SPIDERS

Wow, the last post was in 2020 and I totally forgot about penning down my RSAF journey. I guess why I'm back here is cause tomorrow presents another transition for me. I'll be heading back to where my RSAF journey as a trainee began, Air Force Training Command (AFTC). This time round, I'll be there as an instructor. Can't really wrap my head around this, how time flies and how much has changed :)

For the last almost 2 years that I was back with the Spiders, it was definitely a fulfilling and challenging tour. It was a journey of exploring and finetuning my teaching style. Controlling aircraft by myself vs teaching someone else to do it is totally different but I think I found what I'm comfortable with. It may not resonate with others but I just have to stand firm in my approach. 

I find fulfilment in seeing my trainees learn, struggle, question, understand and finally progress to finally solo. In the end, I want to see this cycle continue, and when I come back to the Spiders in maybe 2 years time, I can see the ones I taught, teaching others. 

Am happy to continue teaching but in a different environment. I guess I'll have to find out what new challenges AFTC brings, be it the trainees or my new colleagues. 

May the 4th: AFTC

Idaho Reflections

As I sit in my room full of half packed boxes and approximately 1 month to returning home to Singapore, I can't stop but start thinking back how fast the past 2 years flew by quickly. I'm full of gratefulness for this opportunity to come to this wonderful state called Idaho to train at Mountain Home Air Force Base with the USAF. Of course, it's not always rainbow and butterflies as I also share what struggles I faced. I hope this blog posts helps to collect my thoughts and reflections of the past 2 years. It may be a slightly lengthy post (hopefully I can dig out some pictures since I'm a pretty visual person). Here goes the main 5 pointers:

1. Finally the chance to live and travel overseas alone
2. Working in a Fighter Squadron in an airbase
3. Experiencing 4 seasons and "angmoh" traditions
4. The great outdoors
5. Relying on God and finding true friends

Living and travelling overseas alone

You have no idea how I've longed to travel overseas be it an overseas university degree or even an exchange. Each time though I was knocked back down as my parents would not sponsor my hunt for an overseas experience. I understand of course, it is their money and I don't really have a say in it. Young me always wanted to venture out of Singapore to taste what the world have to offer. I always said I wanted to migrate overseas but at this point in time after being overseas for 2 years, I really appreciate what Singapore has to offer. Every place has their pros and cons but now I know the pros far outweigh the cons for me back home in Singapore. I'm looking forward to coming home for good. 

I will miss the freedom of living alone though! I get to sleep in on the weekends, come back late without having to update anyone, manage my own meals (though it gets very sian to think and plan for meals), get lazy on household chores, buy whatever I want to decorate my room, basically just be responsible for myself, answer for my own decisions and not have anyone nagging at me. Hopefully even after coming back to Singapore I can get a place of my own soon. I'm definitely going to have a hard time adjusting to living with my parents again even though I really miss them a lot. 

One of the biggest perks is having my own car here and having the freedom to drive on wide open roads to nowhere. Also the speed limit on the expressways are 80 mp/h which is about 130 km/h and there are rarely any motorcycles. People are way more courteous on the roads here cause we are in a pretty much ulu place. 

Also, I adopted two cats here and will be bringing them back with me to Singapore! Hmm, I guess my parents have some adjustment to do :P

Travelling has been great until COVID struck. I'll cover more later in point 4 but just to list down the few places I've ventured to outside Idaho: 

• Salt Lake City, Utah (just 4 hours away from Mountain Home)
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• LA & San Fran, California
• Yellowstone National Park
• Grand Teton National Park
• Yosemite National Park
• Kauai, O'ahu & Big Island, Hawaii
• Jasper Banff National Park & Vancouver, Canada

*TBC*

Big shoes to fill

I've been neglecting this blog but a few recent emails from you guys made me start reflecting again on my journey thus far. I really want to give thanks to God for giving me this opportunity to come here and train. I honestly don't know why I deserve to come here instead of someone else. I don't know what else is in store for me in my RSAF journey, what future appointments I'll hold, which other squadrons I'll go to.

