Hahahaha can't believe so many people read my previous post.
Anyway life after ORD is really very chill.
Too much time, don't know what to do.
Been trying to catch up on climbing.
Whole body ache after sat's climb.
Tomorrow going to climb again.
Anyway, last wed, attended thai lessons with Zhi Hao.
Hahahaha.
Can't believe I'm really learning thai.
Hopefully can get the hang of it.
Maybe I'll go back to blogging everyday.
Just maybe.
Hahahah.
Stay tune guys!
Monday, March 9, 2015
Sunday, March 8, 2015
ORD LO
9th of May is my enlistment date.
Wake up earliy I still late.
Go to Tekong take Ferry.
End up in wrong company ah.
Ai-yo ai-yo ai ai yo, ai-yo ai-yo ai ai yo.
Today is 8 March 2015, my official ORD date.
It has been 1 year and 10 months since the day I enlisted and I can still vividly remember the first day.
09 May 2013.
That feeling when I senang-diri for the first time at Ladang.
Staring at my mother and brother waving goodbye with a smile on their face.
And it was the start of a new phase of life for me.
Army.
What everyone dreaded to go through.
What everyone thinks is a waste of time.
However for me, when I turned away and follow one of the sergeants to load up the tonner, my mind was set on doing the best.
If not it would really be a waste of time.
And so, the word NS officially eats into my life.
I could still remember the first night when I lay down on my bed at Tekong.
The feeling of uncertainty and uneasiness.
The thought of losing away all my freedom.
The thought of the number of days to go before this "freedom" is back.
As I lay on the bed staring at the upper deck, I can't believe I'm really serving the nation now.
I'm now officially in Army.
As the days past, the feeling of staying in sucked more and more.
It felt like eternity.
I had very good commanders in BMT that I still respect up to today.
Especially my Assistant Platoon Commander, Lester and my Platoon Seargent, Phillip.
The reason why I enjoyed my BMT days were largely because of these two people.
They inspired me to perform.
They gave me direction in my time in army.
Lester was a guardsman.
And up till today, I will still not forget the two words he shared with me.
Respect and Humility.
These two words form the basis of my tour in NS.
He was really one responsible commander and had inspired me to be a guardsman too.
The commanders also shared with us the idea of "Don't be the commander that you don't like." and also the idea of "Always remember you were once a recruit."
Platoon 4 was always the platoon that never get punished but however, I think it is also the platoon that learns not through tekans but through educating.
One of the most significant day in BMT was definitely my mother's letter to me during our "field camp".
"Field camp" because we only spent 1 day out in the field due to the bad haze at the period of time.
Even though the letter was given to us in the lecture theatre, I felt that tinge of bitterness.
That realization of how much my parents love me in that one letter made me cry.
I cried so hard like a kid.
I POP-ed shortly 2 months after my enlistment.
Went to Bangkok with Wei Lun and friends.
Enjoyed my time there and when I came back, it was time for my postings.
On the day that I read this, I was so elated.
I was also scared.
Elated because I'm going to be an officer.
I'm going to OCS!
The place where everyone fights to be in after BMT.
Scared because I'm not sure of my capabilities whether I can pass out as an officer.
These 9 months journey in OCS has taught me a lot too.
All the people in OCS were mostly smart and came from a good family background.
I felt like I wasn't that smart to be in OCS after spending some time there.
I didn't like how everyone was so arrogant after being an Officer Cadet.
I was thinking whether OCS was for me.
I wasn't that smart, I don't socialise that well, I don't know.
I was just uncertain.
However, OCS has really been a place I grew and nurture as a person.
During service term,
I see the bad side of people during outfields.
And I see the good side of people at tough times too.
It made me reflect upon myself.
Whether I'm showing the good side or bad side whenever I'm outfield.
You can be the best person at times when you're in camp, but out in the field when things gets tough, most of the times things change.
Will you still be the same person?
Will you be the one that help your buddy carry his MATADOR.
Being outfield is one of the way to see the true colours of your friends.
