Category: Army

My post-Foundation Term vocation is: MOTORISED INF LDR (TRAINEE). I am booking in tomorrow, and the info herein is about the only ones you can find on the net…

EDIT: My NS has ended and it is so slack lalalala. 😀

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A year after the Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) was added to the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF’s) arsenal in September 2009, the SAF has established a new institute to train Infantry troops to operate alongside the Terrex ICV.

Inaugurated last week, the Motorised Infantry Training Institute (MTI) will provide training and evaluation for Motorised Infantry troops.

At the inauguration and assumption of command parade at Kranji Camp II, the guest of honour, Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Chan Chun Sing, said: “Motorisation is a key effort in this evolution so as to meet the demands of operating in the modern-day urban battlefield and to enhance the combat capability of our Army.

“With the commencement of the Terrex ICV delivery in 2009, and the operationalisation of the first Motorised Infantry battalion in October this year, it is crucial that the Army builds this new capability in a holistic manner.”

He added: “MTI’s mission is to train and sustain a committed and professional urban operations-capable Motorised Infantry force.”

Headed by Senior Lieutenant Colonel (SLTC) Jimmy Toh, the MTI comprises two arms: a Motorised Infantry Battalion Training Centre (MBTC) and a Motorised Infantry Training Wing (MTW).

The MBTC, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Koh, will train and evaluate active and operationally-ready national service (NS) Motorised Infantry battalions. It will also conduct collective unit training ranging from offensive and defensive to stabilisation operations with combined arms, integrated with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and attack helicopters.

The MTW, commanded by Major Woo Kok Hoong, will oversee specialised trade courses such as driving, gunnery and operation of the network system of the Terrex ICV. It will also conduct the Motorised Infantry Section Leader Course to train vehicle commanders for the Motorised Infantry battalions.

Given that the Terrex ICV is a new platform for the Infantry, it was a challenge for the pioneer batch of instructors at MTI to train the Motorised Infantry, said MTW Section Instructor 1st Warrant Officer Goh Cheong Young.

“Although we acquired knowledge from the Armour experts, we modified what we learnt to suit the Infantry’s requirements. We also did a lot of our own research and reading.

“To keep up with technological changes, we need to constantly review existing methods of training and develop more effective ways to train our men,” he added.

As 2nd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (2 SIR) is the first and only Motorised Infantry battalion in the SAF, the MTI has been working closely with 2 SIR to develop its training doctrines, tactics and techniques, as well as procedures of how a Motorised Infantry battalion or unit should function.

The MTI will soon embark on training the NS Motorised Infantry battalions.

Which one are you?