All I know is that when I do go back to Singapore (Aug 2020), I'm expected to be "senior" and take on instructor roles, teach the juniors what I've learn in my 2 year stint in US. I've seen those that have come before me, how much knowledge they have learnt and imparted to me and my fellow mates. Now it's my turn to continue the cycle and do the same. 

It's scary. What if I'm not good enough? What if I learnt the wrong thing and teach the wrong thing? What if my juniors don't make it because I can't teach properly? What if I didn't actually maximize my opportunity to learn as much as I can here? My biggest fear is my juniors asking me a question I don't know the answer to since I know I'm not exactly textbook smart (I cant remember facts and numbers for nuts). 

I'm 3 "practical exams" away from completing my training here where I have to control multiple aircraft in a tactical fight. Sometimes I laugh and wonder how the heck did I even get here, I mean it was just yesterday I was at my workstation at level 12 in Raffles Place, answering client's calls, replying scores of emails, meeting KPIs, having lunch in CBD and squeezing in the train home after a long's day work. 

All I can say I'm much happier now in the RSAF and God has really blessed me in this aspect. Like many, I grew up worrying I could never find a job after graduating, let alone a job where I can find satisfaction and also be financially independent. God really found the right job for me and I can't be more thankful. 

8500 miles away

I haven't really gotten down to reflecting and looking through small milestones in my RSAF journey and figured it might be a good time now. Just really thankful for all the opportunities that were presented my way for example helping out with NDP18, RSAF50@SA18 and RSAF Womens Seminar 18. Some may think of this as saikang but to me, I enjoy participating as part of the working crew to see more than the civilian point of view. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would be wearing the RSAF No.4 Blue uniform and standing BEHIND the counter and talking to the public about what we do. But Here I Am :)

Now, I find myself at a new start. Knowing new people, processes, physical space and last but not least, the different culture. I kind of miss my previous squadron but I guess I have to constantly step out of my comfort zone to progress. I'll be here for 2 years for my training upgrades and hope I don't disappoint.

BUCCANEERS! TAKE NO PRISONERS! 

2018

The path ahead is still full of hurdles but when I take a glance back at where I began, it never cease to inspire me to just continue. Somehow, just like that 2.5 years have passed and I never thought I could even pass out from BMT. Take that back, I didn't even know I would sign on!

2018 - RSAF Family Day

2011 - RSAF Open House

Almost at the 2 year (ORD) mark

One by one all the guys in my BMT batch are ORDing and finally reuniting with their PINK IC. Just want to wish them CONGRATULATIONS for completing 2 years of NS! It's definitely not easy considering males do not have a choice in serving NS and which vocation they can choose.

On a side note, I've received numerous emails from many of you and I'm really glad to be able to answer your questions and hopefully allay some of your worries. It may seem lonely and scary at the beginning stage as females but trust me, in the end you will get to meet a whole lot of other females walking this same path as you :)  Here are some of the emails I've received (hope the senders don't mind me sharing). Continue to keep those questions coming! I only apologise if i take some time to reply ><

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Hello Cherie! :-)

Chanced upon your blog a few months ago while researching on joining the air force and I would like to thank you for recording your experience online for all of us ladies who are considering signing on as well!

I have just graduated from JC and will be entering uni this year (unless all goes well and I do manage to sign on). I received news that I've passed my COMPASS test and will be going for my aeromedical next week. I do have a few questions that I hope you may be able to answer in your own time since replies on forums are mostly from male NSFs, and I figured that their experience would vary greatly.

_____________________________________________________________________

Hi Cherie,

Hope you see this email, I've just passed the interview stage for C3 and was asked if I wanted to join Air Traffic control or Air Defence control! Which are you currently in and how is it? Was hoping to get a better view of it from someone inside :).

Thanks much

_____________________________________________________________________

Hi Cherie!

Chanced upon ur blog and saw that u did your compass test. Do u still remember what is the compass test all about and the various sections??

Thank you and looking forward to your reply soon!

