I'm a lean, mean, Operationally-Ready machine!

It’s about time I updated my Friendster profile, and in order to make way for a new description, I have to migrate off my Friendster page the post that is a little less than a proper summary of the 2 years, or 24 months, or 730 days of tortu…fulfilling, achievements-filled, NS ;]

Let’s start with Basic Military Training(BMT) – it is the initial indoctrination and instruction given to recrui...What I meant is, I truly cherish the camaraderie formed during BMT & agree that apart from this period of clearing leave & OFFs, it is THE MOST enjoyable experience ANYONE can hav...oops, survive. ANYONE who is forced to cut his hair shorter than his eyebrows. Yes. Most enjoyable indeed.

Just some friendly advice for recruits-DO NOT CLUB as a SECTION, PLATOON or, God Forbid, an ENTIRE COMPANY. If humping a low wall won't suffice, and you've been denied contact with a female specimen for more than 72hrs, please... please... at least be accompanied by friends who have hair longer than your pubes. And wear a cap. Not everyone looks like Wentworth Miller, & regardless of what your closest friends tell you, you do NOT look remotely like Schofield from Prison Break.

In this 2 years or mise... I mean - fun, laughter, peace and joy, you will come to appreciate the wileful antics of your buddy. Everyone has. Oh, I'm not talking about your immediate BMT buddy. I'm referring to Murphy. Yes, THAT MURPHY. The one who follows you dodgedly every step of your NS journey. Cursed be you.

Looking back I realise I spent more money on haircuts during the last 2 years than my entire Secondary School and Polytechnic life.

Of course, being a thinking soldier, I soon discovered other ingenious ways of saving. First up, may I present... the 'Stay-in' Philosophy!!! I find 'confinement' works equally well, especially for the weak-minded individuals, since it affords a certain degree of enforcement. Second is what I like to call the 'Cookhouse Concept'. Saves tons of $$$. Unless you pig out at brunch, tea break and supper. Besides the obvious monetary savings, certain side benefits include efficiency in common household chores and an acute appreciation of civilian cuisine respectively.

Looking back, I also realise that I have run more in the past 2 years THAN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE! Becoming slightly fitter was inevitable. My crowning (albeit unimpressive) physical achievements include a max 26 chin-ups, 7:35 SOC & 42.195km marathon, which I joined with the peeps of 20th WSO(ADA).

If perchance by some trick of the mind or refraction of sunlight you should perceive me as muscular, I suggest you proportion that to my height & compare me to a nearby lamppost. As for the Abs, I was born with them, as are all human-beings.

Like most NSmen, I am now cultivating my spare tyre. Who knows when I might need to draw upon that extra reserve of energy? Or come to the aid of a bikini-clad damsel in distress, stranded on the highway with a punctured tyre and in need of a spare?

And besides, love-handles are hot.