1 week ago before POP
After 16km route march left 2 more weeks. On Monday was asked to join Charlie company for re grenade. The feeling of throwing a grenade is damn fun yet nervous, as you scared the grenade might not explode. The impact upon explosion is huge, even hiding behind the wall you can feel the tremors.
Seriously sick
Come back from grenade not feeling well. After the last parade went to see MO. Fever of 38.5 deg, body aching, sore, throat and headache. I was given 2 days to go home and rest. Went back company to pack my stuffs and go home.
I was to report back camp on wednesday morning. However on that morning my fever was high so i decided to see doctor at a later time. When i woke up again, my fever had subsided and call company to report camp after lunch. Reached company, after dinner my fever returned again and was very high. I endured as I wanted to watch the performance for the CO evening. My sergant was very concerned about me and I reassured him that i sound out if i cannot take it.
CO Evening
We changed into civilian attire brought cameras and took some shots. The stage was at the parade square. Everyone is very excited and enjoying themselves. Charlie company started with a very funny skit about "Cinderella". Their usage of props was brilliant, making use of the army uniform and items. The second performance by Delta company and lastly performance by kilo company.
Kilo the winner
Our performance consists of 2 parts, band performance and a skit. It started with the band and a lead singer bringing the crowds into the mood. My buddy was one of the guitarist. The singer and the band was very good, after practising almost everyday. The skit is about love story with the band playing. Our performance was terrific and won the crowds applause. In the end we won the best performance and was awarded a goodie hamper. The winners were allowed a 1 day off. After our performance there were performances by SAF Music Dance Club. They presented 2 malay songs for Hari Raya, a chinese song , 2 english songs and a funny skit. Djs from Power 98 were invited to host the show. Everyone enjoyed the night. We were allowed night snack. After going back to bunk decided to report sick with another of my platoon mate. Got scolded by the MO and was given 3 days to go back and rest. This meant i missed my OC Evening and Games Day. Thursday morning took the ferry at 0715.
POP Week
Almost everyday we would be drilling for our POP parades how to march and what to do next. We were dressed in smart 4, helmet, sbo, field pack and rifle and standing hours under the hot sun to prepare for the big day.
24 km march
Everyone is in high spirits as this would be the last march and signify the end of bmt. Our instructors joined us for the march. Took some photos before we march off to the parade square. Reached the square with all the companies, doing warm ups and safety briefing. The horn sounded and we start our route to 24. We were to march the school 4 times, resting 4 times and then marching out to the school till the eastern pier and making a U turn. The march was exhausting yet fun. Talk, sing and joke along our way. CO was at one of the resting points to support us. Reached company at 0430. Reached company bath and got chnaged to go for breakfast. After having our last meal, we slept till 1130 to prepare to go lunch.
Passing Out Parade
Cleared our cupboards, packing all our stuffs and cleaned the area. We fall in to see our OC presenting awards to recruits who performed outstandingly during bmt. My platoon mate Guo Liang received 2 awards "Platoon Best" and "Best PT". He got gold for his ippt. After the short and simple ceremony we marched to the parade square. There we waited before marching into the parade. Parents and distinguished guests were already present waving and cheering us on. The entry was almost perfect and was a spectacular sight for the parents. Due to the exhausting march last night and scorching weather, some recruits could not take it and fainted during the speech by guest of honour. The first casualty was quite serious as the impact was loud and parents shouting for help. Sang 2 songs, "Stand up for Singapore", "Infantry Song" and a march past the parade. We changed into only our field pack and cap. We marched in proudly singing "Training to be soldiers". Time for our parents to put on our caps and be rank of privates. After the parades lots of photo-taking for the last time, with my platoon mates and instructor. At 1900 we were allowed to collect our bags and make our way to the jetty. Reached SFT at 1920 and took taxi home. Now got to wait for 10 Dec for my posting.
Credits
I would like to thank my platoonmate for being such nice people. We are like brothers who went through fun and punishments. Wish you all the best in wherever you go, take care and keep in touch
To make our BMT life a memorable experience, I would like to thank all kilo instructors, from OC, 2ic, CSM, PC, PS and Sect Comm. Especially I would to thank my platoon sergant 2SG Terence Tan and Section Commander 3SG Shah who look after, train and mould me into a better person. A million thanks and wish all the best for your future.
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