Actually there is nothing much to say. Same old boring and tiring army stuff, like IPPT, AGR, SOC, BCCT... Except for a 6D5N Field Camp and another 3D2N outfield for Sitest.
In outfield, there are many disciplines to observe. That is in addition to the basic discipline that is already imposed in the army. Like we can't open a naked flame, can't use torchlights to recreate Deepavali, we got to keep trash with us and do our business at the selected latrine point. Worse of all, we have to apply camo cream everyday.
Since in outfield there is no bathing, except for powder bath, our faces are always with camo cream and the camo dissolves in sweat. The thing is we sweat all the time. And so we have to touch up the camo periodically. Over the days, our faces are covered with layers of camo.
It doesn't really matter if you stink. Because everyone else stinks. And if you smell differently, something is wrong with you.
If you're afraid of ants or insects, then all I can say is good luck to you. Field camp isn't a picnic on grass. It is more of rolling on the sand. I have no qualms over sitting on soil. But it is kind of heart aching to dirty my clothes. Eventually the green uniform will turn yellowish-brown. The uniform is almost always wet with sweat, so dry uniforms don't really matter. Frankly I got used to the sand and I liked it. I felt weird when I sat on concrete floors after the field camp has ended.
Of course there are punishments, and it tends to be more harsh. Nice things like jumping jacks, crunches and pumpings with endless count of 4. It is a terrible feeling when you're punished. Especially when the fault doesn't lie with you, but the trouble was caused by some other cocksters. Oh heck la, 1 for all, all for 1, just keep kissing the ground and get over and done with.
Despite the tougher, and sometimes, more frequent punishments, I liked field camp for there was more autonomy and freedom. Really, there wasn't really a fixed timing for meals. And I recall having lots of free time, especially from the evening onwards. I spent hours chatting and sat around with friends for dinner. Oh yes, speaking of meals, we ate combat rations. Most say the rations were utterly disgusting. Somehow I found them nice. Maybe I'm just more tolerant :D
In field camp, we sleep on soil, without roof. So it can get really cold in the night. And of course we got no blankets. There is really no solution for that - just live with it and watch the stars.
Sitest is roughly the same as field camp, since it is outdoors in the field. Luckily there was no need for camo. What a big relieve. Sitest is where external assessors will assess your capabilities to be a leader. See how fit are you to enter command school. Over the period of 2 days, we did 12 missions. Those missions are team-building based. Thus if your detail consists of useful and motivated people, then you will feel good working togehter and complete the missions. Completing missions is not a necessity, but it is of course good to complete and boost team morale.
I have less than a month of BMT to finish. I think I have gone through some of the tougher ones. Up ahead will be things like IPPT and SOC. The SOC really disappoints me. I managed to finish all stations when I wore only helmet and boots. But when I added the LBV and rifle, I struggled at many stations. Damn!
As always, book out day is what I forward to. Having confined last week, due to my rifle being stolen, book out is a sweet moment. In fact, everything little thing, no matter how simple, becomes very significant and important. I treasure them all. It is not that I'm deprived in camp. But army life tends to be so monotonous as we do physical and mental training every time. Surely no one can't wait to get back in camp?
G.Y.
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