I lost touch with writing.

For a long time, I knew I was losing touch with writing on POOPLER.com but I lived in denial. I didn’t believe I have lost my ability and passion to write and archive our fragil memories. I know it is sad, I am trying to salvage what that is left. This place used to be buzzing with comments from friends and strangers (whom I am surprised they think I’m interesting). And I know one of the many visitors I still have is the Military Security Department. I’m sure they have read, scan and scrutinized everything I wrote about Army.

If I am arrested, you know why.

I have not wrote since February 21. And during this period of time, I was pretty busy with all sorts of things I couldn’t quite remember vividly already. In Army, I was put through a grueling Exercise Endurance that put not only our combat fitness to test, but also our knowledge. It was an Exercise that catered for some 32 to 40 kilometers but my team and I were sure that we’ve walked farther than that. There were stations along the way and our knowledge and application were put to test. Andy was the team leader, Derek was navigating, and the rest of us includes Jason, Thomas, Wei Yong and Wei Lun.

Although it was extremely exhausting, and all factors considered have put a lot of stress on my body, I thought I enjoyed the Exercise because we were navigating mostly in urban areas at our own pace. I also enjoyed it because Exercise and camps like these, you get to know your comrades more (for better or worse). You know who would not leave you in the lurch and extend a helping hand when you collapse.

We set off at about 7pm on a Thursday night, and at about 9am in the morning when we finally could return back to camp, an instructor greeted us mid-journey and told us we were the last few! He was encouraging and he lifted our morale a little so we could run and fast-march in our Full Battle Order during the last 3 kilometers. By 11 am, we were receiving our blue berets for what we have achieved.

I cannot publish anywhere the 9 minute Graduation video because many parts contained classified footage. I liked this part the most, and since its nothing more than just a parade, I could share here. The video was created by Jeremy Ong.

Back in BMT, I never thought I would come to far to receive a silver bayonet, and so close to receiving a golden bayonet. I was of course, very much excited when I learned that I came in third in the entire platoon. It was definitely an honor, and I could not have received this without every single course mates who made an otherwise mundane and monolithic life in Signal Institute burst with excitements and colors.

All six Honor Graduates (HG) from the two platoons were put through the golden bayonet selection board. It was chaired by out Officer Commanding and only one of us would be selected to be Distinguished Honor Graduate (DHG) and receive the golden bayonet thereafter. We have all thought that title would go to the other platoon, but surprisingly, the DHG was Kent from our platoon!

This bayonet was a milestone in my military service. I see awards as milestones that represents a significant period in my life. The first being EXSA Award 2008 when I worked with Escape Theme Park.