In all things we do, we do it well.

2011-12-26T21:52:00.000+08:00

Done a 5 km run today...Saw some recruits booking in...That scene reminds me of 2 years back when I am still doing my National Service...2 weeks of confinement really change your life, especially when you are away from the comfort of civilian life. This is especially so if you accept things and values with an open mind. Combat PT, AGR, Speed training, strength training, route marches and many more are the mentally demanding stuff that you undergo. Frankly speaking, physical fitness is not important as a recruit. It is only through mental fitness will you be able to further build upon your physical and combat fitness. Most of the early training packages is meant to condition and overload. No matter how physically fit you are, you will definitely be overloaded and this is where weak minded recruits will give up.

I still faintly remember those times, when my IPPT is shit totally...After A lvls, after night after nights of feasting and mugging, my cardiovascular endurance is shit man srsly...However, with a strong mind, I improve my 2.4 timing from 14 mins to 10 flat in 1.5 months...I ran even when I am having a cough. I ran even though I am mentally and physically tired. Its really all in your mind. Once you tell yourself, you are giving up, you are going to give up. Pain is temporary, but glory is forever. This is the motto that I have been using since the first day I step into NS...

2011-12-24T08:59:00.002+08:00

No opportunity to blog the past few days, as was having chalet with my co-workers and friends at pasis ris chalet...It was quite fun except for some unhappiness...

But, I realize the main takeaway from these few days, is that compromise is the key to peace. I realize that if I had not controlled my temper and egoistic nature, many unpleasant chain of events could have occurred. If I had not swallowed by pride, I realize that I may not be blogging here in this state of mind.

Anyway, today I took my dad's car to work. On the way, I reflected on the year of 2011. As the year draws to a close, it is time for reflection. This year, there was namely 2 defining moments. The first was the AOAC exercise. AOAC stands for Armour Officer Advance Course. My unit supported the 3 days 2 night exercise which comprises of one deliberate attack mission, followed by a delay mission and finally an advance mission. This was my first Full-Troops Exercise(FTX) with my man. In the past, all the exercises were TEWT (Training Exercise Without Troops) and these exercises are a poor reflection of the caliber and morale of the men in combat units. In order for these men to fight for you, you have to motivate and convince them. In unit, unlike in SAF Command Schools, the situation is not idealistic. Also, our infantry combat skills have worsen after all of us spent 5 months in School of Armour during our professional terms. The worst is our land navigation skills which is totally gone, because in SOA-ATI we mostly did vehicular navigation. As a Section Commander cum a platoon Breaching commander, I am expected to work individually, navigate and recce and bring the entire platoon or even company to cross the obstacle. My first breaching mission was a total disaster, as I lay my MG fire with the wrong azimuth and worst still, I selected one of the worst breaching points on the concertina wire. There is simply no reason why I should be breaching the wire on a slope. I think the stress from my troopers, umpire and my acting PC inevitably made my brain think irrationally. After that mission, we transited to delay mission which was occurring at night also. I guess it was disastrous also, because of the morale issue we experienced in the afternoon, the troopers weren't keen of digging their shell-scraps. Again, as an obstacle sai kang warrior, I was ordered to lay obstacles and mines and wat not along the axis. As we were located at the Initial Delay Line, we were given 2 hours to prepare the entire objective for delay. 2 hours was a mad rush. In the end, I have to thank my 2IC and my section guys who helped me to prepare the obstacles despite their shagginess and low morale. The learning point of AOAC is that as a leader, you have to motivate and influence in order for you to accomplish the task. Even in a uniformed service, shouting and scolding is never the best way to do things. Even if you get things done your way, chances are it will not be up to mark. As a leader, you to lead by example. This is the main takeaway I had after this exercise.

The next defining moment was actually ATEC STAGE 2. There my PC organized the platoon A-TEAM to accomplish the company hardest mission. Our platoon is always tasked to do funny stuff because our commanders and men are the combat fittest and are the most ingenious. I was part of the A-TEAM as a commander to lead the section of 7 people to establish block force position along Quentin axis.It was an axis of 7 km, and our insertion area was approximately 10 km away from the axis. There all of us, ran and jog for 12 km into the forest at night. I was leading the guys and I felt extremely motivated as if we are going for war LOL. I think the best of is I never hear a complain from the guys although we are carrying a lot of anti-tank equipment. I think all of us we very happy because we made it to the position 20 minutes faster than we have expected ourselves. In total we killed 7 tanks and AFV with 2 casualties in 10 hours. Finally, we made it back to our vehicle and we launched our Pluto-Lima assault. It was disaster, because our entire company was wiped out until only me, my platoon sgt, my MG gunner and a FO was alive. There we escaped and rallied the remains of the other combat vehicles to push forward to set up the delay position with little knowledge of the next mission objective. After many trials and tribulation, the A-team is the only surviving section of the company again...Pushing and fighting through the last final objective, we hit the S77 and exercise cut...ATEC is over...ORD is imminent...

