Thursday, July 19, 2007
Roar, I still can't believe we've already passed out, so thats all for the official recount! Super draggy yes I know, but I hope all will read to the end=)
Which brings us to recall the sweet memories we all had?
The times we chionged to KFC and Macdonalds are training? Staying till 8 plus to joke and laugh about the day we had? Singing our new gay songs and poking fun everywhere? The topped up drinks, the cheese fries and vouchers? The times we would drag all the tables from everywhere to form that impossible formation of 18 seats or more?
We crawled too, literally, chameleon crawl and commando crawl. Remember the moments we crawled the entire stretch from the open classroom to the end of the computer labs, where the faster ones would all cheer the slower ones along. We onced had a challenge to crawl to the watercooler just for our water break, where we all reached at different times but drank at the same time!
We did the different PT-s together, the numerous log pt and barang pt sessions that were so exhuasting yet meaningful. Recall the times when Qiwen sir took us for 11 rounds of the field of barang pt? And how we endured through log pt because if we falled out it would mean we had more to carry.
Even the sad times. When we made silly mistakes, watching us slog our guts out touching that irritating lampost at the foyer and falling in countless of time again, listening to all of us panting, some cursing and swearing, but all doing it together.
The early times we were divided into Squad A and Squad B for stupid mistakes. Where we would be forced to do things as separate components but would stubbornly refuse to compromise and end up doing the things together again even if it meant us getting pumped. Oh, and the nightmare when we got 抛弃-ed by our Squad Ns.
The young days when we held survivathon? The 1600 jumping jack record Waisiang emulated, the 130 plus pumpings we did while we ran around 正心园. The situps where we all suffered stitches after that?
The bloodrushing times we all shouted 加油! while doing our pumpings and situps in the porch? The 5 more or 10 more or even 1 more? The moments we all turned in wrong directions and had to revert to pumping postion, and the many many back to zeros!
And I wont ever forget how we all pia-ed to bits and pieces for Circuit PT because our squadmates were waiting for us in pumping position.
And the Sec 1 to Sec 3 porch where most of our training life or PT was spent, the endless running and yearning for it to be over, where we would spot the porches, and have a momentary glismpe of hope for our Sqd Ns to stop , but feel sad again when we din't, but grit our teeth and cheer our lungs out.
And squad outings, we often had the most interesting of outings! From shopping to movies, to BBQs to Stayovers, to bizzare fun things like Squad Run and Squad Biking! Parties and meetings.
We must have been one of the most high profile but happy squads! We could get painfully childish at times, even drawing cartoons, playing at playgrounds. Or the Pri. Sch jokes, the times we discussed the neopets or online games together.
Or stinking up the whole bus and train after activity, but oblivious to others because we were proud to be wearing the DHSNPCC Tee!
Now, we'ved passed out, but its ok because the NCO tees and Unit Tees remain in our wardrobe where we will wear them at every opportunity!
This isnt the last post, but really, NCOs0607!!!
Gregory
5:26 PM
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Tuesday, July 17, 2007
NCO year, the true test
And suddenly, we had our NCO year to look forward to. As Secondary 1s and 2s in NPCC we had often got excited at the prospects of being NCOs in the future. We once counted the number of years, which batch we would belong too and which timeline we would serve in.
Yet the actual thing wasn’t even half as simple as we thought it would have been. All of a sudden we had no more trainings left, and it sank it that the times we would run, drill, and pump together had gotten few and far between. What’s more, we now all held different responsibilities, different posts, and different boards.
We all found ourselves having new horizons to look forward to, foreign affairs to handle, and higher responsibility than ever before. We discovered the NCO-year wasn’t just about getting greeted by our juniors, or getting the chance to finally rest. For most of us, we found ourselves neck deep in work, and scarcely having time off after school. Some had squads to take, some had administrative work to settle, some had events to plan and all of these weren’t easy, they took up time and effort, and often succeeded in exhausting us. Yet we somehow never faltered. We took all we could in our stride and settled fast into our new roles with aplomb, with each and every one person determined to do his/her best in all we undertook.
Over time, we realized that if we could ever turn back the sands of time, we would gladly jump back to the times when we were all training cadets, ranging from normal trainings, to training courses and training camps. We wanted to relieve the sweet memories we once had doing everything together. But for us, we could only be contented with watching the juniors train, and reminiscing when we had the time.
