“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!!!