_____________________________________________________________________

Hi Cherie!

I have came across your blog and have a few questions to ask you about joining RSAF!

I understand that you might be busy and my question would seem rather repeatitive. But i really hope that i could talk to someone like you about my questions and doubts.

I look forward to your reply!! ((((:

Thank you!

_____________________________________________________________________

Hi Cherie,

I am :) , a female who is considering to join the RSAF. I have gone for the compass test and medical test at CMPB. The next step would be the aeromedical test, but i have yet to book the timing for it. I passed the compass test for WSO FTR and C3. I would like to find out from u the life of a C3. How is the environment like over there? From what i heard about the fighter sqn, they usually scold very nasty things at you, vulgarities etc till one feels really demoralised. Is C3 environment the same? Have you ever regretted joining the air force? And do u think that u r treated unfairly compared to the overseas scholars, SAFOS and SMS?

Thank you so much! God bless!

Warmest regards,

_____________________________________________________________________

No one knows how far I'll go

Recently caught the new Disney film "Moana" and I could relate so much to this movie! Although it's more of the sea instead of the air but the main gist of the movie its just taking that first step forward, not knowing where I'll end up.

For the longest time I've always wanted to sign on to the military but life events and persuasions kept me walking on the beaten path of a "normal" life. But like in the movie, it kept calling me back. I struggled to convince both myself and those that cared for me of this bold move, knowing that it'll be a huge risk to leave the comfortable private sector and venture off into the "line where the sky meets the sea".  I'ts been almost 1.5 years out at "sea" and it isn't smooth sailing (haha, pun intended) but there has been no regrets. I hope that those who are reading this and still contemplating whether to sign on, well, "there's just no telling how far you'll go".  :)

See the line where the sky meets the sea? It calls me

And no one knows, how far it goes

If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me

One day I'll know, if I go there's just no telling how far I'll go

Happy Total Defence Day!

4 months

So I've survived 4 months in my new squadron and I must say the transition from AFTC to live environment is quite steep. From what I can recall, the first "orientation" week in my new squadron was rather disorientating. I had a hard time finding who was who, where was what. Everyone was so busy doing their work. It seemed like a hive of bees to me and there I was, trying to find where I fit in. And just when I thought that I've finally graduated from C3 School, the real TRAINING begins. From what I see, training never ever stops and I guess that's what I love about the RSAF. There's always something to learn, and another level to progress to.

Some milestones I've conquered along the way include getting qualified to be able to man solo and getting my own callsign at the "welcome party". The thought of it seems rather daunting, there's a real life out there in my hands. I guess that's where I have to trust the system and all the training I've been through. It definitely wasn't easy to get qualified to be able to man solo. We have to go through loads of on the job training with an instructor and finally a qualification test to see if I am able to handle alone. No doubt there were some failures and I was really disappointed in myself since I felt that I did put in the effort but sometimes I don't achieve my goals. Things are never dull and mundane here, and everyday brings a new challenge. :)

Right now, I consider myself being a Primary 1 in this big place and it's going to be a long long journey of training and studying. The bar keeps rising and I'm gonna just be gaining experience to level up. If I ever think that I can't conquer whatever is ahead of me, I only have to think of how far I've come - literally, how I wanted to give up so badly during all my route marches but I told myself that each step forward is one step towards becoming a C3 Officer.

101/15 Commissioning Parade

Wow it's been almost 2 months but I've yet to blog about the milestone of every officer's journey, the Commissioning Parade!

