Army Daze

20 years ago, I joined the Army as part of our mandatory National Service in Singapore for all male Singaporeans. Today, I am officially transfered into the void called "Military Reserve" otherwise known as "don't call us, we'll call you when we need cannon fodder" or civilian life. ;)

Bit of background, all the guys in Singapore go thru mandatory military service which consists of 24 to 30 months of full-time service, followed by 10 to 13 years of yearly re-training (which can last anywhere from a few days to 4 weeks at a time). Depending on how often we are called back for re-training, the actual period of service can stretch over 20 years (like in my case). After that we get transfered into "Military Reserve" which basically means no more obligations to return for re-training, etc. I.e. the long awaited life as a ordinary civilian.

So today my army buddies and I gathered in a military base to celebrate our release back into civilian life. It was with mixed feelings that we went to the camp - relief that our national service is finally over, but a tinge of sadness that buddies that have served side by side for the last 10 to 20 years will hence part and probably never meet again. Some senior officer came to thank us for our loyal service (as if we can any choice!), and then we were served the most generous lunch in our entire military service, given some momentos and then it was all over. In typical male fashion, we joked, shook hands and then left - not even bothering to exchange contacts or promise to stay in touch because we know that even in a country as small as Singapore, without the mandatory military re-training, many of us will never see each other again.

It is hard to describe the friendship/camaraderie built up over the long years of blood and sweat (sorry, no tears, we are MEN). ;) Suffice it to say that somewhere along the line, we stopped working together because of serving the country, compulsory requirements, threat of military discipline, etc... and starting working well together because of EACH OTHER. I must say that over the years, I have had the priviledge of serving in rank and file as a lowly sergeant, rolling thru the same mud, sleeping on the same hard ground, carrying the same heavy loads as the men I serve with. And what MEN they are - guys who over the years have grown flabbier, lost hair, grown skeptical, but nonetheless showed up when called and got the job done. There are so many stories to tell, more than this blog can hold, and I will always remember them as some of the best/worst moments of my life.

I am only saying this only because no one in my Army unit will ever see this blog, but I LOVE my army buddies and I sure miss them.