The first step for NS is the medical check-up I had in CMPB. I was actually quite disappointed as I'm under PES B1, due to childhood asthma and mild underweight. I thought it might affect my posting. Way before NS, when I was still in JC or even secondary school, I was actually quite looking forward for NS as I thought it will train my physical, discipline and make me a better man. When I checked my posting online, I realised I will be enlisted on 30 Jan, I was sad. I was among the earliest batch as compared to my other friends, and envy those in May batch as they have a lot time left to play. Probably it's is because I just got back with my girlfriend and I have left with less than a month time to spend with her which I felt it is not enough. The 2 months from post A levels to NS indeed past by very quickly, I enjoyed myself but I find it too short though. Finally, the day came when I enlisted accompanied by my loved ones and buddies. After the departure of my family and friends, the attitude and atmosphere shown by my sergeants changed drastically, I knew I'm in Army and it is going to be tough. For the next few days in BMT, there are many changes in my life, from a carefree civilian life to a very restricted military life in which hierarchy is to be obeyed here. I remembered late in the night, when the lights are off and I lie down on my bed, I felt terrible and I did not want this kind of life anymore, but I know I have no choice but to stay strong. True enough, after the first few days, I realised I have adapted quickly to the military life, being a discipline soldier. The 3 weeks confinement period in BMT is really useful in transforming a civilian me to a more military personnel. In BMT, I get to know many new friends from different JCs, it was really a fun and special experience living with 13 other guys in the same room, we worked together like a big family and sometimes 2 or 3 of us even bathed together when the admin time is running out. As the time goes by, I get to know more friends from other sections, they are like our close neighbours, in which we look out for one another. Finally we POP-ed and we had our block leave while awaiting our next posting. I thought I will be able to go OCS as I was selected for the top 30% in my company. Before NS, I felt that I will be satisfied to be just a sergeant, and feel the OCS might be too tough for me. However, halfway through the course, my mindset start to sway as I wanted to go OCS as I feel it's more glorious to go OCS. When I checked my posting over the iPhone, I was shocked yet disappointed not to make it into OCS. I get over it quickly as I think SCS is not bad after all. First day into SCS, I got a culturally shock despite already heard of the different cultured in SCS. The senior cadets were extremely heart-warming to welcome us and seem to enjoy their work in being marshallers and other jobs. We were brought to our respective company and I realised that, almost all of the platoon mates that came to SCS, got into the same platoon in SCS Mike Coy. I felt happy at the start as I have many friends and able to work the people I'm familiar with. But towards the end of the foundation term, I felt it was a waste that I did not interact much with the people I do not know at the start. I am still mingling with my old friends from BMT, and made little friends from Mike Coy. I felt that it was a pity that I missed the opportunity to make many other great friends. In SCS, the system here is very different from BMT as the coy is run by specialists, with different appointments given to the trainees to run the show. Even the treatment is much better as we are trained to be leaders, not followers or recruits anymore. Before entering SCS, I heard that jumping to OCS is still possible and my hope of crossing over reignite once again. However, I did not demonstrate much leadership abilities in SCS and were not recognised and given any appointments by my encik. Furthermore, in the recent talk with 2IC, a question was raised by my section mates and we were indirectly told that having an appointment(LPS,LSM) was a must to assess our leadership, thus enable us to cross over to OCS. I knew my hope was dashed then. As said by my other encik, "we should not be focusing on crossing over to OCS, we should focus on being a good commander instead." I feel this is true as I'm not a good commander at the start, and should not aim so far to cross over to OCS. Being a good specialist should be my priority. With pride, we lead! (Contributed as part of the NS45 campaign which commemorates the 45th anniversary of Singapore's National Service, with the theme of "From Fathers to Sons")