The long awaited day, 26th June 2016, came and our batch of 101/15 finally commissioned! The parade training has been tough with long scorching days and aching arms. When it was time to march onto the parade square, everyone was really excited and the thought kept running through my mind, "Is this really it? Is this for real? Finally 9 months long of training is concluding on this parade square.." Next thing I know, we are marching onto the parade square with thousands of spectators on the grand stand and SHIT JUST GOT REAL... I'll never forget the moment though, when my mum and dad looked so proud and pinned on the rank for me. My dad rarely smiles but let alone see his teeth when he smiles.. I'm glad that my family supported me in my decision to sign on and they're proud of me coming this far :)

So right now, 2 months on, I'm in squadron and back to being a trainee >< The transition from simulated to live is another steep learning curve coupled with numerous secondary tasks to attend to. Well, thing's cant get any worse so I'm sure in due time things will only get better :)  In the mean time, my hard-earned officer sword on display at home will remind me everyday to just keep pushing on and why I'm training so hard in the first place :D

02/16 RCGC

2nd June marked the day we officially graduated from our respective vocation training and it was definitely an eventful day. It was like a dream come true for me to get my very own sword with my name engraved on it. What's worth it was that it was through a lot of hard work that the sword was earned, and not just bought off a shelf. 

Also, now I can don the AWO wing! Somehow at times I still feel like I'm dreaming. Have I really gone this far? It seemed like just yesterday that I went to an open house as a civilian and admiring all the blue no4 uniforms. Now I'm part of the big RSAF Tribe!

Come this Sunday 26th June, I'll be back at the SAFTI MI parade square for the commissioning parade. I always love watching the RSAF news and watching the parades, batch after batch, year after year. I never thought I'd really be there, marching in as part of a contingent. But here I am, through with all the parade rehearsals and ready for this Sunday as the batch of 101/15. 

Parade rehearsals are definitely tough, standing still for ages under the hot sun. Perfecting and executing sharp drills and making sure not only my contingent does the drills together, but the WHOLE 101/15 batch. A relatively large and heavy 4 kg SAR 21 on one arm is also a huge challenge, Counterpain does the post rehearsal remedy :) 

I'm still on this journey though, understanding what it means to be an Officer in the RSAF. Wearing the rank doesn't make me automatically a leader. 

The Final Sprint

It's been almost about 9 months since I've enlisted in July last year (5 months since I've entered AFTC). The days seems to repeat itself and there seemed to be no end in sight. Training may seem to last forever but sometimes I find little things to motivate myself to keep pushing myself forward. Every week I'll try to find something to work towards to and last week my motivation was going back to ALB to loan our no.2 and no.1 uniforms! It was nostalgic going back to ALB as I recalled last year in June I was there trying on helmet sizes, combat boots, no.4 uniforms, etc for equipment fitting before entering tekong for BMT. Now, I'm trying on the sizes for RCGC and Commissioning Parade that most likely will be held at end of June this year. Just like that, 1 year has almost passed.

Loaning the commissioning parade no.1 uniform came with the AWO Wing and Officer epaulets. Although I have not earned the rights to wear it, just seeing it gives me a great sense of excitement and motivation for the final sprint of this training. In the weeks to come, I will have to sit for my final practical exam and theory exam before I earn the rights to wear the AWO Wing.

I'll hang in there and finish well with everyone else! :)

AWO C3 Course

I can't even remember when was the first official day of the AWO C3 course since the weeks have been whizzing past. I'm at the halfway mark now and the journey hasn't been an easy one. Most of the days seem to be the same, a brief in the morning followed by practice in the simulator and then another brief to end the day. The learning curve is pretty steep but I guess that's where the FUN lies, the CHALLENGE! :)

It's pretty much like uni/poly where there are so many different "modules" to cover and after a few  "modules" there's one consolidating practical exam. What I love about the practical exam is that YOU CANT MUG FOR IT! Books are a definite NO-NO for me. Glad that most of the time are spent in the simulator instead of hitting the books.

Picture from Cyberpioneer

Sad to say, there are still a lot of vital information that needs to be STUDIED and hence the theory exams. Speaking of which, the next theory exam is NEXT WEEK! To add icing to the cake, there's also a project presentation in the same week. I guess I'm going through the motion of things and hopefully it continues on this momentum. Most of the time I love the feeling of being so caught up in work cause time seem to pass faster. I love the sense of achievement when works get done PROPERLY with STANDARDS. Does this make me a workaholic? Or a high performer?

