Friday, March 17, 2006
ORD Part II
I've wanted to do this entry for some time, since my ORD actually, but haven't got down to it yet. When NSFs are serving, this is the ONE date they really look forward to. It is the day they get back their pink ICs and complete Singapore's unique rite of passage from boys to men.
This may seem strange, unbelievable and cliched to those still serving, but those who have completed their service may share the same feelings as me. After all, it does not seem possible that anyone can actually have some fond memories of NS. It is supposed to be a period of time when one is treated like dirt, free labour, and expected to do things that seem like superhuman feats to those who have never been through it.
Everyone starts NS by doing some form of BMT. This is the stage where everything is uncertain and your world has been turned upside down. People don't usually yell at you and punish you for every little mistake, but BMT is where it happens. Suddenly, guys who have lived in comfortable homes all their lives are expected to live in the jungle for 7 days and eat preserved food from little green packets without eating utensils. It is a time when everything is a novel experience and if you keep an open mind, life in BMT can be bearable and interesting. At this stage, the focus is on training and the real side of army life is not yet known to the recruits. This is the stage where a young and "selfish" civilian is first exposed to the meaning of teamwork and camaraderie. There is no room for selfishness here, and I think it shows the nicer side of humans when they will go out of their way to help their mates who may be struggling.
After training is complete, unit life beckons. This is the stage where we are supposed to hone our skills through first hand experience and use. At least, I suppose that is the original intention of putting us in units. Unfortunately, the reality is quite different. In addition to performing duties expected from us as a result of our vocation, we did a lot of extra work that is never mentioned in recruitment talks. These range from being somewhat related to national security to tasks that are simply meant to make people look good. We were also used as odd job labourers, cleaners, technicians, carpenters, contractors etc etc. Cupboards to be moved to the bunks? Oh, let's get so-and-so company to do it. General visiting? Everyone does area cleaning. The drains are uncovered and thus dangerous as people may fall in? We'll get some people to saw up these boards and make drain covers. Large scale event? The signal platoon will handle the PA system. Permanent PA system to be moved? Oh the signal platoon will be able to rewire the system for us. Logistics inspection? We'll get the guys to shift all this stuff to another part of the camp. Commander unable/unwilling to type a report? One of the guys with better english and computer knowledge can help.
In addition to all this, there was still actual military training to keep us fit, although most of it was just to meet quotas and requirements. The rest of the time was free time, there was actually quite a lot of it, many of us brought books in to read and to enrich our minds.
While this kind of unpredictable life and physically tiring life may seem like a nightmare to some people, there were certainly happy times amidst all this drudgery. These are the times that made my NS life a lot more enjoyable and the work a lot less boring. The friendships built by the "forge" of active unit life are strong and the long hours spent together brought those in my platoon closer together. The happy times we spent in bunk discussing all manner of topics, from maths to physics to religion to computer games to literature, griping about our latest unsavoury task, dwin poking others, chris getting bullied, all these helped me get through an unpredictable 2 years in the unit. There were some who left us for "greener" pastures, but there is certainly truth to the saying "the grass is always greener on the other side." One of those who left for a clerical job told me he had the best times of his NS life with us.
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. I feel that what you get out of NS depends on your attitude to it. If you think it's a terrible place you desparately want to leave, if you try and skive and do as little work as possible, you may be the most relaxed and the one with the least responsibility, you may have the most afternoon nap time in your platoon, but you will also gain the least from the NS experience. It will truly be a waste of time for you.
On the other hand, if you show initiative and do a good job when assigned tasks, you will get more work and responsibility, but you will also learn the most. It's painful to see everyone else resting when you're doing work, but while it may not be obvious, you are the one getting the most out of your time in NS.
For me, NS has been a roller coaster ride. It has been an enriching and interesting experience that has taught me to push my limits and achieve more. I have also made many friends who shared this journey with me. I have met many people from all walks of life and got to observe how they work and handle subordinates. From personal experience, I know what it is like to be under superiors who do not fully consider the implications of their instructions. I have also learnt why people say "ignorance is bliss". However, this is an attitude that cannot hold in the competitive outside world.
Some may think that since I seem to love NS so much, why don't I sign on? Many issues in life cannot be expressed in the simple colours of black and white. This is one of them. I cannot say whether I liked it or hated it. There were happy times, and difficult ones. I do not consider NS a total waste of time, it has been an eye-opening experience and I do not bemoan the "loss" of my 2 years.
