It was the day I traded my pink IC for a green one (its called 11B, for the benefit of female readers).
It wasn't by choice mind you.
I would have to say it was by force.

Before you think that this blog is about me bitching and slamming the SAF, you will be wrong. Many guys I know will argue that that National Service (NS) is redundant and a waste of time but I will have to say its essential to us guys and to the nation (oh no!! The National Education propaganda has rubbed on me... haha, kidding)

But seriously, it has helped us guys grow up and mature. It has better prepared us to go out in the working world. However, like any other organisations or companies, it is far from being perfect (and no I am not going to mince my words for fear of MINDEF stumbling into my blog or wadeva).

So here I have the Good, the Bad and the Ugly faces of NS.

The Good...

(if you wanna skip this and go straight to the bitching, I understand. Its at The Bad and the Ugly...)

2 years have passed since that day when I first stepped into Tekong Island and into the life of a soldier. And boy was it a great transition (not as in good, but as in huge)...

From a fearful and 'blur' recruit, I am now confident enough to say that I have transformed into a leader in the Army, instilled in me the SAF Core Values (as corny as it sounds, I have to say it works).

What are the 7 Core Values you might ask (again female readers)?

• Loyalty to Country
• Leadership
• Discipline
• Professionalism
• Fighting Spirit
• Ethics
• Care for Soldiers

I have never felt so strongly about my country before, so much National pride... (Count On Me Singapore... laa laa... count on m.. erm...)

I am more confident to take up leadership positions, be it outfield or not. I received the Best Commander Award for my school last year (thank you.. thank you very much). The commander appraisals from my recruits and men about me has always been positive : a balanced leader with great deal of fairness, strictness and discipline; an inspirational and motivational role model; a strict disciplinarian when it comes to work and a great friend and listener when it comes to play (written by recruits hor... Not I shamelessly write one, but I did shamelessly keep the appraisals. Heehee..)

I feel that I am good disciplined soldier, complying with orders and such...(heck. I even dig my heels when I am walking and no longer drag my feet when I walk) I am even more punctual (rite...)

I do my work efficiently, fairly and up to the standard that is required of me (no, its not wayang-ing). Its called Professionalism and Ethics. (but if you do more than you need to, its called Wayang-ism and SuckingUp-ics)

Fighting Spirit... Something I missed out when I was first posted to BMTC as an instructor. However, when I received the offer to go roving and be posted to 3 Guards to be a Section Commander for 6 months, I grabbed the offer (after so much hesitation and force... haha). I never regretted the move. I enjoyed it there (heck. I even enjoyed the cheong-suah-ing in the jungle. I didn't mind getting dirty, sweating it out in my filthy smelly number 4 for days... rite...) But seriously, no matter how shagged or dirty I was, (looking back) hygiene or insomnia never cross my mind, instead it was bonding with the men, leading them and achieving the mission objective. After 6 months there, I was re-posted to BMTC where we were fighting a different battle...

When I was a recruit, punishment was harsh and hard. However, within this couple of years, a lot has changed. Have we gone softer? Well... we do emphasize safety and care for soldiers now (so bring on the anti-slip flooring in toilets, thicker mattresses, water parades, early sleeping time and edible food). As long as the training standards and objectives are not compromised, why not? Plus, the soldiers will be well rested and fighting fit with high morale.

The Bad....

Let the bitching begin...

My recruits, batch after batch, will always ask me why I never did sign on.

My answer? F#&k you understand! Are you crazy?

Tell me which career allows the boss to threaten you with overtime (a.k.a extras), punishes you physically (down 20!) and can even scold you (to the extend of belittling you)?

hmm....

It seems in the military no matter what rank you are, there will always be at least one higher than you. You can never be your own boss eventually.

Therefore, thanks to NS, it has encouraged me to work hard and strive to be my own boss one day.
No one to be above me, commanding me, berating me and belittling me.
No one to call Sir, no one to fear of.

I'll be a great boss (eventually), one who is respected and respects his colleagues.

To put it frankly, the strict regimentation of the Army is not something I will miss.

Excerpt from my diar... erm.. journal when I was in SISPEC.

"Why have I been made to do this? to go through this? ....... I don't want this kind of life. i want my freedom, to wake up later when I feel like it. To watch TV. To go out...anywhere. To eat whenever I feel like eating ....... To every inch of Orchard. to go anywhere in Singapore. to go the beach. to relax. to meet my friends. to have fun. to play. to run, jump & shout like a crazy person. to be free...... to got through old photographs and reflect..recall..and smile........ To go to my room at the end of the day. To see my parents everyday....... I miss doing things whenever I want. I hate the routine army life has drawn out for me, I want my freedom. i want my life. God see me through this and help those who feel the same way too......."

