset with a beautiful conversation makes for a beautiful memory. =) Had loads of fun, just sitting there, enjoying the breeze and getting sunburnt. Heh. =D
Oh! and to my utter amazement, Siloso Beach ACTUALLY has a B&J outlet! WAHHH~~~ So happy, but didn't buy anything from them though. Haha.
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Oh well, my chao recruits have finally POP-ed from BMT to officially become less-chao-but-still-chao Privates. I was just telling them that with rank comes a little more priviledges, but apparently, they misconstrued it and though that since they are now Privates they can act like Sergeants. BAH. DREAM ON. Smoking breaks still require our authorisation AND you will still march from Pt. to Pt Haha. =)
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After S bought her digicam, i've been feeling so tempted to get one for myself as well. My dad's digicam is hugely gargantuous, my brother's cam is spoilt and those cheapo ones that i bought from SAFE sucks to the core, what with the pictures turning out worse than your HP camera ones.
I'm interested in one, the Canon Powershot, going for $299 (At the IT show in Suntec). But really, i cannot spend so much money anymore. =( Being tempted is one thing but having a pragmatic and rational mind is another.
I must resist! I will overcome! I Will save my money from the gallows of the cashier machines! I WILL NOT SUCCUMB TO TEMPTATION!!!
. . . . . .
Maybe later i'll go down Northpoint and check out those digicams. Hahah
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Anyway, my dad finally scraped his old car and bought a new (ok, a second hand, maybe-more-handed) Proton Saga.
Malaysia Boleh!~!
I was like OMG! Why a Proton?? But so far, its not bad lah, just that i hate the colour, its turqoise Green,kinda like chlorine. =D But it is still good ride afterall. The interior is not bad for a 13 yr old car, with nice upholstery and a strong solid air-con to boot. Haha.
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Blogged 'nuff so here are some random thoughts of the day.
What an experience, going for field camp as an instructor rather than a recruit. Thinking back it was only more than a year ago that i had my first taste of life living out in the field. The daily camo-ons, the daily applications of the insect repellent, eating from the combat rations etc. Looking at the recruits makes me think back on how much i have grown int he army, from being a total blur-flip chao recruits to that of a commander than has that little something extra to share with them, i feel that i have indeed learned alot in the past 1 year.
I would say the recruits really had it hard this time around for field camp. As opposed to mine during my BMT days in BMTC, the emphasis here is more on combat endurance rather than experience. True, for many of time it thier first time living and roughing it out in the fields, but for us, we take a different appraoch. We still try to let them learn as much as possible. In fact we teach them more than what is required. But the fact that they will go straight into the Guards formation after thier BMT means that they must have the endurance, tenacity and spirit of a Guardsman. Compared to the normal Infantry BMT, they are put through a bigger challenge. For example, BMTC recruits will never dig their shellscrapes a night, but my recruits had to dig theirs through the night (it makes more sense as we often dig only at night). I would say this field camp has been a very tough and challenging one for them.
True that many cried, many suffered, many people broke down, especially in the night when they had to dig thier shellscrapes before they were allowed to rest, the many leopard crawls, many pumping, many crunches that they did, but through it all, they endured and they persevered. They held on, overcame and accomplished. Accomplished something that for a first time outfielder, is a major accomplishment.
I as an instructor felt very proud of them, felt proud when i saw them never giving up, encouraging eachother to press on, giving thier best even when they were overcome with lethergy and tiredness. But i feel, that to give them one hard one in the beginning will prime them better when they turn operational later this year. It must only be through this way that they know how high the stahndard is and that it is indeed within reach.
I'm proud, so very proud of them. Proud not because they did it, but because they emcompassed the spirit of a victor, they persevered, they had integrity and they held their head up high, even in the total face of tiredness, they held on. I respect them for being able to take it and i respect them for never giving up.
I'm proud, so very proud of them.
=D
And when we left Singapore Ferry Terminal en route back to camp, i witnessed an incident that left a deep impression on me. My guys were walking out of the terminal when they saw a big group of BMTC recruits. The recruits had that face of awe for them and when one of them asked if my guys were from Commandos, they denied and said with pride in their voices "No, we are from 1 Guards". Immediately, the faces of the BMTC recruits changed and my recruits held their heads even higher. The told me in the bus that that sense of pride was only because they know that they are indeed different.
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I took some pictures of my recruit's field camp to share. It was only more than a year ago that i came to Tekong for field camp as a recruit, now i'm an instructor, teaching my own men the life of a soldier outfield.
The recruits having a lesson outfield.
Some of my Platoon men.
The campsite : Permatang Seaview Hotel.
Nice view of the sunbeams. This effect was because we popped a smoke grenade for demonstration.
Me giving a demonstration on Group Battle Tactics.