All right...

2011-12-21T07:31:00.000+08:00

Didn;t run today...Gotta to recover and rejuvenate...no pt trgning 7 days a week...it will just cause immense and unnecessary stress to your bone structures...

2011-12-20T20:52:00.002+08:00

Kept on yawning at work today...damned it man...I guess my brain is really tired after 2 weeks of intensive mind fucks...However, what that does not kill you, makes you stronger...push it to the maximum

2011-12-20T08:11:00.002+08:00

Did my 4km jog this morning at 0700 hrs because of the rain and stuff...cold morning...reminds me the army cadence, In the Early Morning Run...Cant believe when I was running, that song just keep looping in my head...

Load Training I

2011-12-19T08:31:00.000+08:00

I woke up at 0530 because I am really tired...Decided to give myself some more rest for my body to recover from the stress...Someone told me at work yesterday that waking at 4am is detrimental to the body...I guess I have to agree to that statement, but I again, this is not a choice. It is a commitment. It is a culture. I think I have to be mentally prepared to do the same or even worst in university when I have to juggle two degrees. My classmates, my army buddies and even my close friends questioned me of the rationale of doing so. Frankly speaking, I can come up with thousand and one reasons, but deep down, I know I just want to challenge myself, push myself to the limits of exploitation to what is considered to be humanely possible by many. I have to be fair. I am really interested in the intrinsic links between Calculus, Physics and Chemistry. At the same time, I am amazed by human behavior and the many philosophical questions that is omnipresent in the field of macroeconomics. What is the role of Government? That is the most important question one must question oneself, before jumping into conclusion that certain policy is bad for the development and stuff like that. All right, too much deviation from the main topic lol...Anyway, after so many years of existence on the face of this planet, I realize that I am a very sentimental person at times. I just cannot bear to experience the fact first hand that something I have been working hard on for 18 years will go down to the drain in university. Most importantly, when I left the soil of National Junior College, I tell myself that this is the start of a new chapter of my life. A chapter that must be written by my own blood and sweat. No room for slacking, no room for empty promises to myself and to people around me...

有时候，当我想起在初院的点点滴滴，我就不禁摇头叹气。如果我没被感情冲昏了头，我肯定不会选考读高级物理，而会试读高级化学。但是，我已经没有办法让时间倒流。我只能在梦中会味那段美好的时光。所谓经一事，长一智，我下定决心不会在让任何人影响我的思维，不回在让儿女思情勘绕我的判断能力。会首当年的往事，我觉得自己很幼自。每当我望着那一望无际的星空，我不断的焖心自问。在国民服役期间，当我在装甲士官学校时，我参加了星光演习。每晚，当我们在凤山中华民国装甲车实弹场时，我会坐在面对金门的海滩，我就会不禁回味往事。。。。。。

Crazy Night

2011-12-18T09:16:00.003+08:00

Went to my cousin's house last night...Had a couple of beers and espresso...Was totally shagged out...But I gotta still work in the morning lol...

After talking to him, I realize that sometimes in life, work and fame is definitely not the most important thing. I guess I am having the same mentality as him when he was younger...Throughout the 20 years of my life, I had daresay I had live life to the fullest but that is certainly different from enjoying life to the fullest. Sometimes, there is a tendency for humans to question their own existence, sole purpose in life and stuff like that... However, if you posed me the same question, I cannot give a concrete answer. The reason is simple, there is simply no final objective or goal in life to be satisfied or fulfilled. Some people liken life as a game. I would say that when you split life up into different section, it is like a game. This is because at every part of life there is bound to be objectives and agenda to be met. However, in the end, when all of these are met, there is simply nothing left to be done. I mean, in the end, no matter how well you have played the individual games, everyone will end up dead some point in their lives.

