Finally Booking out..

I had a memorable time bashing through the jungles of Singapore yesterday; feeling the ferns and thorns in my face.. Yeah right! It must have been the worst feeling to have thorns brushing my face every minute. haha.. Seems like the week ended sooner than I thought.. Well time I book out from camp finally! Good bye OCS for 3 days!

Life's lessons from the field..

Before moving off for Pulau Tekong for the field camp, I was very rather excited about the fact that we had to build structures, carve fork and spoons and create an environment in the field where we would actually have to survive in. It was good to know that there were many technical things that we learnt before the field camp to familiarise ourselves to living in the conditions we were given. The expectations of the instructors were no less demanding than any other fieldcamp and I felt I was ready for the challenge.
Field camp day arrived and the week evolved from a orientation to water obstacle crossing exercise to the application of the survival techniques we have learnt in camp. Generally it was not so much about the technical stuff thatwas enlightening, however it was things about myself that I realised as I carried out my exercises with my group mates.
Throughout the 5 days, I already felt a challenge in terms of my mental capability to carry on in the exercises that requiredalot of mental determination to complete the tasks. I had to over come hunger, pain, stress, and other external factors which really pulled down my own morale. Then I learnt that focus was really all I needed to know that things had to be done.Focus and concentration is really important to control my emotions at any point in time. That was really important especially under thosecircumstances.
Moreover, it was important to realise how important teamwork was to complete tasks on time as well as to do it to the best of our ability in the harshest conditions. When people have differing opinions and capabilities, it is important to appreciate that they still serve an important role for being in the team and nobody should be left out of the equation at any point in time. That case was especially so in the case of Ex. Robinson Crusoe. Cooperation was vital to the team effort to complete the checkpoints. Everyone has to be willing to move together to proceed to our objective.
Motivation was something I learnt that was so evident in Ex. Robinson Crusoe. Firstly, the self motivation had to come from within myself before I could motivate others. I motivated myself knowing that I am doing this for the reason that I had a dutyto defend the nation, armed with the knowledge and capability to protect my family. That bigger reason pushed me like never before.I motivated the others through my actions of pushing on knowing that achieving this difficult feat as a team will bring us closer together. It really has to be intrinsic and it has to be cultivated before I even start to lead a group of 28 men.
I think I have also begun to see myself changing into a much more fulfilled personality who is learning so much more than I everthought I would. I am starting to see things from a perspective that is enlightening yet enjoyable. I learnt alot about myselfin those 5 days; lessons I will never forget.

One Field camp I will never forget..

Spent the last 5 days in Pulau Tekong training. I never thought it could be as memorable as this one. Never have I spent 1 whole night carving a wooden spoon out of a piece of wood, starve myself of breakfast and lunch to eat a dinner of tapioca. The last 2 days can never be as long as any other day I lived, going almost 24 hours without sleep; constantly walking around the island searching for checkpoints. With a load of almost 30 kilos on the back, it was inevitable that I had thoughts of falling out of that mental and physical torture. At least I now can say it was a good achievement finishing off the 5 days in one piece knowing that I learnt alot more about my character and how I have improved over the months. I think I have been enjoying my training recently because of the new friends I have made and I'm glad I did. Its great being here. It's crazy but ya..

Helicopter ride anyone?

Woah! Guess what! I took my very first and maybe the only helicopter ride in my life today! It was exciting knowing that we would be taking a ride in the Helicopter aka Super Puma, yet it was almost mind boggling, knowing that I was actually flying in the helicopter today! It was so cool climbing in as if we were on a mission. It was almost as if I was living a dream I had when I was a small boy. I never really thought that day would come until today. It was kinda emotional though it was only a 5 minute ride. Then again I realised it was something I knew few would ver experience and I was grateful for even that 5 minutes. To think about it, there was a simple lesson I learnt from that. I have to be really grateful to be in OCS or even living as a human being for that matter as I can choose to live the way I want to live my life. Many grow complacent about their lives and choose to let the world control them when they can realise and live the dreams they ever wanted to do. It seems life I lived a part of that childhood dream coincidentally and I hope that there would be more to come.

Cool times ahead..

I think being in platoon 2 has been getting more and more fun as the days go by. It seems like the new cadets from the Charlie are getting along better with the old boys and it seems lie the attitude is getting better everyday. I can tell who is making the effort to make their stay here memorable and walking the path with these people can only make my journey much more enjoyable.

Turnout is coming soon and I can't wait for the big day to happen. Our impact on the junior cadets will really be somewhat significant. Especially since we are the only wing to turn out 5 others. Lesson I learnt. Speak up with confidence to anybody I guess, even if the person is of a higher ranking than you are. It was a good experience. I guess it was cool no one could have such an experience.

Ended the day feeling really tired. Alot of things now that I have to do. Focus on completing each would be a necessity. Focus.. Focus..