Two of my recruits : Rec Farihin and Rec Rohaizad
The wonderful Tekong Sea View.
Contacted!
The army makes leaders out of men.
Ditto...
Nice view eh?
The shellscrape i dug for demonstration purposes. I like this pic very much. =D
The first of many shellscrapes that they are gonna dig.
Covering it up, only to dig again.
The long march back to the tekong ferry terminal
Passed by the old SISPEC. The Spec tower.
More than a year ago, i slept on this bed as a recruit. Cannot believe that it is still the way i remember it to be. I miss my recruit days. Hahaha
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Thats about it. I think i've uploaded alot of pictures already. Gonna go down Si Lim later to upgrade my PSP. =D Buy new games =D
Hehehe.
Hullo everyone, this is 12Alpha, last message over.
I've finally POP-ed from the Advanced Specialist Training Wing as a Platoon Sergeant Trained Specialist of the Singapore Armed Forces.
=D
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Finally went back to Bedok camp yesterday, didn't get to see my recruits because they were having range. Will be seeing them either tonight or tomorrow when they go for their first outfield lesson on camoflage and the likes. =)
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Hmm, yea, the PS course is by far one of the most enjoyable courses i've attended. It has helped me a great deal in terms of my knowledge in the roles and responsibilities of a PS, but most importantly, it is through this course that i've been able to meet many new friends from other units and vocations. BMTC, Infantry, ADF, FDS....people from units whom i'll hardly get a chance to get in contact with. Really Glad i got to know them. =)
Alan is so absolutely bored. He kmows that he has a platoon tactics test this Friday to study for. But here he is hacking incessently on his PSP. Alan needs help in relieveing himself of this boredom. Watch him now as he screams for help.....HHHHEEEEEEELLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!! (-_-)" somebody save me......anybody!
Wow, its been such a tiring week Really very very tiring. I hardly get to sleep at all. The week startred with Ex. Lovelost. A Platoon deliberate attack whereby i was the MG gunner. So yea, i had to carry the MG all the way to the objective and attack this knoll whihc was very very steep. Haha, due to the hot weather, many people got heat exhaustion. Yeap.
Then came a few other exercises..liek Ex Falcon ( Movement to Contact) then Ex. HARDMOLE. The one whihc was the most shagging. Haha, we woke up on Friday at 0500 to move off at 0800. It was to be an overnight defence exercise. So yea, we dug and dug and dug. The most funniest thing about the whoel exercise was that my entire Section's trench was facing Woodlands new town. So from atop the hill whereby my postion was located, i could see HDB houses, bungalows, Schools, Causeway point etc etc. In clear view. hahaha. So when evening became ngiht, i saw the lights getting turn on one by one, and as night became midnight, the lights off swirtching off one by one. Then nearing morning, the lights gettign switched on again. hahahaha.
We had to dig a shhellscrape and a firetrench. Shagged i must say. Moreover i was the ocncertina wire party. Got my hands chopped up from all the wire. Now it is full of cuts and bruises. HAH.
So yea, whgen i got home yeaterday, i did not sleep a single bit since friday morning. haha
Tonight gotta book in early at 1900 because i'm an appointment holder for tomorrow's exercise. :( Hahah.
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Ga Yeong is now in Korea, glad that she is having fun. Man, wish i could be there now,t he cold weather, the KImchi etc etc, not sufferign under the hot Mandai sun, digging my own grave. Haha.
Next week is gonna be worse, Ex. HAWK. My 4 day summex. Not that its gonna be easier compared to my GCC Summex. But still, 4 days of continuouos mission after missions. That sucks.
But after that! 6 DAYS OF OFF IN LIEU!!!!WHEEE!!!!!!Then POP from PS Course, then BACK TO BEDOK CAMP!!!!!!!!!!!! WHEEEEE
CANNOT WAIT! I wanna get out of SISPEC ASAP and go back 1 GUARDS!!
Whoa, i'm back after a few week's hiatus! Many things have been happening of late, most notably, i'm now on Course again! I'm back to the life of a trainee! In SISPEC ASTW (Advanced Specialist Training Wing) to be trained as a future Platoon Sergeant.
The course so far has been a wonderful eye-opener. The PS course is broken down into 2 phases, Common Phase and Ops phase. I've completed the Common phase already whereby it was a cross formation course With Specialists from all the formations, Armor, Arty, Signals, Combat Engin, Infantry, guards etc...It was a great eye-opener for me as i got to know many new people and learn about how thier indvidual formations work
Now i'm into Phase 2, OPS phase. It is basically outfield exercises all the way. In fact just this morning, i had GPMG Live Firing. It felt good to fire the GPMG. Haha.
