Specialist Course
YES! I am back from the SPEC Course! Guess what? I got it...a second sergeant!
Actually, this is somewhat unexpected. Well, the reason will reveal as I move on, but now I shall talk about the events for these few days at Pasir Laba SISPEC.
First day, we arrived at another camp (Amoy Quee) first before proceeding to Pasir Laba. Over at Amoy Quee, we were told to surrender any contraband items, and given our respective platoons. I was in Alpha 1. Not long, we made our way to Pasir Laba, where attendance and the nominal roll were taken. We were asked to fall in and my fellow Bukit Panjang platoon mates and I went to search for Alpha 1 platoon. Before falling in, we of course had to ask the officer for permission. I greeted 'Good afternoon' instead of 'Good morning.' Gosh, you should have seen the irritated look on his face as he replied, "Whoa, now afternoon already ar?"
It can be a heinous mistake. First day and a bad impression left...
Tried to assure myself it was trivial so I did not brood over it anymore. We joined the platoon, and saw many unfamiliar faces from different schools. There was this guy who already showed attitude on the first day. Not marching properly and cursing under his breath. Why did he have to do it? Well, we just bear with it for 4 days and we are free...And 1 cadet from Commonwealth became the IC. Wow, nice, so fast action already. And...he looked fierce, really, with that slanted brows and small lips... Anyway, later I found out that he was the primary school friend of HanXiong, and he knew Alson and FENGYU, our very own chairman. More will be shown to prove that this is a small world. Oh ya, his name is Jeremy Tan Jia Liang.
Skip some parts in between, then we had a General Specialist Knowledge revision. The whole of Alpha company gathered at the training shed for this. This brings us to another introduction of another platoon mate of mine - Zacchaeus Lim Sheng Hao from NUS High. The officer asked a lot of questions and he was the desperate one who kept raising up his hand to answer. Btw, he was also the one who volunteered for almost everything and acted as our IC. Not only him, there were also others who became IC, just that he was the longest lasting. Oh yes, he was very desperate, but his personality quite good. After the revision was lunch, and the food there were superb, yummy. Then came the Leadership Competency Model and Leadership talks, shan't elaborate on this. Next was another talk on NCC core values, at night was revision for our tests. First day was all about learning and stuffing of knowledge coz the trial began the next day. Oh yes, it was freezing cold after stepping out of the shower at night.
Second day first test on the rifle. It comprised of many components and I screwed up on one. Sian, fast forward...and the next test was Field Craft. This one not bad. Yeah, so these two were the main events for that day. I already felt very bored and terrible, and kept saying that I wanted the course to end soon. Platoon mate Samuel agreed with me. At night, that Malay blabbermouth did not want to sleep. Talked until so loud, wondered why he could not control himself. Another cadet, Budi, don't know full name, lol.
Third day, Trainfire Mutuals and Field Craft Mutuals. Reminder: it's about teaching. Ok, all went well, I guess. During lunch time, we walked around and talked after our meals. I realised that Zacchaeus and Jason Tan had actually known each other in the Perak Expedition. Wow. And they were happily relating their experiences. After that, we were actually having a Heritage Tour. It was in the open, but too bad it rained, so we were given admin time in our bunks instead. The people started having sexual and horny talks. I sat at the table too, but did not involve much. I was writing the appraisal, talking about the camp and the officers (had to be handed in on the last day). Haha, could see that NUS' student corrupted side. As in the content, SHAN'T ELABORATE TOO. They also stacked on top of one another, I stood at one side and was...stupefied. They also did the action, which boys do during that one, to another guy. It was crazy. At night, I finally had the golden opportunity to be the IC, however, it was not well done. Haiz.
Last day. OMG, when I am recounting, it seems as if time passed so quickly. I saw a few of my primary school friends, who are now scattered in different schools. I met some who remembered me from the Sec 2 Camp : ) Anyway, last day was about talks again. I didn't like the way they conducted the introduction to the infantry weapons. Because the tentage is so small, I could not see clearly. Cannot see, cannot understand what the hell the officer was saying (it was raining too). Cannot understand, might as well don't listen. Don't listen, in the end learnt nothing.
