150908 - 140910

ORD lo.
140910.
Kind of waited till the clock clicks on the day 15 before I started this entry.
After all, I am not officially a NSman until 2359 hours.

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ARMY. Lesson learned!
Seriously, army had taught me so much. So much that it sort of changed my mindset towards so many things. Some lessons were rather positive, while at the same time, many were not. I've learn so many important truths that might apply not only just in camp, but some of which applies to your regular life at home, or at work. Important truths. Hard truths. Truths that you wished you never knew.

For 19 years, my clothes were mostly washed by my mum, and most of the time, it is my mum that wash them, dries them, and folded them nicely, separated into my shorts and shirts and placed into my cupboard. And it is her that keeps the house clean by mopping the floor, sweeping the floor. In camp, I had to do this alone. On many occasions, it was my dad that forks out his own money to buy food for us. He still do, only to return home with us unable to finish the food and thus goes to waste. Back in camp, especially the days when I am out in the fields training, the only food source are the plain green packets that can contain food that you never knew you will eat, and yet, you are forced to consume it because you are simply too hungry. Otherwise, you will fork out your own money for the canteen breaks. Now, imagine the amount of food and effort that is wasted back at home. This is partly the reason why when I eat, I must finish it. And next, for my sister, it was her to keep me accompany on quiet nights at home. By talking to me, playing with me, or even at times, "bully" me. Back in camp, when nobody is around, or when most people are at work, you will be alone with pretty much no one to entertain you. This holds so true in training areas. And you think this is bad? Read on.

What I am trying to say above is that, treasure your family. Army had pulled away so much comfort from me that I realized that I might been taking my family for granted. I treasure every moment I have at home now, trying not to make my parents lost the temper. They might be right after all.

So, now, you think boredom is bad? There are so much things worse than being left alone and feeling bored. You know, when you were just under stress and you kept working and working and working for hours, or even days? You would wish to have a nice break-off and have some private moments to yourself don't you? One person who hit a hard tour would tell you being bored and alone with nobody else around can be a luxury from time to time... Being busy can be a hell lot more worse.

When it comes to work, most of us would just work for yourselves isn't it? However, what I learnt from army is that, you can't work alone. There are just too many things in life that cannot be accomplish alone, may it be getting some heavy loads up a vehicle or even to operate machinery to some massive exercise. Many people seem to get frustrated with even the simplest of things. Take a break, work as a team and with the many brains working together, things can run smoother.

However, when you reach a bottle-neck in solving problems, even as a team, confidence can be utmost powerful, you should just do it. Hesitation will delay, uncertainty will confuse, and it is all things negative. So why not go all out and just do it? Have confidence in yourself. Many things can be accomplished, if not better, with confidence. Not everything is as bad as what you might think it is. Simply by throwing in your best would be the best way to get things done. Do not worry if or when you did and you screwed it up. Everyone makes mistakes. Learn from it. Learn from that experience. Learn from the experience from others as well.

Next, what I think is the best lesson learned. PEOPLE. With army, I've learn to tolerate others more. In fact, so much more than what I thought I could before telling them out. Back in school in class, a number of lecturers and teachers and classmates were amazed by the extent of me being able to cooperate with uncooperative people. In army, I find myself doing this even more. There are so many kinds of people in there. There are people who will harm you in whatever ways they have in order to get to a higher place; there are people who will share, will give; there are people who kept themselves low in order to avoid as much things as possible; there are people who can have 2 completely different personalities when it comes to work and play, home or in camp; there are also people who will always think too highly of themselves when they are actually not; there are people who abuse their ranks; while there are also some people that is being just too nice that people start climbing on top of them; people that are so caring that they would cry the whole night if they killed a cockroach; people that are so freaking heartless that they would just rip out the guts of innocent animals. Despite this, I had managed to see the good of almost everyone. Learn to tolerate people, seek out the good, and life for both of you - you and the person - would be so much better.

The lessons from army are simply too much to list.

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My experience and my gratitude.
My life as a NSF can be distinctly split into 3 parts. BMT, SI and HQ4SAB. There are so many people that I would to thank, may it be because of something good, or something nobody will approve of. But then, you guys still left a footprint in my journey.

