tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39676607120760799072011-04-21T12:41:00.299-07:00lest-i-forgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277078710011457416noreply@blogger.comBlogger21100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967660712076079907.post-61959512306828579492007-09-04T03:40:00.000-07:002007-09-04T04:09:25.208-07:00Well first of all, it's not really a surprise to me how CPL Dave Teo Ming managed to get out of Mandai Hill Camp while doing guard duty, and doing the more impossible task of smuggling his rifle out of camp.<br /><br />In retrospect, I can see how he could have done it. Previously being from Mandai Hill Camp myself, and having done guard duty as a guard commander numerous times, I think I can paint a picture of what happened.<br /><br />Firstly, I don't think it's an unknown fact that Mandai Hill Camp has (or should I say was, after this hoo-hah I think there will be turnouts during guard duty every 2 hours lol) one of the most least secure premises in the SAF. Online forums have voted it as one of the camps with the slackest security measures, and I fully agree. During my days I was chummy with the RPs, and all I had to do was to give a wave, smile, and I could enter the camp without my camp pass. Ah, those were the days.<br /><br />I really pity the sergeants who were the guard commanders for that day. Doing guard duty on a Sunday night, already two-thirds through your duty, and all of a sudden one of your men decides to play punk with you and go AWOL. I bet the first thing the guard commanders thought of was not the compromise of camp security, but their own asses. Which I think by now should have holes approximately 5cm in diameter.<br /><br />Recalling those times I did guard duty, I think that one of my accomplishments was that I managed to survive all those duties without even knowing the prowling route! Haha, all I did was issue the rifles to the guards and say, "You guys know where the checkpoints are right? Better don't fucking let me catch you sleeping somewhere else. I'll be walking around to check on you. Better fucking watch out." Of course, I didn't bother to check on them. And then during their prowling, a conversation between me and the prowlers will go something like this:<br /><br />"Prowlers. Report status."<br /><br /><em>"We are at checkpoint 3, sergeant. Over."</em><br /><br />"Are you sure?! Don't fucking lie to me. Bloody hell. I'm watching you right now."<br /><br /><em>Stunned silence. "Erm... er.... sorry, sergeant. We.. we... will go now... sorry..."</em><br /><br />All this while sitting in the airconditioned guard room. Ah, the priviledges of being a guard commander. Oh, and being able to sweet talk my way past the questions of the duty officer and duty sergeant. I love Mandai Hill Camp.<br /><br />All jokes aside, I really feel sorry for the soldiers in Mandai Hill Camp. I mean, I made many friends in there, and I'm sure there will be consequences resulting from this incident. They will suffer the inconvenience of tightened security and other bereaucratic measures designed to show that the SAF can handle security threats.<br /><br />But at least lessons will be learnt. There will be no more slacker guard commanders like me who do nothing to enforce camp security. And that is important. What if CPL Dave decided to use his ammo and go on a shooting spree like the Virginia Tech incident? Lives could have been in danger, and the repurcussions could be disastrous.<br /><br />I love Mandai Hill Camp. It was my place of solitude for one and a half years, the place where I learnt many life experiences such as participation in the IMF meetings, the place where I grew up to become a man. It saddens me that this incident had to occur at my camp. But at least they have learnt, albeit a very tough lesson.<br /><br />I'm just glad I was not the guard commander when it happened.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3967660712076079907-6195951230682857949?l=seven7years.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lest-i-forgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277078710011457416noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967660712076079907.post-90668169250552882092007-08-30T20:26:00.000-07:002007-08-30T20:34:40.590-07:00Sometimes, you just need an outlet to release pent-up emotions, especially when no-one around you is able to understand your situation.<br /><br />It's not about fame anymore, it's not about the attention anymore. It's just, a platform.<br /><br />Am I being too emo? Maybe.<br /><br />It's all about change. But then again, change has become a dirty word.<br /><br />It's all about promises. It's all about hope. But then again, they are but wishful thinking.<br /><br />But does it have to be this way? I certainly hope not.<br /><br />Indeed, may I see the light at the end of the tunnel.<br /><br />------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />"Seven years you assured me that I'd be fine if I complied. Now I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm not sure "<br />Saosin - Seven Years<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3967660712076079907-9066816925055288209?l=seven7years.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>lest-i-forgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02277078710011457416noreply@blogger.com1