Last day, the day I had been looking forward so long, but there was not much of happiness. In fact I had mixed feelings. Thinking about not getting second sergeant made me sad. I was thinking of crying on the bus way back. Later, we finally had the Graduation Ceremony. Congratulations to our cadets, Jason Tan, Hifzhul Matin, Sharizzat, and Andrew for being the best in something. LOL, It's vague, but I might amend this post again. Btw, Andrew was the best overall cadet :D
We gathered at the auditorium to see the best cadets receive their awards and then the rest received an envelope containing their certs and ranks and Army NCC badge (obtained form the General Specialist Knowledge Test) at the parade square. Bukit Panjang students were special. We gathered as a school at one side, where our Cadet officer gave us our ranks personally, and spoke a few words to each of us. Oh, and Mr Sim was the guest of honour of the Graduation Ceremony.
Ok, the officer's words were once again very inspiring. He is Sir Aziz, people call him the American politician. LOL. Alright, it was time to open the envelope. I was trembling. 3 stripes would mean a third sergeant and 3 stripes below, 1 stripe on top would mean a second sergeant. I saw three stripes...then I thought, "Anymore?"
Slowly...took out and see...and the last stripe popped out! I could not believe my eyes.
Yeah, like I said, it was unexpected. My job as an IC was not well done, and the components I screwed up can be said to have failed. I did volunteer for things, but could they be compared to others who got third sergeant instead? O.O So...maybe the officer put the rank wrongly, but anyway thanks to some who believed in me.
I have really learnt a lot from this course. I will surely bring what I had learnt back with me.
Top: Course completed!
Bottom: Fellow platoon mates, same bunk. Me, Raafiq, Andre (BP), Louisse, Bin Xi (Bukit Batok), Budi (Greenridge), Samuel, Jeremy, Muzaffhir (Commonwealth), Qing Chai, Azreen (JurongVille), Zacchaeus (NUS High)
Actually, this is somewhat unexpected. Well, the reason will reveal as I move on, but now I shall talk about the events for these few days at Pasir Laba SISPEC.
First day, we arrived at another camp (Amoy Quee) first before proceeding to Pasir Laba. Over at Amoy Quee, we were told to surrender any contraband items, and given our respective platoons. I was in Alpha 1. Not long, we made our way to Pasir Laba, where attendance and the nominal roll were taken. We were asked to fall in and my fellow Bukit Panjang platoon mates and I went to search for Alpha 1 platoon. Before falling in, we of course had to ask the officer for permission. I greeted 'Good afternoon' instead of 'Good morning.' Gosh, you should have seen the irritated look on his face as he replied, "Whoa, now afternoon already ar?"
It can be a heinous mistake. First day and a bad impression left...
Tried to assure myself it was trivial so I did not brood over it anymore. We joined the platoon, and saw many unfamiliar faces from different schools. There was this guy who already showed attitude on the first day. Not marching properly and cursing under his breath. Why did he have to do it? Well, we just bear with it for 4 days and we are free...And 1 cadet from Commonwealth became the IC. Wow, nice, so fast action already. And...he looked fierce, really, with that slanted brows and small lips... Anyway, later I found out that he was the primary school friend of HanXiong, and he knew Alson and FENGYU, our very own chairman. More will be shown to prove that this is a small world. Oh ya, his name is Jeremy Tan Jia Liang.
Skip some parts in between, then we had a General Specialist Knowledge revision. The whole of Alpha company gathered at the training shed for this. This brings us to another introduction of another platoon mate of mine - Zacchaeus Lim Sheng Hao from NUS High. The officer asked a lot of questions and he was the desperate one who kept raising up his hand to answer. Btw, he was also the one who volunteered for almost everything and acted as our IC. Not only him, there were also others who became IC, just that he was the longest lasting. Oh yes, he was very desperate, but his personality quite good. After the revision was lunch, and the food there were superb, yummy. Then came the Leadership Competency Model and Leadership talks, shan't elaborate on this. Next was another talk on NCC core values, at night was revision for our tests. First day was all about learning and stuffing of knowledge coz the trial began the next day. Oh yes, it was freezing cold after stepping out of the shower at night.
