%FLIGHTS OF FANCY

snippets from BNCOC

Monday, November 23, 2009 10:42 PM

Day 1:

i was walking with my father to the kathib MRT station, i was going to camp and he was going to work.

the night sky was clear of clouds and i could see some stars. that was the last time i looked at the stars, just for now.

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the school was filled with band music and chatter.

had the camp started? no.

when they start to scream when we fall in, that's when the camp starts.

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i realised, why don't we just put our belongings in a line instead of within our lines?

it's like, do you want to lights some fires in a line of tress or lights some fires in a separate area?

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it was Bunk In a they asked for a volunteer.

i volunteered... and i became Bunk I/C

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"everything we ask you to do has a purpose.

for bunk in, the role of an i/c is to make sure everything is standardized.

everything including dust must be taken for.

because in the workforce or in the future, as a leader, every small detail counts."

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they ask whether the course i/c should sign all nights extra or all bunk i/c's sign one night extra.

bunk I/Cs and I chose the latter, we were called 'heroes'.

but we are humans with a heart, what else are we supposed to do?

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"you are all a course, standardize your timing. we shall now follow nan hua corp's timing"

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on the first night, i slept, and i woke up.

this cycle kept on 3 times throughout.

when i woke up at , i couldn't tell whether i had slept or i had woken.

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they woke us up for some night activity.

not so scary.

they woke us up for fire drill.

not so scary. but night activity was better.

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Day 2:

my personality was Stable and Careful.

i should work at my own pace, and then i realized i've to do a flyer...

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i've learnt how to eat chicken wing in different situations.

with a plastic fork and spoon.

with a metal fork and spoon.

with my hands.

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i was calling other bunk I/Cs to take the keys from me.

some asked where to get keys from.

some asked whether we need to return them.

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"because we are cut for time, your theory test starts now. instead of 1 hour, you have 40 mins to do this. i believe you only need 20 mins max."

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i was so sleepy, all so sleepy.

when i looked at the RO,

i wasn't course i/c,

i wasn't section i/c.

however, i had night duty.

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this is surreal, they want us to wake up.

my mind wants to sleep but i'm not supposed to think.

this is surreal, as i lay my head on the table to sleep.

the next moment i was up for a shift.

this is surreal, i'm standing here in this post

i've no watch, what time is it?

i can't sit, all i could was walk and stand.

all i could see was a funeral at a void deck.

the night sky was full of clouds and i could see no stars neither did i notice the moon.

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i returned to the bunk after i've changed into pt kit.

i wanted rest in the bunk with the lights off.

when i reached to the floor to sleep, lights on.

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Day 3:

i really get distracted easily.

i really get sleepy easily.

during master parade, my eyes closed on me

during moi first aid, my eyes closed on me.

i washed my face, my eyes closed on me.

i drank water, my eyes closed on me.

we had phototaking in full uni, my eyes closed on me.

i need some sleep, really really.

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we planned a performance for campfire.

and my group allowed me to sleep.

i slept quite well for a short time.

i drooled, yi xiang told me that when you drool, you are really tired.

i was, really really.

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i forgot to mention

course i/c had a distinct personality and enjoyable to hear.

after they changed course i/c, we already knew his name: Gregory.

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campfire was enjoyable.

we were one course. trainees, trainers, officers.

we had one voice.

we woke up some people :D

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i wanted friendship dance, haha. campfire should have been longer.

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dinner had the best food.

no chicken wing.

no salty rice.

let's "eat lah".

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during debrief, i and some others were outstanding cadets.

"i hope that you can use the qualities you have shown in this course to your juniors"

CO appointed me course i/c.

bunk i/c + course i/c.

final day, final challenge.

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we all passed bncoc o9' :)

most of us to be precise.

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S2 Advisor must be the most troublesome appointment to shout out.

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I prayed for sleep.

Thank god, thank god i didn't have night duty.

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the previous course i/c briefed me, he gave me a list of strength.

i wanted to write down a separate list, lights off.

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i thought it was difficult to sleep in camp.

no it wasn't.

all you had to do was put your mind at rest.

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Day 4, Finale:

bunk inspection.

i screamed. i ran around.

DM's scream wasn't here, i realized.

and with the help of everyone and the bunk i/c.

we succeeded. we passed.

thanks to all. thanks to communication.

thanks to experience.

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a 'S' personality doesn't like to be shaken.

CO shook me.

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the final parade.

the final bersurai.

the final watermelon :D

"NCOs!"

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do you know how difficult it is the be course i/c?

especially if you've to greet or address S Level officers.

when they are at the most grouchy, and will scold you.

when sooner or later, the whole course will get scolded for time.

because of you.

(note to self: address Cadet Leader as Ma'am)

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Charlie Platoon Sergeant CL Michelle Goh had a final speech and some photo taking.

"with a smile"

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i left the premises.

i took my bags, my stick, my uniform out.

i took Charlie 2 "Charge" flag with me :)

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i took a cab home with thian soon.

i could hear the shouts of bncoc in my head.

when i reached home.

i ran for the toilet.

i used the computer and then slept as much as i wanted.

there wasn't no reverie time.

i was home.

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Post Camp:

BNCOC on overall is a very useful camp.

yes, i survived.

but bncoc was never meant to kill.

bncoc was a training and learning experience.

Trained To Lead

Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination
will take you everywhere.