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Ok here we go! The highlight of every full time NS is ATEC 2. The highlight for reservist soldiers, is also ATEC 2. You would have known by now what is ATEC. If it is something new to you, here is the list of links to the posts regarding ATEC
https://www.anwarhadi.com/blog/exercise-wallaby-again-part-1
https://www.anwarhadi.com/blog/ict-4
I think it was a 2 weeks ICT. Should be. Or maybe more. The first week should be the preparation and final “revision”. We went through our SOPs and tactics in different tactical situations. I have forgotten about this week already. But I can roughly remember it was quite fun. We had high morale because this would be the last time we would be “cheong suaing”. Basically means that it would be the last time that we would be going into the jungle and have our tactical exercises. The last time in our life. Hopefully…
2nd week in. It’s time to put our battalion to the test. Waah I really cannot remember already. But I am sure it is the normal things. Walk… walk…. attack… defend… walk….attack… defend… How far we walked, where we walked, how many missions we had, I have totally forgotten about them all. Which is actually quite sad to not remember. I understand why I won’t remember though. Because it was tough. It was auto pilot. It was mission after mission. It was tiring. And the thing I hate most… walking in the jungle at night. Heavy load on my shoulders and back. Clothes all wet due to the perspiration caused by body heating up. But you shiver everytime you stop because of the drenched clothes in the cold of the night. Hot and cold at the same time. I cannot explain it. It was just miserable. I kept psyching myself up. This is the last time. No more mission. No more jungle. No more cheong sua. No more suffering. Endure and Carry On.
FINAL MISSION
All good things will come to an end. We finally had our final mission. I think it was quite standard. We capture an enemy objective and then defend the area in case of any enemy’s efforts to recapture their place.
Ok so we managed to capture a hill in the jungle. Like I said, I cannot remember where. The enemy ran away and now we have to defend it. So we dig our shellscrapes, hide in it and wait. For how long, no one knows. We just wait for them to come and fight back. If they fight back. We just waited.
I remember that it was in the bright of the day. What time? I cannot remember. It was in the day. The dreaded thing about defending is, we won’t know when the enemy will come. And if they come. We won’t know if we have to conduct a quick attack or a block force. We were tired and the shellscrapes were so comfortable. To do a quick attack means we have to leave the shellscrape and chase after the retreating enemy or capture a nearby objective to strengthen our position. A block force means we will have to be redeployed further up and block a counter attacking enermy force and protect our battalion back at the defence site. It was a lot of uncertainties and we were tired.
But our morale was high. We know that it will end soon and we will leave all these “army fighting in the jungle” thing behind.
Then, it happened. And this one…. I remember vividly.
Ok so we managed to capture a hill in the jungle. Like I said, I cannot remember where. The enemy ran away and now we have to defend it. So we dig our shellscrapes, hide in it and wait. For how long, no one knows. We just wait for them to come and fight back. If they fight back. We just waited.
I remember that it was in the bright of the day. What time? I cannot remember. It was in the day. The dreaded thing about defending is, we won’t know when the enemy will come. And if they come. We won’t know if we have to conduct a quick attack or a block force. We were tired and the shellscrapes were so comfortable. To do a quick attack means we have to leave the shellscrape and chase after the retreating enemy or capture a nearby objective to strengthen our position. A block force means we will have to be redeployed further up and block a counter attacking enermy force and protect our battalion back at the defence site. It was a lot of uncertainties and we were tired.
But our morale was high. We know that it will end soon and we will leave all these “army fighting in the jungle” thing behind.
Then, it happened. And this one…. I remember vividly.
THE ENEMY
We were chilling and then we saw the enemy from a far. I think it was a company size enemy. A company size means there were about 500 soldiers. But…. but….. in a simulated warfare, there will be a group of people carrying coloured flags. So if one single guy walks carrying say a green flag, it means he is representing 7 soldiers. A yellow flag represents 28 soldiers. Something like that. So it wasn’t really 500 soldiers attacking us. It was just about maybe 20 soldiers with different coloured flags.
We were excited. We were excited for our final fight. We were disappointed that it was just simulated with flags. We were hoping to see real soldiers who we can fight with. But heck. We fired away.
Since the enemy is supposed to be representing a whole lot more number of soldiers, they didn’t seem to “die”. The flags just kept walking towards us. There were umpires to keep the fight fair of course. Like I said, we didn’t care. We just kept firing. When the enemy flags kept walking towards us, we called for reinforcements. I remember this. I was in the platoon 9 sector. But the enemy fire power was too strong therefore we had the whole Charlie company to reinforce our sector. It was fun to see more people joining us into the firefight. But more people also mean, more mess.
We were excited. We were excited for our final fight. We were disappointed that it was just simulated with flags. We were hoping to see real soldiers who we can fight with. But heck. We fired away.
Since the enemy is supposed to be representing a whole lot more number of soldiers, they didn’t seem to “die”. The flags just kept walking towards us. There were umpires to keep the fight fair of course. Like I said, we didn’t care. We just kept firing. When the enemy flags kept walking towards us, we called for reinforcements. I remember this. I was in the platoon 9 sector. But the enemy fire power was too strong therefore we had the whole Charlie company to reinforce our sector. It was fun to see more people joining us into the firefight. But more people also mean, more mess.
Then suddenly I hear someone on my left shouting, “Hornet! Hornet!” I cannot remember who. Then our CSM, Sergeant Lau also shouted. “Hornet! Hornet! Retreat!” In my mind was like, alamak…. must retreat. Then when everyone was retreating, Sergeant Lau gave loud shout, “go!”. I saw him struggling. Apparently he was stung by hornets. I wonder why he didn’t run. I realised he dropped his spectacles and was struggling. Hornets were swarming him. I took out my smoke grenade and threw it to his area. As the smoke exploded and started filling the air, I ran towards Sergeant Lau and pulled him through the smoke and away from the area. It all happened so fast. It wasn’t like I took a short nap while waiting for the smoke to appear.
As I pulled him through the smoke and away from the area, I felt a sharp jolting pain on my left wrist. It was my first time getting stung by hornets. Just 2 stings but it had these shock feeling. I remember I shouted “aarrghh!” and dropped to the ground. It was very quick, short sharp jabbing pain with a shocking sensation. I quickly got to my feet and continued pulling Sergeant Lau to a safer area which was the main track with the medic and the rest of the safety personnel.
When we reached the track, the safety personnels checked on us. A number of us got stung. Some have started swelling. It was funny. When all of us were accounted for, we heard them announcing, “EXERCISE CUT!” The magic word. THE magic word. And with that, our chiong sua days came to an end. In one of the day, in the year 2011… ATEC 2 was over. I cannot even remember when. It was just sometime in 2011. 11 years since we enlisted.
As I pulled him through the smoke and away from the area, I felt a sharp jolting pain on my left wrist. It was my first time getting stung by hornets. Just 2 stings but it had these shock feeling. I remember I shouted “aarrghh!” and dropped to the ground. It was very quick, short sharp jabbing pain with a shocking sensation. I quickly got to my feet and continued pulling Sergeant Lau to a safer area which was the main track with the medic and the rest of the safety personnel.
When we reached the track, the safety personnels checked on us. A number of us got stung. Some have started swelling. It was funny. When all of us were accounted for, we heard them announcing, “EXERCISE CUT!” The magic word. THE magic word. And with that, our chiong sua days came to an end. In one of the day, in the year 2011… ATEC 2 was over. I cannot even remember when. It was just sometime in 2011. 11 years since we enlisted.
AFTER THAT
After that… I cannot remember much except that I was enduring the swell on my left arm for days. I received a good service medal for the Hornet Adventure. I didn’t care about anything. ATEC was over. No more chiong sua. We made it. What was the redcon score? I cannot remember either. As long as we didn’t have to redo it.
3 more cycles, and my unit will be done.
In retrospect, it was bitter sweet. But at that time, it was a relief. Especially when the swelling subsides. Anyway, we are not done yet. 3 more cycles. A few more blog posts to go.
3 more cycles, and my unit will be done.
In retrospect, it was bitter sweet. But at that time, it was a relief. Especially when the swelling subsides. Anyway, we are not done yet. 3 more cycles. A few more blog posts to go.
Memories fade. Hornet sting scar hasn't.
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The last time I posted in this blog series, we still didn't have AI generated image. That was 1 year ago. So fast. Anyway this is just an image of us chilling at the canteen.
Ok let's get back to blogging. I have a few more topics left before I finally conclude this Army Series blog.
It has been a long while since I last wrote my last post. Pretty much due to being unmotivated. As mentioned, the viewership for this website is actually pretty low. But I also noticed that the bulk of the visits to this website, most particularly blog, is the army series. Apparently it is quite popular. And also I have received a number of encouraging comments, and link up with past army personnels who enjoy the posts. Therefore, I thought I should just finish this.
Another reason is, I am worried that my posts could be revealing sensitive army information. But recently since the advent of Tiktok, I saw that there are a lot of army posts. There are also videos such as "Our Singaporean Son" series on youtube. So I guess, whatever that I mention here can be seen visually on these posts and videos. I guess it should be ok.
Anyway, if there are any readers here who enjoy these posts who would like to sponsor my works, be it my theatre works or writing works, do let me know ok. It's a long shot but worth a try. Maybe I should compile these blog posts into a book. What do you think? Will anyone buy?
Well let's get going. I have been preparing for the next few posts for a while now. Simply because I have been having a hard time trying to remember the events. So yes. That is the initial point of this blog. To document before my memory fails. So let's go.
MAKEUP ICT
deferred my ICT 4 and 5. I had some important jobs to do and also because I didn't want to be sent to Platoon Sergeant Course. I mentioned these in my previous post. Also, I got quite fed up as how the ICT was run. The load, both physical and workload that we had to do because we were down in the number of personnels, the low sleep hours just to cover these workload, I think it is unfair. So if these people can ponteng, so can I. So I did.
Of course the army will not let you go so easily. Since I deferred 2 ICTs, I had to make up for them. Which honestly I didn't mind because it means I won't be doing the stressful workload in my own unit.
Of course the army will not let you go so easily. Since I deferred 2 ICTs, I had to make up for them. Which honestly I didn't mind because it means I won't be doing the stressful workload in my own unit.
MAKE UP ICT 1
This is a mystery. I tried so hard to remember this one but I simply cannot. It just disappeared from my memory. I tried looking up my NS records online. They have been deleted. Effectively telling me that the army is an erased past of my life. I don't even remember when.
