KaIsEr JaMeS. DaRk LoRd. VaIzArD.

Monday, April 30, 2007

Cracked my brain, squeezed it until its dry. Still can't figure it a single shit on wad the hell is that military symbol all about. Grr... Doing the military symbol assignments given to us now. Book out also must torture us liddat. Grr... kk. Anyway, I gave up, and went to do my reflection, which I find it qutie interesting. =)

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One week of Section Field Camp is a grueling one, but definitely rewarding. As an officer-to-be, this also means another chapter in 67/07 OCC, as we proceed on to be better leaders. In this reflection, I would like to mention about the experiences and lessons learnt during the field camp.

Day 1 was certainly a day of low morale, with comprehensive thoughts about the uncertainty that lies ahead of us. To some of us, if not most, this 1-week field camp is the longest, probably the toughest one, since as officers-to-be, expectations of us have to be high. I was involved in the advanced team, in which we have to wake up earlier to set up the campsite and draw the equipments required for the subsequent trainings at the campsite. I woke up unwillingly, trying to catch a little bit more of sleep every now and then, as I changed to my FBO. We had our field pack inspection after that, and then proceeded to the Changi Ferry Terminal, where we stopped to have our breakfast. Meanwhile, field packs were loaded to the 5-tonners, which were to be sent to the opposite shore, Pulau Tekong.

Some of us went on to accompany LTA Colin to draw out the ammunition required for that day. As we went to the ammo storehouse, we saw personnel stationed at the storehouse, and I still remember what LTA Colin told us before we set off with our ammo on the 5-tonner, as we commented on the logistic staff.

“Look at them; do you want to be like them, idling around doing nothing, most of the time? Maybe some of you all will think that this is relaxing, but if that is the mentality you have, the 2 years of NS will probably be a waste of time. Make good use of it, and learn something out of it.”

It was probably a simple dialogue session, but certainly a one to remember.

Exercise Greensleeves on that day. We were simply demoralised by the fact that we could not even find a single night checkpoint. While marching on our way back to the ending point dejected, my buddy was struggling to keep up, and CPT Seah had to ask him to march at the front, so as not to lag behind the whole group. During our AAR, he was wondering whether if he could survive the whole field camp.

I felt a tinge of guilt. I did not help him. I could not help him either. What can I do?

Day 2 mainly consist of Exercise Tenderfoot, another navigation exercise, without blind maps this time. We did lose a little bit of confidence, but not all. We tried, and this time, encouraged each other on when we were on the verge of losing our way, especially at night, when everyone was involved in discussing on the route. Alas, we completed everything, on time, and successfully.

The worst had yet to come. Exercise Wildboar. What should and must we expect?

Day 3 was simply brushing up on what we learnt during BMT, i.e. section fire movement, and drills to deal with enemies. It was rather fun, although Hazmi lost and eventually found his smoke grenade safety pin.

Day 4 is the commencement of Exercise Wildboar. That was the time when I volunteered as the section IC, and I screwed it up, due to my lack of confidence. I was simply dejected, and apologised to my section mates for my indecisiveness and stupidity, which thankfully none blamed me. Day 4 was all about practicing fire movement drills again and again, and I marched back to our campsite with the rest of the section, feeling really down. At that point, I really doubted the fact that I was in OCS, until CPT Seah came beside me and talked to me.

He said that he could sense that I want to be strong, and I will eventually. Meanwhile, I should be more confident, if not, show that I have the confidence, even though deep inside, it may not seem so. That may not seem much, but deep inside, I suddenly had the feeling that he believed in me. Thank you very much.

Day 5 and 6 was the continuation of Exercise Wildboar. I took every session seriously, and tried to learn from my mistakes, making sure that I do not repeat them again. During these few days, we heard stories about people losing CE items, which I found rather sad, as they had to pay a price for that. Who would want to get confined, when our weekends are already burnt to only merely 2 or 3 book-outs?

Anyway, there were also defining moments during the field camp too. We had to transport our ‘casualty’ for 4km, with the help of CPT Seah. Tiring as we were, we managed to complete with a sense of achievement and pride. We dug canals and ‘reservoirs’ to drain rainwater away from our already flooded bashas. The whole process was wet and tiring, but fun, as a lot of my platoon mates were involved, and we did it, thanks to Mark, who dug a canal to drain out the water, and we simply connect big puddles of water there. After which, we went to cook maggi noodles for dinner, where we had our platoon bonding session!

Overall, section field camp is a memorable event.

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I was really inspired by CPT Seah. Serious... he is probably the few officers that really kept his promise to the fullest. He mentioned that he will do the same punishment he meted out on us. We kenna leopard crawl in the mud during field camp. He did the same thing the next day, and also to show us how to do leopard crawl. As shocked as I was to see him doing that, I was totally inspired by his professionalism. He never used vulgarities on us, and hardly scolds us.

To me, he's not a sir to me. He is a mentor, someone to look up to.

-Salutes-

Yes, I'm trying to be a Guards officer. All thanks to him.

Thank you CPT Seah.

Form your resolve. Charge forward. Leave no regrets. 10:16 PM

ME.
100% male.
Happy-go-lucky 18+++.
Serving the country, 2 years of our time.
KaIsEr JaMeS a.k.a. DaRk LoRd.
3 sides, the Norm, the Dark and the Hollow.
The Hollow side of Kaiser must never surface.
likes/dislikes... likes:
-My family! =)
-My nakamas!
Dislikes:
-Self-proclaimed elitists
-Hypocrites

WISHLISTS
#1 Get Chemical Engineering & USP! (Fulfilled =D)
#2 Get a girlfriend! (No hurry though! It's a hassle anyway.=P)
#3 Good 'A' level results!(fulfilled =))
#4 Get my Oxford Brookes Degree by end 2009! =D
#5 Get my black belt by end 2009 =D
#6 Get a scholarship.
#7 Get my revenge. Be a successful chemical engineer!

CALENDAR
18/09, 22/07, 22/10, 11/08.

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