43rd Post
Hi to all the readers out there ? How was the week? sorry for not updating my blog for a long time, because i was away on reservist duty. But now that is over, i'm back. So, here's a breakdown for what i did during my 5 days reservist duty.
Monday
Reported to camp at 7:30am. Hung around for awhile until i saw some familiar faces. Some of my buddies got the early morning free hair cut. 'Q'-ed up to be in-processed. For the uninitiated, it means that we as reservists, we are sort of like "booking in". Sat around in the lecture room chatting about and roaming around the camp. Attended a short briefing by the Company Sargent Major (a.k.a CSM). Went up to the canteen for lunch. After more lazing in the lecture room, we went to take our weapon technical handling test. Everyone passed. Then some had to take their annual in camp IPPT (Individual Physical Proficiency Test). I was excused from taking the IPPT together with a few others. Had to wait until the IPPT guys finished their 2.4km run. Booked out of camp at around 6pm and went home.
Tuesday
Went to Nee Soon Camp for IMT range. Again, for the uninitiated, IMT basically means something like computer stimulated training. Left the camp at about 11:30am under heavy rain. The reason why we can leave early is because the people going for range (and that includes other companies in the battalion) was quite a small amount. Reached back camp at 12+. Had lunch and bought some stuff from the E-mart. Got held up by the rain until 3.05pm. After more lazing in the lecture room until 5+pm, we booked out. I headed for classes. Reached home at about 11pm. Went to sleep at 12+am.
Wednesday
Wednesday was basically a very relaxed day. Went to school during tea break to submit my lab report. Barely managed to make it back to camp on time. Went over to FHQ (Formation Headquarters) to draw arms. The rifle was very oily, because it was soaked in "preservative" oil. Had to spend some time de-oiling the rifle and cleaning it. Then after sending in arms, me and my buddies went off to lunch. Came back to camp at 1+ to take a chartered civilian bus to Sembawang camp to attend a safety seminar that was organised by my S4. After the safety seminar, some girls from SAFRA came in to promote the SAFRA card. Was wondering whether to sign up or not, because i can gain alot of discounts, but the registration fees are making me think a lot more deeper. Left Sembawang camp at 4+ to go to school. Told one of my buddies to help me make my ID tags for the range the next day, since he was going to beach road. Reached school at around 530. Left classes during the break at 8:30pm because of my range. Reached home at around 9+. Called for a taxi to pick me up at 4:30am the next day. Slept at 12mn.
Thursday
Woke up at 3:30am to bathe and drink a cup of hot green tea. Went downstairs to wait for the taxi at 4:15am. Taxi arrived 10mins early, so the 3 of us ended up at camp at about 5:30am (time was included to make a pit stop at a petrol kiosk to buy breakfast and other tidbits). Went over to FHQ to draw arms and a cleaning kit. Left for Nee Soon Camp Live Firing Range at about 7am. I couldn't remember what time we reached the camp, because i was sleeping though out the journey. Had to wait a bit, while the targets were being set up and we had water parade. It was amazing, that no one puked at drinking that much of water. Range began at about 10am, in a mix of sun and rain. I had a bit of trouble zeroing my weapon, because i had not shot an M16 rifle for a long time and the last time i shot an M16 rifle was during BMT, which was 5 years ago. After when i was posted to unit, it was using the SAR80, which is a rifle much older than the M16. Also, the noise of gunfire distracted me a lot, but i managed to eventually overcome the problem. Had to listen very carefully on the sequence on the CS (Combat Shoot) and how the thing works. Apparently now its a group effort thing, and now random targets will pop up. Initially i was blur, so i shot at whatever targets that popped up. Then afterwards, for some funny reason, my detail was told to go for a re-shoot. But after a lot of haggling, we were told at the last minute that we passed the daytime range and were told to return our ammo. Daytime range ceased at 5pm. We had 2 hours of relaxation, while waiting for darkness in order to begin night range. A lot of details had problem in the night shoot, simply because we couldn't see the targets at all. My detail initially failed the first time round, because my weapon had developed a problem while i was re-loading. But managed to pass after going for 2nd round. Some details had to shoot 3 times before they passed. Night range ceased at about 10pm, and we left Nee Soon Camp Live Firing Range at about 1045pm(because the bus that was to fetch the HQ company people was very late). Returned arms at 11:30pm. Reached home after mid-night. Saved money on taxi, thanks to one of my detail buddy who drove the 3 of us right up to our doorstep. Fell asleep at 1am.
