The making of a new Army Boy

The day has finally arrived! Nigel enlists in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) tomorrow as part of his National Service (NS). His first 3 months are for Basic Military Training (BMT) where most of the fun happens! For the unprepared (e.g. Nigel), it might be a bit of an eye-opener to the sudden requirement of complying with strict rules, physical punishment and rigid and unchangeable schedules, down to the minute.

And don't accuse me of not trying to get him ready for this major milestone in the life of a Singaporean male - I have been giving him advice, tips, stories of my (then two and a half year) stint which happened in the prior century. But as they say, one ear in, the other ear out - or maybe it was the long hair absorbing the sound, or the headphones getting in the way.

He insisted on cutting his hair before he goes in. Apparently then you can spent more time on choosing a nice bunk - not sure if it really works that way.

After all has been said and done, here we are, on the cusp of him becoming a man, a soldier and a smelly recruit. Some things are better experienced in person, for example, the term "knock it down" and "see that tree over there!" He'll know those and many others by heart soon enough!

As a parent, I can't wait for him to gain some discipline, direction and purpose. But another part is anxious for his safety, wellbeing (physical and mental) and ability to wake up at 530am each morning and fall-in at the parade square without us being there to nag him. Maybe some of his platoon mates will take on that responsibility? 🤣