Chronicle XIX - With Pride We Lead SISPEC

IPPT Gold; that has finally been achieved after a long struggle. Now I can proudly wear that badge on my sleeve. I have also passed my SOC test. These achievements are the only pleasant memories I have of BSLC thus far. The rest was just torture.

I still remember when we were to be trained for chemical warfare. I had to suit up to a full body-suit that makes the LBV look like a singlet. Needless to say the heat trapped within also falls under that comparison. To make matters worse, my gas mask was leaking from the right when we went into the gas chamber. Right off the bat, my right eye was already useless. The tear gas gradually diminished my vision and my ability to breathe through the nostrils. I tried breathing through my mouth but regretted it soon enough when my throat literally started to burn. Doing some light PT in that gas chamber was rapidly killing me. To end it off, they made us remove our face masks in the chamber and have us announce our name and rank before allowing us out. Never have the tears in my eyes flowed so smoothly.

The field camp and numerous outfield activities have never failed to irritate, annoy and disturb me to no end. Living in the jungle terrain can never be something I'll ever get used to. The insects bites, darkness, vegetation, mud and of course, having to wear stinky clothes and gear without bathing is constantly eating away at my sanity.

During section live firing, I almost killed a friend because I forgot to put my weapon to safe mode while moving. Many witnesses claimed that the bullet trail approached my friend from behind before veering to miss him by a hair's length. I was thankful I didn't hit him and the Encik missing that part. Glad that they excused me from the night live firing due to night-blindness. Firing grenade launchers and anti-tank weapons was rather fun though albeit the blast not being too kind on the ear drums.

I've also learnt never to allow a commando to lead a route march. The end result would be a pace that rivals us rushing to the cookhouse for meals and an absolutely devastated company.

In view of the current situation, escaping ASLC seems unlikely for Bravo Company. Still I am maintaining the tiny little bit of hope to pull me through BSLC 1st.