Monday, March 13, 2006
Title: The end is here..
After 2 years and 2 months, the wait is over. I've gotten my pink IC as of today. I could still remember how i surrender it to the Sergeant at Pulau Tekong, now its back in my wallet. There wasn't any fanfare, i went back to sign some documents and the clerk was saying, 'Sir, this is your IC, please sign here and acknowledge that you have taken over the items.' That's it, end of story. Anyway, my DYS1 was with me, he was jokingly asking the clerk not to give me my IC and hold me back because i own him something. I think it is approriate to look back on my 2 years in army and how it had changed my thinking and preview what's going to be like for the next 3 years in NTU.
On 14th Jan 2004, around 1400hrs i boarded the TIBS bus with my family and we were on our way to SAF ferry terminal to be transported to Pulau Tekong. I was a bit confused over what's coming up for me. Will it be tough and how good my platoon is going to be?? So many questions but no answers. Thus, it started my BMT training, waking up everyday at around 0515hrs for the morning exercise and breakfast. My platoon was superb!! They are a great bunch of guys, helping me along if i face any problems and of course we had our fair bit of fun. It was delightful to have them as my platoon mates and i can say that my BMT was a breeze. Next up, i was dying to go to OCS because of some reasons, when the posting came, i was absolutely ecstatic to see myself posted to OCS for officership training.
For the next 4 months plus, starting from April till mid August, my second home was SAFTI MI. I would need to travel all the way to Boon Lay from SengKang, an hour ride at least. It was worth it. Another new place, another chance to meet new friends and see how it goes. Tango Wing Platoon 3 was my destination. The time spent there was fulfilling and enriching. I developed myself in terms of physique and my mental strength. The instructors taught us how to conduct ourselves and i assumed appointments which give me a chance to show how capable i was. I was set for more things to come and the prospect of craving out a career was high. How things crumble, something heart wrecking happened to me. I was bought down to Earth and i thought this is it, its the end of the road for my officership. I started to think about dropping out and switch to something that is not so demanding because my mind isn't concentrating at all, i'm distracted and i've lost focus and my determination. Towards the end of the 1st 10 months, i was recognized for my contributions to the platoon but all this matters nothing to me anymore. Everything just went blank afterwards. At the same time, i was injured badly because of my back. The Medical Officer was asking me questions about my ability to continue. I was thinking about quitting it for good.
After lengthy talks with my buddy, i decided to stay on and perserve. It was very hard for me because there isn't any motivation for me at all. After another 9 weeks of intensive training, it was time to stream us to different vocations based on our preferences and availability and performance. I went to Stagmont camp, Home of the Signals. For the next 5 months, i am going to be trained to be a Signal officer. Its the final stretch before i am being comissioned as an Officer. Its a new venue and a chance for me to meet new friends again. We were a small bunch of people just 32 of us make up the whole cohort. Lessons were fun but they were boring also. Often, we had to fight off the 'zzz' monster but many a time, we failed. *haha* Missions were tough because of all the plannings late at night thus lacking sleep which we cant concentrate at all. On top of this, we had 2 overseas trips, Brunei and Taiwan for my exercises. It was great because i've never been to these 2 places at all. It was certainly the most enjoyable moments including the times we spent at Singapore Poly for our lessons on Networking as well. While all this are going on, i was fighting on a personal front as well. I slept late and i was busy doing something that i've never tried before in my life. When it came to the crunch time, 1 week before i was comissioned, the most devastating news was made known to me. All my efforts have gone down the drain. It was like end of the world and i'm not exaggerating here. I managed to continue to the day, 23rd Jan 2005, my Comissioning Parade.
After which, i was posted to 36SCE as Battalion Signal Officer. I do not wish to talk about my experiences there but i've really learnt a lot there and i own it to my peers and my colleagues who guided me along the way and helped me when i was faced with obstacles. It was an eye opener for me because i get to witness how the whole Army works. Great bunch of pals there also. I'm really happy that for everywhere i've been posted to, i get to know a great bunch of people and they care for me a lot. As of today, my liability as a NSF completed, I would really want to say a big Thank You to all those pals and colleagues whom have been a part of my this 2 years journey, without you all, i would be a lesser man today. Thank You!!
I never regretted my 2 years of liability because it makes me a stronger man and i learnt a lot about management and interpersonal skills. What i regretted is how things might be different IF i could only managed my time well and prioritize certain things. Now everything's over, when i look back, i am leaving with a heavy heart.
Upon that, my tertiary education awaits me in August. Before that, i'm desperately looking for a job to make ends meet. I want to have a fulfilling varsity life and leave with no regrets if possible. I do not want to disappoint my parents and waste their hard earned money. I want to do well and graduate with results they would be proud of.
*cheers*
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