Second day first test on the rifle. It comprised of many components and I screwed up on one. Sian, fast forward...and the next test was Field Craft. This one not bad. Yeah, so these two were the main events for that day. I already felt very bored and terrible, and kept saying that I wanted the course to end soon. Platoon mate Samuel agreed with me. At night, that Malay blabbermouth did not want to sleep. Talked until so loud, wondered why he could not control himself. Another cadet, Budi, don't know full name, lol.
Third day, Trainfire Mutuals and Field Craft Mutuals. Reminder: it's about teaching. Ok, all went well, I guess. During lunch time, we walked around and talked after our meals. I realised that Zacchaeus and Jason Tan had actually known each other in the Perak Expedition. Wow. And they were happily relating their experiences. After that, we were actually having a Heritage Tour. It was in the open, but too bad it rained, so we were given admin time in our bunks instead. The people started having sexual and horny talks. I sat at the table too, but did not involve much. I was writing the appraisal, talking about the camp and the officers (had to be handed in on the last day). Haha, could see that NUS' student corrupted side. As in the content, SHAN'T ELABORATE TOO. They also stacked on top of one another, I stood at one side and was...stupefied. They also did the action, which boys do during that one, to another guy. It was crazy. At night, I finally had the golden opportunity to be the IC, however, it was not well done. Haiz.
Last day. OMG, when I am recounting, it seems as if time passed so quickly. I saw a few of my primary school friends, who are now scattered in different schools. I met some who remembered me from the Sec 2 Camp : ) Anyway, last day was about talks again. I didn't like the way they conducted the introduction to the infantry weapons. Because the tentage is so small, I could not see clearly. Cannot see, cannot understand what the hell the officer was saying (it was raining too). Cannot understand, might as well don't listen. Don't listen, in the end learnt nothing.
Last day, the day I had been looking forward so long, but there was not much of happiness. In fact I had mixed feelings. Thinking about not getting second sergeant made me sad. I was thinking of crying on the bus way back. Later, we finally had the Graduation Ceremony. Congratulations to our cadets, Jason Tan, Hifzhul Matin, Sharizzat, and Andrew for being the best in something. LOL, It's vague, but I might amend this post again. Btw, Andrew was the best overall cadet :D
We gathered at the auditorium to see the best cadets receive their awards and then the rest received an envelope containing their certs and ranks and Army NCC badge (obtained form the General Specialist Knowledge Test) at the parade square. Bukit Panjang students were special. We gathered as a school at one side, where our Cadet officer gave us our ranks personally, and spoke a few words to each of us. Oh, and Mr Sim was the guest of honour of the Graduation Ceremony.
Ok, the officer's words were once again very inspiring. He is Sir Aziz, people call him the American politician. LOL. Alright, it was time to open the envelope. I was trembling. 3 stripes would mean a third sergeant and 3 stripes below, 1 stripe on top would mean a second sergeant. I saw three stripes...then I thought, "Anymore?"
Slowly...took out and see...and the last stripe popped out! I could not believe my eyes.
Yeah, like I said, it was unexpected. My job as an IC was not well done, and the components I screwed up can be said to have failed. I did volunteer for things, but could they be compared to others who got third sergeant instead? O.O So...maybe the officer put the rank wrongly, but anyway thanks to some who believed in me.
I have really learnt a lot from this course. I will surely bring what I had learnt back with me.
Top: Course completed!
Bottom: Fellow platoon mates, same bunk. Me, Raafiq, Andre (BP), Louisse, Bin Xi (Bukit Batok), Budi (Greenridge), Samuel, Jeremy, Muzaffhir (Commonwealth), Qing Chai, Azreen (JurongVille), Zacchaeus (NUS High)
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