Ok so here's my situation.
1. Its time for decision making regarding the confirmation of my uni course(mech eng)
2. Finding Job Time!
3. Ippt window opening soon?
Lots if thoughtful consideration have been given to 1 and 2, lazy to type
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
My NS journey from 090108 - 081109
ok i have to admit that all my posts until now were mainly about ns as much of this 1 year 10 months was centered around it. The following will be a summary of what transpired and some additions of my own. Hopefully, it is an unbiased conclusion of an eventful charter of my life.
Enlisted on 9th jan 2008--
My feelings that day were momentous, and i broke into tears as my composure was somewhat shattered by the reality of conscription.
However, there was a bright side. Rong Jun happened to be my bed buddy and it was a real stroke of luck.
In BMT, i could literally taste the regimentation of recruits. The physical and mentally taxing sermons kept me on my edges.
As most of us recruits set on sights on officership, there was a certain competitive spirit, but displayed chivalry.
Despite that, i really had fun(it was the most enjoyable period of my ns life)
We had understanding commanders too.
I made mistakes and was punished for it; all of us were.
BSLC @ SISPEC
Posted there at the end of bmt.
Morale was an all time low for those posted at the beginning of the course cause did not manage to get into OCS.
SISPEC was seen as a secondary choice.
Developed an initial inferiority complex--no kidding, i was grousing.
Decided to stay positive and adhere to the rigor of the 8 weeks.
Training was slacker than bmt over there.
ASLC @ TAB
Tengah AirBase Field Defense Squadron.
ALL I CAN SAY is that the admin is fucking disorganised. Course was so slack but no one was complaining, since the heck care mentality 'since we were only gonna be 3SG' made it seem like no big deal.
In these 1y10m, if i've learnt about the way SAF goes about doing stuff, OFFICERS PLAN, SPECIALISTS DEPLOY. Specialists are 'on the ground', without being 'put through the mill' will be unable to control the men in times of adversity. It is even more crucial for specialists to learn how to execute command and control efficiently. Even for NSFs, SPECIALISTS need to go through courses that only officers go through in such areas. I stress that the training standards of both officers and specialists should be equal despite differences in rank and job scopes so that specialists will be able to AID officers in times of need. OFFICERS PLAN, but if they are unable to attain knowledge of what happens on the ground or if all the SPECIALISTS happen to be INCAPACITATED, what is going to happen to the platoon? I hereby stress again that officers need to get on the ground too in case of such an eventuality. Even higher management should not fail to realise the need to do so as it may result in a better decision? Finally, officers should not demand that of specialists if they cannot do so of themselves. Its all about taking the lead.
PLAB - FDS
Finished my ASLC and got posted here.
On the job training helped me comprehend my areas of weaknesses which BSLC & ASLC could not rectify. First experience handling men in a unit.
Alot of 'firsts' showed that i was still inexperienced and i strived to improve myself for the betterment of the unit.
RSAF OPEN HOUSE.
INSTRUCTOR TO FIELD DEFENSE COURSE.
NATIONAL RUNWAY CYCLING.
SAF DAY PARADE.
These were some of high key events in my unit where i was involved in. And yea, i had my share of tough times too.
In the SAF, NSFs are posted to different units which they often stick with till they ROD. Some units will probably be more outfield intensive for various reasons and maybe involved in overseas exercises too. I was probably one of the luckier ones to not have any overseas training because of the varying scopes. Yea this will probably invite scorn and insinuation over its 'slack ness'. Nevertheless, those who give their utmost deserve respect.
ORD 081109--
As an Nsmen, i am aware of my liabilities. I am glad that NS taught me to be more aware and open minded. It was not a smooth sailing experience but i have become a more rugged person because of ns.
Enlisted on 9th jan 2008--
My feelings that day were momentous, and i broke into tears as my composure was somewhat shattered by the reality of conscription.
However, there was a bright side. Rong Jun happened to be my bed buddy and it was a real stroke of luck.
In BMT, i could literally taste the regimentation of recruits. The physical and mentally taxing sermons kept me on my edges.
As most of us recruits set on sights on officership, there was a certain competitive spirit, but displayed chivalry.
Despite that, i really had fun(it was the most enjoyable period of my ns life)
We had understanding commanders too.
I made mistakes and was punished for it; all of us were.
BSLC @ SISPEC
Posted there at the end of bmt.
Morale was an all time low for those posted at the beginning of the course cause did not manage to get into OCS.
SISPEC was seen as a secondary choice.
Developed an initial inferiority complex--no kidding, i was grousing.