ARMD SCOUT TROOPER RECCE TROOPER CARTOGRAPHER FIELD SECURITY MAN GRD SURVEY RDR OPR/SPEC SCOUT NCO (JEEP) SCOUT TROOPER NCO SCOUT (JEEP DRIVER) SCOUT
(MOTOR-CYCLE) INTELLIGENCE OFFR SCOUT NCO (DML) SCOUT PIONEER RECCE TROOPER SCOUT (DEMOLITION) SCOUT (DRIVER) SCOUT (GPMG) SCOUT (RECOILLESS RIFLE) ELECTC TECH
OFFR ORD OFFR LOG SPEC OFFR ELECTC TECH OFFR ORD OFFR ORD OFFR SYS ENGR OFFR CLERK NCO CLERK ANY SVC OFFR CLERK GD CLERK SHORTHAND CLERK TYPIST MAINT ASST
MPO MP SPEC OFFR PERSONNEL OFFR CLERK SHORTHAND CLERK NCO SERVICE TRAINEE KEY PUNCH VERIFIER OPERATOR DATA PROCG OFFR SYSTEM ANALYST/PROGRAMMER NUSAF
CLEANER HOUSEKEEPER BANDMASTER BANDSMAN DRUMMER BANDSMAN NCO MUSICIAN STAGE TECHNICIAN 120MM MORTAR SPEC/OPR AFV OPR AFV 20MM GUNNER AFV 81MM
MORTARMAN AFV 90MM GUNNER AFV DRIVER (M113) AFV OPR AFV DRIVER (M113) AFV RECOVERY DRIVER ARMD INF SECT LDR (M113) ARMD INF SECT LDR AFV TROOPER (M113) ARMD RECCE
JEEP TROOPER ARMD RECCE OFFR ARMD INF RECCE TROOPER ARMD INF OFFR ARMY CT SPEC(AI-AUTO[A]) ARMY SYS SPEC(AI-AUTO[A]) ARMY SYS SPEC(TANK-ARMT[T]) MOTORISED RECCE
NCO OFFR CADET RECCE JEEP TROOPER RECCE TROOPER RECCE TROOPER (JEEP DRIVER) RECCE TROOPER (MOTORCYCLE) TANK NCO TANK OFFR TANK CREWMAN 120MM MORTAR LAYER
120MM MORTARMAN 155MM HOWITZER GUNNER 160MM MORTARMAN AA GUNNER NCO AA GUNNER AA RADAR OPERATOR ARMY CT SPEC(ARTY[F]-ELECTC[R]) ARMY CT SPEC(ARTY[G] ARMY[H])
ARMY CT SPEC(ARTY[G]-ARMT[H]) ARMY CT SPEC(ARTY-ARMT[H]) ARMY CT SPEC(ARTY-ARMT[H]) ARMY CT SPEC(ARTY[G]-ARMT[H]) ARMY SYS SPEC(ARTY[F]-ELECTC[R]) ARMY SYS SPEC(ARTYARMT[
H]) ARMY SYS SPEC(ARTY(F)-ELECTC[R]) ARMY SYS SPEC(ARTY[G]-ARMT[H]) ARMY SYS SPEC(ARTY-ARMT[H]) ARTY OFFR ARTILLERY NCO FATA NCO (SPEC) TECH ASSISTANT (ARTY) NCO
FARRIER GENERAL TARGET ACQUISITION MAN FATA LOCATOR NCO FATA SVYR NCO FLASH RANGING MAN GUNNER TECH ASSISTANT (ARTY) METEROLOGICAL MAN RADAR MAN REGIMENTAL
SURVEYOR SEARCH LIGHT OPERATOR SELF-PROPELLED GUN DRIVER SELF-PROPELLED GUN GUNNER SOUND RANGING MAN SURVEYOR TECH ASSISTANT (ARTY) ARMD PIONEER NCO ARMD
PIONEER ARMOURED RECCE PNR NCO ARMOURED RECCE PNR ARMY CT ASST ARMY CT SPEC(ARMD ENGR-AUTO[A]) ARMY SYS ASST BOATMAN BOATMAN NCO PIONEER BRDG PIONEER NCO
BRDG PIONEER BRDG PIONEER NCO BRIDGING RECCE PNR NCO ELECTRO-MECH EQPT TECH(MT) VRG-DESC COMET NCO COMET PNR COMET NCO DRAUGHTSMAN (GENERAL) ENGR TANK
CREWMAN ENGR TANK NCO EOD NCO FD ENGR OFFR PIONEER NCO FIELD PLANT OPR FIELD SURVEYOR FOLDABLE LONG SPAN BRIDGE SPEC HEAVY CRANE OPERATOR HEAVY PLANT OPR
INF PIONEER INF PIONEER NCO PIONEER PIONEER NCO PLT OPR NCO PORT OFFR PORT OPERATOR RECCE PNR NCO RECCE PNR RECCE PNR SM1 LAUNCHED BRDG VEH LAUNCHED BRDG
