Merry X'mas

Where should I start?

Went back to camp on the 20th and next 3 days were basically peaceful. There was a road march; the daily 5BX and we drew arms on the day before booking out. It was a short book-in to say the least. Other than all the strength training and some lecture on the M16, the past few days in camp is rather peaceful.

Today when I book-in, will marks the end of the honeymoon period. We are all prepared for the harassment to come. Our bunk was stomped through last dinner, the SGT wanted to steal the rifle but was unsuccessful.

So far the push-up were kept to the minimal. My platoon is considered the slackest among the other two. Perhaps it’s the SGT, perhaps we have a white horse, or just perhaps we are just pretty cooperative.

I can feel that my physical ability is starting to give some problem. My left ankle is starting to get uncomfortable. The left knee cap is starting to experiences some pain. I’m getting a bit of stomach upset right now as well. I have got no intention of sounding out right now, since it is still manageable and I am feeling fine.

I am expecting a 3km run tomorrow so soon. Or a road march with the dummy rifle. The morning 5BX, and the run is enough to make me not wanting to wake up.

Please pray for me that I’ll have the strength and courage to see this through.

First Book Out

[To report back at 2100hrs.]

Just a quick one

I booked out last night at about 8.45pm. Got home, do my laundry, shower, fix the sling bag, ate something and went to bed.

Strangely, I could not sleep well. There must have been a lot in my mind or just the excitement of going home. I woke up at 4am, as usual as the days in camp, and found it hard to get back to bed.

The plan was to get up at 8 and go to beach road by 10am. Well, closed enough. I lay in bed till about 9.15 then proceed to fan dry my clothes and got ready to go to beach road. Either how, that just normal and nothing interesting to talk about.

My first day in camp was pretty much peaceful. The next 2 days were busy getting the items done and real physical training only came on the third day which was a Sunday.

My reflection for the past few days can be easily summed up:
1) Sleep is not enough.
Seven hours of rest (as they called it) is really not enough. I personally need 8 hours of sleep. In the army, they control how much you sleep. You wake up too early, they becomes upset. You cannot sleep too late. And you have too many things to be sleeping early.

2) They don’t serve coffee
They only serve coffee every alternated day. I cannot live without coffee. Days which I have coffee, I feel more alive. Other than that, I am sleepy all the while

3) Rush to wait, wait to rush
Most of the time, we are being hurried here and there. Then the remaining time, we spent waiting. I must say that we are still at the adjustment period. I am expecting more punishment after the 2 weeks. Which, will makes the half way mark of my PTP

Generally specking, so far, I am coping well to National Services. I always remind myself that I will take this chance to measure myself. I failed every single station in my IPPT CAT test. The only comfort I can get is that I might still be able to POP should I fail. Even so, I do not wish to attend any RT or whatsoever.

I got pretty depresses about the fact that I am the only one who failed every station. But I will keep trying. Please pray for me and wish me luck.

The Finest Gentlemen’s Establishment

The Finest Gentlemen’s Establishment can be referred to the Singapore Armed Forces or to be more précised, the whole idea of National Services. Since gentlemen from all woks for life are expected to take up its membership and undergo a process that, in the words of Jake, make you a fucking man.

I had came across a number of blogs which addresses such subjects and there are pretty good ones ranging from stories to the effect of National Services in daily life. For a moment, I believe that no one will be interested in reading more of the same dreadful stuff. However so, I would like to keep this blog more like an personal account which will remain with me for some time.

Where should I start then? Perhaps a personal introduction would be fair.

Born on the 27th March 1986, I am considered ‘over age’ for the services. Most gentlemen will be expected to serve at the age of 18 or so however, due to my N level endeavors and my sailing internship this was delayed till now, at the age of 21.

13th December will be the day where I will be gone camping for a long time. Ironically Kenneth will pass out of BMT the day before, and Soon Guan will be on vacation the day after.

According to the orange letter, I will be doing the Physical Training Phase of 4 weeks and then the BMT for 9 weeks. My heart is too dead to have any feeling about the arrangement. Events which led up to this day was not a pleasant one and I am do not want to talk about it.

I found Yi Xiang on the forum and understand that he too will be enlisting on the same day, and possibly at the same time. For someone who has been traveling alone so long, this is something different to find companion though we might not in the same location after all.

So what is it gonna be? I cannot say that I am nerves or excited. For all I care, it is on the way of things. I have been away from home before and I am therefore looking forward for going away, but the place of going is not perfect to begin with.

For something I did not realized, I found comfort in it. My father was commenting about the list of public holidays that will follows after my enlistment. These make my confinement period of 2 weeks broken down to 1 week (which is how it is normally arranged).

I do wish Lionel good luck as he was enlisted one week before me. Let me go off to enjoy what little is left of me.