I guess if you asked me this question at every stage of my life, I will give a slightly or even a very different answer to that question. For now, I truly believed that life is like a extended version of National Service. You enlisted as a recruit whereby your parents have to teach you everything from learning how to feed yourself to talk. Thereafter, you go schools where you are taught theoretical stuff like sciences, math and languages. At the same time, school paint for you a highly idealistic picture of life, like how the SAF Command School always try to do the same with their cadets. After graduating, you will join the workforce (or combat unit in the armed forces). Maybe at some point in life you get married and have some fun after work. (Just like in the force, you have fun when you are not going for training). At the end of the day, all of us will reach the life's ORD just like in NS.
If I use the similar mentality I had in the armed force and transfer it to life, it would certainly be a very morbid description of what all humans are going through. But sadly, believe it or not, it is true. I mean is getting the 10k a month pay so important? Maybe for a few months when you draw that kinda of pay, you will be extremely happy. However, it is a matter of time before you will realize that there is something more to life than just wealth and fame. Nor it is just about love and family like most idealistic people would suggest. I think by saying that ones should strike a balance is certainly a cliche. If we consider the analogy of life, I think the most of important way to complete this "NS" is by enjoying it. Some people felt that "chao keng" is the most enjoyable thing to do in NS. Some people will feel that "chionging" in the army is the way to go,if you truly wants to have enjoyable Army experience. I think I belong the second group of people whom believe that in all things you do, you do it to the best of your ability. There is no such things as slacking in my dictionary.

Ok time to go do some constructive work.

2011-12-12T10:00:00.001+08:00

Been running for the past 5 days...This morning when for a short run in order for my body to recover 3km...

PT regime

2011-12-10T19:49:00.000+08:00

I extended my run to 5km today...I must keep up this regime for the rest of my life

PT regime

2011-12-09T19:25:00.001+08:00

Ran 4 km today again...Like my normal In-camp PT session...

4km + 3 sets

2011-12-08T19:16:00.002+08:00

Did my routine 4km and sets of exercises...Trying to restart my strict regime of work, study and PT that I had cultivated in the SAF School of Armour...

2011-12-04T18:51:00.000+08:00

Lol...Cant believe the first part-time job requires me to do Cloud Programming...In other words...I gt like 1wk to brush up my rusty PHP/SQL/XML knowledge in order to work with databases mre efficiently...

Operational Ready Date

2011-12-03T10:33:00.002+08:00

This week is one of the most important defining moment in my Full-Time National Service and I daresay my whole life. The entire week we spent days after days practicing for the ORD parade. Hours of getting screwed under hot sun by our dear RSM, forcing to run rounds around the parade square because we fail to shout the regulation pauses or when our drills are not executed up his standards, and to end it all up, I had to prepare the vehicle for the COCOC parade next week also.

On 2nd December 2011, on 1000 hrs, Archer, Braves, Cougar, Stallion and Hercules company executed a well-rehearsed march into the 40 BN SAR parade square. It was the start of the end of the military tour for all the NSF participating in the parade on that day. Towards the end of the parade, we executed a slow march up the step leading to the Battalion HQ, while the Commanding Officer came to attention and salute the passing out soldiers for the very last time. It was a very dignified and solemn occasion indeed.

After that we went to the Archer Company lecture room to collect our transcripts and most importantly for those that are ORDing on that day itself, their dearest pink ICs.

At the end of the day, we had an ORD function at Joy Garden Ball room. It was there when the 1st year commanders, 2nd year commanders ( which is us) and the men of 40 SAR met and reminiscence the past 2 years of the 9th Mono-intake journey together. Video of 2 years from the men's BMT and trade course leading to the grand finale of ATEC stage 2 was played. It was indeed a very touching and memorable moment for all the NSFs and the regular alike.

Time really flies in the armed forces. My advice to all to-be NSF (or Enlistees), do your best in the Armed Force and have an open mind when undergoing the training in the force. And at the end of the 2 years journey, you will pass out without any regrets and life in the armed forces will be something to be remembered for many years to come.

2011-11-07T18:45:00.002+08:00

Went to have a haircut at the Woodlands Area. The hairdresser told I have to wait if I wanna get my hair trimmed at her shop. I decided to take a stroll around this area which I haven't been exploring for ages. This area is where my maternal grandmother's house is located in. Most of my childhood memories revolved around this area. Since I was born, I was entrusted be taken care at my grandmother's house while my parents go to work in the day. This took place until I was around 7. Thereafter, I seldom return and visit my grandmother due to the hectic school life I have been experiencing.

Walking through the line of shops that I haven grown up to be familiar with is like a journey down the memory lane. I could still remember after lunch everyday, my grandmother will bring the kids (my sis, my cousin and me) to run around the void decks. Those were the days when I do not have any worldly troubles and desires. Most of the shops there hasn't change much since I remember clearly. There is a breakfast shop that sell local breakfast delicacies is still operating. As far as I can clearly remember, that shop is operational even before I was born. Reminiscing the past is such a wonderful thing to do.