Decided to stay positive and adhere to the rigor of the 8 weeks.
Training was slacker than bmt over there.
ASLC @ TAB
Tengah AirBase Field Defense Squadron.
ALL I CAN SAY is that the admin is fucking disorganised. Course was so slack but no one was complaining, since the heck care mentality 'since we were only gonna be 3SG' made it seem like no big deal.
In these 1y10m, if i've learnt about the way SAF goes about doing stuff, OFFICERS PLAN, SPECIALISTS DEPLOY. Specialists are 'on the ground', without being 'put through the mill' will be unable to control the men in times of adversity. It is even more crucial for specialists to learn how to execute command and control efficiently. Even for NSFs, SPECIALISTS need to go through courses that only officers go through in such areas. I stress that the training standards of both officers and specialists should be equal despite differences in rank and job scopes so that specialists will be able to AID officers in times of need. OFFICERS PLAN, but if they are unable to attain knowledge of what happens on the ground or if all the SPECIALISTS happen to be INCAPACITATED, what is going to happen to the platoon? I hereby stress again that officers need to get on the ground too in case of such an eventuality. Even higher management should not fail to realise the need to do so as it may result in a better decision? Finally, officers should not demand that of specialists if they cannot do so of themselves. Its all about taking the lead.
PLAB - FDS
Finished my ASLC and got posted here.
On the job training helped me comprehend my areas of weaknesses which BSLC & ASLC could not rectify. First experience handling men in a unit.
Alot of 'firsts' showed that i was still inexperienced and i strived to improve myself for the betterment of the unit.
RSAF OPEN HOUSE.
INSTRUCTOR TO FIELD DEFENSE COURSE.
NATIONAL RUNWAY CYCLING.
SAF DAY PARADE.
These were some of high key events in my unit where i was involved in. And yea, i had my share of tough times too.
In the SAF, NSFs are posted to different units which they often stick with till they ROD. Some units will probably be more outfield intensive for various reasons and maybe involved in overseas exercises too. I was probably one of the luckier ones to not have any overseas training because of the varying scopes. Yea this will probably invite scorn and insinuation over its 'slack ness'. Nevertheless, those who give their utmost deserve respect.
ORD 081109--
As an Nsmen, i am aware of my liabilities. I am glad that NS taught me to be more aware and open minded. It was not a smooth sailing experience but i have become a more rugged person because of ns.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Random Musings
Its heartening to see that the flame which has been kindled with passion does not burn out.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Freedom: A Perception
A little while ago, being an active serviceman in my unit, i yearned to be free of all the obligations and tie-downs so i could experience true 'freedom'. National Service, at that point in time, seemed to be a form of restraint. Whilst i was still in NS, i could not enjoy freedom.
Now, 6 weeks from then, as i recollect previous issues i realized that my perception of freedom was somewhat garbled. True freedom in fact lies in the mind, the ability to view something different from conformity, so it seems and to hold on to that vision.
Spread your wings and soar into the sky.
Now, 6 weeks from then, as i recollect previous issues i realized that my perception of freedom was somewhat garbled. True freedom in fact lies in the mind, the ability to view something different from conformity, so it seems and to hold on to that vision.
Spread your wings and soar into the sky.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Climbing: A Passion?
Its been almost two years since I've stopped training as part of the TJC climbing club. Despite that, i can still vividly recall a typical day of training in my alma mater; one thats filled with the vicissitudes of life.
If i recall correctly, i joined TJCCC as i was intrigued by the tiles and orientation of both the climbing/bouldering wall and as part of a personal quest for overall fitness; which was exuded by the grace of professional climbers.
At that time, i admit that i was not that physically well-built, nor did i possess enviable strength to begin with. As a result, my performance from the start wasn't fantastic but my predisposition to think optimistically succeeded in overcoming any negative emotions. That, coupled with the initial enthuse, continued to make me believe that i would improve as time went on which i really wanted to prove.
The culture at that point was a competitive one, where the better equipped climbers would be given more attention to ensure that they would live up to TJCCC's expectations whereas the average climber would be ignored. It seemed to be like a case of 'Perform or be shunned'. At certain stages, i was propelled to believe that the unfriendliness of the coach towards myself was because of my inadequacy. This was a mental state which i constantly grappled with.
Nevertheless, i was persistent and continued to show a positive outlook as it was more likely to spur improvement within myself. Over time, i poured in effort and improvement showed, though somewhat negligible compared to the standards of others.
