Bye Army, Hi Air Force.

I didn't know it is possible, but I did it. I completed the gruelling 28km road march (Comparative Figure: the travelling distance from Serangoon to Boon Lay is 29km) and earned my chevrons, proudly I would say.

After a motivational speech by the wing's commanding officer, 5 companies set off at 10pm and completed the march at 6am the next morning. After completing, I realized the march is more than just completing your course and moving on, it is proving your worth as a SISPEC trainee.

That evening, after packing up my stuff, my platoon gathered and waited eagerly for our posting. Names were called and a mixture of disappointment and joy could be seen from the crowd. To put it plainly, the disappointed ones are those posted to Advance Section Leader Course which for the rest of their national service, they remain in the infantry. I was one of the few lucky ones to be posted to Air Force to be trained as a specialist.

Right now I am undergoing Airman Orientation Programme, a 8am-5pm week long programme to 'tune' our army mindset. The Air Force School is unlike army camps, mess is opened to all ranks, modern 4-man bunks (privacy assured), swimming pool, gym, running track and library. The best part is, it's 5 days week in the Air Force, we 'book' out on friday instead of the Army's saturday.

Did I mention we get to wear Air Force No.3 uniform? I'm just glad to be out of the Army. :)

农历新年快乐！

Before I begin, let me wish everyone 农历新年快乐！

Basic Section Leader Course (BSLC) ending this week and I waiting eagerly for the weekend to approach. Already sewn my Corporal rank. :)

Much to say, but have to report back to camp in an hour time. Till then!

Ending, almost.

I can finally take a breather. Exercise Wanderer and Exercise Grandslam concluded last week and what's left on the training schedule are mostly lectures, few intensive physical training and the 28km graduation route march.

Some experience to share. Being a Section Assault Weapon (SAW) gunner has its pros and cons during the exercises. Given my small physique, It's cumbersome lugging this bulky weapon, especially when bashing through thick vegetation. But back at our temporary base, the SAW gunners had the privilege of defending the apexes, while the rest had to help out with the miscellaneous tasks. Quite a different experience compared to recruits' field camp.

I shall endure the coming 2 weeks before Chinese New Year. :)

End of BSLC: 3 more weeks

A lot has happened since my last entry. It has been a hectic schedule in camp for the past 2 weeks, was appointed Leader Section Commander, went through 2 exercises (Gypsy 1 and 2) and 2 field camps (skipped one due to shin injury).

Next week, tomorrow to be exact, will be going through Exercise Wanderer and Exercise Grand Slam. Will be back in Singapore on Thursday, hopefully.

The 2 exercises mentioned are the finale of my Basic Section Leader Course training, thereafter, it will be another 3 weeks more to the end of my course. I'm really looking forward to it.

Chinese New Year is just around the corner and likewise I'm looking forward to it too. Definitely going down to Chinatown at my next book-out.

To friends applying to local universities, admissions to NUS and NTU open next week (1 - 21 February 2007). Good luck!

AC's 21st Birthday Celebration / TB030 Meetup

Together with the TB030 people, namely, Sharon, Michell, 'Boss', James and Yao Sheng, we attended AC's 21st birthday celebration over at his place. After our last meet-up 8 months ago, it was nice meeting everyone again. We reminisced about our polytechnic life and we guys shared our life in camp serving national service.

After 3 weeks of gruesome training in SISPEC, I'm trying to take things in stride after realizing self-denial is not going to help. I just hope the next 7 weeks will be a breeze.

A New Year - Reflections and Resolutions

The beginning of a new year is often a time of reflection, for us to pause our hectic schedule and take stock of our actions over the past year, and form new resolutions for self-improvement.

I have never cultivate the habit of penning down my reflections but I shall attempt to do so starting from this new year onwards. This shall be my first resolution.

Academically, I have achieved what I aspired for, completing my tertiary education, getting good grades and a university placement to further my studies.

Enlistment for National Service is a step out of adolescence for me. I learn to appreciate every little single thing that I never pay attention to. Training is tough, especially now in School of Infantry Specialists, but the thought of loved ones and encouragement from buddies I made at Basic Military Training kept me going.

The last part of my reflection is something I hope I would never have to pen down or for it to happen. My miniature schnauzer of 13 years old, Rory, passed away on 1st December 2006. It happened when I was in camp and I didn't have the chance to be there with him. The house seems a little quiet and lifeless now without him around.

I will always remember the good memories I had with Rory.

Moving ahead, I intend to keep my resolutions for this year sweet and simple. Here goes,

1. To be more organised


2. To be more optimistic about National Service and try to enjoy it


3. To be thrifty


4. To spend more quality time with my family

Lastly, something to look forward to this year, another nephew to play with. :)

Whatever happened to Christmas?

This year's Christmas doesn't seem like the Christmas I used to long for. As I listen to Aimee Mann's Christmas album - One More Drifter in the Snow, I can't help but wonder, whatever happened to Christmas?