Amin.

"Army life is a routine. its so regimental. I cannot wait to get out of here....... I hate training (what do you think I am? A dog?)...... I want to study again! Importantly, I'll get my freedom. I'll get to go home.... I'll sleep in my own bed, my own room. Go out on weekdays (not only weekends)

That was written when I was a trainee. I don't feel as strongly now but still I miss doing whatever I want whenever I want.... (I wanna grow a goatee and dye my hair now... haha.)

And the Ugly....

Life as a 3rd Sergeant has never been a bed of roses. Though I am not ashamed of being one, I will always feel slightly inferior to my officer friends. Why? Its just the stigma....You will have more pride if you went to OCS than SISPEC. Just ask any JC recruits... (if he disagrees he must be lying). So there I said it.... Again, I am not ashamed of this 3 stripes on my shoulders.

However, I have encountered some Commisioned Officers who are undeserving.
Tell me, how does CMPB get the right people to be a commander?
Academically good? Why is it that the choice of going to commanding school is given to only 'A' Level and Diploma holders? I have some regular (signed on in the army) friends who spend 5 years as a rifleman (corporal) whereas we only spend 3 months as corporals. Might I add that their educational level is only up to 'N' Level. It is them who are deserving. It is them who are the good leaders. It is them who are the soldiers. (shh.. having a parent in the army too doesn't hurt to help you going to commanding school... ehem....)

Sigh... A sergeant (some feel) is no different from being a first class rifleman or even a 'sai kang' warrior. Well, I say stop feeling sorry for yourself and get some balls when you ORD.

Forget about those times when you are being picked on and arrowed by (some) nasty senior specialists.
Damn those Warrant Officers and other elder Specialists!!!
Why must they have a personal agenda against the younger specialists? In the Army were call this 'stirring' (from the Malay term 'kacau' which also meants to disturb, to make your life difficult and miserable I say....) Were they not once 3 Sergeants too?

I can't wait to ORD. I'll no longer be restricted by my rank to achieve and rise to what I feel is rightfully my place.. (and to those nasty superiors of mine... Kiss my Civilian ass)

Labels: Army, ORD, SAF

It was the day I traded my pink IC for a green one (its called 11B, for the benefit of female readers).
It wasn't by choice mind you.
I would have to say it was by force.

Before you think that this blog is about me bitching and slamming the SAF, you will be wrong. Many guys I know will argue that that National Service (NS) is redundant and a waste of time but I will have to say its essential to us guys and to the nation (oh no!! The National Education propaganda has rubbed on me... haha, kidding)

But seriously, it has helped us guys grow up and mature. It has better prepared us to go out in the working world. However, like any other organisations or companies, it is far from being perfect (and no I am not going to mince my words for fear of MINDEF stumbling into my blog or wadeva).

So here I have the Good, the Bad and the Ugly faces of NS.

The Good...

(if you wanna skip this and go straight to the bitching, I understand. Its at The Bad and the Ugly...)

2 years have passed since that day when I first stepped into Tekong Island and into the life of a soldier. And boy was it a great transition (not as in good, but as in huge)...

From a fearful and 'blur' recruit, I am now confident enough to say that I have transformed into a leader in the Army, instilled in me the SAF Core Values (as corny as it sounds, I have to say it works).

What are the 7 Core Values you might ask (again female readers)?

• Loyalty to Country
• Leadership
• Discipline
• Professionalism
• Fighting Spirit
• Ethics
• Care for Soldiers

I have never felt so strongly about my country before, so much National pride... (Count On Me Singapore... laa laa... count on m.. erm...)

I am more confident to take up leadership positions, be it outfield or not. I received the Best Commander Award for my school last year (thank you.. thank you very much). The commander appraisals from my recruits and men about me has always been positive : a balanced leader with great deal of fairness, strictness and discipline; an inspirational and motivational role model; a strict disciplinarian when it comes to work and a great friend and listener when it comes to play (written by recruits hor... Not I shamelessly write one, but I did shamelessly keep the appraisals. Heehee..)

I feel that I am good disciplined soldier, complying with orders and such...(heck. I even dig my heels when I am walking and no longer drag my feet when I walk) I am even more punctual (rite...)