This is one thing that I'm definitely going to miss of the Army.
You can't go outfield with your University friends, you can't go outfield with your colleagues and bosses next time.
There is hardly anyway to find out the true colours of the people around me in the future.
Then it came pro term, the longest term in OCS.
Platoon 2 section 2 has no changes ever since service term.
The few of us sticked together all the way until we commissioned.
Except for Mathews who OOC (Out of Course) due to an injury.
Pro term was also the term where we were exposed to more intense training.
All these trainings were preparation for the larger outfield which is in Brunei, and in Taiwan.
The 4 weeks training in Brunei really pushed me to another level.
I felt like I could conquer everything after I've been through JCC (Jungle Confidence Course)
JCC is definitely one of the most memorable experience for me in OCS or maybe in my whole journey in NS.
Having the JCC badge is also the pride of all the officers.
Because the big difference between officers and NSF Specialists is that we are given the chance to go through it.
And going through it really made me closer to my section even more.
As much as we quarrel here and there, we were all glad that we finished JCC together.
The feeling of walking through Cynthia gate was just so unreal.
After Brunei, there was Taiwan.
Taiwan wasn't as tiring as Brunei but it was really very exciting.
The view there is really nice.
Ridgelines and knolls where you can see across the valleys.
Weather was cooling and sweating hardly occurs.
Tiring as it was, the R&R after the exercise was really good.
It really was a chance for our platoon to mingle after the grueling few weeks.
These two overseas training was the most enjoyable and memorable training for me.
It was because of these two trainings that bonded our platoon.
And soon before we know it, 19 April came.
All the good and bad times we had in OCS are all coming to an end.
Times where George would hide inside the cupboard and caused all of us to be turned out.
Times where we marched and sang around SAFTI for 9 months.
Countless outfields together.
It was a long time before we could commission.
Long as it may be, all of us felt that it was all worth while.
Because on 19 April, standing on the parade square where we all threw our peak caps, seeing how proud our families and friends were, it was really worth it.
I know that all the pain that I suffered for the 9 moths was worth it.
Staring at my peak cap in the sky, I cried.
All the sufferings were over, all of us are heading separate ways.
All the different emotions came rushing.
It was really worth it.
The OCS song.
"We come from many places, from all across the land.
Of many different races, together hand in hand.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Ready to serve our nation's core.
We come from OCS,
We are the very best.
Leading with dignity and pride.
Wherever we go,
We will always know,
Our spirits live forever more.
Loyalty to country is what we all believe.
To lead, excel and overcome is what we must achieve.
Forever strong and valiant,
We'll give our lives and more,
Never ceasing to serve Singapore.
We come from OCS,
We are the very best.
Leading with dignity and Pride.
Wherever we go,
We will always know,
Our spirits live forever more. "
After graduating from the 92/13 batch, I could feel the fire burning in us.
It was what we all wanted, to be able to lead, to excel and to overcome.
I was posted to 3 Guards after I commissioned.
I was so surprised that I could make it to 3 Guards.
It was really what I wanted as a NSF.
To go through the toughest course that I can and learning all the things that I can in my journey.
GCC was hell of a time.
It was memorable but not as memorable as OCS.
Because we were all so tired to even remember all the details of what happened in the 4 weeks.
All I can say about the 01/14 GCC is that it was mentally challenging.
And definitely physical challenging.
It's filled with uncertainty.
Overall, it was a really tiring course.
Cried a few times whenever I shout the guards creed.
One time after stretcher race, one time after beach PT.
Really good course.
And there I am, with my khaki beret that I always wanted since BMT.
I am now officially a guardsman.
And of course, my OCS friends came.
Was really so happy to see my mum and friends.
But I was so tired at the parade.
Can't wait to just wash up and sleep.
And lastly, my journey in NS ended at 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards.
To be short, 3 Guards.
I had so many different appointments throughout this time.
COY 3IC, APC 3, PC 3, COY 2 IC.
But my main appointment was PC 3.
Taking the role of an APC of Platoon 3 right after GCC was really something so unreal.