Perhaps it’s true, that the NCO year is truly the test of Squad Bonding. With different roles and jobs, we all had to often accommodate one another, understand and strive to let live. We all managed to go from strength to strength, and accomplish things we had never imagined we had to magnitude to. We planned and executed the first ever Inter-Unit Singing Competition, with a Talentime to boot. We orchestrated the moving to Mt Sinai, and became the first batch in a long time to settle in an unfamiliar environment. We carried out one OC farewell party, made Orientation a blast, and were also the first squad to hold a Leisure Camp in Mt Sinai. Held a UGD, and, we had the honor of performing in the Mass Display for NPCC day parade. We held the 45th Anniversary celebrations, and made a Horizon 2007.
And of course, not all these can be taken for granted. They were the brainchild of each and every squad mate, which only served to strengthen our bond. We trained for many of these events, often for Hardware. Hardware trainings were the activities that truly served to bond us together, allowed us to spend time together, and improve our Campcraft knowledge together. The uncountable number of times we all sat/stood in the blazing hot sun, tying the platforms, the tripods, quadrupods and ladders cracking jokes and heaving together. Who can forget our 1-2-Pull! Our improvisations and the millions of times we had to tie, retie again and again? Each and every single lash, each and every one log and Manila hemp, small as they may seem, they served a far higher purpose, to bring us together again.
The many times we had debrief by our CIs when all others had already left? The praises and the reprimands. The comments and the lessons that we all learnt to treasure wholeheartedly. The times we would all let out a whistle of satisfaction upon dismissal when looking back on a wonderful day we had?
Of course many details have to be omitted here because of protocol, but truly, NCO life for a squad, can be said to be enjoyable, tiring and tumultuous at the same instant. It could be sweet, yet bitter. It could be saddening yet satisfactory. NCO life truly is never easy, yet a whole squad could always make it through via true unity and courage.
Gregory
10:15 PM
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Saturday, July 14, 2007
Training Squad 2005/2006, the times we shared.
Then, came our training year, the year where we would see more of the CIs than anyone else, the times when we would get to handle a rifle, the own moments where we would have to endure through far much more than we could ever handle.
Indeed it got different from the previous year, right away we were exposed to a no nonsense attitude, where every single detail we encountered was scrutinized and with every toe out of line came harsh scolding.
We almost mellowed overnight, from the first to the second activity, the change was obvious, we no longer laughed loudly in our squad when no one was around, and we no longer neglected our boots and left our badges to rust. We took pride in our deposition, our uniform, and every step we took assured us that we were the ones training to become the next batch of NCOs.
Then, came times when we dropped in standard, be it drill or attitude, the shouting we braved, the 27 rounds of 振心园 without stopping, or the times we stood out to explain situations we fell into.
We learnt that being strong and fit was not the only way to gain ourselves a step ahead, it was that time we learnt even more the value of the people standing around us. We grew to realize that if not for the squadmates in front, beside, or behind us, we wouldn’t even be standing there at all. We learnt to give, to receive to care even when apart.
Then came the rifle and fancy drill trainings. The times we had all eagerly anticipated to come, the days where we would get to handle the real Mark 4 & 5 rifles, also the times we all got to learn those awe inspiring moves for Fancy. All for orientation, the squad often had to go through scoldings, punishments, and it was the time we learnt how to grit my teeth, hold my head high and taking things in my stride as we faced obstacles. We learnt how to compromise difference in everyone, and not to be self-centered to achieve synchronization and unified movements.
The joys came of being acknowledged as a Training Squad. We watched as the new year 1s came in, but quickly concentrated on our training. The trainings got more and more demanding, yet we also at the same time got tougher and stronger, it was around this time that we were introduced to Inter-Unit Campcraft Competition.
We trained ever so hard for Inter-Unit, almost every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, we devoted the time to practice our lashes, but it wasn’t always smooth sailing. We learnt that we had to put in an immense amount of hard work in order for us to leave a legacy and win glory for DHSNPCC, and that spurred us on forward. Even though only 11 boys and 11 girls were in each team, the camaraderie never ceased as we watched our squadmates come along to support us at our competition day.