I can only roughly remember that I slept at a training shed in Pasir Laba Camp. I think...... I think only la... I was tasked with the other people who had to do the makeup to become the "enemy" for some unit. I roughly remember the word "OPFOR" in some signs. It is a very hazy memory. The only thing that I was sure is that it was a very short ICT. Less than a week. So it was a Low Key ICT. This ICT will become an annoying factor once I reached my 10th reservist cycle. Hopefully I will remember to mention this in the future 10th ICT post.
I can only roughly remember that I slept at a training shed in Pasir Laba Camp. I think...... I think only la... I was tasked with the other people who had to do the makeup to become the "enemy" for some unit. I roughly remember the word "OPFOR" in some signs. It is a very hazy memory. The only thing that I was sure is that it was a very short ICT. Less than a week. So it was a Low Key ICT. This ICT will become an annoying factor once I reached my 10th reservist cycle. Hopefully I will remember to mention this in the future 10th ICT post.
MAKE UP ICT 2
This one I can remember a bit. Let me try.
I remember it was a Monday. I reported to Jurong Camp 2. There were a number of us from my own unit 662 Guards. I think maybe about 30 of us. We then headed to the auditorium wondering what we were doing there. The guys said that this is a Make Up ICT for the ICT that we missed. But what exactly are we supposed to do, none of us knew.
I cannot remember the content of the briefing. I could only remember being very happy that finally we will have a "slack" ICT. We will all be attached to become umpires for another unit's ATEC 2. Ok la. Quite slack I think. Just follow them. Give them scores. Still have to walk in the jungles with them but at least no need to carry full battle order. 5 days of hiking and enjoying nature. Fresh rations (no need to eat combat rations). I'll take it. This is going to be fun.
Hahaha. Combat rations. I thought I didn't have to eat them. As we are umpires for the reservist unit on ATEC, we will be attached to different platoons of the battalion. The battalion will start their ATEC on Monday but the first 2 days will usually be planning. They will only go to the field on Tuesday, earliest. So we can slack in the bunk and only go out on Tuesday evening. That's a good deal. Unfortunately, somehow....... myself and another friend, Yi Wei got attached to the Batallion recce team. We were only told about it on Monday evening after dinner. Since it is a recce team, it means they have to go into the jungle earlier than their own unit to recce. Basket... So meaning, Yi Wei and I had to follow the recce team and head to the jungle immediately. The Enciks from ATEC who were in charge of us were very nice. They said... it was just our luck. The rest will only leave camp on Tuesday, but we had to leave now. They packed for us combat rations and gave us extra bread and chocolates and pocari sweat as a "gift". I wasn't upset la. I was just.... alamak..... just my luck. So I still had to eat combat rations for Day 1.
So Yi Wei and I were sent to meet our Recce team. I honestly cannot remember their unit. I think there were about 7 of them. One section. They were nice people. Only one Malay guy. I don't remember their names or how they look like. They were in camo already anyway.
We board the lorry and travelled to Mandai. I remember we unloaded in between Peirce and Seletar Reservoir. It was about 12am. I was sleepy. The recce team then settled themselves into the vegetation. I told them that if they are to rest, make sure they have assigned their rotational patrol teams. They said, they have everything under control. They had their rest in the camouflage of the thick vegetation. Yi Wei and I took our rest too but we slept facing the track where there were less mosquitoes. I remember while we were sleeping, Yi Wei woke me up twice. Once because a family of wild boars walked past us and another time was because he sprayed the fruity smelling mosquito repellant on himself and then got stung by bees instead.
Before daybreak, we started walking. It was quite an easy walk as we are familiar with the area. Basically we had to walk from the Peirce reservoir area, skirt along BKE and head towards the Marsiling training area at Lorong Asrama. The recce team were also familiar with the area. It has been used many times therefore the tracks and paths are very clear. So it was quite a leisurely walk. I think this track is already open to the public already now. I think you can cycle there because I see track marks on the Street Directory. And yes... we ate combat rations because the main body will only join us on Wednesday early morning.
I remember it was a Monday. I reported to Jurong Camp 2. There were a number of us from my own unit 662 Guards. I think maybe about 30 of us. We then headed to the auditorium wondering what we were doing there. The guys said that this is a Make Up ICT for the ICT that we missed. But what exactly are we supposed to do, none of us knew.
I cannot remember the content of the briefing. I could only remember being very happy that finally we will have a "slack" ICT. We will all be attached to become umpires for another unit's ATEC 2. Ok la. Quite slack I think. Just follow them. Give them scores. Still have to walk in the jungles with them but at least no need to carry full battle order. 5 days of hiking and enjoying nature. Fresh rations (no need to eat combat rations). I'll take it. This is going to be fun.
Hahaha. Combat rations. I thought I didn't have to eat them. As we are umpires for the reservist unit on ATEC, we will be attached to different platoons of the battalion. The battalion will start their ATEC on Monday but the first 2 days will usually be planning. They will only go to the field on Tuesday, earliest. So we can slack in the bunk and only go out on Tuesday evening. That's a good deal. Unfortunately, somehow....... myself and another friend, Yi Wei got attached to the Batallion recce team. We were only told about it on Monday evening after dinner. Since it is a recce team, it means they have to go into the jungle earlier than their own unit to recce. Basket... So meaning, Yi Wei and I had to follow the recce team and head to the jungle immediately. The Enciks from ATEC who were in charge of us were very nice. They said... it was just our luck. The rest will only leave camp on Tuesday, but we had to leave now. They packed for us combat rations and gave us extra bread and chocolates and pocari sweat as a "gift". I wasn't upset la. I was just.... alamak..... just my luck. So I still had to eat combat rations for Day 1.
So Yi Wei and I were sent to meet our Recce team. I honestly cannot remember their unit. I think there were about 7 of them. One section. They were nice people. Only one Malay guy. I don't remember their names or how they look like. They were in camo already anyway.
We board the lorry and travelled to Mandai. I remember we unloaded in between Peirce and Seletar Reservoir. It was about 12am. I was sleepy. The recce team then settled themselves into the vegetation. I told them that if they are to rest, make sure they have assigned their rotational patrol teams. They said, they have everything under control. They had their rest in the camouflage of the thick vegetation. Yi Wei and I took our rest too but we slept facing the track where there were less mosquitoes. I remember while we were sleeping, Yi Wei woke me up twice. Once because a family of wild boars walked past us and another time was because he sprayed the fruity smelling mosquito repellant on himself and then got stung by bees instead.
Before daybreak, we started walking. It was quite an easy walk as we are familiar with the area. Basically we had to walk from the Peirce reservoir area, skirt along BKE and head towards the Marsiling training area at Lorong Asrama. The recce team were also familiar with the area. It has been used many times therefore the tracks and paths are very clear. So it was quite a leisurely walk. I think this track is already open to the public already now. I think you can cycle there because I see track marks on the Street Directory. And yes... we ate combat rations because the main body will only join us on Wednesday early morning.
I guess you can cycle along these tracks now.
The Malay guy I mentioned, he will always stop to pray at the 5 prayer times. But he prayed in a strange way. I observed but never asked. He will always ask his Sergeant for 5 minutes during prayer time. And then he will sit quietly under his camo scarf. And then... done. Still a mystery to me.
The night came again. This one I remember very clearly. The recce team said we have to head to the Gali Batu Flyover. I thought they were using it as marker for their rest point. But they literally went there. We head underneath the flyover. There were 2 black trash bags. One had styrofoam packets of chicken rice. The other had can drinks with packed ice. The team took one each, turned to us and said, "Sergeant... we got for you also." Hahahhaha. It was funny. They managed to have those delivered there. So cool. So ok la. Something other than combat rations. After a good rest, we continued walking to the meet up point with the rest of the battalion.
Here onwards, I cannot remember. The last image I have in my head is, the battalion finally linked up with us. I remember I hear the soldiers echoing calling for "Sergeant Anwar!!" I replied that I am in front of the line. They echoed back, "He is in front!". I then see the ATEC Encik walking up the line looking for me. He reached me, tapped me on my shoulder asking if I am ok. I said yes. He gave me more bread. Stuffed them into my pants and SBO pockets.
Even though those are all the things I can remember about this ICT, I can remember clearly that it was a nice ICT. A welcome change to the stressful ICT 1 to 3. Somehow this was a High Key ICT so it was definitely more than 5 days. But I really cannot remember anything after this.
All the more reason for me to quickly finish up the rest of the posts in this series.
Thank you for reading and following me thus far. Let's look forward to the next post, ATEC 2!
Categories : The Army Series
Click here to navigate: Blog Table of Contents
The night came again. This one I remember very clearly. The recce team said we have to head to the Gali Batu Flyover. I thought they were using it as marker for their rest point. But they literally went there. We head underneath the flyover. There were 2 black trash bags. One had styrofoam packets of chicken rice. The other had can drinks with packed ice. The team took one each, turned to us and said, "Sergeant... we got for you also." Hahahhaha. It was funny. They managed to have those delivered there. So cool. So ok la. Something other than combat rations. After a good rest, we continued walking to the meet up point with the rest of the battalion.
Here onwards, I cannot remember. The last image I have in my head is, the battalion finally linked up with us. I remember I hear the soldiers echoing calling for "Sergeant Anwar!!" I replied that I am in front of the line. They echoed back, "He is in front!". I then see the ATEC Encik walking up the line looking for me. He reached me, tapped me on my shoulder asking if I am ok. I said yes. He gave me more bread. Stuffed them into my pants and SBO pockets.
Even though those are all the things I can remember about this ICT, I can remember clearly that it was a nice ICT. A welcome change to the stressful ICT 1 to 3. Somehow this was a High Key ICT so it was definitely more than 5 days. But I really cannot remember anything after this.
All the more reason for me to quickly finish up the rest of the posts in this series.
Thank you for reading and following me thus far. Let's look forward to the next post, ATEC 2!
Categories : The Army Series
Click here to navigate: Blog Table of Contents
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Unbelievable.
The last time I posted in this series was 2 years ago. Ok I have to admit I was unmotivated. But ok, here we go again. Let's do this. On the 25th anniversary of my enlistment, I will post this blog post!
Yes. I was enlisted on the 13th of June 2000. Time flies. It was 25 years ago. But no. I don't want to go through it all over again. Never. No.
I also realised that I am forgetting more things about my NS days. Just like what I have mentioned before in my previous posts. I must document them before I forget everything.
Ok so, the last post was about reservist cycle 2 and 3. I remember how much I hated the lack of sleep, the shortage of manpower and we had to double up our roles. I remember I was the platoon commander during the 3rd ICT. Before we ended ICT 3, I was told that I would have to attend a Platoon Sergeant course and be promoted but I told them I would never attend a course as an nsman. You could do it during active time but not as an NSman. So I told them I would defer my remaining In Camp Training until they have changed their mind.