Still the same worry though, part of me is scared to OOC.  I'm scared of failing because I want to do well. Part of me is fighting to better myself everyday, just to see how far I can push myself. I'm somewhat a perfectionist and I demand high standards for myself. Then again, personal standards are subjective. For example completing 2.4km in 10mins may be considered a "high standard" to someone else but for me if  I manage to hit 12mins I'd be over the moon! Does it mean 10mins is a higher standard than 12mins? What are the criteria to determine so?

I believe strongly in healthy competition where everyone strives together and excel. Maybe it may seem a tad bit idealistic since it requires everyone to be altruistic but still, what's the point of reaching the top but you're stepping on others? What respect will you earn?

101/15 AFST: Air Wing - A Cut Above The Rest!

It's 0015 now and way past my lights out timing but I just have to put this post up. 7 weeks of Air Force Service Term literally just flew past and now I find myself starting pro-term today at Air Force Training Command, Paya Lebar. 6 months long of vocation specific training awaits me and I really can't wait for it to start! Yes no doubt I worry but I've learnt to just suck it up, move with the flow and somehow, time will pass like it always has and I'll end up at the next check point which is COMMISSIONING. Finally out of the green and into the BLUE!!!

Self imposed reveille at 0600 and setting out at 0630 to AFTC. Can't wait! :D

101/15 OCS: CLM - Train to Fight, Fight to Win!

Entered SAFTI MI grounds on 5th Oct, got posted to Hotel Wing and received my first white bar as Freshman Cadet. Things are much more different now, all the girls are split up and now I find myself the minority in my platoon. There were only 4 girls in Platoon 1 and most of the time we stuck together.

I thought CLM should be OKAY since there were only technically 2 high keys - Tower Run and Confidence Jump. But again I have some problem against all the damn physical elements. We had circuit exercises, route march 3km, endurance run 4km, etc. First of all, the route march was ONLY 3km, but people fail to realise that the girls were practically running all the way for the route march cause our short legs cant stride as far as the guys. They didn't allow the girls to be at the front to "control" the speed. So we had to not only keep up with the guys speed, but also close up the gaps that tend to form cause people dont keep tight. Positive note, guess it's good training to run with load?After reaching back wing line, I thought finally all this torture can stop. BUT NO, we had to HENTAK KAKI until everyone lifted their knees 90 degrees. It lasted for about 10mins.

Other types of "Tekan" that we kenna:
- Holding our full water bottle, arms 90 degrees for 6mins. My arms were burning.
- 150 push-ups everyday to train for ippt, we did it on super rough floor so the girls have abrasions on their knees since we do female push ups.
- whole wing form a circle and do push ups in a wave. Think of Kallang wave.
- alot of random knock it down, crunches change, which seemed endless..

Another annoying fact was that all the girls had to stay elsewhere cause there were no female bunks at Hotel. Army girls stayed at Sierra, Navy girls at Mids Wing and Air Force Girls at Air Wing. Navy and Airforce girls got it lucky cause our accommodations were in the same cluster as Hotel but the Army girls had to walk quite far just to go back to bunk. Imagine after our physical training, they give us about 15 mins to change to smart 4, the girls already take 5mins to go back to Sierra and another 5mins to come back to Hotel, left with 5 mins to change to smart 4.

STILL, I really miss Hotel, especially my platoon and the instructors. It's through all the shit that strong bonds are forged and memories made. And I also feel much stronger now physically! It was quite sad that we couldn't be initiated to junior cadets together. On the last day of CLM, we had to say our good byes and be separated to service term wings. Although it's been a short 2 weeks in Hotel and I was really looking forward to Air Wing, good byes were definitely hard to say. Didn't have much time to linger around cause we had to rush to practice the initiation ceremony in the evening. 4am on Saturday we got turned out by Delta Senior Cadets but most of the Air girls already woke up at 0330 to wash up and brush teeth, awaiting their "surprise." Did force prep, some push ups and stuff but it was okay. After that got initiated as Air Wing and got our 2 white bars signifying the transition from freshman to junior cadets. Met our loved ones at around 8am for OCS Family day.