WATERCRAFT PNR NCO WATERCRAFT PNR ARMY CT SPEC(GDS-AUTO[B]) ARMY CT SPEC(GDS-AUTO[B]) ARMY SYS SPEC(GDS-AUTO[B]) GUARDSMAN NCO GUARDS OFFR GUARDSMAN LIGHT
STRIKE LDR LIGHT STRIKE TPR RECOILLESS GUNNER RECOILLESS GUN NCO 120MM MORTAR SPEC/OPR 81MM MORTARMAN 81MM MORTAR NCO RIFLEMAN RECOILLESS RIFLEMAN RECOILLESS
RIFLE NCO ATGM ATGM NCO ANY CBT OFFR ARMY CT SPEC(INF-AUTO[B]) ARMY CT SPEC(INF-AUTO[B]) ARMY SYS SPEC(INF-AUTO[B]) ARMY SYS SPEC(INF-AUTO[B]) GUN VEH DVR COMMANDO
FIGHTER INF OFFR INF SECT LDR GD MAN GPMG GUNNER GS SPEC OFFR INF SECT LDR SURGEON CLINICAL LAB ASSISTANT CLINICAL LAB ASSIST NCO CLINICAL LAB ASSIST NCO CLINICAL
LAB TECH COMBAT MEDICAL ORDERLY COMBAT MEDICAL ORDERLY NCO COMBAT MEDIC(SRN) COMBAT MEDIC(U/W)(SRN) COMBAT MEDICAL ORDERLY DENTAL ORDERLY DENTAL TECH DENTAL
LAB OFFR DENTAL TECH DENTAL OFFR DENTAL ORDERLY NCO HEALTH INSP HYGIENE ASSISTANT LAB OFFR MED ANC OFFR MED OFFR NURSING OFFR PHARMACIST MED OFFR HYGIENE
ASSISTANT RADIOGRAPHER RADIOGRAPHER ORDERLY MEDICAL ORDERLY (CBT) MEDICAL ORDERLY NCO STOREMAN MEDICAL NCO STOREMAN MEDICAL STOREMAN MEDICAL NCO SURGEON
ARMY CT SPEC(COMM-ELECTC[C]) ARMY SYS SPEC(COMM-ELECTC[C]) ARMY SYS SPEC(COMM-ELECTC[C]) CIPHER OPERATOR COMCEN OPR RADIO RELAY OPR NCO RADIO RELAY OPR
ELECTRONIC TRAINEES COMPUTER AND CONTROL FITTER DESPATCH RIDER ELECTRICIAN
DRIVER ELECTC TECH OFFR ELECTRONIC TECHNICIAN ELECTRONIC
TRAINEES ELECTRONIC MECH ELEC- TRONIC MECH LINEMAN SIG OFFR RADAR
MECH RADAR OPERATOR RADAR MECH ELECTRONIC TRAINEES RADIO OPERATOR
RADIO TECHNICIAN SIGNAL OF- FICE CLERK SIG OFFR SIGNALLER SIG
NCO LINE MECHANIC TELEPHONE SWBD OPERATOR WPN CONTR MECH (MISSILE)
WPN CONTR MECH (GD) YEOMAN OF SIG- NALS AA GUN MECHANIC VEHICLE MECHANIC
WEAPON CONTR MECH AA CLERK TECHNICAL (GENERAL EQPT) STOREMAN
SUPPLY STOREMAN GD PAINTER/DECO- RATOR ARMT OFFR AFV ELECT ARMD
VEH MECH GUN FITTER (AMALGAMATED) ARMD VEH MECH WEAPON TECH ARMD
VEH TECH OFFR ARMOURER (AMALGA- MATED) BATTERY FITTER CLERK TECHNICAL
ARMAMENT CLERK TECHNICAL (VEHI- CLE) COMET ELECT COMET MECH FITTER
MACHINIST NCO GENERAL FITTER GRD COMMS ELECT MECH GD RADAR
ELECT MECH GUN FITTER (AMALGAMATED) HEAVY PLANT MECH OPTICAL INSTR MECH
WEAPON TECH METALSMITH MODELLER- CAMOUFLAGE OPTICAL INSTR MECH
PANEL BEATER SHEET METAL WORKER STOREMAN TECH (ARM) STOREMAN TECH
(VEH) TK ELECT ARMD VEH MECH TEL- EPRINTER MECH TURNER MACHINIST VEHICLE
ELECTRICIAN VEH MAINT OFFR VE- HICLE MECHANIC VEHICLE PAINTER
DRIVER VEHICLE TECH CLASS WELDER STOREMAN TECH (ORDNANCE) DOG HANDLER
MILITARY POLICEMAN NCO MP(SVC) MILITARY POLICEMAN MILITARY POLICEMAN
