Moved

Due to the friendliness of wordpress with my ipod touch, I have moved.


http://finestgentlemensestablishment.wordpress.com/

This is a testing iPod blog

trying to test and see if blogging on my itouch works...

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Graduation and Ops

Life in the Provost 

Today marks the end of my stay in the Training School. We had a POP Parade which we've trained and practiced for the last 2 weeks. 

It should be a happy day and indeed it was. 

Until... 

I was told that according to my posting (Military Working Dog Wing) I am to be deployed tomorrow. 

Well, I have to report back to camp at 8 tomorrow and burn my weekend. Not only that I've burned my chance in being the valedictorian. 

Shit

MP Creed
I am a Military Policeman in the Singapore Armed Forces,
I serve my country with Pride, Discipline and Honour,
With Pride, I will always discharge my duties firmly, fairly, honestly and without fear or favour
With Discipline, I will always strive for the highest standards of soldiering
With Honour, I will always accomplish my missions, courageously, loyally and decisively.

Long Weekend and Pre-POP

Life in the Provost 

To be frank, I cannot remember what happened this week except there was no run and there was a lot of arms drills. 

Oh yes, there was IPPT. and I still failed my Standing Board Jump. There was some improvement though. I am feeling a lot more confident now about IPPT. Either how, I'm just glad that its over and I can grow fat a little. 

The rest of the days are just arms drills and then there's C&R. We are supposed to have our grading, but the instructor got hospitalized or some shit. 

In other news, the posting are roughly out. I did not get the MPTS I wanted. The whole MPTS thing is very political. There are 7 openings and 2 are already taken as D and K had been there before, hence they want them back. Then there's the National Player who will be representing Singapore for the coming SEAs Games, I presume the school wants the glory. And there's the LKY award hopeful, which I heard there were instructions to keep him there. And who can forget the did-not-go-ocs-by-mistake. Well, its self-explanatory. There are some suffering with the last 2 names, but I presume its a poli-tactical move. 

I on the other hand I'm posted to the Dog wing. I have got no idea what they are doing, what I do know is that I don't get to book out as I did not pass my IPPT and that I will be on course once again. Ah... 

Booked out on Friday pretty late. I dont remember what we did. The thing about army is that we do a lot of meaningless things which does not really register very well in the brain; not to mention the fact that there's always a lot of waiting involved. Ah! i remember now, we made our camp past. Apparently ISB is a pretty good place to be, no more uniform and all aircon, besides, no body really know where your office is! 

After booking out, went back to poly for my speech training. I was really tired. Then on sat morning, went back to poly to do more speech training. The rest of saturday was pretty blur. (I am sounding like I'm suffering for a very long hangover or something like that huh?) I remember washing TAT bag of clothes and ironing the tailored made No.3 uniform. [We were issued 3 sets which I've ironed 2 shirts and a pants. It took forever and I think I almost burn them. Eitherhow, I believe I'll be only wearing it once for the next... forever. The thing is, dog wing always wears no4 isnt it?] 

Oh yes! I want Soul Garden with the lads. We ate so much, I could hardly walk. Its a craving thing. We walked around till the food almost digested. 

I finished up the ironing at night watch a little tv and went to bed. 

Oh Sunday! I dont remember doing anything much except staying in bed till late. Clean up the room a bit and surfed some porn. Then I did some reading up and worked on my speech a little and went off to have dinner with my parents. Came back and watched some TV and went to bed. 

Today will be booking in... shit! After I'm done with this, I will be packing my bags and what have you, then roll around the bad a little and work on my speech again. I really hope they wont kick me out of the picture. Ah shit! I forgot my book in timing again. 

Next week there's only 2... em, 3 things I can think of 

1) C&R grading

2) Drills, drills and more drills 

3) Parade 

4) POP! 

Moon light Marshal

Live in the Provost 

Moonlight started on monday morning, bright and early. There are 3 missions in total spreading over 2 days and one night. Its pretty tiring, but we survived. Returning back to camp on Wednesday. 