All right, back to work.

Combat Mission Shock Force

2011-10-26T18:05:00.002+08:00

Was trying out this game that is a combat simulator...The way the units work is extremely like how a Armour Battle Group in SAF work...Interesting game

End of Exercise

2011-10-17T20:13:00.003+08:00

26th September 2011 we took a 7 hrs chartered flight from Changi International Airport at 1430 from Terminal 3 to Rockhamptom Airport. From there, the FSG personnel started the briefing and thereby we kicked start our pre-exercise administrative and logistics work. This was followed by an intense 3 major exercise which included the final exercise of the National Service. The entire overseas exercise ended with a awesome ABG live firing which demostrate the firepower and the strength of the integrated 3G SAF.

Throughout the 21 days, I experienced the rapid and unbearable weather changes, which made me feel that S'pore weather although humid, but at least it is not as unbearable as I once thought. I guess the toughest of it all the numerous outfield training and exercises that we have to endure. Unfamiliar operating climate and terrain added up to the stress level of all the troops.

I think the most memorable time will be the 5 days 4 night ATEC evaluation which our unit did pretty well. It really requires all the troops and commanders to put in their heart and soul for the final outfield exercise of our National Service. The feeling was the same as if you are taking 'A' levels. 2 years of hard work and mugging translate into paper and grades. Just like 2 years of sweat and blood translates into conviction, pride and honour for yourself, your fellow soldiers and their entire unit as a whole.

Finally we ended the exercise with a 2 days RnR where we visited wildlife reserves, their shopping mall, the beaches of Rockhamptom. Finally we took a SQ flight back to Changi International Airport Terminal 2. Touching down was a good feeling. Walking on the soil where you have regarded as a Home, for the past 20 years of your life, where you have sacrifice 2 years of your youthful years to contribute to the defence of this island nation, a place which has groomed me into a useful person, was a very pleasant feeling. I then took a bus back to the camp and started to unpack my personal equipments. Finally I am back.

2011-09-03T20:51:00.001+08:00

Back to camp...get ready to revilie extremely early to prepare for Army Half Marathon...who asked 40th SAR to be organizing unit this yr..zzz

2011-08-29T01:05:00.000+08:00

Played Team Fortress 2 for the enitre day...extremely unprodcutive day...

2011-08-27T19:54:00.001+08:00

Just wake up from a 2hrs nap...Hate to sleep during wkends, but the cool weather due to the heavy downpour is optimal for a good nap...

Slack for a while more and I shall be back to the study of my dear Organic Chemistry...

2011-08-27T12:38:00.002+08:00

Organic Chemistry...Alkene Chemistry is killing me...From simple A level reaction H-X Electrophilic Addition to alkene to Hydroboration to 1,3 dipolar Electrophilic Addition...And the side reduction/oxidation workup to form carbonyl cpds and carboxylic acids...Also, you have to bare in mind the mechanism as stable intermediates in the form of non-cyclical carbocation intermediate may undergo energetically and kinetically feasible Wagner-Meerain Rearrangement in the form of hydrides or alkyl shifts to form side products...Also, primary alcohols and primary products can be synthesize as a major product if cyclical imtermediate is formed....

zzz...gotta revise and move up to more hard core shit...radical..conjugation...and dienes...

2011-08-21T19:29:00.002+08:00

Quantum Mechanics...I have been solving problems of quantum mechanics for the past 2 days...I guess the concepts is kinda of abstract but interesting in the sense that it involves lots of vector and multivariate calculus...LOL...

I still remember during one of my H3 lectures back in 2009 when I was in J2, Mr Simon Tan, my H3 tutor was blabbering away about quantum mechanical postulates and observables...I do not quite get much of the stuff back then...But after studying more mathematics, I realise that most of the stuff, for example, Eigenfunctions and stuff like that are merely Mathematical manipulations...Hermitian functions...Guassian Functions and many more functions cannot be understood but they are just Mathematical relations to be applied lol...nothing fanciful...

More quantum mechanics next week when I book out...But now, for the meanwhile, I shall go and continue my study of Organic Chemistry....Cationic Polymerisation...Wegner Arrangement and what not...

2011-08-20T22:50:00.001+08:00

Ate potatoes and cheese for supper...back to quantum chemistry...My passion for chemistry is unyielding...