NCO PRO OFFR REGIMENTAL PO- LICEMAN DOG HANDLER VET SURGEON
ADA OFFR AIR DEF SYS OPR AIR DEF SYS SPEC(35MM-EME) AIR DEF WPN SPEC(IGLASLU)
ADA NCO ADA(35MM GUN) OPR ADA(DIV) OPR WPN SYS OFFR AFV DVR
NSF DEFAULT INVESTIGATOR OFFR NSF DEFAULT INVESTIGATOR PDF INF SECT LDR PDF MED ORDERLY PDF OFFR 0611 PDF RIFLEMAN PDF TECH OPERATOR PDF INF SECT LDR SEA TERMINAL
OPR NCO ARMAMENT MASTER TECH ARMAMENT TECH AFV TUR MECH AFV ELECT ARMD VEH TUR MECH NCO AVM(A) NCO ARMOURER TECH ELECTC TECH OFFR ARMY TECH OFFR(MECH)
AUTOMOTIVE MASTER TECH AUTOMOTIVE SPEC TECH AUTOMOTIVE TECH COMET ELECT NCO COMET MECH ELECTRONICS MASTER TECH ELECTRONICS SPEC TECH ELECTRONICS TECH GRD
COMMS ELECT MECH GRD ELECT MECH GD RADAR ELECT MECH GUNFITTER HEAVY PLANT MECH NCO HEAVY PLANT MECH NCO OPTICAL INSTR TECH PANEL BEATER NCO TK ELECT TANK MECH
TK TUR MECH VEHICLE ELECTRICIAN VRM NCO VEHICLE MECHANIC NCO VEHICLE MECHANIC GROUND COMMS ELECT MECH (RSAF) GROUND COMMS ELECT MECH (RSAF) AIR DEF CONR AIR
DEFENCE OPERATOR AIR ENGG OFFR AIR EXEC OFFR AIR FORCE OFFR CADET AVO AIR MAINT OFFR AIR OPS&COMMS ASST NCO AIR OPS&COMMS ASST AIR OPS SYS OPR/SPEC AIR OPS SYS
OPR/SPEC AIR OPR&COMMS OFFR GROUND COMMS ELECT MECH (RSAF) AIR STMN TECH AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL ASSISTANT ATC OFFR AIRCRAFT MECHANIC AC AIRFRAME/ENGINE TECH(TT) AC
COMMS TECH AIRCRAFT ELECTRICAL MECH AC ELECT/ARMT TECH(TT) AC ELECT/INST TECH(TT) AC ENGINE TECH AIRCRAFT MECHANIC AIRCRAFT FINISHER AC INST TECH AIRCRAFT MECHANIC
AC RDR TECH AC SAFETY EQPT WORKER AIRCRAFT SHEET METAL WORKER AIRCRAFT SHEET METAL WORKER AIRCRAFT WEAPON MECH AC WPN TECH AIRCRAFT WEAPON MECH AIRCREW SPEC
AIRCREWMAN AIRFRAME/ENGINE MECH AIRFRAME/ENGINE MECH AIR STMN TECH AIR STMN TECH NCO AC SAFETY EQPT WORKER AC SAFETY EQPT WORKER NCO AVO AVO NCO RDR/COMMS
TECH(CME/SCME) COMMS TECH ELECTRICAL/ARMAMENT MECH ELECTRICAL/ARMAMENT MECH ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT TECH ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT TECH ELECTRO-MECH EQPT TECH
ELECTRO-MECH EQPT TECH(TT) FIREMAN GROUND COMMS ELECT MECH (RSAF) GROUND ELECTRICAL MECH GROUND EQUIPMENT MECH GROUND COMMS ELECT MECH (RSAF) GROUND
EQUIPMENT MECH GROUND ELECTRICAL MECH HELICOPTER MECHANIC (JET) JET ENGINE MECHANIC NAVIGATION FITTER (AIR) NAV PILOT RDR TECH RDR/COMMS TECH(CME/SCME) RDR/
COMMS TECH RADAR/COMMS MECH RDR/COMMS TECH(MT) RADAR/COMMS MECH AC SAFETY EQPT WORKER TECHNICAL TRAINEE TECH(EE)(MT) GROUND COMMS ELECT MECH (RSAF)
WEAPON TECH WORKSHOP INSTRUCTOR WORKSHOP INSTRUCTOR ANY COMBAT TECHNICAL ASSAULT CRAFT OPERATOR COMBAT MEDICAL ORDERLY(UW) COMBAT MEDICAL ORDERLY NCO (UW)