Friday
Reported to camp at about 8:15am. After morning parade, we went off for tea break. Came back to camp at about 9:30am. Had a fire drill at 10am, and than went over to FHQ to draw weapon and do a little bit of cleaning and to re-oil the weapon. Lucky this time round, i brought along some gloves to protect my hands against the oil and the dirty parts of the weapon. Went for lunch after sending in arms. Came back to camp at about 1+pm. At 1:30, we had to fall in for a simple parade in which our S4 was to officially implement our formation patch on our right shoulder. All the reservists had a bit of hiccup with the parade commands, and that included the CSM himself. After the parade, we took a company level photograph, together with the NSF personnel. After the photo taking, we all attended a short speech given by the Commanding Officer himself, as well as a briefing by NSHRC. When those were all done, refreshments were given, and we were all out-processed by 4+pm. While waiting for a taxi with my buddy, an accident occurred in which a brown car collided with another car which was blue that was just coming out of ST Kinetics. I found the woman driver a bit stupid, because she did not bother to move her car out of the way, and was impeding traffic and putting others in a dangerous situation. The only time one cannot move the car, is when there is a casualty involved. anyway, a taxi came after awhile, and according to him, he saw the driver of the blue car speeding inside ST Kinetics. Oh well, i don't know which is more dumb. Speeding inside ST Kinetics, or not bothering to move one's car out of the way so as not to impede traffic. Took the taxi to Great world city, because my buddy had to pick something up. Then we took the shuttle to Orchard and we went to far east plaza to have a drink. After the drink, we went our separate ways.
Well, looking back at this ICT, i had a good time catching up with buddies that i have not seen in a long time. It was also a time of lazing about, be it after lunch or when there is nothing to do. A nice time off from the daily working life. But yet, sometimes just doing nothing is mental torture. And that is the reason why so many of us fellow reservists end up being very tired, even though we are not doing anything or not doing much "siong" work. Oh well, i am looking forward to my next ICT. But for now, i need the weekends to re-adjust to civilian life and to also re-adjust my body clock.
And in the meantime, i wish all readers a pleasant weekend.
Monday
Reported to camp at 7:30am. Hung around for awhile until i saw some familiar faces. Some of my buddies got the early morning free hair cut. 'Q'-ed up to be in-processed. For the uninitiated, it means that we as reservists, we are sort of like "booking in". Sat around in the lecture room chatting about and roaming around the camp. Attended a short briefing by the Company Sargent Major (a.k.a CSM). Went up to the canteen for lunch. After more lazing in the lecture room, we went to take our weapon technical handling test. Everyone passed. Then some had to take their annual in camp IPPT (Individual Physical Proficiency Test). I was excused from taking the IPPT together with a few others. Had to wait until the IPPT guys finished their 2.4km run. Booked out of camp at around 6pm and went home.
Tuesday
Went to Nee Soon Camp for IMT range. Again, for the uninitiated, IMT basically means something like computer stimulated training. Left the camp at about 11:30am under heavy rain. The reason why we can leave early is because the people going for range (and that includes other companies in the battalion) was quite a small amount. Reached back camp at 12+. Had lunch and bought some stuff from the E-mart. Got held up by the rain until 3.05pm. After more lazing in the lecture room until 5+pm, we booked out. I headed for classes. Reached home at about 11pm. Went to sleep at 12+am.
Wednesday
Wednesday was basically a very relaxed day. Went to school during tea break to submit my lab report. Barely managed to make it back to camp on time. Went over to FHQ (Formation Headquarters) to draw arms. The rifle was very oily, because it was soaked in "preservative" oil. Had to spend some time de-oiling the rifle and cleaning it. Then after sending in arms, me and my buddies went off to lunch. Came back to camp at 1+ to take a chartered civilian bus to Sembawang camp to attend a safety seminar that was organised by my S4. After the safety seminar, some girls from SAFRA came in to promote the SAFRA card. Was wondering whether to sign up or not, because i can gain alot of discounts, but the registration fees are making me think a lot more deeper. Left Sembawang camp at 4+ to go to school. Told one of my buddies to help me make my ID tags for the range the next day, since he was going to beach road. Reached school at around 530. Left classes during the break at 8:30pm because of my range. Reached home at around 9+. Called for a taxi to pick me up at 4:30am the next day. Slept at 12mn.
