I am no different growing up. I recalled, one of the role I played as a kid, was that of a cook, Hawking my imaginery food items to my sister.  Another was that of a soldier when I am out playing with the neighborhood kids.  I am sure Vic Marrow and the TV series “Combat” had a lot to do with it.  Though, I did not put it down as wanting to be in the army going up, I was fascinated by the outfit and the actions in the TV series.  This fascination was further cemented, when one of my neighbor’s older son was drafted into the newly formed Singapore Armed forces. After he served his time, he was provided with a set of military uniform including a helmet, backpack, ammo pouch webbing to keep for his reservist role. I was captivated by that helmet. It looked just like the one Vic Marrow wore on TV. I recall going over to the neighbor house and putting on that helmet whenever I had the chance.

 

As I grew older, my fascination with military stuff were still strong, but it had not cross my mind that I want to be a soldier, even though, I did dream about being a fighter pilot. Unfortunately, not having 20/20 vision put an end to that dream. I went through my youth not having a real goal in life. My life was pretty sheltered.  I woke up every morning, had breakfast and was shoo’d off to school. After school, I have tutoring which I had no idea why I was made to sit through a couple of hours going over lessons, I have no interest in. My mind was far away. As I started my 7th grade, my attention and interest turned to sports especially soccer, which is big in that part of the world. I remembered, households tuning in to live broadcast of the English league championship games late into the night.  People of all ages were forming soccer’s (we actually called it football) teams and playing recreational soccer everywhere they can find a field to play in imitating their European professional players.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to participate in any of these as my parents’ were only focus on my studies and think sports is a waste of time. I was not even allowed to watch any games in person or on TV. My dad had a famous response when I asked if I could watch,  ” You don’t even play soccer, why do you want to watch?”  He apparently forgot that he had forbidden me any involvement.  Of course, that’s not to say, I did not get a few kicks out of the soccer ball  during my high school senior years, where I had legit reason to stay behind after school. Mind you, my parents expected me to be home at the exact time (commute time included).

    

Well, it doesn’t really matter if my interest in military stuff stayed with me into my late teens, as it turned out Singapore rely on conscription to built up her self defense forces. In case you are not familiar and don’t understand why.  Singapore gained her independence in 1965 after being part of Malaya Federation for a few years after the British redrew from the region.  Singapore is an island nation about 260 square miles and a population of about 2 million mostly ethnic Chinese in a region surround by Malaysia and Indonesia a predominantly Muslim country. Singapore needed a “self defense force” to dissuade her neighbors from any bullying. Think Israel in her early days.  In fact, the Israelis send military advisor and trainers to assist with training and building up Singapore Armed Forces during those early days.   Every young man aged 18 is required to serve between two to two and a half  years of military service depending on your educational level and or medical status.  Mid way into my high school senior year, i received that dreaded letter from the Ministry of Defense to appear for my medical examination. This is the first step in determining whether you are in active combat or assigned to admin work. For weeks and days prior to the date to appear, my parents were worried and constantly reminded me that I should tell them that I have medical condition and unfit. I was like, what medical condition should i tell them? They were like, just tell them something like sweaty palm!  Actually, sweaty palm or flat footed gets you out of active combat assignment. While, I had an older and younger brothers, I would be the first in the family that get drafted into the Army. My older brother due to his asthmatic condition was kind of exempted, but still obligated to serve 12 years part time in the Vigilante Corp (one night a month). 

    

Seemed like my best friend in school was also facing the same advise at home.  During one of our conversation, we were discussing our upcoming medical appointment, talking about what it would be like being drafted and the unit assignments when all of a sudden we both mouthed “I want to be in a combat Unit”.  We wanted to be assigned to “Terror Camp”, which was the main training depot for infantry.  Mind you, my friend is no tough guy either. We were both skinny, bespectacled, and not very athletic looking.  My friend eventually ended up as a Physical Trainer in the army during his stint!! The medical appointment day came and went eventfully, of course, we had to stripped down to our birthday suit and we had our family jewel examined! A week after the nationwide final exam for all high school senior, the letter arrive with the reporting date. I had a little under a month to get my all my personal matters in order and prepare for boot camp. Well, while some people prepare by running, I did none of that and kind of enjoy the remaining days as a civilian. Time seems to fly by quickly and reporting day is here.

    

My parents accompanied me to the reporting location which was actually with the Ministry of Defence campus. My mom the perennial “worrier”, always worrying about the worst, carried that worried and sad look throughout the trip.  I was more anxious as to where I would be shipped to.  I waited for my name to be called and together with others, bid farewell to our family and were brought to another hall where we pledge our allegiance to the Republic of Singapore. Everyone of the uniformed personnel handling our intake seems to be polite, sympathetic yet encouraging guided us through gathering our military supplies such as uniform, boots, field equipment and onto the waiting “3 tonner” ( the truck apparent weight 3 tons, hence the name).  At this point, we were not informed where we were headed. Basically, there were two main training ground for “recruits” as we are now called, there is the Nee Soon Camp and the Terror Camp.  Recruits assigned to the Nee Soon Camp eventually ended up assigned to administration role and Terror Camp recruits were eventually assigned to the various “operational units” aka combat duty.  There were two more training camps that only a select few were assigned to, ie  SAFTI Camp for Officer Cadet School and the other was the Red Beret aka commando regiment.  I was not assigned to the latter two.  On the ride to our destination, we found out that we were going to the “Terror Camp”

     Terror Camp apparently got its name when the British military were stationed there.  I don’t think it was called that because they scared the living hell out of us recruits, but it sure does sound scary for us new recruits not knowing what to expect next.  Will it be just like Vic Marrow’s Combat series??  We were about to find out as our 3 tonner roll to a stop in the middle of a big open bitumen square which i later found out was the parade square. You don’t stroll or walk across a parade square! You march across it! We found out the painful way.