BMT is tough (physically) and it is a pretty straightforward answer. However, credits can be given to the people who had made my life better there. Imagine having to sleep, bath, eat, talk, train with my section mates? Or even being punished together? The section mates are the very first people I know through army, and just from my section, there are already 12 people with 12 distinct different personalities. There are ones who is as slow as ever, ones that are as drama as ever, or as quiet as ever, but despite the difference in our personalities, it is great that a lot of us will push one another on and encourage each other during the difficult times. The most memorable moment during BMT would be the day of our POP, held directly after our exhausting 24km route march. Tiring, but it is the mood and people that kept us in high spirits that last till the very end. The next most memorable event, I would have to give it to the 6 days 5 nights Field Camp that ended with quite a blast with the BIC. Seriously, I had never gotten so muddy before army. HAHA! Traveling to Tekong, within itself, was actually rather difficult. Especially when my camp does not lie anywhere near the ferry terminal. To get to my camp from my house, first, it would be a bus journey to the nearest train station, followed by train to Pasir Ris. Followed by a shuttle bus to the ferry terminal, and via ferry to the island itself. And in the island I would still have to take a tonner ride. Imagine the amount of time spent on the journey. To the following people, you guys gave me the the most impact in BMT and I thank you.

Alvin Oh
Absolute drama king. After all, he is a director for a film company and the dramatic genes are there automatically. Thank you for filling up the bunk with laughter everyday. You never fail to chirp us up after a long tiring day. Thank you! Too bad you left us half way into the journey but you will still remain as one of our best section mate.

Yazid
One bed buddy that is at the other side of the wall that have his birthday on the same day as me. Thank you for helping me throughout the few long torturous days during the Field Camp training in Tekong. Thank you!

Jay Al Vergara
Thank you for being my buddy. You may be slow but I do admire the fact that you are so optimistic! Thank you for enriching my BMT days too! It would be very, very different without you in the section, or platoon, or even company. Thank you!

2SG Muslim
YAH. Always as reasonable. He might be extremely fierce towards us but I believe he is a nice platoon sergeant after all, as I noticed what he did was always good for us eventually. Thank you! And you know, Platoon Sergeant, you are the very first commander that always came to my mind!

2LT Chi Zi Lun
Thank you for being such a nice Platoon Commander. You are a very good motivator by always putting in encouraging words for us. Thank you!

CPT Tan Guang Ji
Can I ask you a question? Where did you learn the skills of being such a excellent morale booster? You never fail to push us further during the worse times in the field camp. You are truly a great commander. Thank you!

3SG Junwei, 3SG Raymond, 3SG Weng Chee
Thank you for being our Section Commanders. You guys are great. =) Thank you!

1SG Ng Guoxiong, 3SG Malcolm, SG Ernest
Even though you guys are not from my platoon, I still have to thank you for making my BMT life a memorable one with your funny actions and the way you guys talk and command. Thank you!

Next I was posted to SI for my vocation course. To me, it was one hell of a camp. In my opinion, I think my life here was worse than BMT. I did my first guard duty there, and a second time, with an injured leg. However, all things bad will become memories to think on, right? The vocation course was very short. It last for just over a month. Nevertheless, there are people in SI that makes it different after all.

1WO Ng Siow San
By far one of the best warrant officers throughout army. Very cute. Thank you for being our course warrant, as well as leading us around in the morning runs. Thank you!

SGT Louis
By right he should be our platoon sergeant. Always busy at work but nevertheless, it is very nice to have such a great sergeant. Thank you!

3SG Loy Wei Heng
He might be one of the worse specialist throughout army who had ruined my knee and punished his platoon like never before but nevertheless, it is him that gave me new insights on how a person can abuse his ranks. Yes, and I did learn quite a lot from him. So, well, thanks...

Pawan, Haojie, BoonSiong, Guanxian, Perry
Even though I know a few of you guys might have never liked me, but it is your tolerance that made my life in SI better. Thank you very much!

Ivan, Marcus
If you are reading this, I believe you will know why you managed to make it into this list. You had given me a chance to see how bad a person can be, so... I believe I should be thanking you?

After my vocation course in SI, I was quickly posted to HQ4SAB without any breaks. It was quite a culture shock to receive so much freedom all of a sudden. Confusion soon sets in. It took me quite a few weeks to get used to the unit. There are a lot of people in this unit that had affected me in some way or another. There are also a number of highlights that had etched into my memories throughout my days here, this includes Exercise Gandolf (Or Proficiency test), Exercise Bold Warrior, Exercise Wallaby, and the helping out in the AHM and NDP.