I managed to make a physical breakthrough and trained to hone my techniques and composure with fervor. But more importantly, the greatest takeaway from my 1 and half year stint at TJCCC is the bonds of friendship forged with the other members. I value their company and friendship, even if i revealed close to nothing about myself to them.
I do not expect anyone else to understand my feelings at those plateaus. This is merely some personal recollections.
If i recall correctly, i joined TJCCC as i was intrigued by the tiles and orientation of both the climbing/bouldering wall and as part of a personal quest for overall fitness; which was exuded by the grace of professional climbers.
At that time, i admit that i was not that physically well-built, nor did i possess enviable strength to begin with. As a result, my performance from the start wasn't fantastic but my predisposition to think optimistically succeeded in overcoming any negative emotions. That, coupled with the initial enthuse, continued to make me believe that i would improve as time went on which i really wanted to prove.
The culture at that point was a competitive one, where the better equipped climbers would be given more attention to ensure that they would live up to TJCCC's expectations whereas the average climber would be ignored. It seemed to be like a case of 'Perform or be shunned'. At certain stages, i was propelled to believe that the unfriendliness of the coach towards myself was because of my inadequacy. This was a mental state which i constantly grappled with.
Nevertheless, i was persistent and continued to show a positive outlook as it was more likely to spur improvement within myself. Over time, i poured in effort and improvement showed, though somewhat negligible compared to the standards of others.
I managed to make a physical breakthrough and trained to hone my techniques and composure with fervor. But more importantly, the greatest takeaway from my 1 and half year stint at TJCCC is the bonds of friendship forged with the other members. I value their company and friendship, even if i revealed close to nothing about myself to them.
I do not expect anyone else to understand my feelings at those plateaus. This is merely some personal recollections.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Everchanging perceptions
Its been awhile since tumultuous thoughts occupied every fiber of my being; with the newly ingrained acceptance.
I have to say that i at least, realized that each plays his/her own role in society and that each role is just as of paramount importance as the next. Notwithstanding disputes, people may have some disagreements with their own roles and with that of others.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whilst i was still conducting the field defense course as an auxiliary instructor, i had the notion that once the course was over, it was over. This stemmed from the fact that the trainees would pass out eventually and become the respective shift men. I was indeed wrong, proven that i could still be a mentor to the guys. The relationship between trainee and instructor is still ongoing, albeit on a new level. It was heartening to be proved otherwise.
I have to say that i at least, realized that each plays his/her own role in society and that each role is just as of paramount importance as the next. Notwithstanding disputes, people may have some disagreements with their own roles and with that of others.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whilst i was still conducting the field defense course as an auxiliary instructor, i had the notion that once the course was over, it was over. This stemmed from the fact that the trainees would pass out eventually and become the respective shift men. I was indeed wrong, proven that i could still be a mentor to the guys. The relationship between trainee and instructor is still ongoing, albeit on a new level. It was heartening to be proved otherwise.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
A little more than 2 weeks ago, I was informed by OC that i was to be attached to 20th FDC as an auxiliary instructor. At that point in time, I did not have any expectations of the course and its trainees.
Today, I find myself constantly reminded of an instructor's responsibility in shaping one's character as peers reminisced about their past experiences. Indirectly, my actions would affect how the trainees turned out to be after passing out. More importantly, the impression that i had left imprinted on them as my eventual subordinates would impact me be it for the better or for the worse.
I overheard an incident today which happened quite a while ago. It certainly shocked me. The length of which one could go to just to demand respect from others was inconceivable. Often, the upbringing of a person is the main cause of any mistakes he/she may make since he/she may have been led to believe that it was right to do so.
As an instructor myself, i realise the magnitude of my actions on the trainees themselves and will not condone any erroneous acts as a result of any irresponsibility. As i continue chipping away to perfect the sculpture beneath me, i can only pray that it will not turn out as a grotesque imitation of the dark side within myself.
Today, I find myself constantly reminded of an instructor's responsibility in shaping one's character as peers reminisced about their past experiences. Indirectly, my actions would affect how the trainees turned out to be after passing out. More importantly, the impression that i had left imprinted on them as my eventual subordinates would impact me be it for the better or for the worse.
I overheard an incident today which happened quite a while ago. It certainly shocked me. The length of which one could go to just to demand respect from others was inconceivable. Often, the upbringing of a person is the main cause of any mistakes he/she may make since he/she may have been led to believe that it was right to do so.
As an instructor myself, i realise the magnitude of my actions on the trainees themselves and will not condone any erroneous acts as a result of any irresponsibility. As i continue chipping away to perfect the sculpture beneath me, i can only pray that it will not turn out as a grotesque imitation of the dark side within myself.
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