After the Outfield

December 11 2010

Field camp. It was such an experience. Never would I have imagined such an activity. Physically straining, mentally taxing and takes a toll on your appetite.
Hygiene was definitely out of the question. I have never experienced not brushing thy teeth, 4 days in a row. Anyone who has gone through this will really
start to appreciate the many little things in life. From things as simple as having your slippers on, sitting down on a chair even standing. There are many things I can list down but all I can say is, field camp really made me appreciate everything and everyone around me a whole lot more.

Day 1, everyone was doing their last checks for their equipment and drawing arms. After everyone has formed up and ready to move out, then begins the 8km route march. We were marching towards our field camp site which was located somewhere behind Rocky Hill Camp. It was a long and tiring march but everyone kept their spirits up by singing. It was always very fun when everyone transitioned from the usual military cadence to pop songs and whatnots. One thing that I was happy about was that the commanders didn’t seem to mind. When we finally arrived at our camp site, which was at some small path way that leads up to a communication relay point, everyone got to sit down and removed all the equipment. From a clear morning, it turned into a misty roadway. Everyone was steaming their perspiration. It was quite a sight, 1 company of men would mean a lot of steam. That itself, explains how cool the morning was and how high the temperature of everyone’s body was. After a brief break, we then shifted into a “clearing” to start setting up our basha. As usual we were only given 10 – 15 minutes to get everything up. It was always rushing here and rushing there to get all the activities done as scheduled.

For the next 2 days, we were briefed about our mission during this field camp. We were taught fire command orders (FCO), movement drills, various hand signals and other survival techniques. Day after day, bodies got sore, injuries accumulated and fatigue undoubtedly set in. The company had to drill it into their heads, your not doing this alone, you have your platoon mates to depend on as well. This is so because, if one were to carry out this thinking that one has only oneself to depend on then he’d probably not make it.  Their were many interesting encounters, including wild boars and many interesting wildlife around the area. Nighttime was really the bomb. In the camp site, one can’t see shit at all. My experience was a really interesting one. I can never ever forget my experience of taking a dump in the jungle.

As for food, it wasn’t all that bad, but of course I could feel my stomach rumble as well as hear it. Field rations are actually better than what people say it to be. Of course there are certain packs that taste like crap but most are definitely edible.

Overall, the field camp experience has been a very fulfilling one. High kneeling will never be my best friend, digging shell scrapes is something that I really have to improve on, injuries, sores and aches are part and parcel of field camp and most importantly teaches you to appreciate everything you have and not to be complacent.

And now, time to rest up for SIT TEST the following week.

Cheers, till next book out.

Second Book Out

It’s December!! It’s just 3 weeks more to Christmas!! It’s like tomorrow to field camp!! FML?

Whatever the case, the next 2 and a half weeks is going to jammed packed with all the remaining high key events.
High key events being, the field camp, the situational test and the hand grenade course.
The past week was pretty chill but quite mentally taxing. I was appointed Platoon In-Charge for the week. I sure do hope someone takes over soon. It’s quite a responsibility to be PIC. Also the past week was spent doing range training and the live range.
IMT is always fun for me, i mean heck, who doesn’t love to fire a weapon? Coming to live range, it was nothing short of breath taking. Nothing beats fresh propellant exhaust in the morning. It was definitely an unforgettable experience for me at the live range, strongly based on the fact that firing live weapons is always a thrill for me. The only other live weapon that I have ever fired was the M16 during my NCC days.
I have to say there was a really major difference between the 2 rifles in terms of the performance. Only real difference for me is how the compactness of the SAR21 really makes the aiming of the weapon really comfortable and easy to use as compared to the M16 with its longer barrel one would have to find a really comfortable holding position in whatever stance to fire the weapon accurately.

So up this point, what i feel about the army is that sometimes the commanders can really be fucked up for no apparent reason. It almost seems like they take people’s suffering as a form of entertainment and truly enjoying it, by that i mean really literally enjoying it and not fucking people up for show when the OC is around. But yeah, at the end of the day, I always keep reminding myself, whatever can’t kill you will only make you stronger.

Alright, I’ll be ending this entry here. Wish me luck for the field camp.

Cheerios.