Army no more

Recently, I get to acknowledge an old army friend in friendster whom i mentioned a few entries earlier. In fact, I cannot really remember or recall this guy, but our chatting on msn sure brought back many memories of our army days.

As we were chatting, I was once again bogged down by my past army memories. I mentioned about going to Pulau Tekong almost every week in yr 2000. I was then already a pretty seasoned senior personnel in the army, who would travel to Tekong to either pick up some new army personnel, or for other admin matters.

Everytime I landed on the Ladang Jetty, I would be filled with emotions. I would recall the very first time I landed on Tekong in 1997, jumping down from the 3-tonner, carrying a super heavy alibaba bag. I also remembered the moment when I was able to find my alibaba bag and got really panick. Everytime the landrover drove past the big patch of field facing the singapore mainland, i would recall the days where I had my field PT over there. The 'tekaning' moments when we were being played and fooled running about under the merciless commands, carry our buddies on our back. Enduring all the tortures while gazing sadly across the field at the Singapore mainland. That piece of land whom we have lived for the past 19 yrs have nv looked as lovely and sweet before.....

Every sunday evening (like tonight) in late 1997 would be the saddest moment of the week for us. We would report at Commando Jetty, awaiting for the fastscraft to ferry us back to P.Tekong from mainland singapore. Every time on the fastscraft, i would have this evil thought in me : how i wish the fastscraft will sink in the sea! then i dun need to go tekong and got trap there for a brand new week again...... but of cos it nv happened.

When i revisited tekong very often in 2000, i did some reflections. I see how much I have grown and changed within the 2 yr plus of 'training' in the army environment. My confidence has taken a great soar, after going through all the hardships of dealing with nasty ppl, and being thrown in the most difficult situations in life. My life has been re-shaped entirely. While I thought my confidence has greatly increased, my ego swelled even greater, and so does my attachment.

I know my limits in writing so I could nv express how I feel for my army life in words. Its definitely much stronger than what you can read from here ..... I hope I can let it go fast.