A New Chapter

Wow... The day has finally come. It’s the end of my trainee chapter and a beginning of my new officership chapter. 1 year 1 month and 12 days of training, it is like a blink of an eye. I remembers the day I walked out of Tekong as a Private, re-enter Tekong to SISPEC as a trainee for Sergeant course, and a few weeks later I walked out of Tekong again and crossed over to OCS, from OCS I moved to Khatib Camp to be trained as an Artillery Officer, went back to OCS for the past 2 weeks to rehearse for my commissioning parade and at last, I was commissioned yesterday! It had being a happening and memorable path for me during the past 1 year. Moving from place to place, I met different people from different walks of life. It is a very fruitful journey.

For the past 2 weeks, rehearsing for the commissioning parade was not easy. Though not as intense as National Day parade or SAF day, the standards to meet is still high. During the first day, I almost fainted. I endured it till my SSM, School Sergeant Major, fall us out to take a rest. As days past, I got used to it.

Not only do we rehearse for the parade, we also had a few days rehearsing on our ACPC, Army Appointment Certificate Presentation Ceremony, to get my sword and certificate. The dinner was very formal. You know those long rows of table with a perpendicular set of long table in the end of the hall. I had a bit of difficulties having my dinner that night as my movements are restricted…. haa… I love the Port wine served for a toss to the President of the Republic of Singapore. The wine is sweet. I should have poured more into my glass… hee…

The 58/04 OCC Commissioning Parade yesterday, 1st October 2005, was not as spectacular as I imagined. Quite a few mistakes made by some. But the weather was good. The parade successfully completed, ending with the tossing of our peak caps. Then soon after, we were told that Cat 1, lightning hazard, had started. I was so glad that I was able to toss my cap. That was the moment everyone was waiting for. With our 2nd Lieutenant rank, we danced and jumped with joy in the parade square like kids celebrating Children’s Day. A new life was born in everyone.

tata…