So yes. I deferred my unit's ICT 4 and 5
The last time I posted in this series was 2 years ago. Ok I have to admit I was unmotivated. But ok, here we go again. Let's do this. On the 25th anniversary of my enlistment, I will post this blog post!
Yes. I was enlisted on the 13th of June 2000. Time flies. It was 25 years ago. But no. I don't want to go through it all over again. Never. No.
I also realised that I am forgetting more things about my NS days. Just like what I have mentioned before in my previous posts. I must document them before I forget everything.
Ok so, the last post was about reservist cycle 2 and 3. I remember how much I hated the lack of sleep, the shortage of manpower and we had to double up our roles. I remember I was the platoon commander during the 3rd ICT. Before we ended ICT 3, I was told that I would have to attend a Platoon Sergeant course and be promoted but I told them I would never attend a course as an nsman. You could do it during active time but not as an NSman. So I told them I would defer my remaining In Camp Training until they have changed their mind.
So yes. I deferred my unit's ICT 4 and 5
I deferred my ICT 4 in 2007 to do this. Gentarasa 2007. Hahaha still firing guns.
I deferred my ICT 5 in 2008 to do this. Kallang Roar 2008.
ATEC 1
This ICT is ATEC 1.
To read about ATEC, click here:
https://www.anwarhadi.com/blog/exercise-wallaby-again-part-1
Or you can just google it.
Just like during active days, the unit will have to go through "tests" to assess their combat readiness. I think it was a 14 days reservist. Roughly like this,
Monday: In process / Revision
Tuesday: Revision
Wed-Fri: Proficiency Tests
Sat - Sun : Book Out
Mon: Revision
Tue-Thurs: Mission exercise
Fri: Reorganise and Pack up
Sat: Book out.
I think it was like that.
This ICT is ATEC 1.
To read about ATEC, click here:
https://www.anwarhadi.com/blog/exercise-wallaby-again-part-1
Or you can just google it.
Just like during active days, the unit will have to go through "tests" to assess their combat readiness. I think it was a 14 days reservist. Roughly like this,
Monday: In process / Revision
Tuesday: Revision
Wed-Fri: Proficiency Tests
Sat - Sun : Book Out
Mon: Revision
Tue-Thurs: Mission exercise
Fri: Reorganise and Pack up
Sat: Book out.
I think it was like that.
JURONG CAMP 2
It was my first time here. Remember the previous ICT 1-3 it was at the old Tanjong Gul Camp. But for the 4th edition onwards (which I deferred) it was held at Jurong Camp 2. I prefer it here over Tanjong Gul. It is more accessible. It's near the HDB estate. Even our bunk windows were facing the Jurong West HDB blocks and corridors. It feels less depressing. I found out recently that Tanjong Gul Camp has been demolished. So ok yeay Jurong Camp! A cleaner and better camp. I would like it here.
REVISION
We went through the normal routines to revise our SOP during battle. We also had tests for our technical handling. I was happier now as I can concentrate on my own tasks rather than doubling / tripling up for other tasks. It was much more enjoyable. It was fun also to meet old friends. I remember we had a lot of fun going through the revisions with the camp trainers. We are on our 6th year so they treated us better. Or maybe too because they have heard that we were quite a difficult and "garang" bunch. I remember snapping at these "hentak kaki" regulars in the last In Camp Training.
ICT 1 https://www.anwarhadi.com/blog/first-in-camp-training
ICT 2 & 3 https://www.anwarhadi.com/blog/ict-2-and-3
Soon we had our proficiency tests. I think we nailed it.
It was my first time here. Remember the previous ICT 1-3 it was at the old Tanjong Gul Camp. But for the 4th edition onwards (which I deferred) it was held at Jurong Camp 2. I prefer it here over Tanjong Gul. It is more accessible. It's near the HDB estate. Even our bunk windows were facing the Jurong West HDB blocks and corridors. It feels less depressing. I found out recently that Tanjong Gul Camp has been demolished. So ok yeay Jurong Camp! A cleaner and better camp. I would like it here.
REVISION
We went through the normal routines to revise our SOP during battle. We also had tests for our technical handling. I was happier now as I can concentrate on my own tasks rather than doubling / tripling up for other tasks. It was much more enjoyable. It was fun also to meet old friends. I remember we had a lot of fun going through the revisions with the camp trainers. We are on our 6th year so they treated us better. Or maybe too because they have heard that we were quite a difficult and "garang" bunch. I remember snapping at these "hentak kaki" regulars in the last In Camp Training.
ICT 1 https://www.anwarhadi.com/blog/first-in-camp-training
ICT 2 & 3 https://www.anwarhadi.com/blog/ict-2-and-3
Soon we had our proficiency tests. I think we nailed it.
MISSION EXERCISE
God.... I forgot how depressing it is to go through mission exercises. It was so tiring and depressing. I remember sleep walking through the night and cursing due to sleepiness and how drenched I was in perspiration. The nights were terrible. Clothes drenched in perspiration due to the hot and humid nights but we were also freezing when the wind blew because our clothes were wet. It was two extremes happening at the same time.
And also, being out of action for two years, I was unfit. My combat fitness was terrible. I was gasping for air. Breathless most of the time. My new friend, Sergeant Andy who just took over Section 1, a top up personnel who I have never met before looked at me and shook his head, "waaah sargeant... your combat fitness damn jialat sia..." But ok la. I didn't die.
I remember this experience too. It was quite cool.
We had to walk past the Lim Chu Kang cemeteries. We took breaks there too. It was nothing new to us. Some of the top up guys were scared. A number of them talked to me and said, "is this normal? to walk here at night?" I said it was normal and just enjoy the view and experience. There were some things we did that I cannot mention here. You can meet me and ask and I will share if I can remember.
God.... I forgot how depressing it is to go through mission exercises. It was so tiring and depressing. I remember sleep walking through the night and cursing due to sleepiness and how drenched I was in perspiration. The nights were terrible. Clothes drenched in perspiration due to the hot and humid nights but we were also freezing when the wind blew because our clothes were wet. It was two extremes happening at the same time.
And also, being out of action for two years, I was unfit. My combat fitness was terrible. I was gasping for air. Breathless most of the time. My new friend, Sergeant Andy who just took over Section 1, a top up personnel who I have never met before looked at me and shook his head, "waaah sargeant... your combat fitness damn jialat sia..." But ok la. I didn't die.
I remember this experience too. It was quite cool.
We had to walk past the Lim Chu Kang cemeteries. We took breaks there too. It was nothing new to us. Some of the top up guys were scared. A number of them talked to me and said, "is this normal? to walk here at night?" I said it was normal and just enjoy the view and experience. There were some things we did that I cannot mention here. You can meet me and ask and I will share if I can remember.
FINAL MISSION
This was the most memorable. I was max tired already. "Shagged out" as the army would say.
The mission was to capture a build up area in Lim Chu Kang. So meaning, it would be buildings and not some forested hills. I was happy when I got to know this, meaning, when we manage to capture it, we can rest in the buildings instead of digging shell scrapes to hide in and protect the area. You see, once we capture the objectives, we will be required to protect it from enemy reinforcements or counter attacks. So if it is a hill or roads or something, we would have to dig holes called shell scrapes in the ground to take cover while protecting it. But in build up areas and buildings, we didn't have to dig. Just stay in the buildings and rooms facing possible enemy reinforcements.
So yes, high morale heading towards the build up area.
Then suddenly, I was given a separate mission.
I would be the 2IC (second in command) for a "Block Force"
Alamaaaaaaakkkk......!!
What does this mean?
So as the whole unit attack the build up area, my GPMG team, Section 1 and an 84mm mortar team will be formed into a separate task force called the "Block Force" headed by the Company 2IC. We would skirt around the buildings and walk further ahead to set up a block to prevent an enemy counter attack. Walaoweh.... so had to walk further and cannot rest in the building. Shit....
And so we walked further and planted ourselves in the forest facing a road leading to the build up areas.
This was the most memorable. I was max tired already. "Shagged out" as the army would say.
The mission was to capture a build up area in Lim Chu Kang. So meaning, it would be buildings and not some forested hills. I was happy when I got to know this, meaning, when we manage to capture it, we can rest in the buildings instead of digging shell scrapes to hide in and protect the area. You see, once we capture the objectives, we will be required to protect it from enemy reinforcements or counter attacks. So if it is a hill or roads or something, we would have to dig holes called shell scrapes in the ground to take cover while protecting it. But in build up areas and buildings, we didn't have to dig. Just stay in the buildings and rooms facing possible enemy reinforcements.
So yes, high morale heading towards the build up area.
Then suddenly, I was given a separate mission.
I would be the 2IC (second in command) for a "Block Force"
Alamaaaaaaakkkk......!!
What does this mean?
So as the whole unit attack the build up area, my GPMG team, Section 1 and an 84mm mortar team will be formed into a separate task force called the "Block Force" headed by the Company 2IC. We would skirt around the buildings and walk further ahead to set up a block to prevent an enemy counter attack. Walaoweh.... so had to walk further and cannot rest in the building. Shit....
And so we walked further and planted ourselves in the forest facing a road leading to the build up areas.
We could hear our unit fighting in the buildings behind us but we were not in the firefight. Ok la. Maybe it's not so bad. At least we don't have to fight. But... I actually wanted a firefight. I mean, since I was already attending reservist duties and already walked for kilometres, might as well fight right?
So we didn't fight, we just waited there in case of any enemy reinforcements.
The dawn attack turned to day. It was bright daylight and we were in the vegetation and imagining our unit in the comfortable buildings. Sian...
I cannot remember why but our Company 2IC wasn't there already. Maybe he was attending to something. So I was left in charge of 1 section of 7 men. 1 team of 84mm mortar made up of 3 men and my GPMG team of 2 men.
And then I heard in the comms that the enemy was coming back to capture back our objective. Ok la! Block Force it is our turn to fight! We got comms from the recce team that the enemy will be facing us head on. Ok fine, bring it on! We were told that we will be facing an enemy force of 1 apache helicopter air strike, a platoon of soldiers and unknown number of tanks. What the Hell????!!!!! I mean it's not real but still......how to fight siaaaaaaa....
So this was funny. The airstrike came first. I remember seeing the helicopter flying overhead. I commanded my team to hide like really hide until cannot see. The helicopter flew past and did not "open fire" because they couldn't see us. Hah!! So one challenge down.
