Reservist

Every male Singaporean have a responsibility --- To defend the Constituition of Singapore.

In Yr 2001, I gt conscripted into the Defence Force. I could still remember the scene. I was sitting in the back seat of my Dad's car. There was a mild rain and rain drops were landing on the window panes. Mixed feeling rolled inside me. I knew that "Freedom" was near but i was afraid of the hardships as well.

As the Fast Craft sailed seethly towards the jetty of Tekong, the growling feeling in me rose to a new height. I was seperated from my parents once we left the boat as my parents were given a free tour of the island while i need to go get the administration things done.

After a few hrs, we were all in the Auditorium. The whole bunch of army guys were sitting together. While we took the oath of Allegience, I felt a sense of pride overtaking the Demon in me. Defending the country was impt. I remember my JC teacher, Mrs Renee, told us:" No one can defend Singapore in harsh times. Being a colonial country, the 'Masters' need to take care of their own country first before us. We need take care of ourselves."

My parents and I were treated to a sumptious lunch. After lunch, we walked back to the jetty. My parents walked towards the jetty while i headed in a different direction. I didnt know what to expect from there on. Every senior that i asked gave me a different opinon.

I was lost. Lost in the concrete jungle. Lost in my own thoughts. Lost in the sea of people.

Fast Forward to Yr 2008>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

It was my 4th ICT. The training prog was emailed to us way beforehand so that we can mentally prepare ourslves. Though the feeling was still as sianz as ever, i was better prepared than the previous ICT.

On that morning itself, while i was putting on my boots, I forgot how to tie my boots momentarily.

Reached camp around 0715am. Encik told me that my hair at the back was a bit long and the color is different. Needed to go for hair cut. Diaoz.... A 3 min haircut plus combing of the hair with dye set me back by SGD 20 bucks. Not really worth it.

Being the First Day, we didnt have any tedious activity to do. Just a simple parade. HOwever, the main prob was my bunk. My coy was located at the 5th fl. Imagine after every tiring training, we need climb the mountaineous staircase.

Time flew by fast. Training, IPPT, Prep of stores... All these took us through 6 days. During our free time, we were either catching up with our beauty sleep or playing with cards. Bridge and Big Two were the common past time. During the breaks during training, we were catching up with one another on past yr events.

Many people grew up, both mentally and physically. Mentally, we were more or less focus on what we want to do for our journey down the road. We knew what we wanted in life, which is from far a comparison in army whereby we were clueless about the life afterwards. However, i realised that there was this guy in my particular pl whereby he was jobless for 8 months. Heard from his best friend tht he was suspended from the job cause he didnt hav enuff cash to travel there. Though he lent him some $$$, but he spent it on something else. Worse still, he is nw trying to earn his money thru some methods whereby there will be one day he would drain his family.

Yesterday we booked out of camp. At tthe Out-Pro centre, many of us were Queuing up to get our NRIC scanned. As I looked at the numerous people trying to cut Queue, i was thinking why they are trying their best to get ahead of line. Is a period of 20 mins going to affect your entire life? Unless you really have something real urgent, why do you need to bring the society to shame? Yes, we are all looking forward to the day we can drop of Armour Of Defence and put on the clothings of Civilisation. But setting up back by 20min, will there be a change? Why nt we jus wait patiently for our turn and let those who are real urgent take their leave first?

I tried to scan for my pl mate faces. It will be another yr before i see them again. Wishing them all the best and hope their lives will improve the next time i see them...