Check In, Check Out. HOTEL!

BMT: POP LOH!

19 Sept: POP-ed and one step closer.

I guess time is on my side now to finally reflect and pen down some key things during my BMT experience. My thoughts are rather jumbled up so I'll do it in point form. They're random order:

• Don't as feel proud to POP cause I missed out the 24km route march. I didn't feel all the pain, tears and swearing everyone else went through. Bodies are hot they but they're shivering, palm-sized blisters on their feet, multiple abrasions, shoulder and hands numb, breathlessness, headaches, etc..
• Lucky to be in Section 3 cause they accepted me for the crazy and sometimes weird me.
• Thankful for my buddy, we worked well and helped each other when the time came.
• Lost 5 kg. I'm 48 kg now. A SAR 21 weights 3.82kg.
• Expected to perform better and not complain cause I'm a regular. Yes, I chose this path but it doesn't mean I can't express the pain. Can't I cry? Oh I forgot, I'm a soldier now and we're not to shed tears.
• Couldn't cock the SAR 21 (with 1 hand) in the early days. Happy that now I can!
• Got stuck at the top of Apex ladder and cried. I told myself, "One, Two, Three, MOVE!" Nope, my leg just wouldn't move. Frozen. Cramped. Ugh. 
• Cried for ALL my route marches. I really think my breaking point is lower than most people. 
• Bunk on level 5 is no joke.
• Covered the latrine shit-hole during field camp. Just imagine 5 days worth of human shit and army of flies. 
• Thankful there wasn't any rain during field camp. At least our uniforms were dry and not muddy. 
• A random fellow recruit from another formation/company asked me, "You got leopard crawl in field camp? Here and there?", "Got crawl until abrasion in BIC?" (shows me his elbow scab). I showed him mine. He shut up.

I admit, generally SOME guys will think we females have it easier, they will want to compare. Yes, some aspects are easier, like for SOC we don't do with SBO, our IPPT and SOC timings are more generous. However for most parts, everything is the same. Same time limit to dig the shell-scrape, same route march distance, same load, same leopard crawl, same discipline and regimentation. I can simply ignore such comments and let it pass and say well, I signed up for it should just suck it up, but no. After going through all the shit and pain, just cause you were not there to witness it and then make a fleeting comment that "females have it easier", it just irks me.

Those comments are just going to spur me on cause I'm gonna prove to people like you that gender doesn't make a difference. Everyone can do it. With God's grace I will just push on. 

5th Oct I'll enter the grounds of SAFTI to start my long OCS journey. I'm just going to take one small step at a time, with 2 weeks of CLM first. I heard there'll be runs every day. Not forgetting the big jump off a 5 meter platform.. Okay literally ONE STEP (off the platform) at at time. 

Egg-cited! :D

BMT: Post Field Camp

Days have literally been flying past and cant believe that 6D5N field camp is over. Seems just like yesterday that I enlisted and entered Tekong. I'm not sure how I'm getting through the days cause it sure as hell is physically demanding for me. As much as I push myself to always challenge the limit, I know fully well that my personal strength is not physical strength. Adapting to the regimentation and sucking thumb to loads of questionable SOPs are fine with me. The 2 weeks adjustment (confinement) period was okay, except for all the physical training parts.

Route march has been my biggest hurdle of all time. I keep trying not to think about the load and just walk, but somehow I just cant walk as fast as everyone else. I heard a yell, "OPEN UP YOUR STRIDES! KEEP UP. DONT GIVE ME THAT SHAG FACE.". I tried stretching my legs as far ahead as I could, the load just pulls me down and I can feel my knees giving way. I start panting and gasping for air, I get light-headed, my hands starts getting swollen due to lack of blood flow and I start remembering only fragments of the arduous torture. I had to stay back on a Saturday to re route march to complete my 8km and yet I'm still behind the rest of the company, them having completed 12km. I honestly would dig shell scrape again or do another field camp in exchange for ALL future route marches. I shudder at the thought of another route march. 

