Dear Singapore,
When I went to BMT many years ago, my PC asked us this question: "Why do we serve?"
Hands began going up into the air and several answers given by the recruits but non of the replies seemed to impress him much.
Throwing up his arms in despair (ok, I made that one up), this was what he said to us, "This, is YOUR country; YOUR territory. Here is where YOUR home, YOUR property, and all YOUR loved ones are. If YOU don't protect her, WHO will?
His answer hit me in the face like a wake-up call. As I lay in bed that night, I keep repeating that answer to myself, "If I don't, WHO will?"
There were plenty more to what my PC said earlier that day under the training shed but these are the most impactful words from him which helped me to survive my two years of conscription.
Boys like me, who had been forcefully taken away from our comfort zone the moment we turned eighteen years old were thrown into a unfamiliar environment where the toughest training awaits.
Of course, there were good times and not-so-good times. At times, when the training gets a little too tough, I would remind myself of the reason why I served.
When I went to BMT many years ago, my PC asked us this question: "Why do we serve?"
Hands began going up into the air and several answers given by the recruits but non of the replies seemed to impress him much.
Throwing up his arms in despair (ok, I made that one up), this was what he said to us, "This, is YOUR country; YOUR territory. Here is where YOUR home, YOUR property, and all YOUR loved ones are. If YOU don't protect her, WHO will?
His answer hit me in the face like a wake-up call. As I lay in bed that night, I keep repeating that answer to myself, "If I don't, WHO will?"
There were plenty more to what my PC said earlier that day under the training shed but these are the most impactful words from him which helped me to survive my two years of conscription.
Boys like me, who had been forcefully taken away from our comfort zone the moment we turned eighteen years old were thrown into a unfamiliar environment where the toughest training awaits.
Of course, there were good times and not-so-good times. At times, when the training gets a little too tough, I would remind myself of the reason why I served.
