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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