BMT!!

After collecting my 11B at AFRC on 6th of July, reality more or less has sunken into me. There's no more "What ifs" or "Maybe". It's a 3 years bond and I'm gonna make it count starting right from Day 1, TODAY!!

BMT Briefing and equipment fitting (females only)

12th June: Reported in the morning at CMPB and it was a comforting feeling seeing there were so many other females too on this unconventional journey. I didn't feel so alone anymore. There were approximately 40-50 females across the 3 service (Army, Navy and Air Force)  but most were from Army. A chartered bus came to take us to Army Logistic Base for equipment fitting. Phones were locked up so no pictures of what happened. We took about 2 hours to try the different gears and finalise the sizes before we headed back to CMPB.

Had lunch at CMPB and then went for the BMT briefing. They handed to us the enlistment letters and also the list items to pack. There was a short talk conducted by a guy and I must say it was rather amusing session cause he seemed pretty stunned at the questions we asked him.


_______________________________________


GUY: "Please wear black spectacles."

GIRL 1: "Um my specs have abit of red colour, is it ok?"
GIRL 2: "Um my specs got silver colour thing at the sides, can?"
GIRL 3: "My specs frame quite big kind, can?"

GUY: "Err...  Just GENERALLY black specs."

_______________________________________


GUY: "No contact lenses allowed."

GIRLS: "HUUHHHH?!?!?!"

_______________________________________


GIRL: "Can we bring bobby pins?"

GUY: "What's a bobby pin?!?!"

_______________________________________


GIRL 1: "Does toiletries include sunblock and facial mask, toner etc?"

GUY: "I don't think you'll have time to do facial."

_______________________________________


GUY: "Please pack a dark coloured one piece swimming costume."

GIRL 1: "My one got abit of polka dots, can?"
GIRL 2: "Mine got stripes at the side can?"

GUY: "Err...  as long as the base colour is dark coloured."

_______________________________________


GUY: "No earrings or ear sticks allowed."

GIRLS: "HUUHHHH?!?!?! What if the ear hole close??"

_______________________________________


GIRL: "Can we buy pads at the e-mart?"

GUY: "NO! NO! NO! PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN."

_______________________________________


Well... Shit just got real man. Gonna start my new job soon :D

Sealed with a kiss

4th June: Went down to sign the contract with my mum! They briefly went through all the terms and fine prints. And as usual my mum would bombard them with questions... I have a really protective mum >< 

I'm elated and excited to have finally signed this piece of paper after months of waiting and tests. However this is just the beginning of a new journey ahead filled with more mental and physical challenges. And honestly, I'm still trying to prep myself mentally that I'm going to BMT, and then OCS.  After all, this off the unbeaten path and I'm treading uncharted waters.

Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Thank you God for bringing me thus far!

Post Interview

14th April: Reported at 0930 but interview didn't start till 1030. There were a total of 28 male and female candidates ( 8 females) and OH MAN I WAS FIRST IN LINE. When my name was called, I just took a deep breath, muttered silently "YOLO" and went into the interview room.

LTC Lau Mun Leng greeted me with a warm handshake and seated me down. Basically started with asking me more about myself and then I rattled on about my current job, why I wanted C3 and before I knew it, he asked if there were any questions for him. I asked what is the progression like for C3 to which he replied basically the more proficient the controller gets, the more planes he controls, ultimately would be supervisory/management level. Just like that, he ended the interview in about 15 mins and parted with  "Hope to see you in the force soon!" which made me really happy!

Apparently it was a really busy day for AFRC so I only got the official phone confirmation that I passed interview the next working day. WHEE~~ 

What's left is for AFRC to finish vetting my certs (O lvl, A lvl, Degree cert and transcripts), equipment fitting, BMT briefing, letter of offer and contract signing. I dont know even know exactly when is the enlistment date in July. 

Btw this came in the mail today, more forms to fill up!

Honestly it hasn't really sunk in yet and I don't exactly believe I'm going to TEKONG ?!?!?!?