Even though we were divided into 3 sections, Flagpole, Shelter and Gadget, we had to work seamlessly to accommodate each other to maximum efficiency; we had to sort out who got which logistics first, and who would tie which lash. All these weren’t easy to formulate, yet we all managed to get our act together when the girl’s squad cheered us on relentlessly and waited for us patiently. We learnt not to waste time after our CIs made us sort out the process again and again in the heat of the field.
The competition day came quick and fast, and everyone turned out in full strength, either to take part or to support. Our morale was high and the structures, we believed, were amongst the best we had ever erected.
Even though we didn’t manage to win, we were regardless, proud of ourselves. We had stuck to our beliefs and did our best, and to that we had no regrets. We emerged from the competition hardier and more resilient than ever before. Of course, our Campcraft skills almost became incomparable due to vast experience.
Very quickly it seemed, the fun days of playing were over, for the prospect of Training Camp came into our horizons. We went through the Training together. Yet it got unbearable at times, although as always, we learnt ever so much. The times we spent in the glaring sun, endlessly running to the cumbersome lamppost, or the times we held in pumping position urging each other on, the back-to-zeros. The welcomed lectures and the different types of PT. Each and every lesson that always stressed to boast us up on squad unity. Even the times we changed and crapped in the dormitory, or the nights we spent trying to lift up our NCO tents. The never ever forgettable ECP run, where we run more than 5 kilometers non stop to and fro, or the beautiful seconds we lied on each other stomachs, laughed forcibly and then uncontrollably broke out into hysterical laughter on the breakwater. Or even, where we all stood in one line and shouted out our ambitions towards the whole world and the sea one by one. And even carrying each other’s bottles and flags. The times when we all reported again, and the minutes that inched past towards break camp. We spent the camp wishing it to be over, yet we all yearned to be back almost instantaneously after it was over. Words can’t describe how much we all matured and beefed up after the camp. We went through everything together as a squad, we were united all through and learnt from our mistakes. One stage was over, and then we became real training campers. It’s always better to view TC as a whole challenge which will improve yourself and your squad bonding in many ways then to think of it as something which you will die in.
Then it was over, suddenly we realized the most fearsome part we all dreaded had already come to pass, and after training camp it all seemed different once more. We were more serious than ever before, and when we all realized the days we had left running together were lesser than ever before, we took it upon ourselves to treasure each and every single training even much more than last time.
Time passed fast, and some of us went to take part in NPDP 2006, while a few of us flew off to SYF OC 2006. Some of us learnt baton drill; some were in Guard-of-Honor Contingents, while some of us took on roles representing our unit in the parades. Yet we all hated to be apart, we strived to be together and would often break away to join each other during breaks. What we learnt differently we shared and discussed as one. We loathed the times we got off the coach to part, and eagerly anticipated the times we got back on to be reunited as one.
We abhorred the days we had to miss training with the rest of our squadmates in order to go for the parade rehearsals. We never missed a chance to catch up with each other whenever we could, and perhaps those days would bear true testimony to our enduring love for each other.
We next made the transition from Dry Shooters to Live Shooters, and then to Classification Shooters. We enjoyed the times we had shooting the .22 caliber revolver, boasting about our shooting prowess, and the times we chatted in the HQ drill shed while waiting for our turns. The ones who shot better represented the unit in the Shooting Competition, and again our squadmates were the ones who supported each other through and through. Again we tasted the agony of being unable to clinch victory, yet we all learnt again through Miss Seow who told us that it was the process that really counted, and we were grateful for that.
We made another big step during that period of time, from Training Campers, to NCOs to be. We went through the 25th NCO Training Course, where we learnt even more invaluable knowledge and skills that would have been essential to carry us through our NCO year. The Drill, PT, and Lecture MOI sessions were really impact-full and instilled in us more than we could ever imagine. This time it was different, because during the PT and Drill Sessions we learnt more from the CIs as to methods of instruction. The run to the Indoor Stadium, the times we counted the steps together? And the times we carried each other’s water bottles? The way we ran manically when finally school was in sight? The times we all laughed and gurgled water during our water parades?
We graduated from the 25th NCOs training course, and the next step of our NPCC life was just about to begin. Making the change from Training Squad 2006 to NCOs 2006/2007.