CPT Kervin
You are the only regular to believe in my leg injury I've gotten in SI. I am extremely grateful that you lent me your listening ear and allowed me to explain my injuries to you. Even though you always have a extremely tough PT sessions, but it is still you that kept us going. I know you can be very a very good commander. Thank you!

CPT Luo Peili
You like to look into equality. I won't deny that it is good in some sense but really, most of us will not mind the unfair treatment given to us. However, there is one thing I believe you can lead well - A cheer. I'm meaning the Signal Company cheer you shouted with us on BHM and Company cohesion. Twice, I believe you did well. Thanks.

MSG Sze Chia How
I am amazed to the things that you've taught us. Not towards the discipline matters but the ones against it. It is kind of interesting, I would say. Thank you for sharing your experiences and your jokes from time to time. Thank you!

LTA Clayton, LTA Ee Hong
You guys can lead well. Thanks.

LTA Qing'An, LTA Micheal Yue
It is nice to have a few nice officers with no temper ya? Thank you! Thank you leaving a footprint in my NS journey!

LTA Ronald Law
Stop torturing the poor innocent rodents please!!! Other than that, yes, I like it when you are willing to have a chat with us during breaks and other times when we are more free. Thank you!

2LT David Loo
Thank you for sharing with us your experiences when you first came in. Thank you for trying to fight for our company over the I-net terminals as well as the Enlistees Mess. Thank you for being a patient officer. Thank you! And oh! Thank you for sharing your telling me about your medical conditions, because you allowed me to know more about my back.

2LT Ryan, 2LT Baohui
Thank you for chatting with us during breaks.

1SG Godfrey
I know right from the start that you are a nice funny person who knows what you are doing and can command well, and yet,you like to put up a extremely fearsome attitude. Thank you for your transformation! There is no turning back now... HAH! Thank you for being a good PS!

1SG Roy
Thank you! Thank you for being such a nice PC!

SSG Noel
First impression wasn't good. But then, the second onwards was perfect. Well, not really. But we like the way you are. Thank you for sharing the gaming tips, and all the things from army. Thank you for being the best PC. Thank you!

SSG Loh
Even though I believe you know that many of us do not like you, but I see you did try to interact with us and eventually became a better commander. I like the lame jokes *yes, its awful* that you made from time to time to cheer us up during outfield exercises. But it is the lameness that made it hilarious isn't it? Thank you!

I shall skip the specialist and the people from my company. There are just way too many people to thank. But THANK YOU!

There are many events that I had participated in HQ4SAB. Particularly for Exercise Wallaby held in Australia last year. I was there for 3 weeks in November, right after my birthday. It was also this exercise that changed my life in NS, forever, thanks to the fall that snapped the ACL in my right knee, and causing major problems to my back. I enjoyed the weather there, the food, the people are much better than expected. It was also this exercise that brought everyone closer, for the fact that we only had ourselves to depend on.

The direct involvement in the NDP this year made this NDP a very special one. All the burnt weekends, all the sweat, preparations in the camp or in the City Hall, hunger, were all worth it as the show comes to an end on the actual day. NDP was an experience, an once in a lifetime experience. Not only do you get to see how the pieces of rehearsals come into place, you also get to see something else! *winks! And I don't mean the fireworks. What I'm trying to say are the students. They bring back nostalgic feelings right? Back to the good old days when you are still wearing a school uniform for lessons. My secondary school was involved in the Choir and I managed to did some catching up with my former teachers.

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So for now, the journey is over. I should be happy. Somehow the feeling of ORD-ing was quite a mixture of the good and the bad, quite an oxymoron. I am unwilling and at the same time, I wished I am able to leave as soon as possible. I felt relieving, yet at the same time, a kind of stress starts to build up. Confusion. Yes, I will miss the people I had gone through with. I will miss the times when we were poking fun at a random person, laughing off ridiculous, hilarious, as well as the cold jokes. The delicious cakes we shared, the squeaky chairs, muddy floor we sat, the countless papers we folded, drew, wasted, burned, tore, shredded were something to be remembered isn't it? The simple stuffs, suddenly seemed so sweet...

Out