| Let's start the 1 1/2 years more of army | ||
| Comd SAF BMTC wishes you all the best in your future posting. | ||
| Your Posting Order is listed below: | ||
| 1. | You are posted to | SCS & SWAS. |
| 2. | Your vocation is | INF LDR. |
| 3. | Your are to report to: | Pasir Laba Camp, Blk 276, #02-15. |
| Reporting Date/Time: | 16/07/2012 at 0800 - 0830 hrs. | |
Friday 13 July 2012
Sunday 8 July 2012
“You are tougher than you think you are.”
-Motivational Banner, Tekong Ferry Terminal
I still vividly recall the morning of Tuesday, the 6th of March; the sleepless night before, the anxiety-ridden drive across the country from Choa Chu Kang to Pasir Ris, my first steps onto Pulau Tekong, all of it. Like many of the hundreds of recruits enlisting that day, and the many thousands who had enlisted before, I was in emotional turmoil. I was perhaps a little excited about the new people I would meet, but most of all, I was nervous, and had no idea what to expect. I was a typical cynic, begrudging of the two years of my precious youth that would soon be taken away from me. I had heard many horror stories about the strict regimentation, the incredible amount of running, and the miseries of living inside a jungle. All the uncertainty gave way to a cloud of dread that descended upon me as I walked through TFT. Naturally, the motivational banner on toughness caught my eye. “So how tough am I?” I wondered.
17 weeks on, my impressions and my personality have undoubtedly changed. My BMT experience was enriching, and surprisingly positive. Of course there was pain, there was sweat, and on some occasions, tears. Through it all, I have learnt much about myself and others, about loyalty and determination, and most importantly about treasuring what we have taken for granted for a good 20 years—our freedom, prosperity, and the family and friends who stay by our side through the worst of times.
My defining moment in BMT was the Field Camp. My mental and physical boundaries were pushed, and I really did go beyond what I thought I could accomplish. I made it through, and I came out stronger and better. The first night outfield had a transformational effect on my perspective. Inside a cramped Basha with my buddy, with the minimal personal belongings we had to survive on, surrounded by nothing but raw wilderness and more Bashas, and to top it all off, the ‘tactically’ minimal lighting provided by the red-filtered flashlight served to be a daunting challenge to overcome. Combat rations, sleeping in sweaty, sandy uniforms, the entire Spartan existence that came with staying outfield really shook me up. I was quite frankly extremely frustrated. The cold sleepless night went on forever, but reveille eventually came along and a new day began. Surprisingly I found myself getting used to life outfield by the next day, and I was able to focus on the lessons: movement drills, fire control orders, and the group battle course. I began to realize that we were learning serious soldiering skills, in make-believe scenarios I had only previously envisioned in movies. This fact that I was learning actual soldiering skills gave me more motivation, more drive. I kept telling myself, “I am actually becoming a soldier,” and I coped surprisingly well. I was well out of my comfort zone, but I was enjoying it.
Throughout the whole of BMT and the many challenges it gives new recruits like me, intrinsic motivation is extremely important to outlasting the toughest times. Even more important though, are the companions one finds in his buddy, section-mates and platoon-mates. Positive relationships have a reinforcing effect on anybody, and simply seeing one’s best friends go through the same activities can make the impossible seem readily doable. The bonds forged in tough times are the strongest of bonds, and these bonds will last a lifetime. My defining moment in BMT, the Field Camp, taught me the most important lesson of my NS life: to always treasure my relationships with those around me.
“A diamond is a piece of carbon made good under pressure.”
--Motivational Banner, Tekong Ferry Terminal
Nowadays, when I walk through the ferry terminal, a different banner catches my eye. Through times rough and smooth, amidst all the stress and pressure, each of us is a piece of carbon shaped into a diamond, in our own way based on our own unique experiences. We are transformed, from boys to men, gems of our nation who are ready to answer the call of duty, decisive and swift in action, and respected as leaders of warriors.
BUT NOW I CAN SAY,
POP LO!!!
-Motivational Banner, Tekong Ferry Terminal
I still vividly recall the morning of Tuesday, the 6th of March; the sleepless night before, the anxiety-ridden drive across the country from Choa Chu Kang to Pasir Ris, my first steps onto Pulau Tekong, all of it. Like many of the hundreds of recruits enlisting that day, and the many thousands who had enlisted before, I was in emotional turmoil. I was perhaps a little excited about the new people I would meet, but most of all, I was nervous, and had no idea what to expect. I was a typical cynic, begrudging of the two years of my precious youth that would soon be taken away from me. I had heard many horror stories about the strict regimentation, the incredible amount of running, and the miseries of living inside a jungle. All the uncertainty gave way to a cloud of dread that descended upon me as I walked through TFT. Naturally, the motivational banner on toughness caught my eye. “So how tough am I?” I wondered.