ORD loh!!!
This may seem strange, unbelievable and cliched to those still serving, but those who have completed their service may share the same feelings as me. After all, it does not seem possible that anyone can actually have some fond memories of NS. It is supposed to be a period of time when one is treated like dirt, free labour, and expected to do things that seem like superhuman feats to those who have never been through it.
Everyone starts NS by doing some form of BMT. This is the stage where everything is uncertain and your world has been turned upside down. People don't usually yell at you and punish you for every little mistake, but BMT is where it happens. Suddenly, guys who have lived in comfortable homes all their lives are expected to live in the jungle for 7 days and eat preserved food from little green packets without eating utensils. It is a time when everything is a novel experience and if you keep an open mind, life in BMT can be bearable and interesting. At this stage, the focus is on training and the real side of army life is not yet known to the recruits. This is the stage where a young and "selfish" civilian is first exposed to the meaning of teamwork and camaraderie. There is no room for selfishness here, and I think it shows the nicer side of humans when they will go out of their way to help their mates who may be struggling.
After training is complete, unit life beckons. This is the stage where we are supposed to hone our skills through first hand experience and use. At least, I suppose that is the original intention of putting us in units. Unfortunately, the reality is quite different. In addition to performing duties expected from us as a result of our vocation, we did a lot of extra work that is never mentioned in recruitment talks. These range from being somewhat related to national security to tasks that are simply meant to make people look good. We were also used as odd job labourers, cleaners, technicians, carpenters, contractors etc etc. Cupboards to be moved to the bunks? Oh, let's get so-and-so company to do it. General visiting? Everyone does area cleaning. The drains are uncovered and thus dangerous as people may fall in? We'll get some people to saw up these boards and make drain covers. Large scale event? The signal platoon will handle the PA system. Permanent PA system to be moved? Oh the signal platoon will be able to rewire the system for us. Logistics inspection? We'll get the guys to shift all this stuff to another part of the camp. Commander unable/unwilling to type a report? One of the guys with better english and computer knowledge can help.
In addition to all this, there was still actual military training to keep us fit, although most of it was just to meet quotas and requirements. The rest of the time was free time, there was actually quite a lot of it, many of us brought books in to read and to enrich our minds.
While this kind of unpredictable life and physically tiring life may seem like a nightmare to some people, there were certainly happy times amidst all this drudgery. These are the times that made my NS life a lot more enjoyable and the work a lot less boring. The friendships built by the "forge" of active unit life are strong and the long hours spent together brought those in my platoon closer together. The happy times we spent in bunk discussing all manner of topics, from maths to physics to religion to computer games to literature, griping about our latest unsavoury task, dwin poking others, chris getting bullied, all these helped me get through an unpredictable 2 years in the unit. There were some who left us for "greener" pastures, but there is certainly truth to the saying "the grass is always greener on the other side." One of those who left for a clerical job told me he had the best times of his NS life with us.
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. I feel that what you get out of NS depends on your attitude to it. If you think it's a terrible place you desparately want to leave, if you try and skive and do as little work as possible, you may be the most relaxed and the one with the least responsibility, you may have the most afternoon nap time in your platoon, but you will also gain the least from the NS experience. It will truly be a waste of time for you.
On the other hand, if you show initiative and do a good job when assigned tasks, you will get more work and responsibility, but you will also learn the most. It's painful to see everyone else resting when you're doing work, but while it may not be obvious, you are the one getting the most out of your time in NS.
For me, NS has been a roller coaster ride. It has been an enriching and interesting experience that has taught me to push my limits and achieve more. I have also made many friends who shared this journey with me. I have met many people from all walks of life and got to observe how they work and handle subordinates. From personal experience, I know what it is like to be under superiors who do not fully consider the implications of their instructions. I have also learnt why people say "ignorance is bliss". However, this is an attitude that cannot hold in the competitive outside world.
Some may think that since I seem to love NS so much, why don't I sign on? Many issues in life cannot be expressed in the simple colours of black and white. This is one of them. I cannot say whether I liked it or hated it. There were happy times, and difficult ones. I do not consider NS a total waste of time, it has been an eye-opening experience and I do not bemoan the "loss" of my 2 years.
ORD loh!!!
posted by cosine @ 11:57 PM 
