Pkchukiss - Reality Wine

Today marks the day I miraculously found my pink I/C, which was lost to some green uniformed men some time back on 10 December 2003. Back then I lost my hair too, but I am elated to announce that both have finally made their way back to me.

850 days, 28 months, countless burnt weekends, 10 over exercises, 2 countries, 1 pink I/C, and 0 days of full time national service liability left.

The trip through National Service was tough and gruelling, tracing through the path of a fat boy who was physically toned down into a less fat boy, bringing the cultures and experiences of 2 countries into a relatively sheltered life, and the unforgetable meetings of new friends.

I will never forget my first buddies: Hazwan, Daniel and Kang Xun. They ground under the training mill together with me during my entire PTP and BMT period without leaving me (because we all couldn’t qualify for the one week disruption, Haha!), and were my only sense of hope and crutch during the many times I faltered. They took the abuse I dished out when I snapped horribly during the 7 days field camp, and for that they are true friends.

My rifle was taken by the instructors when I forgot about it in my exhaustion, and Hazwan was a great buddy to get up from his trench at 3am in the morning to help me look for it.

Things took a twist when I expressed interest in becoming a scout during the interview. I found myself thrust into an active battalion on the other side of the country, along with a platoon of the unwilling. Thus we went through ISPC, ate and sent intelligence reports while sleep-walking, snapping into life when dashing away from enemies.

We celebrated birthdays, disagreed with each other, went out to play DOTA, poked fun at others and girlfriends. Most important of all, we bathed together.

National Service is a time where you are forced to meet and interact with people, whether you might like them or not. You learn to take care of yourself and your friend out in the company of forests. You faced trouble, and took the consequences in its stride.

As this chapter in the lesson of life closes, I want to thank everyone who has been in my life for teaching me so much! NSF life is now gone, but we will surely meet during reservist. Till then… ORD Loh!

O ver the years and months I wait
R elease me from this cruel fate,
D estroy the chains that confine me,

L et me go, set me free
O n the road to freedom I’m set,
H eading down, I’ll never look back.

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