Diary of a Chao
Recruits 7 days field camp in Tekong
Day 5
270803 Wednesday (Rainy)
I woke up in the morning and found out we were somewhere near the
Tekong Reservoir.
This morning we learnt 3 new drills: Sniper drill, Artillery drill
and hostile aircraft drill. These drills were rather short so
platoon sergeants made us practise our FCO drills again as he felt
that we did not do as well as what he wanted yesterday.
Next up is a lecture on section movement. But it started raining
cats and dogs halfway through the lecture. The lesson was cancelled
and we head back to our harbor area. The rain today was the worst
since the start of field camp. Our harbor area was socking wet and
muddy. Seeing how things are already going so badly and the morale
was at an all time low again, many of us took off our uniforms and
began bathing in the rain. We were laughing and enjoying ourselves
in the rain. It felt great since we have not bathe with water and
soap for a long time. Come to think of it, this was also the first
time in field camp that we were actually having some fun.
When the rain finally stopped, the lecture resumed. After the
lesson we were given some time to rest. We made our way to the
Tekong reservoir and sat at the banks enjoying the scenic view of
the surrounding area, especially the lake, which seems to calm me
down and I forget about all my worries for a time being. I cannot
believe it but this was also the first time I took off my boots.
Boy was I glad I was finally given a chance to dry my feet. Due to
the rain these past few days, my socks and boots were soaking wet
and you should take a look at the soles of my feet. They are so
wrinkled I was having difficulties walking.
Later that afternoon, we were taught trench digging. We were shown
a fire trench and a sleeping trench, which the instructors dug
earlier. All of us were required to build our own sleeping trench
and a fire trench for our own section tonight.
Later that night, we started work on trench digging. It sure is
tiring work as we dug with SBO, helmet and rifle on. Can you
imagine how heavy all that weights felt on us? I drenched myself
from head to toes in my own sweats. We were only allowed to use
candles as our only source of light, flashlights were not allowed.
The candles burnt out pretty fast, most of the time, we were
digging in total darkness.
My uniform felt heavy, but I still have to carry on because we have
to finish digging by tonight or else we will have no place to sleep
in. Not forgetting we still have to dig the fire trench big enough
to accommodate 2 persons up to shoulder level. Before we knew it,
it was already 1am plus in the morning. I was feeling very sleeping
but the fire trench was still nowhere near finishing. Fortunately,
orders were finally given for us to stop digging and we were
allowed to sleep. I wasnt so enthusiastic about sleeping in the
muddy trench (we were not allowed to put out our ground sheet over
the trench) but that was the least of my worries at that point of
time. I was so drowsy I lied down and slept like a baby. Zzz.
To be continued...
