Thursday, March 19, 2009,
6:36 AM
And, ta-da.
Along with close friends David and Mandy, we've passed out of 4th Advanced Drill Course as full-fledged Supernumeraries :) They eventually decided to allow Part Ds to attend the course as well. I didn't expect to make many friends there as well, maybe it's because I alone donned the Cat High logo, no other CHS cadet or CLT :(
Day I
I rushed to Toa Payoh MRT only to be stopped from walking to HQ, but instead to take the shuttle bus. The catch? The shuttle bus would only move when it was full, and I ended up getting there late, and made Miss Mandy wait for me for about 40 minutes, which I'm VERY SORRY for ): I owe you two, I know.
Reporting at the MPH, I reported into Air district and was sent to Platoon 1 Section 4. Everything proceeded smoothly until we got to block 246 and we placed our belongings into a bunk on the 2nd floor in 5 minutes. Apparently we took too long. How did I know? I was standing in the front row and I could clearly see my PC asking "Okay, are you done? Good. BBLLOOODY HELL. *flings admin book*" I seriously was shocked o.o I felt like in Part C again. He was ranting about forgetting about breezing through this course, in the most prestigious of NCC camps, and I clearly remember he ended off with "Welcome to ADC, guys."
Still shaken, we marched back to MPH where SM conducted Course Opening. Then followed the Ice Breakers with Mdm. Corrinne, my section com. There's Wee Ting in my section from Camp Pin, and also David and Joel Matthias! In my platoon there's also Haiqal from Nat. Camp Alpha and Wei Yang from Camp Pinnacle. Madam didn't really know how to conduct Ice breakers as it was her first camp :X HA JOEL IS THE ONLY GREEN BERET IN OUR SECTION. For once the Majority is the Minority. Oh and I met Ariessa and Hakim then too.
Sergeant Major De Silva had a lesson on Managing Parades and Ceremonies and inspection points, and we went onto the parade grounds to watch the demostration of a formation of parade, just like in SSC. The lessons were punctuated with breaks in which David, Ariessa and I talked and David kept playing with my guilt strings.
Pull-ups was kinda easy, did 7 counted ones. After a quick dinner we settled down in our bunks and had bunk inspection - not too bad, we passed on the first round.
During night snack, Sir Romario explained his intentions of making us being the top-notch, and we adopted the name Nighthawks. I did not fully understand why then, but I do now :) I remember clearly before he sent us off to bed, he promised to make sure that regardless if we pass or not, we'd all learn more than the hard skills from this course.
Day II
I awoke to the violent shaking of my bedpost from David climbing down from the upper deck, feeling horribly drained. Thank god for morning PT, it shook me away with the fun jog around HQ :D
One draw-back. My voice progressively deterioriated into a state where my shout became a croak. Gah I sounded like a choked pipe and everytime I drink water, David and Ariessa cannot help laugh but watch me choke on it going down the wrong way nearly all the time. I'm not, not going to report sick. Mrgh.
There were lessons on the theory of foot drills and marching drills by SM in the MPH once again, and as soon as the rain cleared up we went down to lower parade square where we did super basic footdrills. This is where we addressed the problem of school units teaching even basic drills differently. We didn't have a standardisation for quite a number of timings, and 'Eyes Right' (Kekenan rurous) has been changed by HQ. Again. This means we have to re-teach our school units. Timing for 'Opening of squad' (Dalang puku barisan, gerak/kekenanrurous) and 'Moving squad' (Lima Langa Kekiri..) has been changed as well. Mrgh.
I'm also going to have to teach 'Hormat Kekiri'. First time I'm hearing it o.o It's bascially the same as hormat kekenan. Mdm. Corrinne could hardly understand anything I was saying because my voice cut off at the most inapproriate of times. "Madam, I said I --- , and -- the drill." "HUH?"