Gregory
10:22 PM
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From Sec 1s to Sec 2s. The memories we hold.
Is it true then, that when its time to leave only do we feel reluctant? Time has inexplicably flown by in the blink of an eye, and now the wonderful days we spent together and went through trials and tribulations, thick and thin, have now only eclisped into a truly beautiful memory.
This is the story of the NCO Squad of DHSNPCC 2006/2007.
Barely 3 and a half years ago, the 42 of us stepped into this unit, some excited and eager, some reluctant, some bubbly, some reclusive, we never at that point of time understood the true meaning of friendship like we would go on to understand through our years together.
Trainings, the sweetness within the bitter. It was the times that truly brought us out of our shells to care and share for each other. The days where we endlessly urged each other to push on against the odds, cried and laughed together, united as one. We ran around the 正心园 so many times that we couldnt count anymore, but each and everyone bore true essence and testimony to heartfelt endurance, pushed on by the sheer fact that you din't want to leave your squadmates. Those times were loved.
And then, it all started when we were the Sec 1 Squad 2004. Those days of cute naivety, the very times when we spent our days after school running around oblivious to stares from the others, the dear minutes we spent creating our performance pieces for our swearing in ceremony, the times we had to fine tune our own telephone contact list?
It was just all that, we fondly recall the days spent on the red tiles in our old PT kit, swinigning our arms like stuck penguins just in order get our hand positions for marching correct, the times we sat down with our Sec 1 Squad NCOs and learnt songs we all laughed at, the times we ran and sang songs we all felt proud to sing. The times where we huddled in a classroom cutting nylon for our knots session because many of us forgot to bring them.
And than it was our first ever camp, we learnt more than we could ever do so from normal trainings, we learnt what we were really in, we learnt the true meaning of teamwork and camaraderie, to do things not for ourselves but for others, those were the days where our foundation of NPCC was drilled and set into us by our Sec 2 seniors and our NCOs.
The days werent easy, there were days when we got into trouble, days when we felt helpless to changes or events we werent strong enough to overcome. We were encouraged to get pass them together, and the satisfaction we all felt whenever we accomplished something are memories that will last.
Remember the first ever prize that we won as a squad? The Best Spirited Team for Rain-o-Shine 2004? The day where we all trooped to VS as spectators, but having our own morale so high, so vibrant that we actually won a trophy. The vivid memories of how loud we cheered at the sweet taste of success are images that will remain etched in our minds forever.
The afternoons in the blistering heat of the parade square where we onced got pumped as Sec 1s? The protests we all vehemently uttered because the ground was so hot, yet we all in the end chose to stick it out together.
Then, it was the first time we ever had to experience a Passing Out Parade. The times we practised for our "Underwater" performance, the songs we sang too? 咻咻咻. Also, the times we spent working our our dance and skits? Getting all the scoldings from our seniors because of our inability to do things fast?
We all felt an immense sense of loss on the day itself, when we all felt so upset that our NCOs who played such a pivotal role in ushering us into NPCC were leaving. It was the first time we ever wore our Full-Uniform. The mushroom berets, the overlong belts and the upturned buttons, all this we once commited, yet are things we all learnt from, like all that ever went through the system.
Suddenly we weren't "Begginers" anymore, we had so much more to deal with, more details to take care of, severly harsher punishments and ardously tougher trainings. Perhaps this was just part of our transition to our golden year.
We suddenly faced new leaders, new NCOs and Squad NCOs, the change was visible yet subtle. We found ourselves gritting our teeth and moving on, even when our warmups were changed from 15-15-20 to 50-50-50. We just put down our heads and hoped for the best. Perhaps those were the days when we really got to grow up that much.
Those were the days, where we moved on from knots to lashes, from lashes to tents. We strode onwards to advanced drill and marching formations, deviating from the normal chepat jalans and revolutionary pusings. We learnt to do slow marching with perfect synchronisation, and spent longer and longer times in the parade square pushing our limits, hoping for water breaks and bellowing till we were hoarse.
We groaned together, and cheered together, our morale was high till we thought we were on the top of the world, yet all those did not come in the blink of an eye, it took time and effort, as a whole, as a squad, to become tougher both inside and outside.
