Two down and a long,long way to go...

2004-06-27 10:25 p.m.

I’m writing this entry because I’m still working on other entries relating to economics and other current affairs topics. While on this note, I think it’s best to clarify some areas raised by someone. Blogs or online diaries are usually filled with stories of one’s daily events or precious moments. Sometimes they are used to slam individuals or release your inner feelings, but those are hopefully few and far between. When I started this diary, I never meant it to be a narration of my life story. For it to be so, I might as well write my own autobiography and publish it as a book. Neither did I want it to degenerate into a site that complains about life and people, although that can be inferred from certain entries. Rather, it displays (or sorts of displays) the poignant moments of my travel through school, work and life while presenting my thoughts on various things. Inevitably there will be subjectivity in it as it’s my own perspective. With regards to the latest entries on current affairs or politics, it’s my way of presenting logical thoughts on such issues as well as keeping up with my essay skills, which after half a year or so, is no longer the caliber it used to be. They do not present someone with an extremely serious attitude or one who does not know how to have fun. In fact, when my readers read them, it would be wonderful if they could place some thought insights on these entries in my Guestbook or email them to me. Critical evaluations are even better.

Anyway enough of that. The month of June saw quite a number of NSF personnel collecting their long lost pink IC and bidding farewell their green uniform. Yes, once again, it’s ORD time for the few who their in two or two and a half years of their life to the nation. The two of them I wish to focus on would be 3rd Sergeant Paul Lie and the second junior officer, 2nd Lieutenant Ong Qi Rui. Ok, let’s start with Paul. Paul is one sergeant who doesn’t look or act like a typical sergeant. When I say typical sergeant, I mean the type who screams when issuing orders and expects things to be done instantly. I’m also talking about the type who would rant and rave if a desk is a millimeter out of position or the table has a tiny scratch mark on it. When Paul gives instructions, it comes with a confident and strong tone while making it seem as if it is not even an order. If the task poses problems which you can’t tackle, he’ll jump in almost immediately and some how or the other, make it seem as if there was no obstacle at all. Even though his orders don’t sound harsh, he’ll still give them within the boundaries of his power, although there were times when he did cross them. Speaking about power, he knew how to exercise leadership and never burden himself with task that he knew others could manage. Even with this, Paul never tortured anyone with multiple jobs until that person would collapse. Oh yes, he was also an excellent teacher, in the sense that he would provide background on certain things that required such knowledge. A clear example would be the structure of the Brigade, and from that I could comprehend my main task with a clearer light. Being the main sergeant in the Brigade, he could deal with everyone with considerable ease and never showed any frustration at all. Everyone included the rowdiest person to those that were extremely shy, from the worst troublemaker to the most demanding section head. Oh yes, he also stuck an excellent rapport with all the Officers, a feat not accomplish by many. Outside of work, his computer skills were almost on par with that of an expert (that’s my view) and he’s a wiz at pool and other table games. He laughs whenever he feels like it and blurts out one or two jokes to ease the burden of the day. A sergeant with officer material in him I must say.

One of my staff officers, 2nd Lieutenant Ong, shares some traits of Paul but from an overall glance, is diametrically opposite to my sergeant. Ok, before I proceed, I must clarify that this officer has not completed his tour of duty in the SAF. Rather, he’s disrupting, for reasons best known to him himself. Right, now back to him. If you recall my description of the previous officer, Lieutenant Sim, you’ll remember that he firm but not entirely strict. His protégé is extremely firm and has an iron grip on everything, particularly this newspaper holder, which he uses to smack new NCOs if they don’t perform up to his standards. Maybe he was born on the wrong side of his bed, but what every the case, you’ll notice that a week would never end without his scream or giving someone extra confinements. He altered the rules of the Brigade quite bit, pouring more responsibility on the NSFs, despite his lowly officer rank. Trash cans now have to be cleared by the duty clerk and the Parade State must be issued by a certain time. Confinements are no longer half day but stretch across the night to the next morning. NSmen would remember him as the JDO who charged the most number of their comrades. With all his ranting and ravings, the Brigade did change to a small degree, with discipline improving in certain areas. His harshness however, was one side of him. If you struck a rather cordial relationship with him, you’ll find him as approachable as anyone. In fact, he Sergeant Paul and his upper study bonded together like glue in everything they did. He also gave tasks beyond my bailiwick such as writing a mitigation plea for some AWOLee and brought me to places I never thought I’ll visit such as the SAF detention Centre. Oh yes, his car because the most frequent used mode of transport for those who could strike a normal relationship with him, and if you were lucky, you could skip cookhouse meals and join him at some far away hawker centre or fast food joint.

But now, both of them have left, one for overseas study and one entering NUS this year. There is sort of emptiness without them and that would not be filled for quite a while, despite the new replacements that came in.

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