Telling ppl that i didn't update my blog cos i have no time is a lie. Honestly, i would if i really wanted to, but its just army army and army - im afraid its too boring.

But since Xiuyi asked, then i'd be obliged to think of something to write... (to compensate for the lie as well) but im not really sure where to start so how about you just listen to me talk about the whole week and the thoughts i went through.

I'll just tell you first that 1SIR is short for 1st Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment.

The week only started on a Tuesday morning at 0530. Mondays are now off days becos of the NDP rehearsals on Saturdays.

We did 5BX(basic exercises) like a daily routine before breakfast.

We had our ICCT(intermediate close combat training) grading after that. It was for both the commanders and the men.

For the grading we just had to complete all the moves that were taught to us in previous weeks. There were breakfalls...locks...release from locks...takedowns and groundfights.

It ends with a 'pu-gee-stick(?)' sparring where we have a big bolster-like weapon to whack yur partner, complete with protective gear. I thought it was a good opportunity to vent whatever anger i had then, but during the sparring all that was in my mind was whether my buddy was alright cos he like never defend properly...then his head keep on kena wack by me.

I passed the grading on the first attempt, which was quite ok.

I don't think its appropriate for me to say what i did for the rest of the day, so that's it for Tuesday. It ended on 2345. I was busy with some classified things.

Wednesday started at 0530 too, and its the same 5BX before breakfast. I wasn't pleased that some of my men weren't asleep when i went up to check on them late last night so they had to answer for it.

Not following orders is one thing but im more concerned with their well-being in light that ppl can die from heat stroke in the army cos they din have enough sleep + other factors.

We had a morning PT after breakfast - some static exercises and a run.

That was followed by a field pack inspection. Its tedious cos battle preparation is always the specialist's baby but there's so many things to pack and then we also have to check on our own men.

I lied to my PS(platoon sergeant) that all my men have everything packed correctly to avoid getting nagged by him(why you didn't check properly beforehand? did you ensure this this this?) and also protecting my men from getting punished, which is the wrong thing to do, but the right thing is just so hard to do sometimes.

The afternoon was spent on a rehearsal on offensive ops.

All the specs were given a nights off after that. Usually we'd go to Causeway Point to catch a movie but many of my bros were busy, and it'd be pointless to go alone. I had already finished what they were busy with the day before so i decided to get some men out for a jog in the night.

We ran 7k before i had to stop cos my PC needed my help with something.

The day never ended cos i finished helping him the next day at 0030. My PC appreciated the help a lot so it was worthwhile.

Thursday started at 0530 with 5BX and breakfast after that. And then a morning PT.

Then we went for the CAD(combined arms division) exhibition in our division parade square. Its not the first time i saw all these armoured vehicles and the Field Howitzer and the men didn't really seem interested.

Then we had a defence ops rehearsal in the afternoon, and had a dodgeball competition between platoons before dinner.

There wasn't anything after dinner so i went for a 15k jog ard the camp. It's good to have nothing to do sometimes but in the other times of sometimes i just can't waste time away.

The bath i had after that was a painful one cos i forgot about an open wound i had on my foot after injuring myself during dodgeball earlier in the day. Did some self-aid after that.

Did some laundry and washed my helmet after that. Had to occupy myself with things to do.

One of my weakness is that i really find it hard to put on smelly things - be it the helmet or the uniform. During outfield, I must change to a new set of uniform every night and i once had platoon mates who could survive a week without changing out. That's really powerful. They will surely survive missions where the enemy cut off our re-supply(of water and uniforms, since we don't carry too many sets of uniforms with us.) I think i'd still survive, but it'll be mentally challenging.

I had a talk with some of my men after the doing laundry.

Talking to the men sort-of exposes me to the darker side of life here.

I think we all have no idea how fortunate we are. Honestly speaking, sometimes i read other ppl's blogs and i sort-of marvel at how ppl are so concerned and affected by all the little minor things that happen to them. Ppl can tell you how fortunate you are but if you don't feel it, you don't know it.

A lot of my men have problems. Once, my men just started crying while sharing his family problems. In short, his father beats his mother up, and his mother would frequently call for him to come home. He feels miserable in camp.

I think if one doesn't have a stable family, be it army or studies, the support just isn't there and its not easy. You can chiong so much, but at the end of the day, you go back to a broken home, i think the feeling really sucks.

And then my men also commonly have financial and girlfriend problems to talk about. Honestly i myself think i am in no position to help them. But they actually think i do and that's what matters. I'd try to joke and say something positive but the solution isn't with me - all i can do is to make them feel better and provide a listening ear.

Its also a good time to find out about my men's physical health, like my Boon Ping has a nagging back problem and Zubair has a knee problem. Its impt to keep track cos i can't just bring a few men out for missions.

Then they'll reassure me: "sergeant don't worry, pain i can endure. i want to go for the mission with you." and then i'd suddenly have this damn good feeling about NS, about it being worthwhile, although the feeling would eventually die down an hour later. =)

Ok back on track.

I was the COS(company orderly sergeant) on friday so i weren't with the men the whole day. All the COS has to do is to sit in the office and make and pick up phonecalls, handle the keypress, go for cookhouse duties and flag raising/lowering. I was heavily multitasking the first half of the day cos the calls kept coming.

Saturday is the day for the NDP rehearsal.

All these while we've been doing the same thing over and over again. I saw the video of our first rehearsal and it was really good enough for a parade. But rehearsal after rehearsal its just getting perfect.

Its seems wonderful isn't it? To come out with something so precise and near-perfect with a bunch of Toms Dicks and Harrys. All the marching and drills is just the kind of things anyone can do and putting them all together - it becomes some masterpiece of its own.

When im marching in with my contingent and the music plays, i can really feel it.

I was thinking about all the ppl involved in the logistics. There's a bunch of men dedicated to getting things done all around but they're not in the parade. And yeah, their saturdays get burned just like us. I tink they deserve some recognition.

The end of the rehearsals mark the end of the week.