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Oh well, GY's left Singapore already, kinda regreted now going to see her off though i had nights off till 2200. I don't know guess i didn't want to have to bear with the pain. Hahah.
Oh weel, GY! If you read this, i WISH YOU ALL THE BEST!!!!
WOOT.
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I uess that is all for now, oh and btw, I BOUGHT MY PSP LIAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Woot, one week. ONE WEEK. Men have been in my care for one week!
It has been absolutely wonderful. They are just so adorable. So cheeky, but good in a very good way.
=) They maek staying in camp a wonderful activity. For the first time, i actually felt reluctant to book out. Because they simply, make my day. =) The new recruits, they are all just so eager, so eager to learn, so eager to look forward to whats ahead. Haha. =) Not bad not bad, at least i've managed to convice them that army will be a positive time afterall. =)
You have the usual noisy ones, the quiet ones, the irritating ones, the loner ones, the enthu ones, the beng one, but there is one thing that binds them all together. ALPHA company.. =)
= Alan a.k.a Scionfire =
= 21 yr old M =
= Was from CJC =
= Ex-29th CJC SC Councillor =
= Hails from Pioneer and Proud of it =
= Enjoys Jazz, Zen and Gregorian =
= Jay Chou RAWKS =
= Loves living the simple life =
= Operationally Ready NS-MAN and Proud of it =
= Guards Specialist : Ready to Strike! =
= Has a wonderful Girlfriend =
= Struggling undergrad in NTU =
It was a time of fun and laughter, hardships and tears as i struggled to fulfill my dreams of going to OCS. I found my limits and tried as i might i could not break it. However i did get a reasonable IPPT Silver after trying very hard. I was never the fittest guy in the platoon. haha.
During Route marches, i took on a very interesting role - that of Song IC. I became so proficient in that role that i could mix and match any song together in an instant. I could come up with a medley almost on the spot. My fellow recruits often told me that they wanted this song and i would start it. Haha I even had my own special songs that i came up with. =) It was fun, especially during route marches when you're so tired, someone just shouts "YOUR LEFT~~~ YOUR LEFT~~ YOUR LEFT RIGHT~~~" Hahaha. Bmt was a moment of self-discovery and hastened adaptation. We were put through the metal to attain required skills. We were forcefully guided along the syllabi and made to excel in it.
Nothing beats the sensational of rapelling, the desperation you feel as you are in the L-Shape on the skid of the helicopter with the down-wash pushing you down, hanging on for dear life. The exhilaration of jumping off 80-Feet in the air with nothing but a rope seat harness you tied yourself. 
With a clap, you push yourself off the skid and let go of the rope slidding down and seeing the helicopter move further away from you. That is of course if you oversome the initial vertigo you feel as the helicopter rises into the air and the people below get smaller and smaller. 
RAWDY 21 - Elite Guardsmen!
What an experience, going for field camp as an instructor rather than a recruit. Thinking back it was only more than a year ago that i had my first taste of life living out in the field. The daily camo-ons, the daily applications of the insect repellent, eating from the combat rations etc. Looking at the recruits makes me think back on how much i have grown int he army, from being a total blur-flip chao recruits to that of a commander than has that little something extra to share with them, i feel that i have indeed learned alot in the past 1 year.
endurance rather than experience. True, for many of time it thier first time living and roughing it out in the fields, but for us, we take a different appraoch. We still try to let them learn as much as possible. In fact we teach them more than what is required. But the fact that they will go straight into the Guards formation after thier BMT means that they must have the endurance, tenacity and spirit of a Guardsman. Compared to the normal Infantry BMT, they are put through a bigger challenge. For example, BMTC recruits will never dig their shellscrapes a night, but my recruits had to dig theirs through the night (it makes more sense as we often dig only at night). I would say this field camp has been a very tough and challenging one for them. 
It was only more than a year ago that i came to Tekong for field camp as a recruit, now i'm an instructor, teaching my own men the life of a soldier outfield.
The recruits having a lesson outfield.
Some of my Platoon men.
The campsite : Permatang Seaview Hotel.
Nice view of the sunbeams. This effect was because we popped a smoke grenade for demonstration.
Me giving a demonstration on Group Battle Tactics.
Two of my recruits : Rec Farihin and Rec Rohaizad
The wonderful Tekong Sea View.
Contacted!
The army makes leaders out of men.
Ditto...
Nice view eh?
The shellscrape i dug for demonstration purposes. I like this pic very much. =D
The first of many shellscrapes that they are gonna dig.
Covering it up, only to dig again.
The long march back to the tekong ferry terminal
Passed by the old SISPEC. The Spec tower.
More than a year ago, i slept on this bed as a recruit. Cannot believe that it is still the way i remember it to be. I miss my recruit days. Hahaha
