Time flies, its has been slightly more than 2 years since I've ORDed from NS. Next week, its my 2nd cycle of reservist training. Just like most normal reservist personnel, I have 10 cycles in total, stretched over a span of 10 years.
While thinking of my reservist, I decided to blog about my NS life. How it has revolutionize my life. Digging out my old cd complilation of photos from my NS days. So here's some photos as I bring you down my memory lane in green.
-
1st Day as a Recruit --Cant really sleep the night before. Was worrying about 101 things, things-to-bring, my life, etc. Woke up early on the June 11th 2003, (2nd day of CHC's first ever Emerge), Wed at about 5 plus in the morning. Met up with my dear CCH cg mbrs for breakfast at pasir ris White Sands for Mac breakfast. Pst even got one of them to pass me a encouragement card, and some mini toys to cheer me on. So touched!
Said the NS pledge, shaved my head, and a total of 16 weeks of training in Tekong. My weight at BMT, 58 kg.
Finally, after 16 weeks in Tekong. My Rank is a Private!
My poly and BMT friend!
2nd training phase - SISPEC BSLC. Went on to Sergeant School in Tekong (yea, AGAIN!) Stuck in Tekong again for another 12 weeks of training. Its was definitely tougher in SISPEC. From the morning I woke up, its physicial training, SOC, jungle training, lectures. And the only rest time is during meal times. I even recalled my 21st birthday was spent in tekong (halfway through the course), and the day before my 21st birthday, I had a very bad stomachache, and the day after my 21st, I vomitted and went to see the medical doctor in Tekong, and no MC was given somemore! Lost a few kgs at SISPEC.
During this training phase, I was one of the 20 (out of a company strength of around 200 trainees) selected to be assessed to go on to Officer Cadet School if my leadership performance is good. But well, there's those that did better than me, so I stayed on with my sergeant training eventually.
During the very last day before I P.O.P again from my course, we had to complete a 32 km walk with 20 plus kg of load on us. I remembered that I had abrasion at my thigh area after my 24 km rest point, and as I wanted to complete the 32km, bearing the pain, I went on another 8 more km. It was very painful but yet; with the determination, I completed my 32 km. Tears rolled down my eyes as I reached my ending point. That day, I learned what is really called 'determination'!
Immediately after the 32km road march, we're all required to attend the P.O.P ceremony without any rest, and that day, quite a number fainted due to tiredness and fatigue. Finally, got my corporal rank at the ceremony. My weight at SISPEC BSLC, 57 kg.
-
Sergeant training phase
After the ceremony, all of us waited eagerly for news of our new posting for our Sergeant training phase. Its a time of saying goodbye to most of my buddies as I was the fortunate few who was posted to a more 'relaxed' Sergeant School of training, Signal Institute.
The next 13 weeks I spent been trained as a Signal Specialist. I spent most of my training time in lecture halls, clicking on computers and listening to boring lectures. I gained quite a few kg as there's no SOC there. lol. My weight at this phase, 59 kg.
Finally, with my 13 weeks over, I'm a 3SG (short-form for 3rd Sergeant)
Once again, most of my friends when on to a same unit for their final NS phase, while me and 3 others were the fortunate few to be selected to a ultimate relaxing unit, '8-5' unit. (8-5 = a lingo to refer to personnel that can work from 8-5pm. In general, can go home everyday, haha).
Final Phase - Serving my remaining NS liability
So its here, in my nice little unit, I'm a 3SG, with no man under my care (unlike my fellow friends that went through the same sergeant course, they have up to 30 mans under their charge once in awhile). I simply need to take charged of my appointed job scope. Pretty carefree. Love the life there! Managed to get my normal 'life' back, catch up with friends, finished up 2 bible study courses, etc. Btw, I even went to Taiwan for 3 weeks for training, total Fun! I gained 2kg when I was there in Taiwan, with all the bubble tea, beef noodle, etc. ^ ^. My weight, 61kg.
In Taiwan Camp
lol, I got my hair back!
The Fantastic '4'
In conclusion, who said that NS life is bad, come on, grass is always greener on the other side. NS life widen my horizon and also help me to think through my life and plan my next phase in life, as much as I hate the trainings then, it really taught me alot of life lessons. =)
5 day reservist next week, -__-"
