Signing on` for life instead of career
With dreams and hopes, I marched into the Police Academy alone during one of the walk-in Recruitment Drive. I had successfully went through various interviews and medical check-ups.
Meanwhile, I had also spoken to my seniors, who are in the force and they had shared the insider views. I was astonished and ... Prior to the contract signing session, I was AWAKE to measured the pros and cons before committing myself to this 5 yrs or so career. I had asked myself what do I really want in life, I had asked myself what do I want to purse in life... Thoughts of a young and naive boy who is exposed to the real world for the very first time.
I told myself not to sign on as a Police Officer or the Armed Forces but ... ... ... And now I do not want anyone else I know to follow my footsteps.
He is now a regular Police Officer`
I had shared my experiences & knowledge, and weighted the pros & cons through numerous sessions with him.
Today, despite how much I had said, he had entered National Service as a regular Police Officer. I guess as much, To each on his own. Perhaps, being a police officer is someone whom he looked upon to be when he was younger. An ambition is what s that calls. And that s probably or even perhaps clearly explains the rationale why he had joined NPCC during both his secondary and polytechnic days. For an ambition that lives in him, for a dream he longs to possess… for him now a man who will live life with no regrets.
We had communicated on msn earlier. And I had discovered that he is no longer the guy I used to know, but someone whom had grown up and learnt about the way of life. He had shared about the discomfort and amusing moments in his short first 2-3 days in the service. And I must say it is indeed a bit too happening for a start like mustering in the mid of his bath, early morning exercise before breakfast and more. But these are what every boy will undergo during National Service… where boys transform into young men.
My National Service days
I recalled my National Service days. Although it was a short span of time before I signed on as what I am today, it was rather memorable.
There are many first times during my term of service such as first time missing home despite of attending many school camps before, first field camp, first time showering in the jungles, misplaced my rifle cleaning kit in the jungle, water issues with another platoon, shooting test and more.
Back to the Start` On the day of enlistment, I felt depressed reporting to camp without the company of my family members. It was on a weekday. Just before I leave home, I bid farewell to mum and had hidden my tears to the back of my weary eyes. I felt that It was like the end of the world, where I am uncertain will I get back home in one piece, will I be endure or die from the training and more. On the journey to the island, I could see other enlistees with their family members. Of course, a minority was like mi, all alone.
Sometime later, on the parents visiting day, mum and dad came and brought many food. I was touched and realized that love is still around and they had remembered my existence. We had spend a happy moment then, rather short, an hour or so I recall. Then, I supposed it was the one and only activity during my National Service term they had attended. Or rather in fact not many activties for them to attend to.
Several characters and incidents etched in my memory, lasting for a lifetime. And if time persists and circumstances allows, I will record every single incidents that I can still recall.
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And that marks the end of this term, leading to the next chapter of an exciting seaward life.