It made me feel that I'm no longer a recruit / cadet anymore.
I'm now a commander and I felt all the responsibilities weigh on me the first day I talked to my platoon.
I've learnt so much in my tour as a PC.
It's not easy for a young officer like me to be leading a platoon of 20 over people.
And to add on to that, 4 section commanders and a Platoon Seargent that are so much more experienced than me.
As much as I thought that I would get eaten up by the men and commanders, I stayed confident as much as I can.
Surprisingly, I my section commanders (both first and second year) were so respectful of me and I really want to thank them for that.
And of course, my PS.
He's so much more experienced than me but he never ever once treat me with disrespect.
It's not all smooth sailing of course.
There were times where my men would give me so much stress.
And times where my OC, would give me stress too.
But however, whenever I felt like I lost my direction, I would always go back to my values.
And also all the perseverance that I have gathered throughout my time in green has helped.
Overcoming these stressful period not only made me a stronger person, it has matured me and taught me how to deal with certain things with more caution and understanding.
I've seriously learnt so much in my time in 3 Guards.
The really nice thing that I learn is about people-people relationship.
Without it, I think no organisations in the world can function.
Rather than spending endless times coming out with plans that might not even work, I'd rather spend time improving the people-people relationship.
And it's because of this people relationship that drives people to move, to work.
Because it is the basics of all things.
I've really enjoyed my time in Alpha Company.
Working with the best OC that cares, guides and have fun with us.
CPT Lam taught me so much of the people relationship that I've mentioned before.
The stress that he gave me at times really improved the way I work.
How I prioritize things and how I organise my things.
Really appreciates all his hardwork for the Company.
Alpha leads the way!
Standing at Elite Victory Square yesterday,
It finally hit me that I'm officially ORD-ing.
All the memories from BMT till now came back rushing.
And when I placed all my thoughts together, I knew that I've changed a lot as a person.
And to be honest, as much as I dreaded Army before and during, now after it, I can confidently say that SAF is not as bad as all of us had portrayed it.
There are inspiring leaders in the organisation that keeps the organisation running.
And I respect them for that.
Last but not least, collecting the pink IC doesn't mean that I'm going to be a civilian and forget all that I've been through in the army.
It is not the end, but the beginning of a journey as a "man".
Till the next time I camo on,
Wake up earliy I still late.
Go to Tekong take Ferry.
End up in wrong company ah.
Ai-yo ai-yo ai ai yo, ai-yo ai-yo ai ai yo.
Today is 8 March 2015, my official ORD date.
It has been 1 year and 10 months since the day I enlisted and I can still vividly remember the first day.
09 May 2013.
That feeling when I senang-diri for the first time at Ladang.
Staring at my mother and brother waving goodbye with a smile on their face.
And it was the start of a new phase of life for me.
Army.
What everyone dreaded to go through.
What everyone thinks is a waste of time.
However for me, when I turned away and follow one of the sergeants to load up the tonner, my mind was set on doing the best.
If not it would really be a waste of time.
And so, the word NS officially eats into my life.
I could still remember the first night when I lay down on my bed at Tekong.
The feeling of uncertainty and uneasiness.
The thought of losing away all my freedom.
The thought of the number of days to go before this "freedom" is back.
As I lay on the bed staring at the upper deck, I can't believe I'm really serving the nation now.
I'm now officially in Army.
As the days past, the feeling of staying in sucked more and more.
It felt like eternity.
I had very good commanders in BMT that I still respect up to today.
Especially my Assistant Platoon Commander, Lester and my Platoon Seargent, Phillip.
The reason why I enjoyed my BMT days were largely because of these two people.
They inspired me to perform.
They gave me direction in my time in army.
Lester was a guardsman.
And up till today, I will still not forget the two words he shared with me.
Respect and Humility.
These two words form the basis of my tour in NS.
He was really one responsible commander and had inspired me to be a guardsman too.
The commanders also shared with us the idea of "Don't be the commander that you don't like." and also the idea of "Always remember you were once a recruit."