Returning back to camp, they allowed us to order fast food, and we did. We ordered KFC which adds up to almost two hundred dollars and took almost forever to arrive. 

Thursday and Friday is a pretty short day as it was the pistol IMT and live shooting. Its fun! I managed to get a pretty decent score of 39/50. 

I am down to the final 2 weeks in the training school. The allocation of the posting is out, as in the numbers and now all the commanders are putting names to the positions. I am praying hard to get the vocation of Personal Assistances. I cannot tell you how badly I wanted it. 

On friday evening after booking out, I went back to poly for the opening of the Morbly block. It was a beautiful evening. The next day, went for my speech training and helped out at the raft a bit then went off with kenneth to collect the grad rope. 

Ah... I got to go now, I'm supposed to be doing the cooking today as its Mother's day. Pray hard for me to get the right vocation. See you all next week. 

Labour day and Chemical defences

This was a pretty short week as there's a public holiday in between. 

Other than the usual run, we attended a chemical defense package, the package basically involve us going into a smoke chamber and be smoked. I was the second detail to enter, but my mask failed upon entering, hence I had to get out before I die in there. 

On Wednesday, we had our P226 technical handling test. We all passed. Then we booked out. It was a rather boring holiday as I was just basically busy handling all the request from coperate coms to provide them with the photos for graduation. 

Friday was store day. We started off early, but was not able to leave early as the toners were outrageously late.

Tomorrow will be leaving for tekong for ops. I really hate the feeling, but taken that my next post will be that which leads to my pop. I will sit through this. 

SAR 21

Life in the Provost 

The last week was just Technical Handling test and such for the SAR 21. After all that, I went to the MO and got atten C for Thursday.

Returning on Thursday night which the rest of the company did their live shooting, I had to do mine on friday. 

My day shoot was not bad. Practices I got 13 and the actual test I got 12. I had had a chance of Marksman and that $200. All the commanders hope were on me. Then came the night shoot. and... well it did not go so well. I don't know.. maybe the night makes me panic a little. Eitherhow, I got like 5 which I need 9 to get Marksman. 

So I miss Marksman by 4. Shit. 

26 More days to POP and I cant wait. I really dont know where I am going to be posted. Please dont let me go to SPDS or 6SIR. 

There is so much to be done for my poly graduation. I really should be working on my speech already. Ah... nothing had be done thus far.... 

Well, monday they are going to smoke us in the gas chamber. wooo.... oh.. and there's the long run. In a good way, I always wanted to run a marathon; now they are providing the time and training for the Army half marathon. Good news! but the long long long running is having some effect on my health. For example, if without the run, I wont be down with that fever... ahh. the Army. (sucks)

Fever

My temperature was 38.6 degrees. I went to see the mo. 

The MO wanted to send me home. I told him I have live firing of the SAR 21 the next day . He say I'll be put under observation at the sick bay then.

The medic over at the medical centre are very nice and friendly, they fed me medication and provided me all the comfort. I feel very well taken care of. At that moment, it feels good, and I told myself I should really get a girlfriend to take care of me should I fall sick. 

At 4pm, my temperature still pretty high at 37.8. The MO proceed to send me home. 

It was raining very heavily when I get all the out processing done. Thankfully dad came and fetch me. 

This morning my temperature is still pretty high at 38.3. At the moment, It had come down to 37.2 there about. 

At 6pm I will take the temperature again. Should I still feel not okay, I will go and extend my MC at TTSH. 

Night's Out, GPMG Live Firing and Argy Bargy

Life in the Provost 

The week started with GPMG lessons. Its a new weapon and something powerful to learn. I did pass all the test. 

On Wednesday, after the GPMG test, we were let out of the night. Though it was only for 2 little hours, we did treasure it very much. MY and I set out for a mission looking for something sweet, something cold and something carbonated. And bubble tea. Mission was accomplished. 