Next came the ground force of a platoon and tanks. So I played and commanded this bluff. I placed my team in separate parts of the vegetation facing the road. I told them to man their communications sets and listen to my instructions strictly. The usual SOP was to take the enemy head on and slow them down and we die because we were outnumbered anyway. How to fight tanks siaaaaa...
So I made everyone hide in different areas so much that they couldn't be seen but of course we can see them la.
Once they entered our range of fire, we didn't fire at them. We let them come even closer past the killing zone and within our hiding area. Remember they cannot see us. I remember Sergeant Fardlie did this trick in Thailand. Now it is my turn.
So we didn't fight, we just waited there in case of any enemy reinforcements.
The dawn attack turned to day. It was bright daylight and we were in the vegetation and imagining our unit in the comfortable buildings. Sian...
I cannot remember why but our Company 2IC wasn't there already. Maybe he was attending to something. So I was left in charge of 1 section of 7 men. 1 team of 84mm mortar made up of 3 men and my GPMG team of 2 men.
And then I heard in the comms that the enemy was coming back to capture back our objective. Ok la! Block Force it is our turn to fight! We got comms from the recce team that the enemy will be facing us head on. Ok fine, bring it on! We were told that we will be facing an enemy force of 1 apache helicopter air strike, a platoon of soldiers and unknown number of tanks. What the Hell????!!!!! I mean it's not real but still......how to fight siaaaaaaa....
So this was funny. The airstrike came first. I remember seeing the helicopter flying overhead. I commanded my team to hide like really hide until cannot see. The helicopter flew past and did not "open fire" because they couldn't see us. Hah!! So one challenge down.
Next came the ground force of a platoon and tanks. So I played and commanded this bluff. I placed my team in separate parts of the vegetation facing the road. I told them to man their communications sets and listen to my instructions strictly. The usual SOP was to take the enemy head on and slow them down and we die because we were outnumbered anyway. How to fight tanks siaaaaa...
So I made everyone hide in different areas so much that they couldn't be seen but of course we can see them la.
Once they entered our range of fire, we didn't fire at them. We let them come even closer past the killing zone and within our hiding area. Remember they cannot see us. I remember Sergeant Fardlie did this trick in Thailand. Now it is my turn.
They came near and we started firing at my command. But we didn't blast everything. They were listening to my comms via the signal sets. So it was... "Section 1 group 1 fire! Group 1 stop. Group 2 fire! Group 2 stop! MG fire! Mg stop! 84 fire! 84 stop! Law gunners fire! Law Stop! Group 3 fire! Group 3 stop! MG fire!!" Repeat a number of times.
I remember I had fun orchestrating this random firing sequence. I mean it's not real but we used blank bullets and it was the sounds that matter. The enemy was surrounded by incessant sounds coming from around them they didn't know how many people were shooting at them. It was just non stop surround sounds around them and the random flashbangs to simulate 84 mm mortars and Light Anti-tank Weapons. And since it was orchestrated, our rounds were sounded non stop as if we had hundreds of men around them. Hahahhahaha! It was funny. They then retreated and I heard over the comms saying "Enemy retreated. Enemy firepower too strong!" Hahahhahaha. They lost to sounds of explosions and gunshots around them played by 12 men! Soon after we were told to come back to the build up area.
The 12 of us reached the build up area welcomed by our officers like heroes! They congratulated us saying job well done by the block force! I remember they were shaking our hands for preventing the air strike and tanks. It was so funny! And the moment we entered the buildings, they declared Exercise Cut! ATEC 1 ends!
The Atec commanders looked for us and congratulated us for stopping the counter attack. I am smiling as I type these. It was funny receiving congratulatory handshakes by so many people. They really believed that we planted a lot of men in the block force and it was a success. The 12 of us just laughed amongst ourselves but ok we were happy that it ended.
At the end of the ICT ceremony, our unit 662 Battalion Singapore Guards were given Redcon 1 status, the highest achievement for ATEC. The Block Force was commended and I received a good service medal.
So ok. ATEC 1 ended. It wasn't so bad. Good memories that I can remember till today so far.
We left Jurong Camp after that looking forward for ICT 7 (ICT 5 for me) ready for ATEC 2! Bring it on!
Categories: The Army Series
*Leave a comment if you like this post. Hopefully it will motivate me to write more army posts in the future. Thanks!*
I remember I had fun orchestrating this random firing sequence. I mean it's not real but we used blank bullets and it was the sounds that matter. The enemy was surrounded by incessant sounds coming from around them they didn't know how many people were shooting at them. It was just non stop surround sounds around them and the random flashbangs to simulate 84 mm mortars and Light Anti-tank Weapons. And since it was orchestrated, our rounds were sounded non stop as if we had hundreds of men around them. Hahahhahaha! It was funny. They then retreated and I heard over the comms saying "Enemy retreated. Enemy firepower too strong!" Hahahhahaha. They lost to sounds of explosions and gunshots around them played by 12 men! Soon after we were told to come back to the build up area.
The 12 of us reached the build up area welcomed by our officers like heroes! They congratulated us saying job well done by the block force! I remember they were shaking our hands for preventing the air strike and tanks. It was so funny! And the moment we entered the buildings, they declared Exercise Cut! ATEC 1 ends!
The Atec commanders looked for us and congratulated us for stopping the counter attack. I am smiling as I type these. It was funny receiving congratulatory handshakes by so many people. They really believed that we planted a lot of men in the block force and it was a success. The 12 of us just laughed amongst ourselves but ok we were happy that it ended.
At the end of the ICT ceremony, our unit 662 Battalion Singapore Guards were given Redcon 1 status, the highest achievement for ATEC. The Block Force was commended and I received a good service medal.
So ok. ATEC 1 ended. It wasn't so bad. Good memories that I can remember till today so far.
We left Jurong Camp after that looking forward for ICT 7 (ICT 5 for me) ready for ATEC 2! Bring it on!
Categories: The Army Series
*Leave a comment if you like this post. Hopefully it will motivate me to write more army posts in the future. Thanks!*
- Published on
An open letter to Yishun
After almost 40 years of living in Yishun, I moved out temporarily to another place.
Today marks my 5th month here.
So here is my open letter to Yishun
Dear Yishun,
It has been 5 months.
And looking out from this window, I have seen much more weird things in these 5 months than my 40 years in Yishun.
Yes.
More in 5 months, compared to 40 years.
And they say Yishun is weird.
I’ve said it in one of my stage play scripts. Those people don’t know what they are saying. They are just looking for a scapegoat to ease their insecurities. Or rather, to hide (or show) their lack of knowledge or awareness. I know of many other places weirder, which is weird that they don’t know. I don’t have to say where these places are. Maybe just Geylang is enough.
Anyway, the 5 months I’ve been here has proved it.
Let me list down the things that has happened here, behind these windows, that I didn’t see in my 40 years in Yishun.
So that’s all I can think and list down for now. I have never seen these things in my 40 years in Yishun. Maybe it is normal to some people. Which actually emphasises my point. If it is normal to them and their place, then how are these places less weird than Yishun.
It is ok. Empty vessel makes the most noise. They are just looking for a scapegoat. Humans are like that.
Anyway Yishun, I will be back. Hopefully sooner than expected. In the meantime, just be yourself. You do you. Let others say whatever they want.
Wait for my return.
Till then, take care.
Regards
Me
Today marks my 5th month here.
So here is my open letter to Yishun
Dear Yishun,
It has been 5 months.
And looking out from this window, I have seen much more weird things in these 5 months than my 40 years in Yishun.
Yes.
More in 5 months, compared to 40 years.
And they say Yishun is weird.
I’ve said it in one of my stage play scripts. Those people don’t know what they are saying. They are just looking for a scapegoat to ease their insecurities. Or rather, to hide (or show) their lack of knowledge or awareness. I know of many other places weirder, which is weird that they don’t know. I don’t have to say where these places are. Maybe just Geylang is enough.
Anyway, the 5 months I’ve been here has proved it.
Let me list down the things that has happened here, behind these windows, that I didn’t see in my 40 years in Yishun.
- Drunkards sitting at the community bench and making a ruckus till early morning. Even with closed windows, I can still hear them. They are still making a ruckus as I am typing this.
- No police patrol to shut these drunkards up. Yes. That is weird to me.
- A woman running along the pavement shouting for help. As I looked out the window, there was no one chasing her.
- A toddler lying on a bench and crying alone across the road.
- A stabbing across the road.
- People lepaking outside a block. This is funny. People usually lepak at the void deck. But these people plant their seats and lepak beside the void deck.
- Another weird lepaking habit is chilling, eating and facetiming at a carpark lot. Yes. At the carpark lots. And then he wonder why anyone would want to park there.
- Bats hanging on the roofs. Yes I have seen bats in HDB estates. It’s common. But this one is really at the roofs beside the lifts. They just nest there.
- One bat made it into one of my room one day without me knowing and got stuck behind my shelf. There was no noise or anything. One day when I shifted the shelf to rearrange the room, I found it dead and dried up there.
- A neighbour screaming for help or assistance or I don’t know… don’t understand the language except for the random English words. She wasn’t alone. There were other people in the house. I don’t know if they were quarrelling or what. Twice. Both times at about 3am and lasted a couple of hours.
- There was once a budgie got lost and played around the corridor. It was friendly. Obviously it is a lost pet. Hopefully it has found its home.
- The lift is tiny. Can only fit 4 thin adults.
- Ooooh… and the smell in the air. It smells like shit from a farm. Not exactly chicken shit. Maybe fertiliser or just whatever shit it can be. This happens on hot days and rainy days. Can happen in the day or night.
- Not everything is bad though. The cleaning service here is very efficient. Put something at the common dustbin, it disappears quickly.
So that’s all I can think and list down for now. I have never seen these things in my 40 years in Yishun. Maybe it is normal to some people. Which actually emphasises my point. If it is normal to them and their place, then how are these places less weird than Yishun.
It is ok. Empty vessel makes the most noise. They are just looking for a scapegoat. Humans are like that.
Anyway Yishun, I will be back. Hopefully sooner than expected. In the meantime, just be yourself. You do you. Let others say whatever they want.
Wait for my return.
Till then, take care.
Regards
Me
- Published on
Today I am going to write about CCAs. When I was in school, it was still called ECA or Extra Curricular Activities. “Extra” because they weren’t compulsory. But when the name was changed to Co-Curricular Activities, I believe it is suppose to be participated in line with academic studies with equal importance weightage. But I am not sure why it doesn’t seem to be the case.
