Defining Moment During Fieldcamp

      MY DEFINIING MOMENT

From the day I enlisted into BMTC (Basic Millitary Training Centre) School 4, I don’t know if I would change for a better person. By saying that I’m referring to the attitude to my parents. They say people change inside NS and now I have come to realised it.

First day here in 5^th Coy was both exciting and stress reason being thinking how my section mates, buddy and my commanders will be like. It’s like getting to know strangers from different background and personalities and working hand in hand as a section together! The first person whom I met was none other than Lester. He had this ‘runner’ look. To me I can spot the runner kind of look. We then exchanged conversation only to realise that I was similar to him. We all take part in major marathons and swim. Besides that, getting to know all my section mates was fun. We introduced ourselves where we came from and what faculty we did.

My defining moment happened right here during field camp. It all started back on the 11^th September 2013, 0800 hours. It started off with our 12km route march. It was like a daily routine everything was normal, we had our FBO(Full Battle Order) on with helmet and our SAR21 (Singapore Assualt Rifle in the 21st Century) except that we were not wearing vest slack but long 4. During the march we sang lots of army songs to boost the morale and to keep going because singing will distract the fatigue in us and we’ll be able to go on for a longer period of time. But it was slightly different for me. During the march, my mind was in a whirl. I was thinking about field camp. Will I be able to survive 6D5N in the forest? What struck me was when I remembered what my PC (Platoon Commander), 2^nd LT (Lieutenant) Sean told us. He said this: “Prepare for hell during field camp”. Will we get tekan (Punished in malay)? Will I be able to dig my shellscrape in time? Will we be able to follow the timings that we were supposed to meet? Many thoughts of the worst came to my mind when I was marching.

At last the last few kilometres to our campsite. On the way there, I saw another company’s recruits digging the shellscrape. I was thinking why didn't our field camp started earlier? When we reached, everyone was shagged so was I. Due to the hot weather and the distance was longer than the usual 3km. The first day started with lessons learning on how to do danger crossing, field signals, fire movement to the rear, etc.

Day 3 approached, and we had to dig our shellscrape. We got to the site and I was praying for a good land to dig mine into. Command was given to start digging and I did. We had to dig with our SBO (Skeletal Battle Order) on. The sun was above scorching us relentlessly. The helmet and the SAR21 was a burden to me. Every single dig I took, my helmet would cover my forehead and my rifle would sling from the back to the front obstructing my way from digging. Then my platoon sergeant told us to use the clip at the utility pouch to clip it through the pistol grip and I tried. It was so effective. After 30 minutes of non-stop digging, I only managed to dig 30%. I was both physically and mentally exhausted. But then I thought of my parents, my sister and all of my friends. Why am I serving NS? I’m not serving NS to protect my country but to protect my loved ones who are living here in Singapore. That gave me the strength to continue digging, pushing my limits to a level where I never thought I will be at. After what seem like eternity, I managed to complete my shellscrape in 2 hours. Soon after it was lunch and we took our fresh rations.

The whole of platoon 4 gathered together as our commanders wanted to speak to us. Our PC, 2^nd LT Sean told us about the sacrifices what our parents did. Who put food on the table? Who tries to give us whenever we want something? Why do they work so hard for? It’s ALL OUR PARENTS! After listening what he said, I teared. He also said, when was the last time you said ‘I love you’ to your parents? When we booked out and go home, did you guys stay at home and have a good talk with your parents? Or you guys just dump your field pack and then go out with your girlfriend/friends. When he said that I bursted out crying uncontrollably. What made me even sadder was when our platoon sergeant told me that our platoon mate, (our section mate too) Kevin, his mum passed away the week before our field camp started. When I heard that I couldn’t believe it, he was so young, why did his mum have to pass away at such a young age of 48? This suddenly came to my mind. What if this happened to me? Will I be able to take it? Will I regret it? I will live in regret because sometimes I will shout and scold at my parents when I’m in a bad mood or they are naggy. My mum made a lot of sacrifices for me. Quitting her high pay job to teach me when I was have my PSLE. I disappointed her when I was in poly. Unable to fulfil her wish of me going into a local university. So I told myself when I came into BMT, I wanted to start my life here afresh. Wanting to make her proud of me. I want to go into OCS (Officer Cadet School) is because I want to lead. ‘To lead is to serve’ But to lead, you first have to be a good follower in order to be a good leader. I want to make my parents proud that I will be able to go into command school. I will always remember what 2^nd LT sean told us, this has become a part of my motto in life. ‘ When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Tough times don’t last, tough men/people do ! ’