Spoke to Jeffrey, Ridhwan of Ngee Ann and Mandy during lunch. It's too bad they're in a different platoon :( After lunch we had planning for Cohesion night - it's a project for the CLT platoon as part of their training. I didn't really speak much, the only person who could understand or hear me was Ariessa as she explained to me what they planned to pull off in the skit o.o
There followed a lesson on badge placement by SM (changes AGAIN. Mrgh.) And due to the rain, we had to bring in theory for flag drills and sword drills as well. It wasn't much, you can't teach drills in words, you need to learn to imitate the action. It was more the learning of the parts of the drill item so as to speak the common language. When Cat 1 cleared, we had a lesson on the marking of parade grounds. We followed SM around the parade square as he used the pacestick to mark very key appointment holder's position with tape. I didn't realise how bad the sun was until it the next day :X
There followed a little more footdrills, then I did 7 pull-ups and dinner followed =) Cohesion night followed, but I wasn't the crazy hyper self Jeffrey thought I'd be :X I blame the stupid cold. The MCs were on high, dragging people up onto the stage to dance to the music from their iPods, playing treasure hunt which ended up having us remove our shoelaces and watch performances from our platoons which were all horridly rushed as they were prepared in less than a day. Ours was more like a....imitation of Sir Romario on day one. I could see Sir R trying to run away already but all the CLTs were pinning him down to watch the whole performance :D
We all were sent back to bunks right after night snack. Haha I felt kind of happy and relieved that night. We went back to bathe and in the toilet we had a close encounter with a crisis. Someone walked into a cubicle to take a dump, but when he closed the door the message on it read 'Cubicle Floods When Flushed' When I read it I was like O.O "Oh no." *hammerhammerhammerhammer* "GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT IT'D FLOOD" and other people realised what was going to happen and started yelling as well and he got out looking all confused. Thank god he hasn't started. After my bath I went back to write appraisals with David and Wei Yang and fell asleep.
Day III
I awoke to my own coughing. Great.
During morning run, I was right beside Ariessa. The whole platoon were to run in step. I felt quite okay, the only problem was that I couldn't sing and run at the same time, I'd end up choking on my breath. When we settled for breakfast, Ariessa was just sitted near me in sight and she seemed perfectly fine.
However when we were falling in I didn't realise what the commotion was when there was shouting and frantic movement. Then I spotted people carrying a apparently unconscious person up the steps back to the canteen. I felt a sense of dread when I saw the person who followed closely behind carried Ariessa's pink bottle D:
Her collapse caused a real big ripple across HQ, and the whole platoon could feel it. We were all worried sick back in our bunks as we changed into half uniform. I felt quite horrid as well, but I couldn't identify any negative symptoms the whole time right before her collapse - she seemed perfectly fine until that short period of time when we were all moving in a crowd to fall-in.
After drawing rifles we marched back to MPH and caught a glance of Ariessa conscious in the back of Encik's car, hopefully being sent back to bunk. That was some comfort.
There was a little lesson on arm drills, then it was practical. Mdm. Corrinne wasn't around, so Staff Ridhuwan took over. Everything was the same as SSC, so it wasn't too hard, only remembering which command goes with which move was a little tough, and homat senjata :X
Lunch followed, then it was colours drill. Again, taught by our platoon sergeant Staff. It wasn't easy, the pole is heavy @.@ and aiming it into the pouch without looking takes practice. David and I kept going for the heavy pole just for the kicks. We did basic drills like hoisting the flag and marching with it, and taking it down. Ariessa rejoined the Nighthawks and was learning under Sir Romario, we were all glad she didn't OOC.
While waiting to draw swords, I saw Mandy taking the theory test then remembered we had yet to revise :X Sir Romario told us Sword Belt parts would be tested and we all studied like nuts about the belt (memorised and memorised every little nitty grit of that belt) but it never came out (the scabbard came out instead. Lesson learnt :X)
After waiting around long enough, we finally gathered to learn the theory of the sword drills. It took some time before it was my turn to don a glove and carry a sword 8D Sir Shafiq took the time to individually watch us draw the sword, carry it, salute with it and correct us one by one. It's not easy keeping it so perfectly straight and controlled when saluting, but it was an amazing experience to be practicing sword drills :DDD
The sunburn started to kick in. When we wipe sweat from our forehead, it hurts. And when we squint in the pain, our brows fold and it hurts more in a cycle of pain :P
THEORY TEST FOLLOWED. I managed to fill in most of the blanks in 10 minutes, they were mainly about qualities of a instructor and purpose of drills and inspection points. The 2IC Madam was going around hinting to us about the answers - she helped me with two questions by making me fill in the blanks of her sentence. Thank you :D
We marched back to change to PT kit, we had our PT test :D I did 8 but the last 2 pull ups didn't get my chin over the bar, so the end result was 6. I didn't know kicking was allowed! Mrgh. But at least 6 is one of the highest, and with no kicks is something I should be proud of. I'm glad I could do 6 even with the stupid flu.