And also, I am very puzzled about parents who seem to have an issue with their children participating in CCA activities. I mean, these parents are mostly around my age now who understand how CCA works or have been in schools with CCA. Even the system didn’t change much. I have Boomer parents and they understand how CCA works, but these Gen X and Y parents? I don’t know. To each its own. To me, if your child is already clever, a CCA won’t make him/her stupid. If they’re not in the first place, a CCA will definitely make them better.
Anyway, everyone has a degree nowadays right?
So even if your child graduates with a perfect GPA score, there will be other students who will have the same score. So what makes your child different? To me, it is always the CCA.
And to add, I also have no idea why students nowadays struggle to balance academic and CCA. Technology is more advanced now but yet people struggle. I mean I know why but, no one will believe if I say it. You know how phones are smartphones now, thus many will use the phone to think rather than their own brain.
Anyway, here I would like to pen down my CCA activities before my memory fails.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
In primary school, we were only allowed to sign up in ECAs in primary 3.
BADMINTON
I took up badminton first. I quit after a month or so because the coach who was also a teacher would only speak Mandarin to everyone. I didn’t understand what he was saying, he didn’t bother to speak English or translate to me.
MALAY DANCE
My teacher then told me to join Malay Dance. I didn’t like it but at least I understood what the teachers say. Back then there were no ECA instructors. The teachers were the instructors. My first dance was “Kenek-Kenek la Udang”. The girl who partnered me was a primary 5 kakak. She was so much taller than me. Well I didn’t like it. I quit after a while.
SOCCER
Of course, the number one sport in Singapore then. And yes I call it Soccer because a name is a name. And contrary to many beliefs, soccer is not an American word. It is British. Brought to America by them.
Same thing, the coach was the teacher. I have bad memories with soccer both in primary and secondary school. It is always the Mats who talk loud and just keep running with the ball who will get selected for the school team. No tactics, no passes. Just dribbling and lose the ball and dribble again and lose again and then curse and rant and swear. But it is ok. They get trashed in every inter-school games because of exactly that. I just come to CCA and play with my geek friends. During inter-class tournaments, the geeks will always win anyway. Because? Brain.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
I also took part in other activities that I cannot remember exactly now. There were some poetry and oratorical events. I do remember taking part in Syair recital competitions. I think it was from primary 3 onwards and I will always get 1st or 2nd placing.
SECONDARY SCHOOL
NPCC
Ok the uniform looked cool and the prospects were interesting. I thought I would learn police work but it ended to be marching and marching and punishments. Where is the gun? Nope nothing. Just a bunch of macam faham seniors having a knack of abusing power. So nope. Quit in sec 2.
SOCCER
Same thing as in primary school. Lousy players who only talk big and dribble blindly. School team got trashed double digits in every game. We always say, “you all play soccer or badminton sia?” So I just come and play with my geek friends, mostly express stream students. Same thing, in inter-class games, the geeks always win.
I remember there was this “scout”. I still doubt his credibility. He came to me during an inter-class game and said he wanted me to play in the National Under 14 team. Training will be in the afternoons of certain days. I told my father about it and he disallowed. A friend of mine did go. Apparently it was only the 2 of us who were called up. After that there were photos of him everywhere in school playing for the National team. Somehow I didn’t feel disappointed because I had a feeling that there would be more macam faham people there. So it’s ok. I just want to enjoy my games.
SEPAK TAKRAW
This one also was a boring sport and CCA. But I just played whenever I feel like it. Didn’t want to play for school either. I just want to play with my geek friends.
MALAY LDDS
This one was ok. We just did debate and pantun and sing songs during school events. Especially Hari Raya concerts.
And also, I am very puzzled about parents who seem to have an issue with their children participating in CCA activities. I mean, these parents are mostly around my age now who understand how CCA works or have been in schools with CCA. Even the system didn’t change much. I have Boomer parents and they understand how CCA works, but these Gen X and Y parents? I don’t know. To each its own. To me, if your child is already clever, a CCA won’t make him/her stupid. If they’re not in the first place, a CCA will definitely make them better.
Anyway, everyone has a degree nowadays right?
So even if your child graduates with a perfect GPA score, there will be other students who will have the same score. So what makes your child different? To me, it is always the CCA.
And to add, I also have no idea why students nowadays struggle to balance academic and CCA. Technology is more advanced now but yet people struggle. I mean I know why but, no one will believe if I say it. You know how phones are smartphones now, thus many will use the phone to think rather than their own brain.
Anyway, here I would like to pen down my CCA activities before my memory fails.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
In primary school, we were only allowed to sign up in ECAs in primary 3.
BADMINTON
I took up badminton first. I quit after a month or so because the coach who was also a teacher would only speak Mandarin to everyone. I didn’t understand what he was saying, he didn’t bother to speak English or translate to me.
MALAY DANCE
My teacher then told me to join Malay Dance. I didn’t like it but at least I understood what the teachers say. Back then there were no ECA instructors. The teachers were the instructors. My first dance was “Kenek-Kenek la Udang”. The girl who partnered me was a primary 5 kakak. She was so much taller than me. Well I didn’t like it. I quit after a while.
SOCCER
Of course, the number one sport in Singapore then. And yes I call it Soccer because a name is a name. And contrary to many beliefs, soccer is not an American word. It is British. Brought to America by them.
Same thing, the coach was the teacher. I have bad memories with soccer both in primary and secondary school. It is always the Mats who talk loud and just keep running with the ball who will get selected for the school team. No tactics, no passes. Just dribbling and lose the ball and dribble again and lose again and then curse and rant and swear. But it is ok. They get trashed in every inter-school games because of exactly that. I just come to CCA and play with my geek friends. During inter-class tournaments, the geeks will always win anyway. Because? Brain.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
I also took part in other activities that I cannot remember exactly now. There were some poetry and oratorical events. I do remember taking part in Syair recital competitions. I think it was from primary 3 onwards and I will always get 1st or 2nd placing.
SECONDARY SCHOOL
NPCC
Ok the uniform looked cool and the prospects were interesting. I thought I would learn police work but it ended to be marching and marching and punishments. Where is the gun? Nope nothing. Just a bunch of macam faham seniors having a knack of abusing power. So nope. Quit in sec 2.
SOCCER
Same thing as in primary school. Lousy players who only talk big and dribble blindly. School team got trashed double digits in every game. We always say, “you all play soccer or badminton sia?” So I just come and play with my geek friends, mostly express stream students. Same thing, in inter-class games, the geeks always win.
I remember there was this “scout”. I still doubt his credibility. He came to me during an inter-class game and said he wanted me to play in the National Under 14 team. Training will be in the afternoons of certain days. I told my father about it and he disallowed. A friend of mine did go. Apparently it was only the 2 of us who were called up. After that there were photos of him everywhere in school playing for the National team. Somehow I didn’t feel disappointed because I had a feeling that there would be more macam faham people there. So it’s ok. I just want to enjoy my games.
SEPAK TAKRAW
This one also was a boring sport and CCA. But I just played whenever I feel like it. Didn’t want to play for school either. I just want to play with my geek friends.
MALAY LDDS
This one was ok. We just did debate and pantun and sing songs during school events. Especially Hari Raya concerts.
This is me in the CCA rooms office. See if you can see the date on the board.
POLYTECHNIC
So enough of macam faham people, I chose to go to a polytechnic far far away. I told my parents I want to take part in many CCAs and enjoy my tertiary life. Provided I do not fail any of my academic modules. Yes, I had 9 CCAs. As much as I could and I never failed any modules or subjects. Never repeat any paper. Never got an A in any subject but it didn’t matter because there was no such thing as GPA then. A pass is a pass. No smartphones, no internet at home. Just good old time management and good fun.
VOCAL CLUB
This was my first CCA there. Academic year started in July 1997. I was already in school, practicing with my bandmates in May 1997. The club is basically a music band club. You either form your own band, our you be a vocalist. With every performance, a vocalist will be attached to the bands. So a band will have a chance to have different vocalist all the time and vice-versa. I was the vocalist in my own band so sometimes we would have female singers to sing with our band whenever we play female songs. I was also the band leader, rhythm guitarist and keyboardist. We played in at least 4 concerts a year.
TP PACE-SETTER
This one is actually a student ambassadors club. We had to attend grooming, table etiquette, public speaking and conversation courses. We also had our own tailor-made blazer, shirt, pants, belt, tie and name tag. Once we completed all these, we will be tasked to do ambassadorial duties for the school.
Funny memory about this CCA was, my lecturer sent my name for selection. She said because I was very outgoing and popular in school. Thanks to the many many other CCAs I joined, I made quite a network. But I was a bandboy. So I had long hair. She said, just go and see how it goes.
On the day I registered, the staff in charge said I have to cut my hair after I am done with all the courses or I cannot be a part of the club. I said, I won’t and I don’t mind not being in it.
So I went through the course and got my uniform. On my first duty, I tied my hair back with sleek gel finish. The staff in charge panicked. She said, if the registrar sees me, I would be kicked out of the club. Again I said, I don’t mind because I didn’t want to be here in the 1st place.
So the registrar saw me while I was doing my duty. One of the duties of the registrar is to ensure discipline in the school. Like a discipline master. He saw me and walked towards me. I saw the staff in charge face turned pale. Registrar came to me and said, “first day on duty?” I said yes. “Your name tag is slanted.” He then straightened my name tag on my left chest. And then he walked away. That was all. I think I was the only PACE-SETTER who had long hair throughout my 3 years there and maybe the only one in the history and span of the club.
My best memory was when I was the flag bearer for my school, School of IT and Applied Science during a National Day Celebration.
MALAY DRAMA
Also joined in my first year. But they only do Purbawara plays which I don’t really like. But I enjoy acting, so just do it. We performed 2 major plays a year and short skits every now and then. When I was in year 3, I got to write and direct a play and I didn’t do a Purbawara play because I am a rebel like that. After that, they didn’t do Purbawara plays anymore.
MALAY CULTURAL SOCIETY
I was the head of publicity in year 3. Yeah doing publicity work in MCS events. Which also included the Malay drama plays. An interesting memory was when the students were rallying for a female dikir barat group which didn’t exist then. The Excos didn’t agree on it. I was the only member who was for it. Somehow managed to debate my way alone against 7 plus plus other members on the board. Yup I won. Alone. Thus the female Dikir Barat group was established. That batch of excos didn’t like it and never talked about it. The group just went on year after year and of course now no one knows that I made that group exist.
INFORMATION STUDIES CLUB
This one easy job. My course was called Diploma in Information Studies. It was a pretty small cohort. Only 80 students per year. So ya, just organise activities for the course.