The GMPG firing was the next day and it was so fun that its over before we knew it. We were the first detail to return back to camp and were given 20 mins to change and return back to clean the weapon. Then there was some misunderstanding beteen us and the spec 2 as they told us not to shower but some of them used our bathroom instead. Some of my coursemates were rather unhappy about it and brought it up to the commanders. Well, it ended peacefully at least.

Guard Duty Weekend

Life in Provost 

The week passes rather quickly. The week was mostly lectures. The main focus was on the war time operations. We constructed the PW cage under the hot sun on thursday and then all the GPMG lesson on the last day. 

Next week will be the live firing. 

Booking in on Sunday morning rather than evening as I will be on guard duty. I am rather upset by in since it translate into a shorter weekend. I should however feel glad as sunday is much batter than saturday. 

I will have to turn in soon. Will post something more detailed other time. 

The Law exam

Life in the Provost 

We were told that the test was brought forward to the week. Hence much of the week was spent worrying about the test. 

There's nothing much going on other than all the lectures. Still, we have standby area everyday and we are now having standing parade everyday. Personally I feel that I am unable to perform. 

The week passes fairly quickly. All I can remember are the BCR and lecture. On Wednesday, I was on guard duty. It was okay taken that its my first guard duty. I feel that it is more xiong than that of Tekong. Though the next day was the law test, we could not bring ourselves into studying. It's a three on, three off duty. 

The next morning, we all looked like shit. We were lucky since there was no turn-out. I believe its because we are really doing our job. We were infact told to rest and rest only. 

Before the test, we visited the dog wing. I have a mixed feeling for the dog wing. I cannot say I want to go, though I would like to go. But since I am in a semi sleeping mode and the thought of the test is at the back of my mind, the tour isn't anything great. 

So that was it, before we know it, its friday, we had a signal package the whole day, learning all about signal and communications. A quick stand-by and we are off. First time booking out in CV is rather exciting. 

Saturday morning, I was out looking for the SE W950I. The perfect phone for NSF. I cannot stand that fact that I have to live with no music. It was a fruitless attempt as that phone has been out of the market already. I got a FM tuner from Mustfa instead.

Booking in this evening, the start of my third week. I pray hard that I will survive. 

Provost

They warned us about blogging hence to be safe, I am switching back to more or less xanga for undisclosed blogging. As much as possible I will update this blog. 

Basically, life in the provost is like attending law school, think of it like the movie Annapolis. The first day I got the appointment of Platoon IC as well as section IC. Funny, how the week passes so fast. 

The camp itself is pretty small. The bunk is tiny but the bathroom is like those at the public pool. The rest of the stuff regarding training I can't write about it. 

Its a pretty good weekend to begin with, since I never really get to book out on friday. Went to beach road on sat morning together with Alex and Wei Jie, they are suffering in SISPEC. (Suffer in Silence, plus extra confinement) 

The rest of the day was spent at home playing games. I'm supposed to be reading the SAF act, but I just cant bering myself into doing so. The speech for the graduation? well, its the last thing I want to be bothered with. 

Booking tonight, pretty late as well, it is so much different from BMT simply we have a little more freedom. The next question would therefore be where I would like to be posted after the basic course...... 

Last

And today is the last day of my block leave. According to many, this would be the longest block leave one can get in NS.

The past 10 days was very enjoyably spent. Got to see some old friends and people like Soon Guan, Jimmy, KC and Jojo.

I find that not many people has got that strong brotherhood bond with their BMT mates as I have with my bunk mates. Strange indeed.

Eitherhow, the family celebrated my birthday today. Just a simple cake and presents. Its was very sweet of them.

I have got so much I would like to talk about, like the dinner with KC and Jojo and the last meet up of section 4 yesterday. But I guess writing too much of that graudaction speech had make me more than a little sick of writing such stuff. Eitherhow, good night and with me good luck for my new posting as a military policeman.

