KaIsEr JaMeS. DaRk LoRd. VaIzArD.

Monday, June 04, 2007

Platoon Field Camp was probably the most tiring, out of the 3 field camps I had during my service term. In fact, it was the field camp that I was the most comprehensive about. Basically, the field camp consists of 2 exercises, i.e. Exercise Scorpionking, and Exercise Spade. In BMTC, I actually spent 5 hours to dig my shellscrape, due to my poor digging skills, and the quality of the soil. Exercise Spade will be a challenge for me, since we had to dig one shellscape, and one trench (which is an enlarged shellscape, of chest level) As comprehensive as I was, I decided that nothing will stop my way though, since I am able to survive for the previous field camps, as some of my friends said were the more tiring ones.

Day 1 was merely rehearsals, namely the platoon harbouring drills, and tactical movement during platoon missions. We actually learnt the various ways of crossing danger areas in a platoon, and also how to deal with situations when we are contacted by enemies from various directions. We also learn how to analyse such situations, such as the size of the enemies, so that we can make informed choices and minimize the number of casualties on our side, and at the same time, ensuring the success of our missions. Lastly, we also learnt the roles of a Platoon Commander and a Platoon Sergeant, and examine their roles in a closer perspective. Basically, a PS job is not as simple as it seems, as it really involves a considerable amount of stamina and physique, and also the ability to cope stress in difficult situations. However, the latter criteria applies more for a PC, and basically as officers-to-be and PCs to be, it is very crucial for us to handle stress in such situations. Well, basically talk is cheap, and only through experience, and more experience, we are then able to improve and transform to become better PCs, in leading our men to complete the missions.

Day 2 was the commencement of Exercise Scorpionking. It was a tough one, as we had to march from the training shed near Mandai Road, to the .85 knoll and execute our deliberate attack missions. Furthermore, we will not be walking tactically along Asrama axis, instead we will be skirting and bashing into the jungle, in Full-Battle Order. This makes the whole trekking rather exciting. It was rather tiring physically and mentally, especially for the point PC. This is because he is mainly responsible in leading one company of soldiers in the jungle, and one wrong decision in his navigation may demoralize his troops, since they are lost. Furthermore, we learnt the importance of following the given timings, as fulfilling the timings are not as easily as it seemed. Basically, we managed to reach our FUPs, and subsequently, executed our platoon deliberate attacks up the knoll, and hence completing our missions, as we occupy the knoll area, and doing our re-org.

Here comes the digging part, Exercise Spade.

Basically, each of us is supposed to dig one shellscape in 45 minutes. The main purpose is to ensure us a basic temporary shelter when there is an unexpected artillery bombardment, reducing unnecessary casualties to the minimum. Furthermore, 2 people have to dig one trench within one night. Basically, we were digging continuously, and there is hardly time for us to rest. However, we were heartened by CPT Seah, who actually took the effort to bring us red-bulls, which perked us up, for more digging. After which, we learnt how to construct a FOPK. FOPK is actually a enhanced form of shelter, consisting wooden poles, groundsheets, and sandbags we made overnight while digging. This is to further protect us from artillery bombardment, while we are hiding in the trenches. We had our defence night missions on Day 3. I am deeply impressed by LTA Kelvin, who did a sneak attack on us from the top of the knoll, and ‘killing’ everyone eventually. His swift and rather silent movement is what we should learn when we execute our exercises and missions, so as to prevent notifying the enemies of our presence.

Basically, I learnt that the roles of a PC is rather challenging, as it really involves the responsibility of not only yourself, but also your troops. However, with the skills we acquired during Platoon Field Camp, it actually laid a foundation on the subsequent new knowledge we will obtain, as we proceed on to professional term next month, and subsequently, to be an officer after commissioning.

Form your resolve. Charge forward. Leave no regrets. 8:10 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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