First Anniversary

Tomorrow marks the first year of my National Service. Some of the milestones in the past twelve months:

7 April 2006 - Enlistment Day. One giant leap into the unknown. Sunny island of Pulau Tekong. Mohawk Company Platoon Four Section 1. No more pink I/C.

6 June 2006 - 060606. The day The Omen was released. Very nice date. After eight weeks and 2 days - the 02/06 Direct Enhanced Leadership Basic Military Training Passing Out Parade. Chao Recruit to chao Private.

16 June 2006 - End of 12 day block leave. Posting Day. The School of Infantry Specialists. With Pride We Lead? Was expecting to be posted to some unit huh.

18 June 2006 - Pasir Laba Camp. Just a blissful seven-minute drive from home. Not so blissful ten weeks of training for the 40th Basic Section Leader Course, Delta Company. But nice facilities and great course mates. NAVEX, Gypsy, Wanderer, Grand Slam, Nutcracker. Graduation route march. Chao Private to not-so-chao Corporal. My first IPPT Gold. =)

26 August 2006 - Posting Day 2. Khatib Camp: Home of the Gunners. Thirteen-weeks of the 1st Artillery Specialists' Course under the newly formed Artillery Institute. Pathetic accommodation. Best of friends (Detachment 5 yes) among all camps so far. ADT, PMCS, Dwarf, Giant. Graduation Parade. Corporal to Sergeant. Endorsed my IPPT results for monetary rewards. Finally cleared SOC. =) The high point of my NS career till date.

1 December 2006 to Present Day - Amoy Quee Camp. 20th Battalion Singapore Artillery, Bravo Battery. Along with David and now, Yao Qi (except that Yao Qi's in Charlie). Old camp, renovated bunks. Backstabbing and politics. Responsibilities outweigh the privileges. Exercise Battleking in January to February 2007. FATEP II in India from November to December 2007. With lots of other duties and sai-kang in between now until end of the year. Severe deterioration of physical fitness. Have yet to recover.

6 February 2008 - Ten months from now. One day before Chinese New Year. My pink I/C. =)

What a long wait.