Dinner followed. Then SM talked to us once more about the answers to the theory test, and it was graduation ceremony briefing, and playing around with many many MMMAANYYY 'claps'. Supper was kinda fun. Because I'm sheltered, warm, and happeh :D
Back at bunk, we all made fun of Joel on the phone with a 'classmate of his' while we set up our No.3. "JOEL stop hogging the lighters and pass them to me!" "Joel want some Ice?" Just for the heck of embarrassing him on the phone :D
Day IV
I awoke to the sound of odd rumbling and I thought it was Joel. Turns out it was rain instead. Mrgh we awoke for morning PT but ended up packing and cleaning bunk and chatting with one another due to wet weather. PT was canceled: I couldn't sit aside and laugh at the others running and choke on my own breath while coughing. I finally understood what the cheer Purple Light meant - the sky was so beautifully purple at early dawn :D
We had breakfast and then it was a Platoon AAR. I wasn't really listening, headache was striking ever so badly. I swear, washing your face in water has healing properties o.o
Then it was the Course AAR, in which SM addressed all the issues. Nothing much.
Phototaking was painful. Painfully long. The Platoon photo was okay, it was the Course photo (guys) that was a pain. We all arranged in a row by height. All the guys. Imagine how long a line that was. Imagine how squeezy it was with everyone back to chest. I ended up sitting on the floor infront of the OIC in the pic. I'd get the pic from the NCC site when it's up.
The last lunch followed, then it was Graduation ceremony rehearsals. Sat with David, Ariessa and Joel. The ceremony wasn't much, it was after that's more important :D The only thing significant that made me laugh was the MC saying 'Please remain SITTING as we sing the NCC song' when everyone stood up to invite the GOH :D Classic.
It felt like SSC again, just different as Mdm. Corrinne slowly donned the lanyards down the row. She stared at my contorted face, "If you're happy don't hide your smile." HAHA I didn't have to ask for permission to smile unlike in SSC: "Sir, permission to smile." "Granted." :DD Gold and white lanyard! Sir Romario explained that we were to put on the Supernumerary tag on the right sleeve of our NCC-related shirts.
Then we went WWWILLLDD. We grabbed Sir Romario and started tossing himup and down in the field. No grudges held, he really did keep his promise from Day I. Then the CLTs decided to diam us all and attack out no.4s by pulling down the sleeves D:
At refreshments I went to thank Mdm. Corrinne, and congratulated Jeffrey and Mandy, but somehow they ended up writing on my hand. Jeff wrote '58th CLT Course!" and Mandy wrote her name o.o Nighthawks did more crazy cheers and Sir Romario had his final words before we Besu-rised. Ahh. I took the same bus home with Ariessa, apparently she lives just opposite me.
Lessons learnt from camp?
-Never to trust everything that has been told; question credibility: From the theory test 'hints'. Sir Romario was trying to throw us off by giving us false information.
-Safety in groups; always watch surroundings: Ariessa's collapse caused a big impact on HQ and SM told us the importance of always being aware of the people around us, and that the impact of any run will take place within half an hour after it has ended (like her collapse).
-Being flexible to change: We don't always have control over everything, like the weather, per se. One has to make do with the situation at hand.
-Reinforcement on the idea of leading by example: As Sir Romario emphasized: we cannot expect our cadets to do what we ourselves cannot achieve.
