=BMT Life=
I start out like many others as recruits on the Tekong island. The moment I step into SFT, I see many SAF banners, one of which has a line "It's not what you left behind but the things you gain ahead". It marks a start of the millitary life soon. Parents were ushered to see the good and comfortable parts of SAF while recruits were led to collect personal items.

Afterwhich, came the recitation of the SAF pledge. It would be a memorable moment for many fathers witnessing their sons taking pledge. It's not the same for my dad though, haha. There weren't anyone I know of in my section and I thought it'll be quite hard to be very close to them. Most of them are from RJ and they already know each other. I had to adapt to sleep early during the first 2 weeks as I usually sleep very late. Commanders need to yell at us most of the time to get lights off timing work.

But all these didn't bother me after a while. I really learnt to make myself know how to enjoy when times are tough. I just need to have the right attitude. There are several things that are new to me such as water parade, rush-to-wait, wait-to-rush, rank system, chin up regime, platoon system, buddies system etc... But what's nice about the commanders is that they will try as much as possible to explain the rationale behind the orders given to us. At least I will do things with understanding.

I married my rifle with butt C025 since the first day in camp. No matter where we go unless instructed otherwise, the rifle has to be with me all the time. The only issue I dislike is when the stricter sergeant is on duty in the armskote. Signature must be reproduced exactly from the norminal role each time a rifle is signed out or in. Not even a dot can be missing otherwise, ...

We were taught how to fire accurately in the IMT which feels like playing a computer game. It really feels very different firing a virtual target with fake rifle and firing a real target with real rifle in terms of recoil, sound and light conditions. Of course it feels so damn "shiok" when the target is hit. But too bad my friend dropped my rifle during range causing my zeroing to be off and I got to do manual adjustment myself. Actual range activity ended very late and the moment we reached back company line, it's really bunk sweet bunk.. =)

Field camp is the longest camp for me so far. I should thank god I'm not placed in Ninja company or some other xiong companies in school 2. Most of my memories of it are rather good. The place is also very ideal for my platoon mates to get to know each other closer. Cooperation is needed between buddies especially when it comes to build a basha tent. Since we need each others' equipment to build a basha tent, buddies have to be cooperative. My buddy is a bit "special" and I tend to have heated argument with him. Lol, but in the end, it's still not that bad at all. Mosquitoes and other wild animals are all around the forest. I'm the unlucky one who got multiple bites on and have lots of swelling around my face and hands region. There are about 80+ bites on me for each site we moved to throughout field camp.

Other than that, I learnt how to adapt to finding things in the dark relying less on torchlight. I appreciate the experiences my section commander share with my section. Those are things that I would never be able to learn about it personally in the civilian world. The latrine is also one place you may not like to go due to the overwhelming shit smell concentrated together. I would rather dig a hole for myself. Haha.. I heard of many stories during field camp but I find nothing so ghostly yet. Maybe it's better not to be able to see that sort of stuff.

Getting a proper camo and not dozing off are challenges to me. As the weather is so hot, I sweat a lot more. The more I sweat, the less likely I'll be able to apply good camo. The IFC lectures are usually quite boring and manage to send many eyelids down. The practice makes us dirty but is fun to carry out in actions especially when we are allowed to shoot blanks without giving any concern that we will run out of ammunition. There's more than enough, in fact plentiful.

Bookout days and meal times are things I always look forward to. It's just the pleasant sight of things when other activities just shag you out. There were times when I'm just too tired to be of my normal physical standard. It's stressful to see many of your platoon mates who are so good in their fitness getting great improvement.

Last but not least, I am happy to join the drill team and be able to perform for games day and POP graduation. I set my mind to do it and I was able to prove myself right and this is one of the few things I decided and has not gotten any regrets even though my admin times are all burnt to train for the drills.

Route marches are tough but fortunately it's progressive. Every march strengthens my physical and mental endurance and at last I manage to complete the 24km route march. Singing songs along the way really help to forget some of the sufferings along the way. The final route march is memorable. Everyone took turns to lead songs and the satisfaction can be seen through the smiles on everyone's faces. Cougar company 01/06 is coming to an end and everybody's feeling nostalgic about the times together but still, it's time to move on. I hope for my friends who wish to lead, to go to command school. Cougar rocks!