It has been awhile since I wrote anything- especially on this space. As a scroll through all the posts that I have written, I reminisce of all the times that I have had ever since I started this space - both the good and the bad. Come to think of it, if those events did not happen, I would not be where I am today.
Yesterday, I ended by 5th In- Camp Training. I can still remember the day when I enlisted in 2006. I was accompanied by my 2 cousins into Pulau Tekong. My dad and my younger brother left the entourage at White Sands Shopping Centre as he had to work the afternoon shift. Apparently, I got the attention of some of the instructors as both my cousins were still single back then. One is happily married with a kid while the other is still looking for answers in her life. Unfortunately, we have become estranged with the one that is married for supernatural (and ridiculous) reasons.
I cringe as I go through the posts that I have written - for the bad English ( I don't think I have improved much since then) as well as for realizing how stupid one could be when they were young. This space was started when I was still an 18 year old. I had just completed my GCE 'A' Levels and was waiting for enlistment. Everyday, I thank the heavens that I was enlisted to become a soldier instead of an underpaid police officer or firefighter.
I was thankful that my elder brother help me get a part-time job at Delifrance in the December of 2005. He helped me got the part but I knew that the rest was up to me. So I worked hard and was ready to cover for any shift that saw a sudden drop of manpower. I remember several occasions where I worked double shifts - starting at 7 in the morning and ending only at 10pm. However, I was contented as I had something to fill up my day while awaiting for the 8th of April 2006.
That day came soon enough. After a good 2 weeks of rest, I was finally getting to do something which I had looked forward to all my life. That day, I was hopeful that I'd get to do it for the rest of my life too! Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. But I had no regrets with any of those things which I did, save for one incident that is. I got to make really good friends, I got to travel a lot, and the best part of it all, I got to play solider.
1 year and 10 months passed by too quickly. On the 7th of February 2008, I found myself outside the bus stop in front of Lim Chu Kang Camp 2 asking my friend, "So what's next?". Once again, I found myself being in such an aimless state. This was despite having a place in NTU to study sociology. That would be where I'd meet Huishan and got her to fall in love with me. I was already in love with her the first time I saw her.
Again, the 4 years I spent there passed by too quickly. I was simply having the time of my life. I knew that it would the last 4 years of my life that I'd get to be a student so I maximize every single second of it, savoring every single last moments that I get to experience in school. The 2 break-ups that happened did affect my mood to study but by the time I got my head unstuck, it was already the final year. Her presence did help in some ways. But it only sealed the deal on the final semester in school. With that in place, I dared to move ahead, full of hope!
Eventually, I landed a job in a Singapore Inc. company in the capacity of an operations executive. I soon got promoted and now am one of the managers that ensures that the company continues to contribute to 20% of the country's GDP. Work is tough and there are several days that I simply dread going to work. But it is something that I, as a responsible adult, have to do.
"When you were young, what was it that you wanted to be?"
For the National Day Observance Ceremony in 1998 that we had in school, I volunteered to represent my class for a costume competition. We were to dress up as any one of the services that ensured the total defence of Singapore. My class chose to be a soldier and I was chosen to be the model. As a child, I knew that I wanted to be a soldier. Why? Because I think it is the most noblest profession in the world. It is truly an honor to be a protector of the country's many citizens as well as residents. So as a child, I was truly eager for the 8th of April 2006 to arrive.
Not many have had the privilege to serve the country in the same capacity that I had. It was truly an honor to serve the country the way I did. Every Sunday, I'd be looking forward to book-in into camp. Strangely enough, I was one of those few that did not want Friday to come too fast although that meant that my suffering would only be prolonged. It seemed as though that time stood still each time we went out for a route march. My shoulders would initially hurt from the load that we carry but it would soon numb out.
Then, there were the fire trenches that we had to dig! Never in my life had I participated in such back-breaking work! In total, I have dug 5 fire trenches in my life. It takes at least 6 hours to dig one and another 2 hours for us to ensure that it is properly concealed. There are many in uniform that have never seen one much less have to dig one in their entire time in service. I suppose, I was not so lucky then.
Then, there were the countries that we went to: Star Light, Lancer, High Noon, Lightning Strike. I truly enjoyed each and every one of them. But then, 7th of February came all to fast and I was forced to move on with my life after being too unsuccessful in trying to sign on with the army. However, every time I go back for my reservist, I thank God that I do not end up being one of those mindless Regulars that we have. There are plenty of them in the service. But with any organization, there are really good ones too.
"Going back for holiday camp? So shiok"
I always get this comment whenever I tell someone that I am going back for reservist. It is really hurtful and certainly untrue. Most of us, especially those appointment holders, actually have a lot of things to do. Sometimes, I do envy enlistees. All they do is really sleeping in the bunk and just waiting for the next order to move out. Perhaps, that's why most people think that we go back for a holiday.
As age catches up to us, the things that we are supposed to do gets tougher and tougher. I was actually surprised that I was sore after a mission- all from carrying the same amount of load which I was all too familiar with since 8 years ago. But this time around, I got to relive what I was really good at 8 years ago- firefight. Due to a huge screw-up, a company of 72 got reduced to 15 while on the way to the objective. Once we got reduced to such a lean force, I decided to take charge and influence how the 2 remaining officers continued with the mission.
So we arrived at the objective, almost missing the timing. And we fought, valiantly! We tried to take on a force of 30. Well, thankfully, it was through lasers. If it was the real thing, we all would not be returning to our loved ones.
"Why do you do this? What does National Service mean to you?"
My division commander cleared his schedule to talk to some of us. He asked us what National Service meant to us and why are we doing this for? For me, the answer has always been the same- I do so that others don't. That does sound so altruistic that it seems ridiculous. But it is the truth. I would not want my dad, my mom or even Huishan to be picking up a rifle to chase away any invaders who dare to try.
An instructor once told me that the very reason why nobody has dared to attack our country was because we were constantly training. If we had stopped our training, we would be finished. Looking at countries that had downsized their defence capabilities because of political reasons (just so that they can get elected for the following term really), I hold his word true. Most of those countries are in shambles due to either external or internal factors. If our country did not have people like me around, other countries would not hesitate to take advantage of us.
This is actually empirically proven a few years ago when our neighbors from the north had threatened to cut off our water supplies. They were told that this would be seen as an act of aggression and we would not hesitated to deploy our forces to ensure our survival. That threat immediately died down and the guy who made that threat retired.
"What's next?"
I do feel a tinge of sadness that the 5th ICT is already over. I'd have to wait another year before I get to meet the guys again. Every year, I'd have to force myself to reintegrate with the normal society - wake up early to go to work and get home as early as I can.
As for now, I try to live my life the best I can and find things to look forward to. For now, I shall work towards a wedding.
“I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.”
― Kahlil Gibran
― Kahlil Gibran
