it's all worth it now.

I have just received my C.O.S (Certificate Of Service) today, the paper that actually certifies the completion of your National Service and grades you accordingly based on your entire National Service performance. It brought a genuine smile on my face, as soon as I saw the words 'Conduct - Outstanding (Top 10%)', knowing that every single thing that I have done has been worth the effort and sweat.

On a deeper level, I couldn't help but to recall the milestones of events of my National Service life in SOC.

1. First, the culture shock in adapting to the squad, which is largely made up of people who smoke, who have zero respect for others, who act in the rowdiest manner, and worst of all, who indulge in pornography and premarital you-know-what. It may sound like I'm exaggerating things, but I'm not. However, I have these people to thank for, for without them, I wouldn't have a platform to hone my tolerance and patience.
2. Next, there was the intensive 10-days deployment for the Singapore 2006, IMF/World Bank Meetings in September 2006.
3. In November 2006, I took over as the leader of the squad. This was only for name-sake as it was futile exercising my leadership over people who do not have the least respect for another. It was not until each intake of officers start to ORD one by one that I began to enforce my leadership skills.
4. Then came the Chiang Mai trip in January this year. That was one trip which I enjoyed because I was largely on free-and-easy mode and I got to travel to places where I wanted.
5. My stint as a sentry officers for three grueling months. Why grueling? It's the shift pattern that wears me down to the skin. But of course, it is not until you're in that position before you start to learn about the nuts and bolts of it.
6. In May, I was posted back to squad with a new responsibility - a driver for the Police Tactical Squad Vehicle. Despite being a rookie driver, I was almost immediately tasked with the duty of driving the vehicle into the Singapore Indoor Stadium as part of the demonstration of the Police Day Parade SOC segment.
7. It was in late August when we went on the STAR Cruise trip, another trip which I enjoyed, this time because I tried my hands on some things for the first time in my life, primarily snorkelling.
8. And most recently, the transferring out of my two supervisors as a domino effect consequence of some stupid things that some guys did, despite repeated warnings against such acts. It is however a blessing as far as I see it, since my two supervisors, who have been instrumental in my NS life, have both found new abode, hopefully better working environments.

After so much of giving my best in everything and setting the best example I can be to others, it finally boils down to this paper which justifies my every word and action. It was all worth it.

Thank you, SI Goh and SSS Saad.

this day, i'm free!

10 November has finally arrived, and it's time to say bye-bye to much of everything about NS. I cannot help but to feel a sense of nostalgia. After all, it is during this NS times that I've learnt so many lessons, made so many friends, and of course been through so many wonderful experiences. I'd challenge naysayers who oppose the good of NS. Well, it may sound like NS has been all but a rough period of time for me, which isn't true at all. It is through these difficult times that I learn to be more rationale and independent in making certain judgements.

This day marks another beginning, a new phase in my life. After this day, I am considered an operational ready Police National Serviceman (PNSman). And I cannot wait to embark on the next stage of my life. Let the curtains roll! =)