Thursday
Woke up at 3:30am to bathe and drink a cup of hot green tea. Went downstairs to wait for the taxi at 4:15am. Taxi arrived 10mins early, so the 3 of us ended up at camp at about 5:30am (time was included to make a pit stop at a petrol kiosk to buy breakfast and other tidbits). Went over to FHQ to draw arms and a cleaning kit. Left for Nee Soon Camp Live Firing Range at about 7am. I couldn't remember what time we reached the camp, because i was sleeping though out the journey. Had to wait a bit, while the targets were being set up and we had water parade. It was amazing, that no one puked at drinking that much of water. Range began at about 10am, in a mix of sun and rain. I had a bit of trouble zeroing my weapon, because i had not shot an M16 rifle for a long time and the last time i shot an M16 rifle was during BMT, which was 5 years ago. After when i was posted to unit, it was using the SAR80, which is a rifle much older than the M16. Also, the noise of gunfire distracted me a lot, but i managed to eventually overcome the problem. Had to listen very carefully on the sequence on the CS (Combat Shoot) and how the thing works. Apparently now its a group effort thing, and now random targets will pop up. Initially i was blur, so i shot at whatever targets that popped up. Then afterwards, for some funny reason, my detail was told to go for a re-shoot. But after a lot of haggling, we were told at the last minute that we passed the daytime range and were told to return our ammo. Daytime range ceased at 5pm. We had 2 hours of relaxation, while waiting for darkness in order to begin night range. A lot of details had problem in the night shoot, simply because we couldn't see the targets at all. My detail initially failed the first time round, because my weapon had developed a problem while i was re-loading. But managed to pass after going for 2nd round. Some details had to shoot 3 times before they passed. Night range ceased at about 10pm, and we left Nee Soon Camp Live Firing Range at about 1045pm(because the bus that was to fetch the HQ company people was very late). Returned arms at 11:30pm. Reached home after mid-night. Saved money on taxi, thanks to one of my detail buddy who drove the 3 of us right up to our doorstep. Fell asleep at 1am.
Friday
Reported to camp at about 8:15am. After morning parade, we went off for tea break. Came back to camp at about 9:30am. Had a fire drill at 10am, and than went over to FHQ to draw weapon and do a little bit of cleaning and to re-oil the weapon. Lucky this time round, i brought along some gloves to protect my hands against the oil and the dirty parts of the weapon. Went for lunch after sending in arms. Came back to camp at about 1+pm. At 1:30, we had to fall in for a simple parade in which our S4 was to officially implement our formation patch on our right shoulder. All the reservists had a bit of hiccup with the parade commands, and that included the CSM himself. After the parade, we took a company level photograph, together with the NSF personnel. After the photo taking, we all attended a short speech given by the Commanding Officer himself, as well as a briefing by NSHRC. When those were all done, refreshments were given, and we were all out-processed by 4+pm. While waiting for a taxi with my buddy, an accident occurred in which a brown car collided with another car which was blue that was just coming out of ST Kinetics. I found the woman driver a bit stupid, because she did not bother to move her car out of the way, and was impeding traffic and putting others in a dangerous situation. The only time one cannot move the car, is when there is a casualty involved. anyway, a taxi came after awhile, and according to him, he saw the driver of the blue car speeding inside ST Kinetics. Oh well, i don't know which is more dumb. Speeding inside ST Kinetics, or not bothering to move one's car out of the way so as not to impede traffic. Took the taxi to Great world city, because my buddy had to pick something up. Then we took the shuttle to Orchard and we went to far east plaza to have a drink. After the drink, we went our separate ways.
Well, looking back at this ICT, i had a good time catching up with buddies that i have not seen in a long time. It was also a time of lazing about, be it after lunch or when there is nothing to do. A nice time off from the daily working life. But yet, sometimes just doing nothing is mental torture. And that is the reason why so many of us fellow reservists end up being very tired, even though we are not doing anything or not doing much "siong" work. Oh well, i am looking forward to my next ICT. But for now, i need the weekends to re-adjust to civilian life and to also re-adjust my body clock.
And in the meantime, i wish all readers a pleasant weekend.