FROGMAN MARITIME OBM MECH MIDS SEAMAN NAVAL COMMUNICATOR NVL DIVER NCO NAVAL ELECTRICAL ARTIFICER NAVAL ELECTRICIAN MECHANIC NAVAL ELECTRICAL MECH NAVAL
ENGINEERING MECH NVL MAINT OFFR NVL ENGG SYS SPEC(W) NAVAL ENGINEERING MECH NVL FIRE&SAFETY OFFR NAVAL FIREMAN NVL MAINT OFFR NAVAL STOREMAN TECH NAVAL STOREMAN
TECH NAVAL MISSILE CONTR ARTIFICER NVL OFFR NAVAL ORDNANCE ARTIFICER NAVAL RADAR MECH NAVAL RADIO ELECTRIC MECH NAVAL RADIO OPERATOR NCO NAVAL REFRIGERATION MECH
NVL REFGN TECH NAVAL SHIPWRIGHT ARTIFICER NAVAL SHIPWRIGHT MECH NAVAL SHIPWRIGHT MECH NAVAL SONAR CONTROL MECH NAVAL STOREMAN TECH NVL SUP OFFR NVL SYS SPEC NVL
TECH ASST(N ARC) NVL MAINT OFFR NVL TECH SPEC(OE) NAVAL WEAPON ARTIFICER NAVAL WEAPON CONTR ARTIFICER NVL ENGG SYS SPEC(EE) NAVAL WEAPON MECH SEAMAN GUNLAYER
ARMOURER SEAMAN GUNNER SEAMAN MINE WARFARE SEAMAN RADAR PLOTTER SEAMAN SAILMAKER SEAMAN UNDERWATER CONTROL SEAMAN UNDERWATER WEAPONS SEAMAN
(CLEARANCE DRIVER) AERIAL CARGO RIGGER/NCO AERIAL CARGO RIGGER/NCO AMMO TECH AMMO SPEC/MASTER TECH AMMO TECH OFFR AMMO SPEC/MASTER TECH CARPENTER/JOINER
COOK NCO COOK COACH TRIMMER NCO DRIVER DRIVING INSTR MECH TPT OFFR MIL ENGG OFFR MT NCO SEA TERMINAL OPR SEA TERMINAL OPR NCO MT NCO STOREMAN SUPPLY NCO
STOREMAN TECH (COMMS) NCO STOREMAN (AMMO) NCO STOREMAN (AMMO) STOREMAN TECH (COMMS) STOREMAN SUPPLY STOREMAN TECH (ORDNANCE) SUP OFFR STOREMAN SUPPLY NCO
MT NCO COACH TRIMMER UNMANNED AIR VEHICLE SYSTEM SPEC DUPLICATING MACHINE OPERATOR LITHOGRAPHER PHOTO PRINTER PRINTER PRINTER COMPOSITOR NCO PROJECTIONIST
CDO FTR CDO LDR RIGGER ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT OFFR MAPPING SPEC PHOTO LAB ASSISTANT MAPPING SPEC TECH SPEC(ELECT) TECH SPEC (MECH) ARTISTE BOILER ATTENDANT
BRICKLAYER TECH (BLDG SVC-ELECT) BLDG SUPVR CLERK OF WORKS NCO DRAUGHTSMAN (GENERAL) DRAUGHTSMAN (MECH) FILTRATION PLT ATTD GENERATOR ATTD (MECH) GRAPHIC
ARTIST NCO LAND SURVEYOR OVERSEER TECHNICIAN TECH (BLDG SVC-PLUMBING) PUMP ATTENDANT QUANTITY SURVEYOR ASSISTANT TECH (BLDG SVC-MECH) SURVEY ASST SURVEYOR
(TOPO) TECH (BLDG SVC-MECH) COBBLER TAILOR FLIGHT ENGINEER WPN SYS OFFR DEFENCE TECHNICAL WPN SYS OFFR EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR NCO EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR TECH
OFFR (FOOD TECHNOLOGY) PRODUCTION (MEDIA) MASTER TECH PRODUCTION (MEDIA) SPEC TECH PRODUCTION(MEDIA) TECH PRODUCTION (STAGE) MASTER TECH PRODUCTION (STAGE) SPEC
TECH PRODUCTION (STAGE) TECH NVL ENGG SYS SPEC (TS) DEFENCE TECHNICAL RESEARCH ASSISTANT TEST LEADER LANGUAGE INSTRUCTOR LANG TRG OFFR PSYCHO TECHNIC TESTER

