Gypsy,Wanderer,Nutcracker,Grandslam...

At long last i have completed all my trainning and missions.Incases you are wandering about the title,they are the codename for all our execise:

Gypsy 1 and 2 :

• Gypsy 1 is a learning execise where we put to use the navigation skill we have learnt so far.Both Gypsy 1 and 2 took place in the dense vegetation area Mandai and sergent Vela was with my section.As we wasted too much time in finding the first check point,he instructs us to look for a pipeline/path which would bring us to our log and second check point.That by the way,is something which we shouldn't be doing.Was unable to find our second day check point,even thought we tried looking for it again at night,with its exact location pointed out to us by another sergent.
• Gypsy 2 is an evalution execise for our navigation skill.It took place just 2 days after Gypsy and in the same area.Tried as hard as my team of 4 man could,we couldn't find the first day check point.Sergent at the log point adviced us to search for the second check point since time was running.We found a pair of lost trainnees while on our way back from the second check point.They were so lost that they couldn't believe me when i pointed out our location.I still couldn't forget how their eyes widen and the look on the face at the time.We tried using my signal set to call for their team but to no avail.As it turn out,their team's signal set was damaged and unable to recieve our call.For the night check point,ys's team took us to the spot as it was their day check point.And also,sergent Vela went to check on the check point we miss out on during Gypsy 1 and indeed the sign board was just infront of where we were standing that day,just that we couldn't seen it at night.

Wanderer:

• Went back to Tekong for this navigation test.It seems to be much easier navigation over there than in Mandai.We managed to find 2 out 4 day check points by 1430,and being so confident that we would be able to locate the next 2 check points within the 4 hours time limit,we took a long 45 min break.Found out that Jeffrey lost his pacer during the bashing,but we were unable to find it.We walk along the path,which wasn't allow,and gotten lost in one of the turns.Finally with Jeffrey recceing and my map tracking,i pinpointed our location and calculated the direction to our third check point (quite a gamble).As it turned out,i was right and we gotten our third check point at about 1700.Sure as ever before we would make it on time,i tasked the guy with the least navigation skill to be the navigator so he would be able to learn and apply something.It was a big mistake.We gotten so lost to the spot that we were unable to make it back to the end point.We have to take the rover driven by our OC back,then took a tonner to our night start point.Since my team started late,i just disregard the route we had planned and took a straight path.The place was totally unlike in the map,but we were able to adapt.I basically acted like a bastard,pushing and rushing my team to get to the check point on time.I think they could see that i am pissed,and they corperated well together.Anyway we found the two night check points in record time and make it back to base just on time.

Nutcracker:

• Two of the worse nights ever in my life.First night we were to dig a shell scrap solo within 45 min,mine took a bit longer.Then we were to dig a fire trench in buddy level,and it has to be up to our chest level.My buddy was called to another task at about 12 mn,and i was left alone to dig by myself.I dig and dig and dig and dig ...etc for 3 to 4 hours and seriously my mind was starting to stop functioning.I would become so exhuasted that i just sat that for a while,drink some water and coninue on digging again.I cursed and sweared silently when i discovered that i have to dig extra more for the chest level as i am so damn tall...Anyhow my fire trench was managed to be completed by 7 in the morning,and i just collapsed into a sleep for an hour or two.The second night was just as horrible.My platoon was unable to execute the reinforcement drill correctly,my platoon commander punished us with alot of push up and jumping jack.I couldn't remember any moment of my life that was this bad.And i totally screwed up for the second drill as i shouted out the wrong code name and got scolded by my platoon commander.

Grandslam:

• The last and final execise,which is also a test for all of us.Because of the Nutcracker execise,i was able to cope well with little sleep and being on duty during the two nights.However i would like to say that this execise has seen me cocked up some stuff,and my weakness.Not exactly the most fondest execise i would like to have due to my cocked up.That is all i would reveal,nothing more.

So thats it,8 weeks of Sispec trainning has passed.After the off in liew to this sunday,i would be in my 10th and final week sispec,getting ready to pass out.All that is left is the 28km route march and we are off.A pity my platoon commander is posted to another unit and unable to put on our rank for us.For even thought he was the most fierce and demanding platoon commander in all of sispec,all of us feel that getting the rank put on by him would be an achivement,a statement for us.We could feel proud and stand tall with pride,knowing we passed out from the most 'xiong' platoon commander.

Althought i hated coming to Sispec at first,but now with the close bond i have formed with my section mates,i found it hard and a dread to part from each other on our POP.And also i have gotten used to lights out and sleeping in that bed by the window.I thought the bond i formed with my bmt mates were strong,but the trainning in Sispec is alot more tougher and the bond alot more stronger.Looks like i have to learnt to accept this kind of farewell and separation,i have been through quite a number of them already...

"preparing for sispec departure"