England Vs Switzerland at 11pm later. Booking in at 2010 tomorrow. ^_^! 5 Days on Tekong's unfriendly jungle- the supposed climax of the 9 week long BMT training, I survived and am back, not for more, but at home. The past 5 days weren't easy, but the intensity, I feel, has definitely been scaled down. Our commanders were surprisingly lax with us. I am indeed one lucky bastard, for my lucky aura has extended beyond schooling life, into army life; for the moment at least. The 5 days went by pretty much quickly, leaving me with a sketchy recollection of what went on. Day 1: Woke up in the morning feeling ambivalent; dreading the entire experience which is to come, desperate to find a way out of the sucky circumstance when there isn't any, and possible anticipation, eager for it to end. Pardon my use of expletives, I am a soldier. The morning was a mad rush of activities. Last minute checks on the items to be brought for field camp, filling of our water bottles, and the routine and mundane man organisation and strength counting. Tedious work I would say. Shortly after, we set of in the direction of the Tekong jungle, some 8km away; by foot. Inculcated with field discipline, which is frankly agonizing. Was taught how to set up basha tents, had dinner, and turn in for the night. Shall not dwell on the insignificant details, for I am not anal retentive. Day 2: The entire morning was dedicated to learning the various jungle drills, which I never heard of. Spent the entire afternoon practicing these drills. They were unexpectedly tiring. It shagged me out. Wasn't spared at night. Had to do some night movement drills- Mr Mime in action; touching invisible walls in the dark. Turned in for the night. Day 3: Worst ever start to a day, and hands down, the worst part of the entire 5 day course. Woke up to gun fire, explosions and commanders shouting vulgarities; all these on the pretext of enemy invading into our territory. Stoned for approximately 20 seconds, before shaking of the grogginess resulting from being awoken abruptly. Prone in the basha for another 10 seconds, before realizing the need to tear down my basha, get equipped and literally f*** off. Recollecting those moments are painful enough, let alone elaborating them. Shall not belabor on the point- that was the worst moment of my field camp. The rest of the day was fine. Having gone through the worst of hell, prison is not a bad place to be. Switched vocation to a farmer temporarily and commenced working on my shell scrape. Turn in and rested. Day 4: Continued with the shell scrape till noon, before proceeding to participate in a gun fire competition. I wasn't exactly participating. Was more concerned with controlling my breathing and getting my vision restored. Fired 3 blank rounds before succumbing to an IA and resumed digging. By evening, my sweat paid off. 12 hours of digging; an additional hole was planted into the ground, curteousy of recruit Eugene Chew. Only to be ordered to fill the hole- WHORE. Got very pissed off but could only resort to sucking my thumb and shaking my tail. Retreated to my humble abode. Day 5: Took the tunnel back to Coy line. Crazy washing and another mad dash around the Coy line. Eventually took the ferry and that is BOOK OUT DAY! In field camp, Convenience >> Comfort. I shitted twice though. Squatting down beside an ancient oak tree, in the middle of the night, in total darkness. ~31st May 2011 - 4th June 2011~ Field camp has ended. The worst of BMT is over. ~30 days to POP. Thereafter, I wish to see no more of Tekong, unless of course if I become a medic, which I seriously am aspiring to be. It's been only a month, yet so much had happened. I thought I could, I thought I had, gotten over you. But when the cold wind blows, I still think of you.
