A beautiful mind

Sunday, June 21, 2009

In camp training

ICT was good. Good to be posted back to be reunited with my men. I have lots to say about ict, the training and the men. But I'll skipped cos I have absolutely no idea where to start. Overall it was good to be back. It was a rather good catching up session. I really like my men thou I don show it. Seems like they've all matured after NS. More willing to do stuff compared to NS active days. Thou they complained, but they complained lesser now. I wish to know them better.

The machine looked rather alien to me as I looked upon it in the vehicle shed. Despite being the subject matter expert on the armoured vehicle, operating the vehicle 3days a week, educating the soldiers, passing them everything I know the best I could. I still find it unbelievable how could I absorbed the massive knowledge about how the vehicle operates, maintenance lesson and vehicle drills. The hand signals to start engine, to engage parking brake and to cut off engine all seem so unfamiliar to me now.

The high pitched horn was still as sharp as the engine was turned on. The majestic vehicle roars as the front guide signalled for the driver to move forward. The tracks rolled along with the road wheels, carrying the massive 27tonnes vehicle to the designated position. I know in times of war, we'll have a reliable vehicle to depend on. A competent driver to operate the machine, and a professional gunner sitting right beside me. Most of them, well trained by us. I'm sure their competancy level is not below mine now for we've been out of touch for 3 years.

It felt good. I could sense the relationship between me and the men getting better, as compared to during active days. Like a strict father, I expected alot from them, gave them the harshest training I could. As the best form of welfare is the best training eg safety in armour unit, competency in drills. Obviously, not many of them appreciated this, and I was kinda cursed by them every night. Sometimes I wish I could've been less harsh on them. But I needed to cultivate the right values in them. End of day, I'm sure all of them have become a tougher men under me. They displayed determination,discipline and high endurance/tolerance level.
But most of all I'm glad all of them ord-ed safely.

I'm proud that I'm training along this bunch of guys. =D