Medics all are we…

The 46th Basic Section Leader Course ended on 4th March 2007. We marched 28km through the night from Kranji War Memorial to Kranji Dam, then through Lim Chu Kang, then back to SISPEC. It was very tiring. There were a lot of people falling out from my company. I struggled to keep up the pace. After resting for a few minutes, we marched onto the parade square for the Passing Out Parade. We would remain there for another thirty minutes with full battle order. Most of us were cursing when the reviewing officer took his time to give his very ’short’ speech. Putting everything down after the parade was a great relief for the shoulders of all.

And on the arms, new chevrons. Now we were all corporals, destined for more advanced training elsewhere. My buddy Yi Qing got sent to the Air Force as a Weapons Operator. I was sent to SAF Medical Training Institute (SMTI) at Nee Soon Camp as a Combat Medic Specialist. Deo Gratias! The vocation I wanted exactly.

The course is not easy; there are so many things to study. I have enough textbooks to fill my field pack! The practical aspect is also challenging. On my first IV practical, I attempted 4 IVs before succeeding. Last week I improved by 1. I hope I can reduce that and succeed in one try.

Things are quite different from SISPEC. There isn’t any 5BX. It’s so slack, that many of us have elected to do our own training at night. Nee Soon camp has many slopes to run up. We do have this weird ‘Total Body Workout’ on Monday, and Wednesdays I think. It’s like Boxercise. It looks very lame.

The bunks are quite cramped compared to SISPEC. The first week we were on the sixth floor. Elevator usage was forbidden. In the second week we were moved to the third floor. On Thursday we were moved to the ninth floor, in order to make way for an new intake of two hundred combat medics. Fortunately, they allow us to use the lifts now. And, we get to use two-man bunks meant for Medical Officer Cadets. Somehow, I think I’m going to feel claustrophobic. I will let you know over the week.

As SISPEC graduates they expect a lot from us. Initiative and Discipline; the usual suspects. Regimentation is quite mad in here. They don’t allow sleeping during breaks. They don’t even allow smoking during the day. Why, the smokers in SISPEC were puffing away like no one’s business.

Duties are aplenty. I have done two guard duties already this week. There is also the Barrack Orderly where you are supposed to sleep in the Orderly room on the ground floor, and serve as firefighters. Pray that you won’t get fire drill. There is a dearth of drink machines in Nee Soon camp. The other day my prowling buddy and I were trying to find a drink machine during prowling. Argh, almost as difficult as locating the checkpoint itself.

The good thing about this place is that bookout is on Friday. I sure could use those extra hours to recover from the monotony of the work week. Nevertheless I’m enjoying this place so far!

SAF Medical Corps Song

Medics all are we, the medics of the field.
We help the wounded and the sick, the brave who will not yield.
Our hearts we give, our skills we share.
With valour, pride and will!
No matter when, we’re battle ready,
the medics of the field!