17 weeks on, my impressions and my personality have undoubtedly changed. My BMT experience was enriching, and surprisingly positive. Of course there was pain, there was sweat, and on some occasions, tears. Through it all, I have learnt much about myself and others, about loyalty and determination, and most importantly about treasuring what we have taken for granted for a good 20 years—our freedom, prosperity, and the family and friends who stay by our side through the worst of times.
My defining moment in BMT was the Field Camp. My mental and physical boundaries were pushed, and I really did go beyond what I thought I could accomplish. I made it through, and I came out stronger and better. The first night outfield had a transformational effect on my perspective. Inside a cramped Basha with my buddy, with the minimal personal belongings we had to survive on, surrounded by nothing but raw wilderness and more Bashas, and to top it all off, the ‘tactically’ minimal lighting provided by the red-filtered flashlight served to be a daunting challenge to overcome. Combat rations, sleeping in sweaty, sandy uniforms, the entire Spartan existence that came with staying outfield really shook me up. I was quite frankly extremely frustrated. The cold sleepless night went on forever, but reveille eventually came along and a new day began. Surprisingly I found myself getting used to life outfield by the next day, and I was able to focus on the lessons: movement drills, fire control orders, and the group battle course. I began to realize that we were learning serious soldiering skills, in make-believe scenarios I had only previously envisioned in movies. This fact that I was learning actual soldiering skills gave me more motivation, more drive. I kept telling myself, “I am actually becoming a soldier,” and I coped surprisingly well. I was well out of my comfort zone, but I was enjoying it.
Throughout the whole of BMT and the many challenges it gives new recruits like me, intrinsic motivation is extremely important to outlasting the toughest times. Even more important though, are the companions one finds in his buddy, section-mates and platoon-mates. Positive relationships have a reinforcing effect on anybody, and simply seeing one’s best friends go through the same activities can make the impossible seem readily doable. The bonds forged in tough times are the strongest of bonds, and these bonds will last a lifetime. My defining moment in BMT, the Field Camp, taught me the most important lesson of my NS life: to always treasure my relationships with those around me.
“A diamond is a piece of carbon made good under pressure.”
--Motivational Banner, Tekong Ferry Terminal
Nowadays, when I walk through the ferry terminal, a different banner catches my eye. Through times rough and smooth, amidst all the stress and pressure, each of us is a piece of carbon shaped into a diamond, in our own way based on our own unique experiences. We are transformed, from boys to men, gems of our nation who are ready to answer the call of duty, decisive and swift in action, and respected as leaders of warriors.
BUT NOW I CAN SAY,
POP LO!!!
Sunday 1 July 2012
They say that in the army, the sergeant very nice
You ask for time extension, they ask you go and die
I don't wanna live an army life
I just wanna live a normal life...
Perspective of live has changed ever since my enlistment into the SAF
in a short span of 4 months, so many thoughts, so many worries, so many enlightenments...
its so true that serving NS changes and grooms a boy into a man.
Now when I walk down the streets,
I would look at those young punks smoking and hanging out outside shopping malls, thinking
"damn these kids, wait till you serve NS then you'll know what pain is..."
Time sure pass by really fast,
just 1 - 2 years ago, I was exactly like those young punks I now think need some growing up.
Mentally and physically, changes so dramatic
Thank the Lord I'm born in Singapore, being able to serve even though its tough
Day by day, I am still trying to learn and change myself to lean closer to our Father in heaven,
to listen and to carry out actions, thoughts he sees as good
Walking the path of a Christian life, a redeemed and changed life, is really not easy
We all have to learn and practise it the hard way.
Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all itswanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.
You ask for time extension, they ask you go and die
I don't wanna live an army life
I just wanna live a normal life...
Perspective of live has changed ever since my enlistment into the SAF
in a short span of 4 months, so many thoughts, so many worries, so many enlightenments...
its so true that serving NS changes and grooms a boy into a man.
Now when I walk down the streets,
I would look at those young punks smoking and hanging out outside shopping malls, thinking
"damn these kids, wait till you serve NS then you'll know what pain is..."
Time sure pass by really fast,
just 1 - 2 years ago, I was exactly like those young punks I now think need some growing up.
Mentally and physically, changes so dramatic
Thank the Lord I'm born in Singapore, being able to serve even though its tough
Day by day, I am still trying to learn and change myself to lean closer to our Father in heaven,
to listen and to carry out actions, thoughts he sees as good
Walking the path of a Christian life, a redeemed and changed life, is really not easy
We all have to learn and practise it the hard way.
Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all itswanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.
and after so long,
i saw my first love,
and i realise
still, till this day,
i have always been in love with her...
guess it'll just be an unrequited love now...
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