I do my work efficiently, fairly and up to the standard that is required of me (no, its not wayang-ing). Its called Professionalism and Ethics. (but if you do more than you need to, its called Wayang-ism and SuckingUp-ics)

Fighting Spirit... Something I missed out when I was first posted to BMTC as an instructor. However, when I received the offer to go roving and be posted to 3 Guards to be a Section Commander for 6 months, I grabbed the offer (after so much hesitation and force... haha). I never regretted the move. I enjoyed it there (heck. I even enjoyed the cheong-suah-ing in the jungle. I didn't mind getting dirty, sweating it out in my filthy smelly number 4 for days... rite...) But seriously, no matter how shagged or dirty I was, (looking back) hygiene or insomnia never cross my mind, instead it was bonding with the men, leading them and achieving the mission objective. After 6 months there, I was re-posted to BMTC where we were fighting a different battle...

When I was a recruit, punishment was harsh and hard. However, within this couple of years, a lot has changed. Have we gone softer? Well... we do emphasize safety and care for soldiers now (so bring on the anti-slip flooring in toilets, thicker mattresses, water parades, early sleeping time and edible food). As long as the training standards and objectives are not compromised, why not? Plus, the soldiers will be well rested and fighting fit with high morale.

The Bad....

Let the bitching begin...

My recruits, batch after batch, will always ask me why I never did sign on.

My answer? F#&k you understand! Are you crazy?

Tell me which career allows the boss to threaten you with overtime (a.k.a extras), punishes you physically (down 20!) and can even scold you (to the extend of belittling you)?

hmm....

It seems in the military no matter what rank you are, there will always be at least one higher than you. You can never be your own boss eventually.

Therefore, thanks to NS, it has encouraged me to work hard and strive to be my own boss one day.
No one to be above me, commanding me, berating me and belittling me.
No one to call Sir, no one to fear of.

I'll be a great boss (eventually), one who is respected and respects his colleagues.

To put it frankly, the strict regimentation of the Army is not something I will miss.

Excerpt from my diar... erm.. journal when I was in SISPEC.

"Why have I been made to do this? to go through this? ....... I don't want this kind of life. i want my freedom, to wake up later when I feel like it. To watch TV. To go out...anywhere. To eat whenever I feel like eating ....... To every inch of Orchard. to go anywhere in Singapore. to go the beach. to relax. to meet my friends. to have fun. to play. to run, jump & shout like a crazy person. to be free...... to got through old photographs and reflect..recall..and smile........ To go to my room at the end of the day. To see my parents everyday....... I miss doing things whenever I want. I hate the routine army life has drawn out for me, I want my freedom. i want my life. God see me through this and help those who feel the same way too......."

Amin.

"Army life is a routine. its so regimental. I cannot wait to get out of here....... I hate training (what do you think I am? A dog?)...... I want to study again! Importantly, I'll get my freedom. I'll get to go home.... I'll sleep in my own bed, my own room. Go out on weekdays (not only weekends)

That was written when I was a trainee. I don't feel as strongly now but still I miss doing whatever I want whenever I want.... (I wanna grow a goatee and dye my hair now... haha.)

And the Ugly....

Life as a 3rd Sergeant has never been a bed of roses. Though I am not ashamed of being one, I will always feel slightly inferior to my officer friends. Why? Its just the stigma....You will have more pride if you went to OCS than SISPEC. Just ask any JC recruits... (if he disagrees he must be lying). So there I said it.... Again, I am not ashamed of this 3 stripes on my shoulders.

However, I have encountered some Commisioned Officers who are undeserving.
Tell me, how does CMPB get the right people to be a commander?
Academically good? Why is it that the choice of going to commanding school is given to only 'A' Level and Diploma holders? I have some regular (signed on in the army) friends who spend 5 years as a rifleman (corporal) whereas we only spend 3 months as corporals. Might I add that their educational level is only up to 'N' Level. It is them who are deserving. It is them who are the good leaders. It is them who are the soldiers. (shh.. having a parent in the army too doesn't hurt to help you going to commanding school... ehem....)

Sigh... A sergeant (some feel) is no different from being a first class rifleman or even a 'sai kang' warrior. Well, I say stop feeling sorry for yourself and get some balls when you ORD.

Forget about those times when you are being picked on and arrowed by (some) nasty senior specialists.
Damn those Warrant Officers and other elder Specialists!!!
Why must they have a personal agenda against the younger specialists? In the Army were call this 'stirring' (from the Malay term 'kacau' which also meants to disturb, to make your life difficult and miserable I say....) Were they not once 3 Sergeants too?

I can't wait to ORD. I'll no longer be restricted by my rank to achieve and rise to what I feel is rightfully my place.. (and to those nasty superiors of mine... Kiss my Civilian ass)

Labels: Army, ORD, SAF

1. SAF - Serve And F... Off?