3 more months to Operational-Ready-Date

2011-08-13T22:01:00.002+08:00

The National Service journey started 2.5 years ago, when I was trying to own in National Junior College. Got my letter of enlistment from Central Manpower Planning Base (CMPB), and the next thing I know, 10 days after my H3 Physics paper, I made my way to Puala Tekong...
There I was posted to Pegasus Company. However, due to some administrative cock up, I was Pegasus Company was closed down and we were transfered to Taurus Company...
1 yr and 8 months and counting...From Basic Military School to Specialist Cadet School, I was transformed from a recruit to a Specialist Cadet, through a series of tough exercises. Although during these times of difficulties, I wanted to go Out-Of-Course, but looking at your peers and fellow cadets fight side by side with you, the thought of giving up dissappers. I could still remember my final exercise in SCS, Exericise Grandslam, a 4 days 3 night mission back in good old Tekong. On the first day, 2 of my section mates and I carried fieldpacks that was packed with combat rations and signal sets departed from Pualu Tekong Ferry Terminal to our first checkpoint. In total we got like 3 day and 2 night checkpoint to cover in the span of 24 hours with a average trekking distances of 28km...Walking and lugging that crazily heavy packs made me ponder why the hell I want even complete the course...But looking at shagged face of my friends, I pushed on and finish the first section of the exercise. After arriving at rocky hill camp training shed, which was our final destination, we breathed a sigh of relief and rested for about 5 hours, before we were transported to another location which we begin our 3 days 2 night mission exercise. In the morning, we took turn to lead a section to fight and walked around 24 km. At night we dug and dug...Turn out after turn out...Mind fucks after mind fucks...IN the end, when we walked back to Tekong Parade square 4 km away from our defence site, we stood there insipred...All of the guys completed the 4 days 3 night mission with 0 attrition rate.

After a traditional 28 km route march from Kranji War Memorial and back to SCS, a reminder of our solemn and sacred duty to defend our homeland, we graduated from the foundation term of the 04/10 Specialist Cadet Course.

After my stint in SCS, I was posted to Armour Training Institute, the Specialist Training Wing. There I ran the old Standard Obstacle Course and did circuit training until i vomit. Everytime i vomited, I got up and continue to run. I know with determination, I clear the veto factor of the course. After months of vocational training as a Armour Combatant, I went through a series of oversea exercises and local outfield which help me be a competant Armour Commander.

Combined Arms Terms was followed by a 04/10 SCCGP...After that I was posted to 40th Battalion Singapore Armoured Regiment as a Section Commander...Like there wasn't as rosy as what my senior painted for me nor was it as tough or scary like what my dear instructors had always descirbed. Unit's exercise is always been a challenge, but looking at the determined faces of your men you are leading to battle, and the final victory you got...(especially best platoon in defence in the entire Battalion during PME)...its quite satisfying when you look back.

Now I am at the final lap of the NS journey...Going for the summary exercise in Australia, Shorewater Bay training area in Queensland...After that more duties and we'll be through!!! Hang in there my friends, exactly 3 months from now, we will get back our beloved Pink IC and walked out of Keat Hong Camp for the very last time...Victory Unto Victory

National Day

2011-08-09T11:01:00.002+08:00

Its National Day again...Not really of much significance...Its just another day...I guess being in NS makes me immune to such sudden outburst of patriotism and emotion...Having been through the thick and thins in NS, already allow me to understand what it means to serve your country...

My latest recreational project: Fluid Dynamics I....Gonna make a simulate particle flow in a perfect dynamics system that obeys fluid as a continum...

MA1505 revision

2011-07-24T22:39:00.003+08:00

Since 1 week ago, I have been revising Multivariate Calculus espcially vector calculus in detail...

Been doing problems after problems...I must say multivariate calculus is a subject that requires immense visualization skill...

In a nut shell, multivariate calculus consist of double and triple integrals, and applying them to solve physical problems such as density, centre of masses and volumes...The usage of polar, cylindrical and spherical cooridnates are required in many problems as much physical problems consider of such scenerios.

Vector calculus can be intimidating initally, but technically it can summed up into 3 different domains....Vector Field, Line Integral, Surface Integral...

In vector field, you need to understand the concept and how to prove conservative of vector field...Lots of application in thermodynamics when doing theoritical proof especially when deriving Maxwell's Relations...

Line Integral is quite easy espcailly if Green's Theorem can be applied...At times, Stokes' Theorem may be applied to simplify problem...

Surface Integral can be tricky at times, which requires visualisation skills...WIth the use of Divergence Theorem, vecotr problems becomes a question of solving triple integral...

I guess I will have not much problem excelling in this module 1 yr down the road with constant revision...