Platoon 4 was always the platoon that never get punished but however, I think it is also the platoon that learns not through tekans but through educating.
One of the most significant day in BMT was definitely my mother's letter to me during our "field camp".
"Field camp" because we only spent 1 day out in the field due to the bad haze at the period of time.
Even though the letter was given to us in the lecture theatre, I felt that tinge of bitterness.
That realization of how much my parents love me in that one letter made me cry.
I cried so hard like a kid.
I POP-ed shortly 2 months after my enlistment.
Went to Bangkok with Wei Lun and friends.
Enjoyed my time there and when I came back, it was time for my postings.
On the day that I read this, I was so elated.
I was also scared.
Elated because I'm going to be an officer.
I'm going to OCS!
The place where everyone fights to be in after BMT.
Scared because I'm not sure of my capabilities whether I can pass out as an officer.
These 9 months journey in OCS has taught me a lot too.
All the people in OCS were mostly smart and came from a good family background.
I felt like I wasn't that smart to be in OCS after spending some time there.
I didn't like how everyone was so arrogant after being an Officer Cadet.
I was thinking whether OCS was for me.
I wasn't that smart, I don't socialise that well, I don't know.
I was just uncertain.
However, OCS has really been a place I grew and nurture as a person.
During service term,
I see the bad side of people during outfields.
And I see the good side of people at tough times too.
It made me reflect upon myself.
Whether I'm showing the good side or bad side whenever I'm outfield.
You can be the best person at times when you're in camp, but out in the field when things gets tough, most of the times things change.
Will you still be the same person?
Will you be the one that help your buddy carry his MATADOR.
Being outfield is one of the way to see the true colours of your friends.
This is one thing that I'm definitely going to miss of the Army.
You can't go outfield with your University friends, you can't go outfield with your colleagues and bosses next time.
There is hardly anyway to find out the true colours of the people around me in the future.
Then it came pro term, the longest term in OCS.
Platoon 2 section 2 has no changes ever since service term.
The few of us sticked together all the way until we commissioned.
Except for Mathews who OOC (Out of Course) due to an injury.
Pro term was also the term where we were exposed to more intense training.
All these trainings were preparation for the larger outfield which is in Brunei, and in Taiwan.
The 4 weeks training in Brunei really pushed me to another level.
I felt like I could conquer everything after I've been through JCC (Jungle Confidence Course)
JCC is definitely one of the most memorable experience for me in OCS or maybe in my whole journey in NS.
Having the JCC badge is also the pride of all the officers.
Because the big difference between officers and NSF Specialists is that we are given the chance to go through it.
And going through it really made me closer to my section even more.
As much as we quarrel here and there, we were all glad that we finished JCC together.
The feeling of walking through Cynthia gate was just so unreal.
After Brunei, there was Taiwan.
Taiwan wasn't as tiring as Brunei but it was really very exciting.
The view there is really nice.
Ridgelines and knolls where you can see across the valleys.
Weather was cooling and sweating hardly occurs.
Tiring as it was, the R&R after the exercise was really good.
It really was a chance for our platoon to mingle after the grueling few weeks.
These two overseas training was the most enjoyable and memorable training for me.
It was because of these two trainings that bonded our platoon.
And soon before we know it, 19 April came.
All the good and bad times we had in OCS are all coming to an end.
Times where George would hide inside the cupboard and caused all of us to be turned out.
Times where we marched and sang around SAFTI for 9 months.
Countless outfields together.
It was a long time before we could commission.
Long as it may be, all of us felt that it was all worth while.
Because on 19 April, standing on the parade square where we all threw our peak caps, seeing how proud our families and friends were, it was really worth it.
I know that all the pain that I suffered for the 9 moths was worth it.
Staring at my peak cap in the sky, I cried.
All the sufferings were over, all of us are heading separate ways.
All the different emotions came rushing.
It was really worth it.
The OCS song.
"We come from many places, from all across the land.
Of many different races, together hand in hand.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Ready to serve our nation's core.
