This update comes again after yet another hiatus- this time of another 3 months, in which time I have gone through Officer Cadet School. These three months have arguably been the toughest three months of my life- never before have I undergone training that has stretched me mentally and physically to the extent that it has. Nevertheless the experience has been immensely memorable- close army buddies which would give up everything for each other, times of stress where one finds out how he functions at his most primal self.

I was in Delta Platoon 1 Section 1, and arguably went through the most jialat training in the Wing. We were under a section commander who though strict meant the best for us, and he did impart to us the core pride in being officers, that we had to take pride in what we did and strive for excellence. He insisted on crazily-high standards in everything we did; from our field packs to our arrangement of our bunks we had to be standardized and perfect. Nevertheless this regimentation taught us discipline; there is nothing quite like holding oneself from flopping on the bed when dead tired because there will be an area check later. Or keeping his room in perfect stand-by condition at all times, instead of messing it up.

These three months have also taught me how I function as a leader. I had earlier on in the year applied and accepted the SPFOS scholarship (Singapore Police Force Overseas Scholarship), and in many ways my stay in Delta Wing was meant to evaluate me. I was given many leadership positions in many trying situations so as to test me; in these many opportunities I was able to see clearly my weaknesses and strengths. For this I am thankful; where else would there be a trying ground where one can see where his weaknesses are other than the “fish bowl” of the protected army environment.

I did however manage to get into a bit of trouble before I left. I was charged on count that they had found an ammo link in a tripod I signed out just in the week when I was about to leave the army for the police. Thus my last few days in the army (before I left for the police) were spent on Restriction of Cadet Privileges- a rather ignominous but fair way to end of my army stint. I did however manage to read Barack Obama’s Audacity of Hope, learn a bit of Malay during that period and play the guitar; I also managed to talk to my wing commander about my future studies and made friends with many of the people in OCS.

Anyhow these have been three enjoyable months, and I will look back fondly on them. It is with a mixed relief and reluctance that I close this chapter of my life, and move on to the Police- bringing with me quite a bit of experiences that have left me richer than I was before.