Hello. Hello to everyone reading this. I'm back from adjustment period of NS.
It's been a rather long time...but i made it.
Never thought that i would survive it unscratched...but i did.
There are some things that i just can't say because of security reasons, but i'll try my best to way what i think i can. Before that, let's go all the way back to the day of enlistment.
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2 weeks ago...12th April 2010.
I woke up earlier than i always do. With a little hesitation, i stepped out of my bed. After washing up, for the first time in years...i made my bed.
I made coffee and just sat in front of the computer. I took a look at yearbooks of previous schools. Memories flashed past and disappeared as quickly as they came. I put the books down and drank the coffee. Cold...just cold. Seems like i got caught up in reading and i forgot about the coffee...i'm quite disappointed that the last cup of coffee i drink before i embark is cold.
Then a few moments later, when i was about to leave, i took a good look around my room and my house. The neighbourhood. The town. Then, the island.
I'm on the ferry to the training camp.
After a briefing and some screening, the batch of recruits including me took the pledge and sang the National Anthem. Then, our parents and families went off.
We're on our own.
After collecting our issues and checking them, we had our haircut. I was relieved that the long hair is gone, as they are previously stabbing my eye and caused some irritation. It also reminded recruits of our new identity...as soldiers.
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I'm not gonna say things in details with reasons as stated at the very beginning of this post, so expect it to be a little messy.
Army life to me, so far, is not completely unreasonable. Being a PES C recruit, it means that we have physical disabilities that might hinder our training, but i tried my best in doing everything i can, even if i'm excused from that particular activity.
The difference between being in NS and as a civilian is that we are to follow orders as closely as possible. Forget about your self-esteem, pride or whatever behaviour or attitude. What your superiors say is absolute. Defy and be punished. Things are just as simple as that. The catch is, orders doesn't just mean said order. Simple things and values like discipline and respect are also consider as 'orders', at least in my opinion. Your sergeant ask you to march, you do it. Swing your hand as high as you can, even if you think you look like a retard, which you would not since everyone in camp is doing that. Be late for a few seconds, and don't expect any mercy. Things are simple. Follow what is said.
One other difference is that there are mass punishment. What this means is, even if one person made a mistake, the whole company will be punished for it. This is often emphasized as a show of teamwork. I'm not entirely on for this, but still, i'll follow it because it's orders.
Enough about the gloomy 'discipline' talk.
---
Food there is actually very good. Amounts served is horrifyingly great. I had difficulty finishing meals unless i ask for less. Variety is also seen as great, i think that it's better than some food in main island. There's soup, dessert, drinks and even ice cream. From time to time, they serve western food too. It's really good to say.
Bunk condition is also quite good. We have tiles for floors, not just grey and black cement. Toilet cubicles have doors, so fudge whoever said that 'things' can happen.
---
That's all i have to say for today. I'll probably add more as time progresses, but this is all for today.
P.S. I'm accepted into my first choice of University course: Physics/ Applied Physics at NTU. Rejoice for me!
It's been a rather long time...but i made it.
Never thought that i would survive it unscratched...but i did.
There are some things that i just can't say because of security reasons, but i'll try my best to way what i think i can. Before that, let's go all the way back to the day of enlistment.
---
2 weeks ago...12th April 2010.
I woke up earlier than i always do. With a little hesitation, i stepped out of my bed. After washing up, for the first time in years...i made my bed.
I made coffee and just sat in front of the computer. I took a look at yearbooks of previous schools. Memories flashed past and disappeared as quickly as they came. I put the books down and drank the coffee. Cold...just cold. Seems like i got caught up in reading and i forgot about the coffee...i'm quite disappointed that the last cup of coffee i drink before i embark is cold.
Then a few moments later, when i was about to leave, i took a good look around my room and my house. The neighbourhood. The town. Then, the island.
I'm on the ferry to the training camp.
After a briefing and some screening, the batch of recruits including me took the pledge and sang the National Anthem. Then, our parents and families went off.
We're on our own.
After collecting our issues and checking them, we had our haircut. I was relieved that the long hair is gone, as they are previously stabbing my eye and caused some irritation. It also reminded recruits of our new identity...as soldiers.
---
I'm not gonna say things in details with reasons as stated at the very beginning of this post, so expect it to be a little messy.
Army life to me, so far, is not completely unreasonable. Being a PES C recruit, it means that we have physical disabilities that might hinder our training, but i tried my best in doing everything i can, even if i'm excused from that particular activity.
The difference between being in NS and as a civilian is that we are to follow orders as closely as possible. Forget about your self-esteem, pride or whatever behaviour or attitude. What your superiors say is absolute. Defy and be punished. Things are just as simple as that. The catch is, orders doesn't just mean said order. Simple things and values like discipline and respect are also consider as 'orders', at least in my opinion. Your sergeant ask you to march, you do it. Swing your hand as high as you can, even if you think you look like a retard, which you would not since everyone in camp is doing that. Be late for a few seconds, and don't expect any mercy. Things are simple. Follow what is said.
One other difference is that there are mass punishment. What this means is, even if one person made a mistake, the whole company will be punished for it. This is often emphasized as a show of teamwork. I'm not entirely on for this, but still, i'll follow it because it's orders.
Enough about the gloomy 'discipline' talk.
---
Food there is actually very good. Amounts served is horrifyingly great. I had difficulty finishing meals unless i ask for less. Variety is also seen as great, i think that it's better than some food in main island. There's soup, dessert, drinks and even ice cream. From time to time, they serve western food too. It's really good to say.
Bunk condition is also quite good. We have tiles for floors, not just grey and black cement. Toilet cubicles have doors, so fudge whoever said that 'things' can happen.
---
That's all i have to say for today. I'll probably add more as time progresses, but this is all for today.
P.S. I'm accepted into my first choice of University course: Physics/ Applied Physics at NTU. Rejoice for me!
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