ITAS STUDIES CLUB
This one is the same as the above but this one is for the whole school of IT and Applied Science which had 4 courses. ie. Diploma in Information Technology, Information Studies, Applied Food Science and Biotechnology. So same, just do activities for the school, especially during CCA fair and open houses.
INFORMATION GUIDES
This one quite fun to me. We would man information booths, or be information guides or conduct tours around the campus during CCA fairs, school events and open houses.
STUDENT UNION
For this one, I wasn’t involved much because my hands were already full with other CCAs. So most of the time I would just be guides during open houses and CCA fairs which you would notice, actually overlaps with the other CCAs during the events. So I would pretty much do the same job with different hats on the same day. Most fun for me was being the facilitators for freshman orientation camps.
SOCCER
Enough of the macam faham mats in primary and secondary. I just want to play for fun. So in poly, I didn’t join the polytechnic team. I joined my school team which is the School of IT and Applied Science. So basically I wasn’t involved in inter-varsity games. I played in inter-school games, playing against other schools in the polytechnic. There were 3 other schools. School of Design, Engineering and Business. I also played in the inter-diploma games and played under Diploma of IT as my course didn’t have many students.
So that’s it for schools. Is that all? I guess that would be all the CCAs in schools. I didn’t go to university so that was my last academic lap.
Eh wait, there’s more CCAs? Yes. I worked for the National Reference Library (or what was then changed to the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library) when I worked for NLB a few years after NS. Even then, I joined several “CCA”s. I was in the Staff Welfare team, pretty much doing activities for the staff just like in school. And then I joined the photography team, walking around Singapore taking photos for the library’s photo collection. And of course, soccer too where I played for the NLB team under Ministry of the Communications and the Arts (MICA) during inter-ministries tournaments. I also did a lot of writing activities for the library like writing articles for newsletters and book reviews.
So yes. Did I die?
So enough of macam faham people, I chose to go to a polytechnic far far away. I told my parents I want to take part in many CCAs and enjoy my tertiary life. Provided I do not fail any of my academic modules. Yes, I had 9 CCAs. As much as I could and I never failed any modules or subjects. Never repeat any paper. Never got an A in any subject but it didn’t matter because there was no such thing as GPA then. A pass is a pass. No smartphones, no internet at home. Just good old time management and good fun.
VOCAL CLUB
This was my first CCA there. Academic year started in July 1997. I was already in school, practicing with my bandmates in May 1997. The club is basically a music band club. You either form your own band, our you be a vocalist. With every performance, a vocalist will be attached to the bands. So a band will have a chance to have different vocalist all the time and vice-versa. I was the vocalist in my own band so sometimes we would have female singers to sing with our band whenever we play female songs. I was also the band leader, rhythm guitarist and keyboardist. We played in at least 4 concerts a year.
TP PACE-SETTER
This one is actually a student ambassadors club. We had to attend grooming, table etiquette, public speaking and conversation courses. We also had our own tailor-made blazer, shirt, pants, belt, tie and name tag. Once we completed all these, we will be tasked to do ambassadorial duties for the school.
Funny memory about this CCA was, my lecturer sent my name for selection. She said because I was very outgoing and popular in school. Thanks to the many many other CCAs I joined, I made quite a network. But I was a bandboy. So I had long hair. She said, just go and see how it goes.
On the day I registered, the staff in charge said I have to cut my hair after I am done with all the courses or I cannot be a part of the club. I said, I won’t and I don’t mind not being in it.
So I went through the course and got my uniform. On my first duty, I tied my hair back with sleek gel finish. The staff in charge panicked. She said, if the registrar sees me, I would be kicked out of the club. Again I said, I don’t mind because I didn’t want to be here in the 1st place.
So the registrar saw me while I was doing my duty. One of the duties of the registrar is to ensure discipline in the school. Like a discipline master. He saw me and walked towards me. I saw the staff in charge face turned pale. Registrar came to me and said, “first day on duty?” I said yes. “Your name tag is slanted.” He then straightened my name tag on my left chest. And then he walked away. That was all. I think I was the only PACE-SETTER who had long hair throughout my 3 years there and maybe the only one in the history and span of the club.
My best memory was when I was the flag bearer for my school, School of IT and Applied Science during a National Day Celebration.
MALAY DRAMA
Also joined in my first year. But they only do Purbawara plays which I don’t really like. But I enjoy acting, so just do it. We performed 2 major plays a year and short skits every now and then. When I was in year 3, I got to write and direct a play and I didn’t do a Purbawara play because I am a rebel like that. After that, they didn’t do Purbawara plays anymore.
MALAY CULTURAL SOCIETY
I was the head of publicity in year 3. Yeah doing publicity work in MCS events. Which also included the Malay drama plays. An interesting memory was when the students were rallying for a female dikir barat group which didn’t exist then. The Excos didn’t agree on it. I was the only member who was for it. Somehow managed to debate my way alone against 7 plus plus other members on the board. Yup I won. Alone. Thus the female Dikir Barat group was established. That batch of excos didn’t like it and never talked about it. The group just went on year after year and of course now no one knows that I made that group exist.
INFORMATION STUDIES CLUB
This one easy job. My course was called Diploma in Information Studies. It was a pretty small cohort. Only 80 students per year. So ya, just organise activities for the course.
ITAS STUDIES CLUB
This one is the same as the above but this one is for the whole school of IT and Applied Science which had 4 courses. ie. Diploma in Information Technology, Information Studies, Applied Food Science and Biotechnology. So same, just do activities for the school, especially during CCA fair and open houses.
INFORMATION GUIDES
This one quite fun to me. We would man information booths, or be information guides or conduct tours around the campus during CCA fairs, school events and open houses.
STUDENT UNION
For this one, I wasn’t involved much because my hands were already full with other CCAs. So most of the time I would just be guides during open houses and CCA fairs which you would notice, actually overlaps with the other CCAs during the events. So I would pretty much do the same job with different hats on the same day. Most fun for me was being the facilitators for freshman orientation camps.
SOCCER
Enough of the macam faham mats in primary and secondary. I just want to play for fun. So in poly, I didn’t join the polytechnic team. I joined my school team which is the School of IT and Applied Science. So basically I wasn’t involved in inter-varsity games. I played in inter-school games, playing against other schools in the polytechnic. There were 3 other schools. School of Design, Engineering and Business. I also played in the inter-diploma games and played under Diploma of IT as my course didn’t have many students.
So that’s it for schools. Is that all? I guess that would be all the CCAs in schools. I didn’t go to university so that was my last academic lap.
Eh wait, there’s more CCAs? Yes. I worked for the National Reference Library (or what was then changed to the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library) when I worked for NLB a few years after NS. Even then, I joined several “CCA”s. I was in the Staff Welfare team, pretty much doing activities for the staff just like in school. And then I joined the photography team, walking around Singapore taking photos for the library’s photo collection. And of course, soccer too where I played for the NLB team under Ministry of the Communications and the Arts (MICA) during inter-ministries tournaments. I also did a lot of writing activities for the library like writing articles for newsletters and book reviews.
So yes. Did I die?
- Published on
Haven’t been writing a blog post in almost a year. Haven’t contributed in this series for almost 3 years.
It’s not that I have been inactive in doing art works but just that I have been unmotivated to write or post anything. I think I have said before (though I didn’t promise anything), I will try to write as much as I can, whenever I can.
So recently I completed a job. A writing, training and directing job for a school theatre production. Well, you can say that is a school job and not mainstream theatre work, but to me it is still a job, I get paid for it, I enjoyed it, I am proud of the students, the teachers, my team and the product. I am so happy about it that even will all these years of being unmotivated to write, I feel I should blog this down as it is worth being documented.
Early 2024 I was contracted again by Bukit Panjang Government High School to create, craft, write, train and direct a stage play for the students. I roped in my friend Saiful to manage this so I can concentrate on the creative works.
The school would like to present stories from the chronicles of Abu Nawas on stage.
It’s not that I have been inactive in doing art works but just that I have been unmotivated to write or post anything. I think I have said before (though I didn’t promise anything), I will try to write as much as I can, whenever I can.
So recently I completed a job. A writing, training and directing job for a school theatre production. Well, you can say that is a school job and not mainstream theatre work, but to me it is still a job, I get paid for it, I enjoyed it, I am proud of the students, the teachers, my team and the product. I am so happy about it that even will all these years of being unmotivated to write, I feel I should blog this down as it is worth being documented.
Early 2024 I was contracted again by Bukit Panjang Government High School to create, craft, write, train and direct a stage play for the students. I roped in my friend Saiful to manage this so I can concentrate on the creative works.
The school would like to present stories from the chronicles of Abu Nawas on stage.
I remember watching and reading stories of Abu Nawas when I was a boy. But I don’t remember its exact details. So I went on to read up about it again. Cikgu also helped me with providing some reading materials for me to read.
There are many many stories about Abu Nawas’ adventures. I have to admit, some of the stories are quite dated. They didn’t appeal to me and I think they won’t appeal to audiences much younger than me. There are also good stories and we finally settled on two stories that we believed could be interesting to stage.
And thus the writing and training processes began.
There are many many stories about Abu Nawas’ adventures. I have to admit, some of the stories are quite dated. They didn’t appeal to me and I think they won’t appeal to audiences much younger than me. There are also good stories and we finally settled on two stories that we believed could be interesting to stage.
And thus the writing and training processes began.
I am going to be a bit biased. I have been serving in this school since 2007, and it still is my favourite place to go. I really really wish that they have a Malay drama CCA or something that I can go to. But since it is Singapore, there are only 3 schools that offer Malay drama as a CCA and they are all tertiary schools. So all Malay drama engagements in schools are all on project basis. Since 2003 I have been to many schools conducting Malay drama workshops and lessons but this school is still my favourite. The students are highly energetic and smart. Intelligent but eager to learn and never once think too highly of themselves. A good balance of discipline, responsibility and playfulness. A good mix of good behaviour and naughtiness. Perfect recipe for a theatrical drama production. And this has been going on for almost 2 decades. The school has definitely been doing something right. Definitely a good place to be.
The training process was fun. The students are great.
30th April 2024 we hit Victoria Theatre and the end product was wonderful.
I enjoyed it very much and to be honest, I haven’t felt “puas” doing a theatre production in quite awhile. So much so, it even motivated me to write in this pretty dormant web log.
Anyway it was definitely a highlight of the year so far and for the past few year. It reminded me why theatre works can be addictive.
The training process was fun. The students are great.
