Impact of National Service

Today, after this ORD function, gonna mark my last few days seeing my camp mates as a whole. Definitely, this 1 year 8 months with them creates a lot of bittersweet memories. I can never forget what we have gone through as a platoon. 

We came in 16th January 2012, posted to 30 SCE at Jurong camp, not knowing where the #$*@ we are posted to, what unit we are in, who are we going to chiong with, we all looked so lost. The first outfield together, during Common Engineering Course (CEC) phase, I got to see how my section-mates work together, and finally I get the gist of what being a combat engineer really works. 

Then as the months goes by, our bond as a section and eventually as a platoon got even stronger. We eat together, chiong numerous outfields together, joke around together, and sometimes share problems and cry together if we have to. I still remember during our first shellscrape digging training/refresher, everybody felt so unmotivated. So what we did as a section was to gather everyone and start digging one shellscrape at a time. Just imagine we have to dig 10 shellscrapes per section. Those we the days. 

Definitely, NS does leave an impression of me. NS is definitely a part in my life. Yes. It does transform me from an ah'boy to man. Trust me. The phrase is not cheesy. I know that there are friends out there to support me when I'm down, and to be there for me whenever I need them. I became more matured, more cautious in decision making, more sensitive to others, thoughtful and definitely, it does teach me how to manage my time well. Just imagine, juggling NS with my other orchestras commitments, I definitely need some time management. 

Nevertheless, will I not forget the times spent in army, donning that green uniform, attaching the rank that I earned, carrying that arms during my occasion outfields and guard duties, how I treat it like a wife on my own, and most importantly, the camaraderie that I've created in this past 1 year 10 months. I will miss you guys - 30 SCE - Bravo - Platoon 6 (Section 1).

"Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything." - Muhammad Ali

With love,
Syed Ridwan

P/S: I miss you