People who made it special:
David - I don't remember how many camps we've been in the same section :D He kept trying to get me to report sick ever since I was down with flu, and helped me with note-taking during SM lessons. And slept a bed above me! We talked and talked and I thought he was talking in his sleep until I hit him and realised he was on the phone. He was also very encouraging and know how to talk me into doing stuff o.o
Mandy - Ahh she wasn't in the same platoon :X But she was really encouraging :) I'm so so sorry I made you wait for me for so long, I know I owe you two ;) Ahah we kept relaying an inside joke and communicated mainly through sign language (because we couldn't speak often, and I sound like a choked pipe :X), but I'm glad she pulled through and graduated successfully as well :D
Jeffrey - TWIDDLE. Haha he also cheered me up by twiddling thumbs and doing more inside jokes, and he was really concerned when I fell sick (he could tell, I wasn't my usual crazy self) He helped me quite abit too :) And chanted "Lanyard, Lanyard" without me around :X And ended up writing '58th Cadet Officer Course' on my palm after graduation. It's SSC all over again :D
Joel - Crazy bunkmate back from India :D It's SSC all over again with him around, the only green beret in P1S4. We spoke quite abit as we haven't met in awhile, and he was always a volunteer. Cannot forget how we keep poking at him while he's on the phone with 'a certain classmate' :D
Ariessa - Miss. Potential USM of Bartley Air :) I really admire her courage in joining a adventure CCA full of outdoor activities with her chronic medical conditions. She's super cheery and understanding of problems (that she learns of super quick o.o) and talk me into action. For some reason she reminds me alot of my niece. Her collapse was really worrying. Congrats for passing out of one of the toughest NCC camps :D
Hakim - our bunk IC =D Although he may be a CPL, he's drills are really good as well. And he really wants to learn, asking us about no.3 and helping him all the cheers we know so he can go back and teach his unit. A really nice fella in our section.
Officers - Sir Romario, Sir Raj, Sir Gerald, Sir Shafiq, Mdm. Corrinne, and Sir Hafez. And platoon sgt. Staff Ridhuwan. Ahh, even though Sir Romario was super hard on us on the first day, he explained his rational to us on the same day - for us to be the best of our abilities, to push boundaries and learn many lessons that could never be taught by word. They all know and have taught us the concept of being serious and joking at the right place and time, that learning can be fun as well if done correctly :) Thank you all for making us work for this lanyard: it's worth more to us with our sweat in it.
And to remember:
I am a Supernumerary of the National Cadet Corps
I serve with pride and dedication
I will ensure a high standard of dicipline
and maximise the potential of those under my charge
I will overcome all odds
and uphold the prestige of a Supernumerary
And: As a person, I may not be able to change the world. However, I can change the world for one person ~ SM NCC
And the list of CRAZY CLAPS, some courtesy from Mandy's list:
Course RSM
*clap* Course! Lower down your volume! *clap* Course! Lower down your volume! Second time I'm telling you all already! *clap* Course, DIAM!
Course OIC
*clap* Where's my strength? *clap* Course, listen up! *clap* Baguuuuus~
Course 2IC
*clap* Don't pangseh me ah! *clap* The toilet over there! *clap* Ah-dugan!
Encik Mathy
*clap* Dehhhhh! *clap* Koteh! *clap* CLT!!!
SM NCC
*clap* Are you clear? *clap* Kanasai! *clap* I'd KICK your ass!
Best:
Sir Romario
*clap* Are you done? *clap* BLOODY HEEELL! *clap* The blue gate over THERE! [ultimate clap] *clap* I failed a Master Sergeant before! [All quoted from the few phrases he kept saying on Day I]
NIGHTHAWKS :D
When I got home, I looked up what exactly a nighthawk is. "The male Common Nighthawk has a dramatic booming display used during the breeding season. He flies around at a moderate height, then dives straight toward the ground. Somewhere just about two meters from the ground he turns upward. At the bottom of the dive he flexes his wings downward, and the air rushing through his wingtips makes a deep booming sound. The dives are directed at females, young nighthawks, intruders, and even people."
Now I know why Sir Romario wanted us to imitate the nighthawk: regardless of size, be fearful of none to take the dive with a lasting impact.
And Nighthawks we'd be :D
Balthus
a lie for the sake of my prideLabels: Supernumeraries we are
