About four hours ago, I booked out from Sungei Gedong Camp for the first time. Let me see what transpired during my first five days in this camp.
Monday
Arrived at the main gate at 7.25am. There was a whole lot of civilian vehicles queuing up to enter the place. There were also quite a number of middle-aged men back for reservist who came via taxi. Two of our future (and not current) bunk mates picked us up at the guard house and led us the way to our block.
My bunk used to have five people occupying it. With effect from Monday, it totalled to nine after we the four newbies booked in. There wasn't any formal/official introduction to our superiors as the platoon which we are joining was currently participating in an exercise at another camp.
In the end, we just sat at the table in the bunk and asked our seniors numerous questions about the life here just like how any typical newbie would. Later in the morning, we were told to meet another platoon's PC for interview as he was standing in for ours.
He brought us around our block, the cookhouse and e-mart for a tour. This was followed by lunch. Next, we went to the e-mart to shop for some items before slacking in the bunk until dinner.
There was an "unofficial" turnout at 10:30pm when I was already lying on my bed but yet to drift into sleep mode. It turned out to be that the three PCs of our platoon wanted to meet us as they were just back in camp. The entire thing lasted less than two minutes before I headed back to sleep.
Tuesday
The unique thing about this battalion is that there is something called midday parade other than the usual first and last parades. We had to fall in at 1 in the afternoon everyday and nobody knows who the heck came up with this.
From 10am to 4pm, we were tasked to do some sai kang which involved throwing away combat rations which are nearing their expiry date and some old and damaged furniture from the condemn store. The word "condemn" should more or less give you an idea of what is inside the store.
It was no easy feat as the bloody garbage point was more very far away. We were given two trolleys, one big and one small, to move the items to their destination and had a tough time manoeuvring them up and down the slopes and on the uneven road.
Went to the office in the evening after office hours to surf the net and enjoy air-con before going back to sleep.
Wednesday
It was arguably the shiok-est day among the five. Why? Let me summarize things for you.
Woke up. Ate breakfast. First parade. Back to bunk to play chess. Lunchtime. Midday parade. Slept for three hours in the afternoon. Chess. Dinner. Went (as an illegal immigrant) to the WOSpecs mess. Air-con too cold. Went back to company office to surf net. Sleep.
One of our bunk mates was the mess boy on duty which explains why people like me could enter the area. But who the heck cares, everyone inside there were youngsters, not a single encik was spotted.
Thursday
Right after first parade, we played monopoly deal all the way till lunchtime. Cleared up the storeroom and threw all the remaining rubbish in the early afternoon. Went to the mess later. Played Xbox and PS3. Everybody inside there were our own people. The mess was supposed to be closed at that time but since we have the key in our hands, why not?
Watched a TV programme on Channel 5 at 7pm. It was insanely humorous and entertaining. This is the first time that I seriously watched TV in a military establishment. Went to office to surf net after the awesome show ended.
Friday
Continued playing monopoly deal. Attended a BPSC lecture conducted by a first sergeant to prepare us for guard duty. That was our first ever lesson in the unit. Lunchtime. We could have just booked out after lunch but the CSM only allowed us to go at 5pm as this is part and parcel of regimentation and bullshit.
In the end, the first sergeant who taught us BPSC somehow managed to get his hands on an off pass hence allowing all of us to walk out of camp before the clock hits 5.
***
It has been sort of a culture shock for me in the last five days where freedom and flexibility ruled the system there. The people there do not differentiate each other by ranks, the officers, sergeants and lance corporals walk and eat together. The best part is you don't even need to use the word "sergeant" or "Sir".
Now that I am free from this "culture shock", I can start to think of what to bring with me for the next book-in so as to kill the boredom in camp
Monday
Arrived at the main gate at 7.25am. There was a whole lot of civilian vehicles queuing up to enter the place. There were also quite a number of middle-aged men back for reservist who came via taxi. Two of our future (and not current) bunk mates picked us up at the guard house and led us the way to our block.
My bunk used to have five people occupying it. With effect from Monday, it totalled to nine after we the four newbies booked in. There wasn't any formal/official introduction to our superiors as the platoon which we are joining was currently participating in an exercise at another camp.
In the end, we just sat at the table in the bunk and asked our seniors numerous questions about the life here just like how any typical newbie would. Later in the morning, we were told to meet another platoon's PC for interview as he was standing in for ours.
He brought us around our block, the cookhouse and e-mart for a tour. This was followed by lunch. Next, we went to the e-mart to shop for some items before slacking in the bunk until dinner.
There was an "unofficial" turnout at 10:30pm when I was already lying on my bed but yet to drift into sleep mode. It turned out to be that the three PCs of our platoon wanted to meet us as they were just back in camp. The entire thing lasted less than two minutes before I headed back to sleep.
Tuesday
The unique thing about this battalion is that there is something called midday parade other than the usual first and last parades. We had to fall in at 1 in the afternoon everyday and nobody knows who the heck came up with this.
From 10am to 4pm, we were tasked to do some sai kang which involved throwing away combat rations which are nearing their expiry date and some old and damaged furniture from the condemn store. The word "condemn" should more or less give you an idea of what is inside the store.
It was no easy feat as the bloody garbage point was more very far away. We were given two trolleys, one big and one small, to move the items to their destination and had a tough time manoeuvring them up and down the slopes and on the uneven road.
Went to the office in the evening after office hours to surf the net and enjoy air-con before going back to sleep.
Wednesday
It was arguably the shiok-est day among the five. Why? Let me summarize things for you.
Woke up. Ate breakfast. First parade. Back to bunk to play chess. Lunchtime. Midday parade. Slept for three hours in the afternoon. Chess. Dinner. Went (as an illegal immigrant) to the WOSpecs mess. Air-con too cold. Went back to company office to surf net. Sleep.
One of our bunk mates was the mess boy on duty which explains why people like me could enter the area. But who the heck cares, everyone inside there were youngsters, not a single encik was spotted.
Thursday
Right after first parade, we played monopoly deal all the way till lunchtime. Cleared up the storeroom and threw all the remaining rubbish in the early afternoon. Went to the mess later. Played Xbox and PS3. Everybody inside there were our own people. The mess was supposed to be closed at that time but since we have the key in our hands, why not?
Watched a TV programme on Channel 5 at 7pm. It was insanely humorous and entertaining. This is the first time that I seriously watched TV in a military establishment. Went to office to surf net after the awesome show ended.
Friday
Continued playing monopoly deal. Attended a BPSC lecture conducted by a first sergeant to prepare us for guard duty. That was our first ever lesson in the unit. Lunchtime. We could have just booked out after lunch but the CSM only allowed us to go at 5pm as this is part and parcel of regimentation and bullshit.
In the end, the first sergeant who taught us BPSC somehow managed to get his hands on an off pass hence allowing all of us to walk out of camp before the clock hits 5.
***
It has been sort of a culture shock for me in the last five days where freedom and flexibility ruled the system there. The people there do not differentiate each other by ranks, the officers, sergeants and lance corporals walk and eat together. The best part is you don't even need to use the word "sergeant" or "Sir".
Now that I am free from this "culture shock", I can start to think of what to bring with me for the next book-in so as to kill the boredom in camp
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