SINGAPORE: A Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) full—time National Serviceman (NSF) died on Tuesday during a navigation exercise.

Specialist Cadet (SCT) Ee Chun Sheng, 21, was found unconscious at about 5.11pm while participating in a navigation exercise at Ama Keng Training Area at Lim Chu Kang.

An SAF medic went on site and tried to resuscitate SCT Ee at about 5.15pm. The serviceman was evacuated via a safety vehicle to the Tengah Air Base Medical Centre and arrived at about 5.39pm where an SAF doctor attended to him.

SCT Ee was then sent by ambulance to the National University Hospital (NUH) at 6.05pm and arrived at 6.32pm. SAF doctor and medic continued to resuscitate him enroute to the hospital.

SCT Ee was pronounced dead at 9.03pm at NUH.

The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the SAF extend their deepest condolences to the family of the late SCT Ee. The SAF is assisting the family in their time of grief and is investigating the incident.

— CNA
==========
In a stunning relevation, MINDEF revealed in a press statement last night that SAF took MORE THAN ONE HOUR to send 21 year old SCT Ee Chun Sheng to NUH after he was discovered to be unconscious during a training exercise:

“An SAF medic went on site and tried to resuscitate SCT Ee at about 5.15pm. The serviceman was evacuated via a safety vehicle to the Tengah Air Base Medical Centre and arrived at about 5.39pm where an SAF doctor attended to him. SCT Ee was then sent via an ambulance to the National University Hospital (NUH) at 6.05pm and arrived at 6.32pm.”

SCT Ee was pronounced dead on arrival at NUH. He was training to be a ‘Specs’ at the School of Infantry Specialists (SISPEC) after which he will hold the rank of a 3rd Sergeant.

His unfortunate and unnecessary death was mourned by many ordinary Singaporeans. SCT Ee graduated from Singapore Polytechnic and would have a bright future ahead of him if not for his untimely demise.

Though the cause of his death is not known yet, it is common medical knowledge that few will survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest for more than five minutes.

It was reported that SCT Ee was resuscitated on site. What was done for him there? Did the medic have a portable defibrillator? Did he have a pulse present? If he was still alive then, he should be sent immediately to NUH rather than sent to the Medical Centre.

Given the close proximity between Tengah Air Base and NUH, it is incredulous that it took nearly half an hour to transfer SCT Ee to NUH.

MINDEF should come clean with the public and convene an independent Commission of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding SCT Ee’s death and whether it could be prevented.

It should also release the number of NSFs and NSmen who died in the course of their training as well as those who suffered permanent injuries and debility over the years. The figures should then be compared with those of other countries with mandatory conscription such as Taiwan, South Korea and Israel.

Despite blanket assurances from the SAF that it takes “serious view” of ensuring the “safety” of its soldiers, unnecessary deaths and injuries have been occuring of late and then quietly swept under the carpet as if nothing has happened.

With National Service exacting a heavy toll on the time and resources of every Singapore men, Singaporeans deserve to know the truth or one day, somebody we know may become the next SCT Ee.

-Temasek Review

The torrential downpour forced us into the training shed near the field camp site. It was a miracle that I could pause for a moment then to excogitate upon the goings-on of the past few days. I was staving off hunger, fighting the pressing need to nap, ignoring the sour stench of armpits, sweat and leftover food that permeated and mingled in the musty air. God – He was asking me why I was in such a sorry state.

And so I started to think.

Like most recruits, I entertained the notion that National Service, as much as it was crucial to survival of the nation-state, was a waste of time. I believe to a lesser extent now; the past 4 months had shown that NS does shape the fine young gentleman. Physically, I am less podgy. Mentally, I am better able to complete tasks on time, under external pressure and stress. Emotionally, I am able to stay calm and keep a cool head in the face of adversity.

My thoughts then shifted to the 8km route march 2 days ago. My spirits were high before embarkation. However, by the halfway mark, I was already struggling to keep my body upright. My commander told us before that “when the going gets tough, think of who you are defending – your family, your friends, your loved ones, your country.” Yet, the aforementioned quote was lost on me as I spent the rest of the march withdrawn into my protective shell. Really, I was physically stronger than many; I should have helped lighten their loads or at the very least, encouraged the rest. But hindsight is twenty-twenty. I did not expect such selfish behaviour from myself.

Field camp was a litmus test of resilience. The blisters sustained from the route march seared on my feet and toes. The heat rash started to become more than just an irritant. The helmet and iLBV were also impediments to the tasks of building the perfect basha and digging a deep enough shellscrape. People faltering around me served only to discourage me. Yet, somehow, I made it through. Barely though. There was this time I hovered intently outside the medic tent, wondering if I should seek medical attention for my fever. It was enticing indeed; a few of my platoon mates were huddled in the cosy tent, sheltered from the elements. The rest of us, including myself, had just been punished for digging our shellscrapes too slowly. Definitely, more was to come. In the end, I steeled myself not to be a goldbricker and to continue what I have to do.

I had a private moment with myself at dawn while at alert position. My rifle and I – illuminated weakly by the stirring sun – must make quite a poignant sight. Both were soaked thoroughly from the indecisive rain. Both experienced the vicissitudes of army life. Both were muddied from the leopard crawl in Exercise Mail Run, after which I was presented with a letter, a poem rather, about angels from my mother, the contents of which are too private to be disclosed. But it made me weep then, and it made me weep now.

And that’s all that matters.

And as the last raindrops and teardrops fell, I wrapped up my quiet reflection. Just yesterday, I might be reluctant to push my physical and mental boundaries. But tomorrow, I will ready myself to be a better soldier, a better citizen, a better son. For today, let it be known to the world that this was my defining moment.