Hello all.

I am back from the Specialist Course. For the past 4 days and 3 nights I was camping right outside my house at SISPEC. So near yet so far. I know I know you got to go so hurry back home cos I miss you so.

Okay.

Day 1: 2 June 2008 [GSK Test]

Basically we spent the day listening to talks about the insight of a Specialist's life and also revised for our GSK test, which was held on the first day. Maybe revision is an overstatement. There are some people who absolutely heck care. Will be elaborated later.

After GSK test, we had a lot of admin time. The I/C from CGS very funny. Ask us what we want to do. So I suggested bonding session. Then she ask us what we want to do for bonding session.

Random people: PLAY SOCCER!
I/C: Sir, permission to play soccer sir!
Sir: You all have soccer ball?
I/C: Sir no ball!

Lol. Then people ask to play catching she also ask for permission.

That night I volunteered to be the Bunk I/C. Ended up their standardization for ROOM and ours was different. So we just freezed in our positions and the CLT very angry. Then of course I am bunk I/C so he shout at me la

"YOU THINK WHAT? FREEZING GAME ARH? IS THIS A JOKE?!"

Then I heard the last part as "Is this your job?"

So I said YES SIR.

Heehee.

Then I went to sleep after the bunk check.

Day 2: 3 June 2008 [Army NCC Badge Test]

Okay, basically we had the practicals for IFC and trainfire. I think I passed all except for the loading of magazine. Lol that one during my practice the round got stuck. So the first time I did was actually the real thing. In the end I passed luh so quite happy. Got the cookie.

Then while others were being tested a lot of thoughts about random stuff were formulating in my brains. I jotted them down in a motivational inspirational national diary however I left it at SISPEC. Yay.

That night had some talk on being a specialist. One of the Sir very funny. Haha. After that I can't remember much.

Because I went to sleep.

Day 3: 4 June 2008 [IFC/Trainfire Mutuals]

Okay actually this one quite confident because we have been preparing for like 3 months? Then we see some people do a bit, never mind, don't want to mention. But some schools quite nice. Some like kids show like that, fun and easy to learn. Some like enlarged book like that.

Then a lot of free time.

So end up listen to Habeeb and his crap. Lol

That night I was called up for interview with 2 RVHS girl unit cadets [Valerie and Shereen] and one CGS cadet [Sophy]. Okay so I was like uh, 3 girls and one guy, a bit imbalanced. So I was like aiya, just do my best never win nvm.

So I went to do bunk check. Yay. Standardization very nice, CLTs very happy, so I am very happy about my bunk check.

Day 4: 5 June 2008 [POP]

Basically today we had another round of interview.

Then I expected it to be those super stressful zam zam zam kind, because M'am told us whatever happens during the interview, don't cry. Lol so I was like "uh, like that arh. Haiz". Then I went for interview.

After the interview, we went for some army exhibition. Stripped the Ultimax 100. Okay before that our IC took 5 minutes to split the platoon into 2 groups. The CLT managed to do it in 5 seconds.

Then, we had POP.

First, M'am told Sophy to fall out to be I/C. So I was like thinking "Uh, means she platoon best already lor. Haiz. Nvm". Then some other CLT came and look for Valerie, so I was like "Oh, Bravo best? HAiz no hope for me". Then got one CLT come and look for me. So I thought "Oh, maybe best in trainfire or something".

So I chiong to the OIC. Then he

"Congratulations you are the course best"
HUH?!
"You are the course best la!"
Can check again?

And they double checked and I was the course best.

Wow.

Then had to go through the procedure of the POP once. Finished one rehearsal, the OIC walked to me and said

"Parade commander?"
Yes Sir!
"Your worst nightmare- there isnt a break. The parade begins immediately."

By that time I was still stunning to understand the magnitute of the fact that I don't have a chance to rehearse again. I was stunned seriously.

Never mind, then parade began. I march up to the West District Commandander CPT(NCC) Elizabeth Lee. Then I salute to her then she salute very long never put down. So I had no choice but to put down first or else we will be like saluting competition standing parade.

Then the parade went on quite smoothly.

Until Jordy Kay came and march one circle to go back to his platoon. The whole parade laugh can. Then also, the emcee say "CPL Wong Yang Cheng from River ValleY! Semula! Hwa Chong Institution!"

Lol.

Okay good job Part Cs. I think we impressed the CLTs there. Hmm, but most importantly remember it's SERIOUSLY not the rank you wear on your sleeve, but rather the respect you earn from your platoon mates and cadets. So yeah, jia you for the remaining time we have left. Cherish eh?

Another thing about Spec Course. I realised some school really have to pia because they have limited amount of spaces for their cadets. So end up these units can only choose the best of the best and those who are not as good but are good cannot participate in the course.

Then there are some people who have free space for them, then they come in and slack and don't even care. There was one guy who's post is confirmed already (ASM). So when he received his 3rd sergeant he just said "Aiya nvm I am going to become Master Sergeant". ZZZ. Then got some totally not putting in effort. Downright defiant and ungentlemanly. In short a disgrace.

Haiz.

Its time to break this trend.

Jia you everyone.