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The Passing Out Parade.
Finally, after 13 weeks as a recruit in pulau tekong, staying at rocky hill camp, being enlisted under Quebec, i have graduated and passed out of BMT. i'm now private lionel! :)
i must say, the 13 weeks weren't short, but neither were they long. just as we created bonds that couldn't be broken, and grew love to the camp, we had to leave. The amount of shit that we went through together as a platoon or even section, the amount of push ups we did on the company line, the amount of sweat we shedded to allow weeds to even grow out from the concrete, the amount of times we ran up 5 stories in full battle order and back down just because we falled in late, the amount of stand by areas/beds we had because we had messy and fucked up bunks.
the journey we all shared was one that we embarked on together. leaving our loved ones behind, and starting friendship amongst each other and not knowing anyone was the greatest challenge.
getting used to waking up at random timings from 2am to 530am, encountering spooky shit, avoiding confinements, smoking through sai kang, thats how we bonded.
I'm glad and proud to say i'm from quebec. although quebec isn't well known, i'm sure it will be in the near future!
i still remember so many times my section mates were there for me. when i was digging my shellscrape and had like 3 blisters on my fingers and couldn't go on, junlong, joel and fiq just came over and helped me to dig. i was shocked because instead of resting they came over to help me. i remember talking to joel in our tent during situational test in the jungle. we were talking about how NS robs us of our time of our studies, our love lives and even our own freedom. but well, i guess thats NS.
although there are a few people in my platoon which i dislike, im sure i'll miss them as everyone in my platoon contributed to my BMT life in one way or another.
On the morning of 10/12/2008, at 545am, quebec started the grand finale of the BMT journey. the 24km route march in full battle order with our rifles. we started on a high note, doing the first 4km in 35mins, earning us more rest time for the next 4km.
the 2nd leg of 4km saw us going slightly slower because we ventured into muddy grounds and the jungle. we headed pass the sphinx bridge and we were led into where we had our situational test. memories came flooding in of how i leopard crawled with a stretcher on my back, and even carrying this fat guy on the stretcher with 3 others for about 1km because he was the casualty in one of the missions. we soon had our rest and then continued with the 3rd leg of 4km. the 3rd leg of 4km saw us return to rockyhill camp for a short break of 15mins, then after we started the 4th leg, which brought us to FIBUA, the area where we had our epic and legendary field camp. again memories came flooding in, shellscrape digging, doing push ups on the soft warm mud, back crawling through rocks and stones, pouring water over our biscuits and then sprinkling milo powder to eat for lunch, digging a hole to shit, sleeping in the cold rain under the cover of my tent but having mud flow down like a water fall.. after the 4th leg, we returned back to rockyhill for the last time for our lunch break. many people fainted and one of my platoon mates was put on emergency rescucitator because he had a very weak pulse. i myself suffered headaches and had very very funny vision. i was seeing red spots in my vision! honestly it was fucking scary, scarier then 42km. my knees felt really painful as well as my ankles, because of the 42km, and it got worse thanks to this march. but i told myself 4km more and its time to POP. i took out babys photo during the 20km mark and looked hard at her smile. i smiled back and told myself to finish it so that i didnt have to come back during my block leave to re march it if i falled out. so the final leg i walked right behind at my own pace with junlong, kai, junyong, and joel being the platoon best beside. we sang songs, we screamed and talked about POP.
and finally at 130pm, we touched down at ladang's stadium, the 24km mark of the 24km march.
i stood there pouring water over my head and joel hugged me. honestly i was holding back my tears because i didnt want to be like paiseh lah. but he himself was crying because he said he didnt know he could do it and he thanked me for pushing him on. hell yeah!
so soon, we went off for our graduation parade. for the last time, we marched as quebec company, we marched singing songs and marched into the parade square, there was a full house, and everyone was applauding us for successfully finishing 24km and more importantly, BMT.
when my parents came down to put the jockey cap on me, i thanked my parents for being supportive of me and gave them both a hug. tears rolled down my face and they told me not to cry because i deserved this moment. my platoon sgt came and congratulated me and i felt honoured, shaking his hand for the first time and him actually acknowledging me for something good. haha.
after which we did our BMT roar and threw our jockey caps into the air to mark our passing out.
finally, i'm private lionel.
There are many people whom i need to thank who helped me and spurred me on during this gruelling 13week journey.
Baby
Of course you're on top of the list! the times when we eagerly waited for friday to arrive, the phone calls i made to you EVERY night, and the smses you sent when you could even when you were studying. the sacrifices you made because of me, times where i disappointed you but you still put a smile on your face and said "its okay", the times when we argued and i made you cry, the heavy hearted feeling you have to endure because i have to book in every sunday, you standing strong and facing your troubles without me at school. you've done so much for me baby during this 13 weeks, and i am really really thankful for having an angel like you beside me, cheering me and motivating me to go further. i don't know what i'll do without you baby, i wont. i love you! My Parents
you guys always pick me up from bookouts and send me to pasir ris for my book ins without fail, buy me awesome breakfast, buy me awesome lunch and superb dinners when i have no makan. you guys give me cash even though i dont need it, and always call to ask if ns is givng me any problems. i'm thankful to have such an awesome pair of parents that love me and care so much for me!
Deborah and Gabriel
Although i havent been online much, but whenever i'm online the two of you always ask about my ns! well, it feels nice to have someone always curious about how you're doing and stuff. and to deborah, thanks for always listening to my woes! :) meet up soon ok! :D
Joel
MY BUDDY and also platoon best. well, what can i say hahah, platoon best leh. dont playplay, but throughout the 13 weeks, you've been an awesome buddy and i want to thank you for always pushing me on to go further!
well, im sure there are many other people i ought to thank, but these are the main. to everyone else who have wished me well, THANK YOU!
well, thats been a very long post, time for the visuals!
( Quebec 04/08, POP LO! ) |
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