Finally the fieldcamp is over. Its like a heavy stone being lifted off my shoulder. Let me wish those that are going fieldcamp this week good luck. I shall pray for a dry and sunny weather for you.
Only when you suffer then will you appreciate all the things that you have now or lost... It is only when you test your limits - mentally and physically against the elements and then proceed to push your own limits, then will you grow from a boy to a man.Field conditions are uncomfortable, right from the environment, food, hygiene(no bathing for 6 days~) and also training. You will also see the true colors of your buddies, as the saying goes, 路遥知马力.
For my 6 days fieldcamp, it rained for 5 days. Not continously of course, but there was rain every single day. It rained for 2 of the nights as well.
I remembered vividly 1 night where we had to sleep with no shelter over our heads in the open, less for a few trees. The temperature at night in Tekong is very cold. When the winds sprung up, my heart sank. Very soon the rain fell. 10 minutes later I was shivering like nobody's business. My body was soaked to the core. I kept thinking that the rain is gonna stop ... stop. I looked at my watch - it was 2.30AM. I have been shivering for over 1 hour. I thought i was going to fall sick.
The thought of falling out kept spiralling in my head. My will began to falter with each passing second.
My buddies called out to me. "Eric, can i come over? I'm very cold."
"Yea i said." Through my clattering teeth.
Slowly more and more people gathered over to my place. Out in the open at night, 5 boys cuddled together, trying to get as much warmth as possible, while their bodies are bent over trying to get the crucially needed sleep for the training tomorrow. Their ankles are soaked in the mud. Their constant shivering vibrated each other. I didnt know how or when, but my eyes closed.
When i woke up, i looked at the watch again. It was 5.30AM. The rain was still falling. I noticed that my hands were wrinkled, the type that you see when you go swimming for a few hours. My boots have collected water, there was a squishy sound every step i took. I felt tired and totally demoralised. I was defeated.
When the order was given to fall in, we shuffled our feets. Everybody was downcast and the look of tireness can be seen clearly. Our officers said. "For those who have survived the night out there, i am proud of you. You guys have demostrated yourself that this is possible. No matter what, you have survived the night out here. This memory is going to stay with you, and in future no matter what happens, look back and compare. You can take this shit, is there anything else that you cant take?"
It was then that i realised i have survived the ordeal, victorious.
