Medic is for Mediocre

Haha, i got made platoon commander on the first day of platoon field camp. 7 hours into the 12 hrs long 2mission exercise, i collapse from heat exhaustion. Physical exertion the MO calls it, heat related. Was put on drip overnight. I have three gaping holes on my left (master) arm now, it still hurts badly.

Medic (who looks like a 19yr old pes C9 NSF from ITE with a bad acne problem): "relax... I'm putting you on drip...(with quaver in his voice that throws spiny shadows over an inner version of me as i shrink into a corner arms raised and eyes livid with terror).

Me:"Um, heard you guys are very experianced with needles r-right? you guys stick it into yourselves and your buddies during your course right? my it looks very long and thick... um hey! AAARRGHHH!!!"

Medic (which i found out subsequently that it stood for MEDIOCRE):" Yes? what? um, beg your pardon?" (As he sticks the IV needle 2cm in and twisting it while sweating feverishly as he tries to align it to the vein while under my fucking flesh)

Me (regrettably alot more alert after the previous injection that curbed my disorientation that was a follow up from recovering from the dehydration):" AAARRRGGHHH!!!!"

Medic (who is visibly unsure and lost which is more terrifying to watch when you are the one he's sticking a stake into):" You're tensing up, don't...j-just relax, it's almost correct( he says as he pushes the needle 4cm further in and rolling the stem while changing the direction, all of which while it's in my vein and surrounded by thousands of screaming nerve endings)

Me (whose horror was unparellaled upon hearing the words 'almost correct' amidst excruciating agony and a small voice saying 'that's your master hand! your master hand!!!') :"AAARRRRGGGHH!!!"

Medic:" so sorry, it's wrong, i-i have to do it again, i'm taking it out n-now..."

Me(sensing acutly the tip and circumference of the metal shaft withdrawing from my body):"AAARRRGGGHH!!!"


The bloody medic does it once more before calling the doctor. I pass out due to fear and exhaustion while the medic is on the phone. I wake up to the doctor who diagnosed me.

Doctor(with kind and saviour like face seeming to say it'll be alright coz i'm here:"wake up cadet... are you feeling ok?"

Me(relieved beyond the extent the release of a severely repressed bladder can give):" yes i'm fine doctor... are you administering the drip for me?"

Doctor(smiling comfortingly):"it's ok, i don't have to.... Medic! Do it right this time, i'll be watching!"

Me( horror unparelleled):" AAARRRGGHH!!!!"





I feel much much better now. I'm more hydrated, but mostly because it's over. Thanks.

18 March 2004, Pulau Tekong, old tekong camp 2 site
Charlie Wing Cadets were conducting a Protection of Installation (POI) exercise. Present was my platoon, platoon 1, and two sections from platoon 3. the rest were at the other site, the old Malay School on the other side of the island.

7.35am A fierce punishment session takes place. The fall in timing was 7.30am, our lateness translates into a fast paced physical training session in standard battle order with rifle. Captain Halmie teaches us the importance of punctuality even under sleep deprived circumstances. After this, an After Action Review of the previous three missions takes place. The dialog ends at 9.00am. The timing of 10.00am is set for the next fall in for briefings for the next 3 missions that would last till saturday.

9.52am The cadet appointment holders runs amongst us shouting for us to fall in in full battle order. We stand stunned as we tapped our watches, foreboding another punishment session. We are put into swift action when the conducting officers rush in ordering our immediate reaction. We are told to pack and bring all the important equipment issued: Signal radio sets, Night Vision Goggles, prismatic compasses, binoculars and the like.

10.00am Captain Halmie, our platoon commander gives us a short update on what is happening. We are told intruders have been spotted on the island. They are armed and all units training outfield in Tekong are to evacuate immediately. We load into the 5 tonner transport and leave behind all the secondary store items: tables, benches, sandbags etc.

10.20am The rest of Charlie Wing arrive to join us at the training sheds next to the Tekong Ferry Terminal. We consolidate our blank rounds and account for the equipment we took back. We are told there are three intruders, they are armed with two pistols and one shotgun. There is a mixed feeling of fear and excitement, but mostly curiousity about what we would do.

10.45am One section from each platoon is sent back to the camp sites to retrieve the equipment left behind. They are accompanied by instructors who are armed with live rounds. The Tekong Regimental Police (RP) move out to protect BMTC, armed with live rounds. The Police Tracker Dog Unit, Search-Tactical Assault and Rescue(STAR) elite operation force of the police, police Special Operations Command's (SOC) task force, Commando Regular Force (CRF), commando's Special Operations Force (SOF), Military Police Gaurd dogs, Scout and Recce units on scramblers, all arrive on tekong and begin deployment. Some conduct the search, while others do defence or are on standby.

11.30am The Army Defence Force (ADF), SISPEC gaurd duty personnel, BMTC duty personnal who are combat trained,
are present and receive orders to








bah really long story, and i'm tired. we were sent in to patrol the tekong highway with live rounds and were to shoot to kill if engaged. kinda scary, kinda exciting, one in a lifetime experiance. yup. And our 5 day field camp was cut down to three coz we returned to camp that night and my wing got a long weekend lastnight. coolbeans.

The Changers
Written and Drawn by Eric Clayton Daniels

Shelley: I can't even imagine what it would be like not to have God in my life.

Geaza: In a way i envy you.

You have so confidently given yourself to something you can neither see, nor touch... In return for a life of peace, in fear of nothing.

In that you believe nothing happens to you without meaning and purpse - As arranged by a source of omniscient love.

That is significant.

But you must realize it requires a sacrifice... a sacrifice of will and reason.

Bisso could never do that. I could never do that. It's just the way we were raised - the things we learned growing up. Sometimes I wish it were not that way, but it just is.

Shelley: I understand.

I sometimes wish i had the audacity to turn my back on my creator because i couldn't bear the sacrifice of 'will and reason'.

But i can't... that's just the way it is.




That was an excerpt from an indie comic Tara sent me from Sydney. Thank you, I really enjoyed it very much.

I throw my toys around - No Doubt