I probably slept well on the third night, as I almost overslept. Much to my surprise, as I was sleeping in a hole I dug in the ground the previous day. Perhaps it was the fatigue from the past few days building up. Nonetheless, this morning marked the last and final day of field camp, as well as the second last day out field. The activity for the day was GBC or Group Battle Course in short. This entailed applying what we have learnt throughout those few days at field camp, as well as IFC a few weeks back. A test of sorts.
So, everything went along as usual, falling in, eating breakfast, and applying camo cream. For 4 days since the start of FC, we have been wearing a permanent facial mask of green and black camo. Except, our pores were no where near cleansed. The familiar burning sensation of face paint felt all too routine by then.
By the time the sun was up, the GBC had started. Each group of 3 recruits are to follow a path through the site where they will be attacked. The group has to react to the enemy fire and choose whether to advance or retreat. Being the last section of the last platoon, we were naturally, the last to start on our course. It was about 11 in the morning when we were about to proceed with our course.
However before we could even make our way past the second checkpoint, the exercise was called off. Apparently someone in another company nearby suffered a heat injury, causing all other activities to be suspended for that afternoon. For the rest of the afternoon, the majority of us were just, sitting around. For the first time in 4 days, enjoying the nature and the quiet around us.
As the sun started to set, we transitioned to our situation test site, via bus. Air conditioning never felt so good! The sit test site was located just off the coast, with a view of the control tower of Singapore Changi Airport. Before the end of the night, we were greeted by yet another surprise. Dinner was... instant noodles! Cooked with our mess tin and solid fuel in another hole in the ground, the taste of instant noodles was one that could bring tears to your eyes.
I jest .
But after dinner, we settled down to rest for our last and final day of outfield, the famous, Situation Test, or Sit Test for short.
The Last and Final Day
The Sit Test was a set of 10 missions which involve teamwork, coordination, and a good knowledge of knots. The goal of the Sit Test was to identify recruits with leadership capabilities and those that can function well under stress. Recruits that do well in the tests will have better chances of getting into command school, making the test a known requirement for qualification. During the Sit Test, an assessor along with his assistant will be assigned to each group, comprising of people in other sections and platoons (Strangers). The assessor, is an officer in the army, and he will observe and assess each individual throughout the course and score them according to their aptitude to lead. Whether the group manages to clear the mission or not, it doesn't matter. Because the assessors are looking at the effectiveness of the group leader.
Throughout the entire day, we were put through many different scenarios. Some include transporting cargo across the river, protecting an important landmark from enemy attack, or evacuating casualties from precarious scenarios. At the start of every mission, a new group leader as well as an assistant group leader are appointed, to lead the group and plan the course of action. These people are paid special attention to, when they are in charge.
My turn came at the 7th mission. The mission was to evacuate a casualty through a 3m deep sewer on one end and up through the other end, within a 15 minute time limit. Needless to say, a seemingly impossible task within that time limit. But 12 minutes into the mission, we were already lowered into the sewer and attempting to raise the casualty out of the sewer. However, before we could evacuate the casualty, time ran out. But instead of feeling sad or disappointed, we all felt that we did a great job making it this far into the mission before time ran out.
Sit test ended at around 4pm and we were ready to go back to our bunks. As we were waiting for our transport back, I realized the itch that began somewhere on the 3rd day of FC started hurting. It felt like hundreds of needles piercing my back, my scalp and my chest. That itch, was heat rash in action. It felt like hell.
As we were boarding the tonner back to our bunks, I looked at my hands. Covered in a layer of dirt for the past few days, I realized that I have never been through such an experience like FC before. I've never been this dirty before, I've never felt so hot and sweaty, and happy to go back to civilization. A shower, a comfortable bed and some internet was all that I wanted to feel satisfied for the rest of my life. Field camp was finally over, but we were not allowed to book out until the next week, which was another 5 more days. All of us felt weary, and all of us wanted a break.
NOPE
Next time: GRENADE? And Project White Star.
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