Posting

Your Posting Order is listed below:

1. You are posted to SAF MP TS.
2. Your vocation is MILITARY POLICEMAN.
3. Your are to report to: Mowbray Camp, Guard Rm, 10 Mowbray Road (off Choa Chu Kang Way), Singapore 688255.
Reporting Date/Time: 24/03/2008 at 0800 hrs.
Person to report to: AMPO
Contact Number: 64246617 / 64246602
You are required to report in smart no.4 uniform (PES E recruits to be in No 3 uniform), except for those assigned to Police Force.
4. Special Instruction:
No Camera Handphone is allowed. You are required to report in Smart No. 4 Uniform and bring all your duffle bag / field pack complete with the SAF issued items given during BMT. You are expected to stay in.

POP

Where should I start. 

I've finally POP out of Tekong, on the 11th. It was a great day to say the least. Though they made us did a lot of stupid cleaning and what have you. 

I spend the rest of the 12th at home. resting and really kicking into the mood of the block leave. 

on the 13th, our section had a little dinner gathering cum My (early birthday) celebrations. It was well, until the after dinner part where everyone wants to go home.... 

14th I want to Sim Lim Square to get myself an iPod Touch. Then spent the rest of the day and the next day morning hacking it. 

15th was kenneth's birthday at Boiler Room. It was okay. I think I can put up one entry just about it. It was a little sad. There's just less than a handful of us. I was expecting many more people. Oh well. 

16th Was back to nursing my hangover, and doing nothing

17th I want for a movie with Yong Hong and JJ. It was fine except of the fact that they were very late, and I am more than a little pissed. 

18th, which was yesterday, we had BBQ at alex's place. the turn out was not as good as expected, but we had fun. 

Today is Lionel's POP and I want to PS to get an refund for the mini fridge which did not even lasted for a day. I had Yoshinoya over there and it was good. The rest of the day was spent watching movie and organizing my music. 

Wow, how doing nothing time flies. in 2 days times I will be getting my posting and on Monday, I'll have  to report back to camp. 

We all agreed that this will be the longest break ever in our army life till somewhere near ORD. I must really take this chance to enjoy it. 

Tomorrow's plan is to meet up with Jimmy and Guan and maybe friday will be with KC and Jojo. I would really like to go blu jazz again, but at the same time, i got not much money left. 

24Km road march and A Levels

It had been a rather eventful week. There was the games days which my Coy came in 4th (A pretty good ranking taken that we've not really prepared much) I was a cheer leader, which was better than staying in bunk doing cleaning. I felt invloved at least. 

The next day was the 24km road march. It was life changing to say the least. I almost cried when I finished the march. 

I am a little short of time right now, hence just taking down the points which will helps me remember. 

Booked out on friday morning as the A Level results was to be released. Oh well, have to booked in early on sat night as there the GP rehasals. Shit. 

Got to go prepare to leave the house already, do not wish to be late as thats a sure guard duty doring block leave. No sir, i dont want that!

IPPT and SDC

The week pass by without me really realizing. All that I could remember was falling out from SOC and it rained and rained. Then falling out from SOC due to my ankle and was forced to see the MO but was then told not to by the OC.

Then there was more rain and the OC parade was canceled.

Before we knew it, it was Friday and the final IPPT test. The great news was that I only failed one station this time, the SBJ. Even for that, I’ve jump passed 200. The first time in my life I did jumped passed 200.

Though there will be a re-test as many had failed or were unable to complete. I still felt good about myself. I did not train for the coming re-test. I guess I am just too tired to be bothered.

Then later we were to go to SDC. We went off slightly after noon and waited for the bus to take us there. We waited and waited and waited and there was no bus. Finally they arranged for tonner to bring us there. By the time we were there, it was late 1600hrs. the place was to be closed at 1800 and hence the tour guide promised to make it a really quick one and to let us off at 1730. He did kept his promised. We were then left to rot and die over in Jurong. It took a very long time before we could get a cab.

I made it home eitherhow.

It was a pretty good weekend I must say. Watched 3 movies and really felt so much better. The school is pressing me for the speech. I had totally throw it out of my mind. They seems a little worried that I will not be able to produce it in time. Eitherhow, I will bring it to camp and do it then.

Today booking in early and it is raining again. I pray that it will not rain during the final 24km road march.