We come from OCS,
We are the very best.
Leading with dignity and pride.
Wherever we go,
We will always know,
Our spirits live forever more.
Loyalty to country is what we all believe.
To lead, excel and overcome is what we must achieve.
Forever strong and valiant,
We'll give our lives and more,
Never ceasing to serve Singapore.
We come from OCS,
We are the very best.
Leading with dignity and Pride.
Wherever we go,
We will always know,
Our spirits live forever more. "
After graduating from the 92/13 batch, I could feel the fire burning in us.
It was what we all wanted, to be able to lead, to excel and to overcome.
I was posted to 3 Guards after I commissioned.
I was so surprised that I could make it to 3 Guards.
It was really what I wanted as a NSF.
To go through the toughest course that I can and learning all the things that I can in my journey.
GCC was hell of a time.
It was memorable but not as memorable as OCS.
Because we were all so tired to even remember all the details of what happened in the 4 weeks.
All I can say about the 01/14 GCC is that it was mentally challenging.
And definitely physical challenging.
It's filled with uncertainty.
Overall, it was a really tiring course.
Cried a few times whenever I shout the guards creed.
One time after stretcher race, one time after beach PT.
Really good course.
And there I am, with my khaki beret that I always wanted since BMT.
I am now officially a guardsman.
And of course, my OCS friends came.
Was really so happy to see my mum and friends.
But I was so tired at the parade.
Can't wait to just wash up and sleep.
And lastly, my journey in NS ended at 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards.
To be short, 3 Guards.
I had so many different appointments throughout this time.
COY 3IC, APC 3, PC 3, COY 2 IC.
But my main appointment was PC 3.
Taking the role of an APC of Platoon 3 right after GCC was really something so unreal.
It made me feel that I'm no longer a recruit / cadet anymore.
I'm now a commander and I felt all the responsibilities weigh on me the first day I talked to my platoon.
I've learnt so much in my tour as a PC.
It's not easy for a young officer like me to be leading a platoon of 20 over people.
And to add on to that, 4 section commanders and a Platoon Seargent that are so much more experienced than me.
As much as I thought that I would get eaten up by the men and commanders, I stayed confident as much as I can.
Surprisingly, I my section commanders (both first and second year) were so respectful of me and I really want to thank them for that.
And of course, my PS.
He's so much more experienced than me but he never ever once treat me with disrespect.
It's not all smooth sailing of course.
There were times where my men would give me so much stress.
And times where my OC, would give me stress too.
But however, whenever I felt like I lost my direction, I would always go back to my values.
And also all the perseverance that I have gathered throughout my time in green has helped.
Overcoming these stressful period not only made me a stronger person, it has matured me and taught me how to deal with certain things with more caution and understanding.
I've seriously learnt so much in my time in 3 Guards.
The really nice thing that I learn is about people-people relationship.
Without it, I think no organisations in the world can function.
Rather than spending endless times coming out with plans that might not even work, I'd rather spend time improving the people-people relationship.
And it's because of this people relationship that drives people to move, to work.
Because it is the basics of all things.
I've really enjoyed my time in Alpha Company.
Working with the best OC that cares, guides and have fun with us.
CPT Lam taught me so much of the people relationship that I've mentioned before.
The stress that he gave me at times really improved the way I work.
How I prioritize things and how I organise my things.
Really appreciates all his hardwork for the Company.
Alpha leads the way!
Standing at Elite Victory Square yesterday,
It finally hit me that I'm officially ORD-ing.
All the memories from BMT till now came back rushing.
And when I placed all my thoughts together, I knew that I've changed a lot as a person.
And to be honest, as much as I dreaded Army before and during, now after it, I can confidently say that SAF is not as bad as all of us had portrayed it.
There are inspiring leaders in the organisation that keeps the organisation running.
And I respect them for that.
Last but not least, collecting the pink IC doesn't mean that I'm going to be a civilian and forget all that I've been through in the army.
It is not the end, but the beginning of a journey as a "man".
Till the next time I camo on,
ORD LO!
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