30th April 2024 we hit Victoria Theatre and the end product was wonderful.
I enjoyed it very much and to be honest, I haven’t felt “puas” doing a theatre production in quite awhile. So much so, it even motivated me to write in this pretty dormant web log.
Anyway it was definitely a highlight of the year so far and for the past few year. It reminded me why theatre works can be addictive.
Thank you everyone who made it happen.
Thank you everyone who worked with me to bring the stories of Abu Nawas on stage.
I really hope I can meet everyone again sometime in the future in other capacities.
Thank you everyone who worked with me to bring the stories of Abu Nawas on stage.
I really hope I can meet everyone again sometime in the future in other capacities.
- Published on
Back to Tanjong Gul Camp
It seems like just a few weeks ago I blogged about ORD. And now suddenly it is already well into reservist. That was how it was then also. We ORD and then had 2 years of lull period where I truly enjoyed myself, forgot about such the army and suddenly it is back to back reservist.
ICT 2 and 3 were back to back low key reservist. Very much like the first in camp, it concentrated much on group, section and platoon tactics. I kinda like the war gamings and outfields. And also it was only 5 days so it was ok. Not that long.
What I didn’t like was getting back to doing night missions and the long walks. It is harder now that you are less fit. I remember sweating at night, in the middle of a dark forest, uniform drenched in sweat. Super sleepy. It was miserable. Your body heating up due to the physical strain but yet freezing in cold due to the drenched uniform. Body also confuse. So was I feeling hot or cold? Yes I remember that. It was miserable. And oh I can remember the smell of the forest at night. Until today, every time I ride my bike at night and smell the scent of the forest, I will be reminded of the long miserable night walks.
Also, I was sleepy most of the time. I am already a heavy sleeper, reservist made me sleep deprived. I remember I was so pissed off when I could only go to sleep at 2am and had to wake up at 4am. What nonsense was that? What happened to 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep before strenuous activity? Nope. Never happened. It was just work after work after work. I was so so pissed off. I can still feel the anger today and especially now when I remember those moments.
I don’t know if you remember I mentioned in a post some time before this. Basically almost everyone in my active NS unit were posted to the same reservist unit. But there were some colleagues who were army regulars and had to move on to their own vocations after NS. Thus we had a number of missing personnels. My platoon commander was a regular, so was my platoon sergeant. So they didn’t join us for reservists. Section 1 Sergeant Collin was a regular too. Section 2 Sergeant Fardlie signed on to the police force. Sergeant Chris from Section 3 deferred for some overseas studies. Their respective section 2 ICs had to take up their roles during these 2 ICT. On paper, I was supposed to take up the platoon sergeant role but since we were missing our PC, I had to go all the way covering the PC role. These roles were supposed to be filled up by “top up” soldiers from other units but they haven’t arrived yet. Most probably due to administrative reasons. So yeah, most of us had to do a lot of tasks since we had to cover roles for missing personnels. So yup. Slept at 2, woke up at 4.
Even though this is a posed picture, we had a lot of admin to do.
Remember the condescending trainers? Yup. During one of the missions, I snapped and it felt good. They were barking and making noise and were not tactical at all. The “enemies” spotted us approaching because they were not being tactical while we tried hard to be as soldierly as possible. And they also follow the book while we were already comfortable in our own way of doing things which as long we didn’t jeopardise the mission or our safety.
I remember we were suppose to form up at a “Form Up Place” (FUP) just before we assault the enemy objective. On paper, we were supposed to “dump” or leave of field packs there and go into firefight without it so that we can run and move faster. Upon completion of the attack, we will then go back to our FUP to collect our field packs. But there were a lot of times during active NS where we didn’t dump our field packs because the objective wasn’t far away or wasn’t in a huge place. And also, we had a lot of important stuffs in our field pack that we can use during the assault. And also it was trouble some to dump them and then collect them later. Therefore we were quite apt to conduct our firefight with our field packs on.
The attack started and I led my platoon into the firefight. We didn’t dump our field packs. It was an easy fight anyway and we were used to it. The trainer shouted at me saying, “Commander! Why didn’t you dump your fieldpacks?” on their condescending manner as if they went through world war 2 or some shit. I shouted back at him, “We can still fight with our bags on! And who is going to collect our bags later? You?! Shut up and catch up!” I then continued running up the objective. I saw his stunned look. It felt good. Really ah… some of these army regular trainers ah… they want to step regimental and all knowledgable and as if they went through some world war, but they actually really cannot make it one. If you all read and remember what my SISPEC PC Warrant Sim said. He was right.
I remember we were suppose to form up at a “Form Up Place” (FUP) just before we assault the enemy objective. On paper, we were supposed to “dump” or leave of field packs there and go into firefight without it so that we can run and move faster. Upon completion of the attack, we will then go back to our FUP to collect our field packs. But there were a lot of times during active NS where we didn’t dump our field packs because the objective wasn’t far away or wasn’t in a huge place. And also, we had a lot of important stuffs in our field pack that we can use during the assault. And also it was trouble some to dump them and then collect them later. Therefore we were quite apt to conduct our firefight with our field packs on.
The attack started and I led my platoon into the firefight. We didn’t dump our field packs. It was an easy fight anyway and we were used to it. The trainer shouted at me saying, “Commander! Why didn’t you dump your fieldpacks?” on their condescending manner as if they went through world war 2 or some shit. I shouted back at him, “We can still fight with our bags on! And who is going to collect our bags later? You?! Shut up and catch up!” I then continued running up the objective. I saw his stunned look. It felt good. Really ah… some of these army regular trainers ah… they want to step regimental and all knowledgable and as if they went through some world war, but they actually really cannot make it one. If you all read and remember what my SISPEC PC Warrant Sim said. He was right.
Playing at a real former HDB estate was fun
Outfield was actually quite fun too.
So ICT 2 and 3 ended. We still didn’t have top up personnels. The section 2 ICs were then sent to SISPEC to do their section leader course and come back to our unit to become sergeants. Damn. Having to go SISPEC during reservist really sucks man. But that’s how it is. I got eyeballed too. They wanted to send me to 4 weeks platoon sergeant course. I said no. Never going to happen. If you are going to send me to some course during reservist, I am going to defer till I am 40. No way am I coming and make me sleep at 2am and wake up at 4am. No way. It’s too much. I told them that. Send me to course, I will defer and you won’t see me again.
And that’s what I did. I didn’t attend ICT 4 and 5. I deferred. Even though ICT 2 and 3 were low key and only 5 days, I am not going to go through it until the admin sort their shit out. So I deferred for 2 years. 2007 ICT 4, I was involved in Gentarasa. 2008 ICT 5, I was involved in Kallang Roar shoot. It was really whatever lah. You made me sleep 2hrs a night, we had to cover for missing personnels, we had to deal with rude trainers, so nope… I’m not coming back till you sort it out.
Next week : ICT 6 ATEC 1
Categories : The Army Series
- Published on
Ok so here we go. First In-Camp training (ICT) or simply called, “reservists”. Contextually incorrect but Singapore got a lot of things like this. Incorrect use of words that are so commonly used that it has become normal and then becomes “correct”.
Sometimes people ask me, “reservist do what?” So this is a good post. It’s good for me to remember too.
I ORD on the 12th of December 2002. We didn’t have our first reservist call up for a number of years. I cannot remember already. I think it was maybe in 2004 or 2005. It was just for 5 days.
So basically you will have to go for 10 cycles of reservist duties. 1 cycle is a maximum of 40 days. So these 40 days can be spread out within one work year. If you are lucky, you can have just 3 days in one work year and one cycle is done.
5 days and below will be considered “Low Key”.
6 days to 40 days will be a “High Key.
You will need to do at least 7 “High Key”s and 3 “Low Keys” to complete your NS requirement.
So our first reservist was only 5 days thus it was a “Low Key” ICT. It was at this camp called Tanjong Gul Camp somewhere in Tuas.
The travelling there was a dread. Public transport will all your equipment; field pack, duffel bag, SBO, helmet from Boon Lay interchange to Tanjong Gul. I have never been there on my own and we didn’t have smartphones then. So it was the good old streetdirectory and bus guide book. Anyway, once we reached Boon Lay, we would see familiar faces, so just follow the crowd. Oh yes, I remember the dread. 2 years of freedom and it is NS all over again.
We checked into this old camp. I have been pampered with new camp complexes during my full time NS days so this one was quite, uurrgh.. but ok la. Cannot be choosy. As long can sleep comfortably, I am good. The toilets were old and of course no faucets. Just like in many parts of Singapore. So it’s like that. Shit in a cubicle, wash at the shower.Can never feel clean with just toilet paper.
So what did we do during these 5 days? Well, back to NS days. The exact same thing. So if you think ORD means you’re done with NS, you’re wrong. Reservist means, you will go back to doing the same thing. Only worse, you’re less fit. We wake up to normal 5BX, run around the camp before going for breakfast. Same old NS cookhouse and food. Basically everything is the same again. For these 5 days, we went through refreshers and revisions of our army stuff. Our weapons, technical handling and section level firefight drills. The objective is to be ready for ATEC 1 on the 5th ICT and ATEC 2 on the 7th. The only difference this time is, we had trainers. The camp is called Infantry Training Institute (ITI). They have trainers who are full time SAF soldiers posted there to be trainers to these reservist old men. I don’t mind them refreshing us on the things that we might forget like technical handling and theories. But for them to emphasise on firefight SOP when we had our own style, I think is a bit weird. We had our tested and proven ways of doing things while they stick to textbooks. Well, it’s Singapore and they are trainers, I understand that they have to have a standard for them to mark their markings and KPI. But I just find it awkward, especially when most of them were very arrogant and condescending. One day, we were definitely going to burst. I know my unit. We were stubborn and fierce soldiers. I just knew one day we were going to burst out at these trainers. But it was the first ICT so, we gave chance. Heh.
The 5 days felt very long. I just wanted to get it over and done with fast. I didn’t enjoy the rude treatment by the trainers and definitely the morning reveille.
Friday finally came and we said our goodbyes. Everyone was happy. I kept hearing this, “See you next year!”. I still couldn’t accept the fact that NS wasn’t over yet but ok lah, at least 1 reservist down and 9 to go.
Sometimes people ask me, “reservist do what?” So this is a good post. It’s good for me to remember too.
I ORD on the 12th of December 2002. We didn’t have our first reservist call up for a number of years. I cannot remember already. I think it was maybe in 2004 or 2005. It was just for 5 days.
So basically you will have to go for 10 cycles of reservist duties. 1 cycle is a maximum of 40 days. So these 40 days can be spread out within one work year. If you are lucky, you can have just 3 days in one work year and one cycle is done.