There were times when we thought of giving up, like times during the training courses, when our arms were so sore they could hardly move, yet we still had to pump again and again. We rejoiced when told our warmups were 10-10-10, yet slumped when told to count in decimal powers. Those were the days!
And of course, our changing parades. They gradually deviated from 10 minutes from Full U to PT Kit, to 6 minutes from Full U to PT Kit, and it wasnt even that simple, for we had to change to Half U, Quater U, Mufti and all sorts of formations that bizzared our young minds. But those were really wonderful times where we learnt get to know each other much better.
The 28 boys squeezing into the 1H toilet? The times we climbed onto the urinals to change, to joke and laugh together? The times we spent cursing the people who made us change? Or even the times we guffawed with explosive laughter poking fun at each other? The boots that would miraculously spring out, or the laces that refused to tie? The belt or button that would surprisingly be left at home? The badges or nametag or buttons that fell off into oblivion? We tried to help the slower ones, and applauded the fast ones. Yet we all stayed together till everyone was done before we ran out together, even if it meant we would be punished again.
We often came back late, and did the punishments without regret because of one simple line, that the strength and calibre of one squad is equal to the slowest inside. Even if we wanted to be slow or fast, we managed to do it together and we were proud of it.
The times spent with our backs straight and stock still in the Sec 1,2,3 porches? Waiting for our squad to report and commence? Or the times we held in pumping position in the porches singing 5 Hundred Miles, Training Like A Police, 我们的故事，小草，红蜻蜓，and everything else? Or having the andrenaline rush as we held it there, yet had to endure the sounds from the Lion Dance Troupe just nearby, or the music from the Band and the CO?
The beautiful memories when we went for LC 2005? Where some of us became group leaders, where all of us had to get together and become the ones striving to complete proposals for Pioneering, Flag Design and all? The labourious moments of getting our own 中一 juniors to stop sitting and start working, imparting the songs to them while brainstorming for our own unique cheers? The days where we went out to Beach Road or Carrefour to get groceries and supplies， yet ended up watching Hitch and taking neoprints.
The elation of winning, and the disappointment of not being good enough. The times we became the flag guardians to foregoed our sleep to safeguard our flags? Hiding our nametags and identities in our clothes or bags so our NCOs would not confiscate them? These little moments here and there proportiante to every key detail each and every cadet who went through DHSNPCC would lovingly recall.
Of course, the Nightwalk, the familar stories, the new stories that never failed to frighten us out of our wits? The lines and quotes that became ever so familar? The many scares during the walk, the pitch darkness where we only had our 2 companions for comfort, the way we held hands and walking, or the moments spent in darkness groping for our flags and nametags and identities? The very thing each and every cadet has to go through in this unit. Nightwalk, trademark of DHSNPCC, we loved yet loathed it, but would always fondly recall it!
Then, came our 2nd ever POP, yet it felt different, we were making a huge step, to our training year. During the day, we cried harder than ever before, and vowed to make so explosive a performance our NCOs would remember it forever. We made a glass symphony, a stomp musical, and the beautiful glove formations. Those were results of true hard work we spent formulating together! 江南, the song we sang for 2005... Some of us really bawled during POP, the valuable exhanges we had are what we will treasure for eternity.
Gregory
3:31 PM
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Pledge of DHSNPCC NCOs 2006/2007
Squad, Tahat Setia!
We, the NCOs of DHSNPCC 06/07, do here and now, solemnly and sincerely pledge that,
We will always, bear true faith and allegiance to our unit and our squadmates
We will always, remember the tears we shed, the drinks we drank, the food we ate, the sweat we lost, the blood we bled, the days we had, and the songs we sang together.
We will always, smile and say cheese, when taking photos.
We will always, ensure that the passion of DHSNPCC will always burn within us.
End of Pledge of DHSNPCC NCOs 2006/2007
Gregory
3:28 PM
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Saturday, July 7, 2007
Before the POP
Its barely 7 hours to POP, and I am already starting to feel nervous, hope that tomorrow will be a success and a wonderful day for NCOs o6/o7 to remember!
Words cant describe how I feel now.
Writing those letters and posting those pictures to print, are really so so nostalgic that we inevitably drop a tear or two.
Till then.
Gregory
1:05 AM
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