Celebrated my 21st birthday together with my family. Nothing extravagant, I always prefer a low-key celebration anyway. A shout out to my friends for the birthday greetings, appreciate it. :)

Together with Ling and Ron, we had an oriental Christmas celebration, counting down to Christmas while having our supper at a Chinese dim sum restaurant. ha, memorable indeed. If I remember clearly, I celebrated Christmas with Ivan at Swenson's in Orchard last year. What's next?

Now for me to whine about the Army. We were made to sign a declaration stating that we are not blog about our army life in SISPEC. To prevent bad publicity, perhaps? They have taken 2 years of my life and now my freedom of speech. sigh.

Signing off from here, booking-in later at 2230 hrs.

I'll take a quiet life, a handshake of carbon monoxide.

Posting is out and contrary to what most people think, I am not exactly elated about my posting to School of Infantry Specialists (SISPEC) as a specialist trainee. I only have myself to blame for succumbing to pressure during the Express of Interest briefing.

Express of Interest briefing is a sharing session by the company officer-in-charge on the benefits of being a commander (read: propaganda) and saying no would put you at risk of a rifleman posting. No one wants to be a rifleman.

Next week I will be booking in to Pasir Laba Camp at Boon Lay to commence on my 10-week Basic Section Leader Course (BSLC). Thereafter completion, I'll earn my Corporal rank and another round of posting leading to my 3 chevrons as 3rd Sergeant.

10-week of saturdays book-out. oh well.

Took some time from my block leave to meet up with my ex-lecturer for lunch and catch up with ex-colleagues. Everyone thought 3 months passed pretty fast.
Before signing off, photo from recent outing.

I want my hair back!

Basic Military Training: Graduated!

After a seemingly long 13 weeks of basic military training, I finally graduated from Basic Military Training Centre last week. I looked forward to this day but not the days that lie ahead after graduation. 3 months of close bonding and training side by side no matter how tough it is, and alas, we will be going separate ways to our new units.

Left to right: Louis, me, Wei Hong


My best buddy - Louis

I find myself to be quite a social eccentric but in the army, I got along pretty well my peers. Thinking back, the things we did are rather scandalous. :rolleyes:

I find myself spending more than usual in the army. I succumbed under peers' pressure and splurged on a Sony PSP. The amount of comfort food I brought in every book-in would have lasted me for a month before army.

From a NAPFA failure to a pass in IPPT, amazing what army training can do to you.

9th week of Basic Military Training

It seems like yesterday when I was enlisted for national service at Pulau Tekong's Basic Military Training Centre. I apologise for the lack of updates as having enlisted, I realised how weekend is so short and hardly had the opportunity to settle down peacefully to pen down my thoughts.

The first two weeks had been a trying period, adopting to people who spout vulgarities like their mother tongue, the regimental lifestyle, and the thoughts of loved ones and home comfort.

I am glad field camp is finally over. 7 days of outfield training without shower and proper food makes me appreciate every little comfort I am enjoying in Pulau Tekong.

4 more weeks to my graduation parade. Till then.

It's goodbye again, Prime Minister's Office.

I still recall vividly my last day at the Commission last year during my extended internship. It's goodbye again this week.

Had an early farewell lunch last week at Jack's Place as my supervisor is involved in the International Monetary Fund meeting the following week. I am touched by the gifts given by colleagues, Swiss Balmain watch, polo tee and red packet.

I had wonderful experience at the Commission, friendly colleagues, interesting work and great exposure. I felt a bit sentimental on the last day. It's such a great organisation.

Taken at my cubicle

My humble cubicle =)

Had lunch with Ms Ng and Amanda in school a day after I left the Commission. It's a belated Teachers' Day lunch or so, but ended up given a treat by Ms Ng. The school hasn't change a bit with the exception of a Cheers convenience store at the former Saffron restaurant. Thereafter, chatted with Business Information Technology lecturers.

The end of one journey, the beginning of another. I will be enlisted for national service this Saturday at Basic Military Training (BMT) School 1. My family will be accompanying me, I hope no emotional scene there. Will be finding Ivan on the first night to chit chat if time permits.

I would probably give an update on recruit's life in BMT after my first book out two weeks later (23 September 2006). Till then. :)

Comex 2006

Comex 2006 was held from 31 August - 3 September 2006 at Singapore Expo. Though it was described as 'IT and Consumer Technology Exhibition", it's plainly an air-conditioned IT pasar malam . Not that I care, just a random thought.

Post-mortem of my 3 days visit to Comex 2006,

• Palm TX Handheld (Free 2GB SD Card, Leather case)
• 1GB SanDisk Memory Stick Pro Duo
• 1GB Creative Zen Nano Plus
• 1 Year subscription to HardwareZone Magazine with freebies

The Creative Zen Nano Plus does look out of place in the list of IT gadgets of an Apple's user like me. Just say I am enlightened from the marketing efforts of Apple and my recent belief on functionality over style.

Last week was supposed to be my last week, yet I decided to extend at my supervisor's prompting. Will share more at my next post.