I will nip your udder just to hear myself giggle.

Wednesday, 30th May, was the first day of NCC East District Spec Course Phase 1. I felt pretty anxious and had to rise as early as 0445 hours. I walked briskly to the bustop near BM's house. Pretty eerie in the morning. Arrived at HQ and assembled. Sir Joshua said I coloured my hair. Grrr..

Travelled to Pasir Laba Camp at SISPEC. Big phew that Farah was in my platoon, Alpha 2. Initially, Ahmad was in my platoon too, but nominal roll was amended or something. A pity. Sir Syahiid and Sir Hamdan was Alpha 2's APC. Sir Syahiid is the best sir ever and ever. He was able to keep his cool knowing that we were still unfamiliar with the surroundings. Iryana, from the same CampFEAST platoon as me was once again in the same platoon as me. Alpha 2 consisted of only six girls, including me. There were a total of 46 cadets in Alpha 2 on the second day.

Talks and lectures, lunch and lectures, talks and exhibition. Rather slack, apart from the intensive marching in SISPEC. The CLTs were unfamiliar with the area. Once we were back in the campsite, one medic asked if I am all right. Haha.

Before breaking camp, everyone underwent hair inspection. I was pulled out. Naturally, I had to dye my hair black.

Foof, long way home; from Boon Lay to Pasir Ris.


On Friday, wonderful, I woke up at 0345. We had to report at Boon Lay, at 0630. I was seriously very reluctant to attend that course. Butterflies flew in my stomach. I kept complaining on our way to Boon Lay. Even Hadi moaned. The Ma'ams and Sirs checked my hair even before heading for Pasir Laba camp. And guess what, I forgot to bring my No. 3 belt! Great.

Booked in, settled in our bunks, attended lectures again. During meals, Haryani, Farah, Dickson, Ahmad and I would always sit together. For the first and second day, we were forever attending lectures.


Next morning, we had the most relaxed PT. Only exercises and no running due to the constrained compound. Right away after breakfast, we proceeded to our trainfire revision. No matter how many times I was taught on trainfire, I still cannot remember a thing. Besides stripping and assembling of weapon and loading of magazines, I forgot all about IA, loading and unloading of rifles. So never mind. And as usual, I am unable to pass my marksman fundamental. Lol..

All day long..

Sir Hadi and Ma'am Lynette was introduced to us. Our APC and PC respectively. Anyway, Adnan's brother, Adam was in my platoon too.


Day three, a Saturday, and also our GSK, trainfire and IFC's tests' day. I thought GSK test would be pretty manageable, but it turned our otherwise. We had a rather difficult time marching on the rocky road. Going downhill and singing. It was worst than I have described. We were broken up into sections and blessed me, I was under Sir Syahiid! Love him man, that joker. Sadly, Farah was under Sir Hadi and Ma'am Lynette. Sir Hadi placed his standards really high above. On the contrary, Ma'am Lynette was very lenient, but it was not balanced. Sir Syahiid tested Iryana and I together at the same time. He was impartial yet nice to section 2. And oops!!! I wrote in my appraisal that he was partial! Oh no. How dumb can I be?

Before our trainfire test, Sir Syahiid went through every single thing with us. Iryana was in the same section as me and for the trainfire test, she did much better than me although I do not know the timing and stuff. I was like the second last among six people when we were stripping and assembling weapons. When I was the first to insert the rounds, Sir Syahiid was like, "Finally Jean is the first.", hahaha.

I flunk GSK test and did the retest at night. While section 1 went for the interview with Sir Hadi and Ma'am Lynette, section 2 and 3 had a reflection period. All of us had to close our eyes and cover our faces while raising our hands for answering questions they asked. Sir Syahiid said that he may not be present tomorrow for our POP. I went awwwww in my heart, lol. How sad! He was the one who was with us throughout the camp. Okay, actual fact, it was Sir Hamdan that really stayed with us. We are all very attached to each other.

Final day and our POP. I only had one glanced of Sir Syahiid. We seen him once that day. He told us not to be disappointed and stuff; last words. Headed to SISPEC for lecture and AAR. Fatin sat with me in the auditorium, in the first row. For no rhyme or reason, unsure why, Ma'am Xiao Wei picked me to be the OIC. I was wondering why, since I did not wear any belt. She told me to borrow one. Had to diam the whole course and greet the Sergeant Major in front of everyone. Oh man..

Photo taking at SISPEC and the CLTs marched! A pity Sir Syahiid was not there. I want to see him in No. 3 though.

After changing to half-u, Farah and I were the only ones from Alpha 2 to assemble and Sir Hadi approached us saying that we should not have arrived so early. He invited us to a table and chatted with us. His topics are so random, saying something like he loves to play with his only sharp tooth. When the guys number off already, he said something very gentlemen, I thought. "IC, permission for my ladies to fall-in." He hangs "You moron!" on his mouth. The way he pronounces it..so cute.

During POP, the CLTs sat in front of the parade. I felt a pinch in my heart that Sir Syahiid was not present to witness Alpha 2's passing out. When my name was announced to receive the envelope from Sir Hadi, I was quite nervous. But argh, section 2 supposed to receive the envelope and handshake Sir Syahiid instead. Sir Hadi shook my hands twice and before that, he told me that my rank would be exciting. I thought I would receive a Senior Corporal, so I gripped the envelope, worrying. I reminded myself that rank is not everything, but well..

Fortunately, I got a 2nd Sergeant! I was the only girl in my platoon who was awarded that, and also the only girl in PRCS who attended Spec Course Phase 1. Not a senior Corporal, at least.

Sir Hamdan and Sir Hadi talked to us. I felt somehow or rather upset. Feeling the bitterness on the tongue when leaving the campsite was said to be when the course was strenuous. But I felt the bitterness because we were leaving, not even having Sir Syahiid to see us off. I love these four days. Very memorable and fun. I feel attached to Alpha 2 and our PC, APCs that I cannot bear to be separated with them. I know we will have a reunion, but when? How sad. I already miss the CLTs once my sight left the campsite. A another Sir Joshua congratulated me on the bus and I was stunned. I asked why and he knew I got a 2nd Sergeant. Pretty surprising. The cutest Chinese CLT in the camp. I would not mind staying there for a few more days. Love them people.