11th is the day. Oh how sweet. How sweet. This coming week will most likely be a pretty short one as well since there are news of the release of the A level results. Friday morning latest should that be the case for booking out. Then its just Monday and Tuesday and I am out of there!

16km Road March

Finally got home. More and more, I feel homesick whenever I am in camp. It had been a rather peaceful week. To be frank, the week had been rather fuzzy to me now. I believed I had reported to the MO about my ankle, and had RMJ for 2 days. It was good rest indeed. 

On friday was the 16km road march and after that the company got Pizza Hut's Pizza for us. We were happy and the final moment of booking out is finally here. There was also the photo taking. The sad thing was that only 3 out of the 8 people in my bunk was present in the photo. 

Coming back home saw a lot of things to be done. The sgts wanted a everyone to write 5 best and worse recruits. To write after such a while is indeed a little hard. Oh before I forgot, I was shotlisted for the MP selection as well. 

I got an email form school rushing me for a draft of my speech. I got down to some rather hazy ideas which i still dont think they flow very well. Well such things takes time to perfect. 

Tomorrow will be SOC. I wish that it would be the final test (as if so I will do it) if not i intent to fall out due to my ankle. The friday will be IPPT test. The final one, I have a guts feelings that we will have all the station re test for the next 2 weeks. Eitherhow, I am to some extend prepared for it. Well, I am after all, gonna fail eitherhow. 

Friday, oh friday. There are words that after the IPPT test will be SDC Visit and that will be the end of the week for us. I look forward for that. Even if its a SDC visit on saturday would not sound that bad. After all, there after will be the waiting of POP! 

Sit Test and Ah Yue Concert

It has been a pretty tough week. Sit test started on last Sunday and ended on Tuesday. The rest of the week was pretty tough with training as we are all pretty tired.

I guess what made things worse was the amount of people reporting sick. Half of the platoon is down with one kind of states of another. Hence, they made a new rule that statues are not allowed to return to bunk till 9.30 in the evening.

Then they up the game and gave them lots of cleaning and even a very hush field pack inspection. I guess the privileges of being on statues is over. They are coming down hard on this.

On that note, I personally felt affected. I am suffering from stomach flu since returning from the sit test. I so wanted to report sick, but I don’t want to go through what the statues are being put through. I heard that the Platoon Sgt said that I am not putting in enough effort. I have to agree, to some extent. I mean, I feel weak, sick and tired. I cannot go all that way as I did earlier during enlistment. I am having problem keeping up with my group during AGR. Though I am not the only one, I feel bad about it.

They are putting in a lot of late night training almost everyday now. There always something to do at 7pm till about 9. While other platoon is coming to a more enjoyable stay and treatment, my platoon is getting a real discipline shake up.

I am feeling tired now in camp. People are falling sick and the moral of the platoon is very low. For the past week, my main aim is just not to get confined. The whole time during tough times, I just think about the Ah Yue concert.

It was last night. Though traffic was horrible, due to chingay, I still think I had a very good time. I was very happy. Listening to Ah yue singing some of my favorite songs almost made me cried out.

Ahhh…. How I wish such good times can last for ever. Ivan was with me and he too (I believed) had a great time as well. We bought many things from the concert and that blow a whole in my pocket.

I had a little sprain during SOC back in camp. Though its very much okay now, I am still a little concerned. The stomach flu is a real issue right now. I saw the doctor this morning, and he assured me that I should be okay. I was thinking if its still very bad I will get my sister to drive me to the hospital and get some MC to rest at home. But as I said, I don’t want any statues.

The coming week will be more IPPT training and SOC. A 16km road march on Friday and more RT on Saturday. While most (the other companies) will bookout on Friday, we will bookout on Saturday. How I long for more nights at home.

For IPPT, I am really unsure if I can get the improvement I need till the 29th. Not to mention SOC. I have yet to try it with everything. I am pretty unsure about that. Eitherhow, I am already at this juncture, I just have to forge a head isn’t it?