Time flies. I have just completed Week 3 of BMT. I read through my previous posts just now and I can't stop feeling that time really flies. By March 12 when I read back, I will be damn proud of myself, regardless of whether I make it to the commando airborne course. I have gotten used to army life. The quick pace, the food, the PTs and the perspiration. Kah Leong is right. PT can be fun too. Especially when you know that some part of your body is getting oiled. Don't get me wrong. I don't love it but I don't hate it either.

Monday was the worst day of BMT. Fresh from a much-needed break, we were subjected to some tough PTs. Come to think of it, I can't remember what training. I have it all written in my little small book , but I left it in camp. I only know that it was very tough and all of us were very demoralised. If that is a typical day in camp, then we are goners. Lectures were cramped in between physical training and we were running from place to place like some mad horses. From 5:30am all the way till 8:00pm. Just imagine the amount of work we did. Better still, I did not sleep well the previous night. In fact I did not sleep well for 3 nights in a row. My cough has become a real nuisance now. I even coughed till my head hurts. On tuesday, I reported sick because I started to have some green substance called mucus in my nose. Oh boy, it was super slack in the medical centre. We stayed there all the way till noon after seeing the medical officer. I killed time by reading newspapers and magazines. Then it got me thinking how lucky the medics were. They could watch tv, listen to music and use the computer. What a life.

The rest of the week was totally opposite of what we thought it would be. After some physical activities in the morning, the rest of the day was either lectures, weapon training or resting in the bunks. Talking about weapons, we just completed our SAR21 practical and theory test on Friday. Well, not surprisingly, everyone passed. That's not the point. The point is how fast we got bored with our new toy. We are supposed to be damn proud and honoured to hold the SAR21 because only the 200 plus of us get to use it. The rest of the recruits on Tekong still use the M16. But after so much rigorous and boring training involving the weapon, plus the extra weight it gives us during the route march, SAR21 has become a burden. Oh ya, we also carried it during our Standard Obstacle Course (SOC) training. It was not only a burden but also an extra obstacle. You never know when it is going to get into your way and whack you hard, giving you a few bruises to bring home.

Another important event during the week is the route march. This time, it's 8km. Not so bad, considering we get to stop for a 15 minute break every 4km. Still, it's not something easy especially when you are carrying the SBO(some pouch), helmet, backpack and SAR21. My rifle was wet at the end of the walk. That's how much I perspired. That happened on Wednesday, a day after I saw the doctor. I wasn't in the best of health but I had to complete it because I don't want to re-take it, and that spurred me on.

Next week would be an interesting week. From what I know, my platoon would be going to Hendon for swimming. That day will be tough as there is also power running after swimming. We will be getting our very own brand new SAR21 too. The one we are using now belongs to the camp. We will be going to SAFTI for range shooting. Not the real thing yet, just shooting at the screen. The highlight is the 12km route march. This time, we will be marching to Pasir Ris beach in full battle gear(with added weights). Sounds exciting.... and tough.

Army is in me now. The only thing which bothers me is my fitness. Very soon, we will be going to Tekong for training. If my body fails me, I will be lagging behind. It is very demoralising. I always give my best during training and I hope my efforts will bear fruit soon.

6 more weeks to go.