Anyone has this feeling before?

Beyond Religion SG

I have been a combat scout all my NS life. I hated the regimental lifestyle of a combat soldier. I hated the way we were tekan, the way we were made to stand by bed, area, weapon and what-not. I hated the overseas trips. I hated the nights spent feeding mosquitoes out in the field, I hated the dawn attacks, hated the defaulters parade (When I once misread a map and led a company to form-up and charge our own OP). I hated the hectic and sweaty lifestyle, hated the chronic deprivation of sleep etc. etc.

Then something inexplicable happened; during my last 2 or 3 ICTs, I experienced surges of pangs which I cannot put my hands on Earlier this year I served my final ICT, and it suddenly became clear to me that the pangs I felt in recent years are sadness!

Why sadness?

Over the years I have grown attached to my platoon mates. Its during such ICTs that I am able to experience true team work; All 20+ of us have one goal; to complete the training with flying colours and get back to our lives, wives and girlfriends. We worked as a team selflessly, regardless of military rank and civilian position. No petty office politics, no hidden agendas, no finger pointing, no tai-chi plays and no ass covering, just pure, unadultered teamwork!

Even the field missions seemed pleasant, even fun (!) as compared to the office rat race All you need is to go on a refreshing hike through some vegetation Heck, you even get a chance to set up a camp at night and pass round mugs of hot coffee and swap office/ boss stories with your pals! Where else would you get such opportunities in civilian life?

This entire chain of realization hit me in an instant during that last ICT I begin to see everything in a different light For the last time, I took in the all-too-familiar smell of rifle oil. For the last time, I took a long hard look at the camp activities around me and committed it to the deepest recess of my memories. For the last time, I caressed my SAW as I never had before For the last time.

This last ICT is the worst ever I have ever attended not because it is siong but because I was plagued by sadness throughout I got overwhelmed by the pang of sadness and I almost cried when on the last day of the ICT, I was presented the service completion certificate. I did notice several other pairs of red eyes too. So perhaps I wasnt being the only mushy one here.

Anybody else has had similar feelings?

Stooky SG

i haben ord yet la.......... Mad

n i better hope saf dun call me up for icts.... uuughhh Evil or Very Mad

de_middle SG

dun worry, u go sell cai png then report make up pay $50K per month won't get called up Laughing

Stooky SG

sell cai png where got make so much money one??? Laughing

martin_lim85 SG

Laughing

KoolKool SG

morning sell cai png, at night sell ka chng

tarutaru SG

go to changi and stay for a few years most likely they not call you up.

wuming78 SG

my guess is that the sadness comes with having to leave behind what is now so familiar to you after all these years - the people, the things, all that has become closely part of your life, and the memories you have of them, be they good or bad.

and my guess is it would have been the same if it had been some other clique or associations, and not NS.

but what other institutions in singapore involve almost every single male citizen, and makes them go through the same experience?

i guess when the button is pressed, this strong feeling will be one of the reasons why people stay and fight.

LazerLordz SG

It's always been about the chap at your side, the buddy that covers your six.

That's the reality of what we are fighting for, if we ever have to fight.

For your loved ones, the girl you love, your kopi buddies.. etc. The personal stuff takes on a very important light all of a sudden.

Wink

molgax SG

the ROD syndrome !

nanren4ever SG

Its the same when u ORD..I remember the day b4 I ORD, I felt a little sad too. Went around the ship, go look at every structure one more time.. from the radio room to the engine room..then I take a long walk from my ship to the camp's gate..Haiz..

Sometimes, hindsight is 20/20. Only when u have been through everything do u realise just fun those days were.

[email protected] SG

I last time vehicle mechanic, then i was posted to Taiwan to become permstaff willingly. The kind of lifestyle there is good, really live there just like family cos you see each other everyday, not in Singapore sometimes, u finish work then go home. Living and touring the country together, our friendship becomes stronger even after ORD. Luckily, I not combat type sergent or else, at the end of the day, I still have to console myself out of self-pity. Laughing

SpecOps87 SG

Agree totally, its the man next to you.

BrUtUs SG

still got many ICT left so dun feel it tis way…

eemtij SG

Last ICT always have this sad feeling.

I was involved in 2 "last" ICTs cos not mono-intake. One thing really obvious is that on each occassion, the men, despite their age, moved faster, complete tasks faster and morale really high.

When CO declare exercise cut, photo taking was the order of the day. Men from different batteries started to mingle and high fives. No one wants to return to camp.

My last ICT will always be remembered for the 14 x 155mm gun bn salvo. the ground shook as we watch the 14 rounds leave the gun barrels into the evening sky. Our last act in our last ICT. I was sure there were tears.

I am mushy too.....

Sardaukar SG

I have not gone for ICT yet,but during my ORD 3 weeks back,I nearly cried, because I knew that I was leaving my home for the last 2 years, leaving my friends,my 'brothers'.

We did stupid things together,suffered together,chionged together,outfield and outside camp.They were the most fun years in my life, even if they did have their hardships.

Cepat SG

You could be suffering from an empty nest syndrome where everyone goes their own ways after going through times of suffering together. It's sad to lose that bonding but do try to move on as you can look forward to a normal life after completing your last ICT. Razz

madcampus SG

a positive thread in a long while other than the usual whinings!

jianfish9 SG

True a positive.

But it only happens when u ROD or ORD.

Who says it when you are halfway through your service or during your 1st or 2nd ICT?

Of coz leave your frens behind is sad.