[Life In Green] [Enlistment Day - Part 2]

Enlistment Day - Part 1

My story begins in 6 December 1995 - my enlistment date in the army. As required by my country all able-bodied males of age 18 have to serve the nation in the military for a period of two and half years. To say I was looking forward to it would be a understatement of the century. I mean for most people serving in the military would not exactly be on the top of the list of "Want-to-Dos'. I could not sleep the night before my enlistment day and woke up bleary-eyed the next morning.

I mean for the next 2 weeks of my life, I'll not be able to see my parents and friends and perhaps only be able to see them over the weekends for the next 2 years. It was definitely not a occasion worth celebrating. As I made my way to the reporting base, I remember looking out of the window of the cab and my mind was a blank. I know my parents especially my mum was rather worried as she tries to pass last minute instructions to me like "Boy, Remember don't argue with the officers.", "Put only one scoop of washing powder!" and so on.

As I walked up to the reporting station, I know my heart was pounding cos' I know in a few moments, my life was about to take a huge turn and hearing my friends/relatives talk abotu someone else's horrifying experience in the army definitely did not do any good to my nerves. Then my first surprise came. We were herded into air-conditioned coaches! I though that we were to travel in those huge green hot and stuffy trucks (at that time I called them trucks but the proper name is 3-tonners).

We were taken to a central store to collect our army fatigues which I will have to wear for the forseeable 2 years. Frankly, I can't remember what was done but I vaguely remember that we were hurriedly herded from one station to another to collect our uniform tops, bottoms, helmets and so on. I was just going through the motion and avoid getting scolded by the army personnels barking out instructions. It was unnerving for me as everyone wa shouting over each other. Finally, we finish collecting our stuff and were now told that we will taken to the camp where we will begin our military training for the next 5 months or so.

My training camp is located off-shore and we had to take a transport which seems to me to be more suitable for transporting cars and vehicles then people. But I guess that's the most efficient way of transporting large number of people. But I'm getting ahead of myself. My first meal in the military was a test of my palatte. I mean I already knew from stories that meals in the military isn't worth writing home about but I was still hopeful that it wouldn't be so bad. The rice that was served was in huge lumps as if someone had just use their hands and scoop it. The rice was undercooked and the rest of the dishes were well, edible. I wasn't looking for restaurant standard or even fast-food standard.

Needless to say, I had very little for lunch and was wondering whether if dinner was as bad. I was wondering maybe this is a good way to go on a diet. Just as we were going to the off-shore camp, it started to drizzle and I can tell you you can't find a more pathetic picture of hundreds of would-be soldiers squatting on the transport (mostly looking miserable) dressed in some old yellow raincoats. I remember looking around and saw some people looking back and giving a weak smile. It would seem that the weather was depicting the emotions going through most of us there.