“Just like every young man serving the country, like it or not, it is still a compulsory two years that we have to go through. Two years is definitely not a short time, whether will it be filled with either tears of joy or sorrow is for ourselves to decide. I believe each and every phase of our lives has something important for us to take away with, which in turn, will turn us into better people, so cherish every of our moments with our hearts.”
Like every other Singaporean young man out there, I was a little apprehensive about my time in national service. How was I going to best prepare myself mentally with the fact that my freedom was going to be compromised in weeks to come? Let’s just admit, it was only through those times that you started realizing how important every second was and you fought for whatever time remained to pursue the things you love to do.
Fast forwarding time ...
The time for enlistment was finally here, 15th July 2015. I woke up to a heavy heart not knowing what was expected of me inside the army, but only one thing for sure was that I will miss my beloved ones. I swear my soul was not with the army despite being there physically on that day. Many thoughts were running through my mind. I was introduced to the sergeants and officers in-charge of our company and my platoon respectively. That day was considered the best day of my recruit life as the sergeants and officers were friendly and nice to us, contrary to what many described as to be. However, there’s always a saying, “The only easy day was yesterday”. It was true enough.
The next morning after our enlistment day was a major culture shock. We were required to fall in at ridiculously early timings as well as abiding to seemingly impossible fall in timings. It was certainly not easy at the start. The adjustment period, known as the confinement week, had definitely helped most of us to get used to the culture. Adjusting to life in army was no easy-feet. Seeking permissions for every single thing wasn’t a habit initially. Then, of course, many of us learnt our lessons through the tough way. We were punished as long as our discipline expectations were not met with what was minimally set.
Second to discipline which many of us, including myself, dreaded the most were physical trainings. One of the commonly dreaded PT would be AGR, which stands for Ability Group Running. We had to run continuously for a required duration and every session only saw increased duration which explained why many of us were not looking forward to it. Despite the negative feedback, as a recruit who has gone through AGR, I have got to admit that my stamina has improved!
As weeks passed by ...
We were punished almost every single day for every other mistake that someone has made. Despite the harsh punishments, we have bonded better as one in the process. Nothing else also mattered when you witnessed your fellow friends carrying out the similar punishments as you. Over time, we were still punished over the same old mistake which led me pondering for the reason: Was it carelessness, selfishness or laziness that resulted in us committing the same mistake? Or it could be just a choice that we have chosen? I was pretty aware that everyone knew what was right and wrong. And so, I concluded, choice really mattered, as your next course of outcome was based on it.
Trainings would only get tougher over time, just like what SAF has always told to the parents: progressive trainings. The toughest time was during outfield. How was I going to survive among hard soil, trees and with limited access to clean water? The combat ration was already a bad enough experience for me. Every inch of the outfield was pushing me out of my comfort zone. To make things worse was the digging of what seemed forever to take shape shell scrape. I have tried my best to make my first attempt a good one, yet circumstances were not in my favor. Honestly, I hated the times in outfield but when one asked me of my experience in BMT, outfield was the first thing that surfaced upon my mind.
Nearing the end of BMT ...
Around this timing, recruits would have completed 90% of the required key activities before they could POP. The spirits in every recruit was high as they could finally celebrate all the hardships they had gone through, what’s even best were being witnessed by their loved ones. I was no exception. I wanted everything to end it immediately but before that there was a 24km route march. It was a major hurdle for me. I had many reservations whether I could complete it as I was carrying a heavier load and marching a much longer distance this time. I knew I was not the only one worried about the 24km route march. Many of my peers were feeling the same as well. However, we cheered and told each other that we will complete it and make it to the stadium to toss our jockey caps. That mental support built much positivity in me.
I was so proud of myself for completing the 24km route march as I had many reservations about my physical level. We made it to the stadium at around 1:21am after a long 6 hours of marching where we slept inside for only about 2 hours before waking up to give our final best shot in BMT. This parade was also the time where many recruits have waited for! As it signifies the end of our recruit lives! Haha.
What's up next?
Two months indeed passed by within the blink of an eye. It was a short yet hectic one for us to go through. I'm rather looking forward to my next posting! I don't know what will I be expecting again! And I'll have to go through the same old shit (cycle) again. Before that, I shall enjoy the short hiatus from army! See ya guys when I have time to write up about my life again!