5 days and below will be considered “Low Key”.
6 days to 40 days will be a “High Key.
You will need to do at least 7 “High Key”s and 3 “Low Keys” to complete your NS requirement.
So our first reservist was only 5 days thus it was a “Low Key” ICT. It was at this camp called Tanjong Gul Camp somewhere in Tuas.
The travelling there was a dread. Public transport will all your equipment; field pack, duffel bag, SBO, helmet from Boon Lay interchange to Tanjong Gul. I have never been there on my own and we didn’t have smartphones then. So it was the good old streetdirectory and bus guide book. Anyway, once we reached Boon Lay, we would see familiar faces, so just follow the crowd. Oh yes, I remember the dread. 2 years of freedom and it is NS all over again.
We checked into this old camp. I have been pampered with new camp complexes during my full time NS days so this one was quite, uurrgh.. but ok la. Cannot be choosy. As long can sleep comfortably, I am good. The toilets were old and of course no faucets. Just like in many parts of Singapore. So it’s like that. Shit in a cubicle, wash at the shower.Can never feel clean with just toilet paper.
So what did we do during these 5 days? Well, back to NS days. The exact same thing. So if you think ORD means you’re done with NS, you’re wrong. Reservist means, you will go back to doing the same thing. Only worse, you’re less fit. We wake up to normal 5BX, run around the camp before going for breakfast. Same old NS cookhouse and food. Basically everything is the same again. For these 5 days, we went through refreshers and revisions of our army stuff. Our weapons, technical handling and section level firefight drills. The objective is to be ready for ATEC 1 on the 5th ICT and ATEC 2 on the 7th. The only difference this time is, we had trainers. The camp is called Infantry Training Institute (ITI). They have trainers who are full time SAF soldiers posted there to be trainers to these reservist old men. I don’t mind them refreshing us on the things that we might forget like technical handling and theories. But for them to emphasise on firefight SOP when we had our own style, I think is a bit weird. We had our tested and proven ways of doing things while they stick to textbooks. Well, it’s Singapore and they are trainers, I understand that they have to have a standard for them to mark their markings and KPI. But I just find it awkward, especially when most of them were very arrogant and condescending. One day, we were definitely going to burst. I know my unit. We were stubborn and fierce soldiers. I just knew one day we were going to burst out at these trainers. But it was the first ICT so, we gave chance. Heh.
The 5 days felt very long. I just wanted to get it over and done with fast. I didn’t enjoy the rude treatment by the trainers and definitely the morning reveille.
Friday finally came and we said our goodbyes. Everyone was happy. I kept hearing this, “See you next year!”. I still couldn’t accept the fact that NS wasn’t over yet but ok lah, at least 1 reservist down and 9 to go.
Ok lah... we still had time for canteen breaks.
Next Week : ICT 2 and 3
Categories : The Army Series
Categories : The Army Series
- Published on
Yes yes. You’ve completed your full time NS. You still have to serve for another 10 cycles. Not only that, you still have to pass your Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) every year. Every year. No escape. So how does this work?
I think this topic of IPPT is a good thing to blog about because it changes through the years. Good to know how it was like.
I think this topic of IPPT is a good thing to blog about because it changes through the years. Good to know how it was like.
This picture has nothing to do with IPPT. Ok la maybe a bit.
IPPT had 5 stations. Just like how it was during active NS days. No difference.
Chin ups
Sit ups
Standing Broad Jump
Shuttle Run
2.4km run
Complete all stations and check out your score. Here is the score chart.
Chin ups
Sit ups
Standing Broad Jump
Shuttle Run
2.4km run
Complete all stations and check out your score. Here is the score chart.
Pretty straightforward.
So you have to at least pass the IPPT within your “window period” which is from your birthdate this year to your birthdate the following year. So let’s say my birthday is 1st February 2003, I have to pass my IPPT before 31st January 2004. Simple right? Just pass before your next birthday. Ideal situation, birthdate 1st February 2003, take the test and pass it on the 2nd of February 2003 and your window is cleared. Your next IPPT test window starts 2nd February 2004.
Well, not everyone is fit. Including myself. I need to train before I can pass and I am usually lazy or have no time. So what happens if you don’t attempt an IPPT during the window? You get charged. Go up to CMPB in full uniform, face the officer in charge and wait your punishment. You can be fined a certain amount of money or if you are a repeat offender, you might just be imprisoned at the Detention Barracks. Damn… so serious.
But if you pass, you will be rewarded.
$400 for gold
$200 for silver
$100 for bronze
What if you attempted but still cannot pass? You will have to attend Remedial Training the following year for the IPPT that you failed this year.
REMEDIAL TRAINING
So this was what I did.
Window 1 : Attempt and fail
Window 2 : Go for RT and pass.
Window 3 : Attempt and fail
Window 4 : Go for RT and pass.
So basically I need to train during RT and then only I could pass.
Back then you had to book for your RT and they were on fixed dates. You cannot change the dates. If you already booked them, you will have to attend.
RT had 2 phases.
Phase 1
8 Sessions 2 times a week. You will take your IPPT on the 8th session. If you pass then good for you, window cleared. If you fail, go to Phase 2.
Phase 2
12 Sessions 3 times a week. You will take your IPPT on the 6th session. If you fail, you continue your training till the 12th session. If you still fail on the 12th session, your window for the year is still cleared.
Best thing about RT is that, you get paid when you attend the sessions. I think I got paid about $20 per session so it wasn’t that bad. It was just the time that is troublesome. If I can remember correctly, the sessions were at 6pm to 9pm on weekdays and 8am to 11am on weekends.
There were also 3 places that you can go for RT. Maju Camp, Khatib Camp and Bedok Camp. I tried them all. Maju Camp was the most relaxed, but it also means it’s harder to pass by phase 1. Bedok Camp was the toughest. I passed my IPPT at the end of session 1.
I had no problems with my chin ups, sit ups, standing broad jump and shuttle run. I always get 5 points for all of them which is the maximum points. But I cannot pass my 2.4km and you have to pass all stations to pass the IPPT. So every time I go for RT, I will tell them that I need to train more on my running and they will put me in the running group.
IPT
Then there was also the IPT thing which I cannot remember what it stands for. If you choose not to go RT, you can go IPT. I think it was a 20 session thing. I cannot remember what was the benefit of going IPT. I think it was a programme where you know that you cannot pass even after training. So you go for this programme where you will be tested on the first day, mark your record and then train for 20 sessions. By the end of 20 sessions, you take another test and see if you have improved. If you did, then you pass the window. If you don’t then you have to still attend RT. And also you don’t get paid going for IPT. So I don’t see the point. I tried once. Just once. So ok there was some improvement and I passed. But the next years after that, I went back to doing RT.
THE NEW IPPT
And then on my final year of NS, they changed the IPPT system to the new one where there are only 3 stations. Push ups, sit ups and 2.4km run. Basket. Suddenly after all the years of suffering in RT, you changed to an easier system.
Here is the chart.
So you have to at least pass the IPPT within your “window period” which is from your birthdate this year to your birthdate the following year. So let’s say my birthday is 1st February 2003, I have to pass my IPPT before 31st January 2004. Simple right? Just pass before your next birthday. Ideal situation, birthdate 1st February 2003, take the test and pass it on the 2nd of February 2003 and your window is cleared. Your next IPPT test window starts 2nd February 2004.
Well, not everyone is fit. Including myself. I need to train before I can pass and I am usually lazy or have no time. So what happens if you don’t attempt an IPPT during the window? You get charged. Go up to CMPB in full uniform, face the officer in charge and wait your punishment. You can be fined a certain amount of money or if you are a repeat offender, you might just be imprisoned at the Detention Barracks. Damn… so serious.
But if you pass, you will be rewarded.
$400 for gold
$200 for silver
$100 for bronze
What if you attempted but still cannot pass? You will have to attend Remedial Training the following year for the IPPT that you failed this year.
REMEDIAL TRAINING
So this was what I did.
Window 1 : Attempt and fail
Window 2 : Go for RT and pass.
Window 3 : Attempt and fail
Window 4 : Go for RT and pass.
So basically I need to train during RT and then only I could pass.
Back then you had to book for your RT and they were on fixed dates. You cannot change the dates. If you already booked them, you will have to attend.
RT had 2 phases.
Phase 1
8 Sessions 2 times a week. You will take your IPPT on the 8th session. If you pass then good for you, window cleared. If you fail, go to Phase 2.
Phase 2
12 Sessions 3 times a week. You will take your IPPT on the 6th session. If you fail, you continue your training till the 12th session. If you still fail on the 12th session, your window for the year is still cleared.
Best thing about RT is that, you get paid when you attend the sessions. I think I got paid about $20 per session so it wasn’t that bad. It was just the time that is troublesome. If I can remember correctly, the sessions were at 6pm to 9pm on weekdays and 8am to 11am on weekends.
There were also 3 places that you can go for RT. Maju Camp, Khatib Camp and Bedok Camp. I tried them all. Maju Camp was the most relaxed, but it also means it’s harder to pass by phase 1. Bedok Camp was the toughest. I passed my IPPT at the end of session 1.
I had no problems with my chin ups, sit ups, standing broad jump and shuttle run. I always get 5 points for all of them which is the maximum points. But I cannot pass my 2.4km and you have to pass all stations to pass the IPPT. So every time I go for RT, I will tell them that I need to train more on my running and they will put me in the running group.
IPT
Then there was also the IPT thing which I cannot remember what it stands for. If you choose not to go RT, you can go IPT. I think it was a 20 session thing. I cannot remember what was the benefit of going IPT. I think it was a programme where you know that you cannot pass even after training. So you go for this programme where you will be tested on the first day, mark your record and then train for 20 sessions. By the end of 20 sessions, you take another test and see if you have improved. If you did, then you pass the window. If you don’t then you have to still attend RT. And also you don’t get paid going for IPT. So I don’t see the point. I tried once. Just once. So ok there was some improvement and I passed. But the next years after that, I went back to doing RT.
THE NEW IPPT
And then on my final year of NS, they changed the IPPT system to the new one where there are only 3 stations. Push ups, sit ups and 2.4km run. Basket. Suddenly after all the years of suffering in RT, you changed to an easier system.
Here is the chart.
So I just had to spam my push ups and sit ups which I can train at home and then jog for my 2.4km and get at least 1 point and I pass.
Oh well, life is not fair but it is like that.
Oh well, life is not fair but it is like that.
This was my final IPPT. A pass is enough.