Saturday, January 28, 2006

Just back from field camp. For those who want to know how a field camp is like...

Before starting, pack everything, and most importantly, pray that it dun rain...

Day 1: Route march to camp site at rubber planation, 4 kliometers. Then build basha, and dig a drainage system for rain water to flow... Hope you dun run into tree roots or lots of stones, or the night will be terrible... Later the afternoon is lectures and practices on rnge card and sentry duties...

Day 2: Almost same things, lectures and practices on field signals, walking tactically, and crossing danger areas... Followed by a little night practice on walking in the night, and learn the arty (for artillery) drills... Happy time conducting the arty drills...

Day 3: Test on what was taught on the second day, then rest and rest... Serious... My section talked crap for 3 hours with the sergent...

Day 4: Moved to Eastern Pier for demostration on section movements (charging, leap and bound, flanking), technical break for the afternoon, got the first wet bath in four days... Dinner was memoriable, for we went to the sea side to eat our fresh dinner (ie, not combat rations), plus a can of soft drink and M&M's... WA!!!

Day 5: Stayed at eastern pier for section movements practice and test... Good luck...

Day 6: Troop lifted to reclaimed land for trench digging. One shell scrape (ie, a hole in the ground for you to take cover from arty and sleep in)... and one firing trench for 2 sections... Happy digging!!! Also remember to put on mosquito repelent for the night, or you will be feeding them...

Day 7: :Last day!!! Cover up the hole you dug (and curse at the same time), then troop march to BIC ground. There, you will have to craw in SBO for about 100m, over sand and wire obstacles with 3 GPMGs (General Purpose Machine Guns) firing live rounds over your head... Then troop march back to company line, water parade, eat ice cream and clean rifle. Then wash up, clean area, and book out.

For me, there was an additional surprise: at 2315, officially still Day 7, I saw my application status for University of Michigan online. I was admitted.

Happy Chinese New Year!!! May the coming year be a year when your wishes come true!!!