The power of Technology

Every week after i got back from camp, the first few things i'll do straight away without fail, is to log on to the net. Friendster, blogs, msn, emails are just some of the routine must-do stuff. And after that i'll paused and start to observe the changes in the house, last but not least, let the thoughts run wild again. Issues pertaining to what happened over the past week, and also some food of thoughts after viewing some friends' updates.

First and foremost, St. Valentine's day. Somehow that day was rather bad, not particularly for me, but it was a day i think it's best it didn't existed. That Wednesday was the day we had a Connexion Trail, a NE kinda excursion to Temples and Mosques. After it concluded, everyone else in the whole battalion was free to leave, and this includes all the men have nights off, special privilege for Valentine's day, but the only one left were men from my company. The reason was that there's exercise the following day, and thus they have to prepare the stuff required.

Personally i don't see a need for them to do so, even if the preparation is crucial, the least we could do is to let them have the night for their partners once the job is done. Most of them were able to complete the required tasking around 7pm, yet they have to stay behind. Even though i'm an officer, and as much as i wish to let them off, there's nothing much i could do. 2nd Lieutenant is the lowest form of officer and our words don't carry any weight at all. I always wanted to be PC where my men will have all the welfare when they deserve it, yet after i started being a PC, it became crystal clear that there's nothing much i could do for them, and it's
often told to us that it's better to draw a clear line between men and officers.

I never believe in such shit for that even as a cadet, i often get reprimanded for not being able to be harsh when the need arises. I believe in everything our men do, they are doing for our sake, and why should we be so critical and harsh to them even when there isn't a need to. The argument often revolves the fact that when officers are too close to men, they start climbing over our heads and demands more instead of working harder. Until now, i think it's a fair statement, but this shouldn't be the obstacle that deprives them of privileges.

Before i side-track, back to v'day, despite all the men staying back to prep, all the officers book out. This was the guilty part. Myself included, we left the men behind while we had our nights out. Not that i'm on a date or anything, but i just joined few of my fellow officers from other company for a meal in town. While my colleagues in my company went Mambo and came back around 4am.

I got back around 9pm and i went to talk to my men. Without doubt, they felt cheated. Why do officers have privileges like this, and why do they have to stay in while the whole battalion book out and have the night till 2359hrs. Of cause minus the fact that the rest do not have any exercises the following day like them, they felt "jailed" for nothing. My upper study wasn't really into giving them the night off as he felt they don't deserve it. I don't know why he feel that way, but he did wanted to give them night off the following Thursday after the exercise. But guess what? The exercise only cut after 9pm, nights out was never given.

Sometimes i just wonder is it that as an officer, my job is to instill tough disciplines, train them hard, make them suffer during peacetime exercise, so that they will not "die" and get extras when it comes to real Ops or real war? Or that i should try to fight for them on days where they ought to be given some welfare? The grey line is so thin, no one can really answer this.

Maybe i'm not the best officer around in SAF, but i always talk to my men, and i want to know what they feel or think. I never believe in leadership through fear instilled in them. For things they done for me, are just to ensure they don't get punished and they will never understand the real rationale behind it. I rather be their friend after work, than to be an enemy whom they will avoid every time they see me.

Moving on to the exercise on Thursday, and like i mentioned earlier, it cut only after 9pm. My direct superior, OC, came down to the exercise deployment ground and did a 2 hour leashing on us. There were zero compliments on the job done by our men, instead there were zillions of fault pointed or questioned by him. I'm not saying what he pointed out was pure fishing bones out from eggs, but it got to a point i think he's just criticizing every little thing. And i think to be a good commander, pointing out mistakes for your subordinates to correct is healthy, but when you don't even want to do it in a positive manner and instead just kept complaining and criticizing, how do you expect them to absorb and understand the true rationale? Anyone can do the job of looking at faults, but can everyone guide and teach like a good teacher with patience and proper guidance?

I have to say my OC is someone who has good thoughts and foresight to be able to criticize, but if he could better manage it, i think our company will be better off rather than having the current situation whereby men are against officers. They just feel that hard work is never appreciated yet more work is tasked and more extras given.

Moving out of army issues, the dinner trip to town on v'day was simple and fun. Together in a group of 5, yes, all males, we took a train down to somerset. The moment i stepped out, i saw a gal, and her splitting image of a friend of mine gave me a scare. Sharin if you're reading this, that gal has 90% similarities, just that she's 1 size bigger which eventually gave her out.

So as we were walking around, i was telling my friends how walking around in town during v'day can get ourselves smack right into the face by the zillions petals and millions of flowers on the street. Nevertheless, it seems like there ain't many rich arse out there who got the crazy triple 9 amount of roses for their spouse. Maybe diamonds and cars are more in now.

So we walked aimlessly and end up chewing breads in Subway over at Cine. Quite a good spot to hang out actually. Cause the choke-point of the whole cineplex is just outside the Subway. You just get all the eye-candies moving up and down the escalators. 6 inches bread for v'day, sounds good huh? My friends were saying it's okay for us to be in town even though it's v'day, for that we can just head to fast food and those cheapo areas for our dinner, but guess what? Budget couples are still around, apparently everywhere was pretty crowded.

What happens when 5 guys are out during v'day? With me around, there's always something naughty up my sleeves. So i suggested to pull off the couples' hand, walk close behind couples and deliberately say things like, "Hey, this guy looks familiar, i saw him with another gal last night.". But of cause, that's just too gay to be done. Nothing much happened and we head back to camp in a cab and the female cabbie was friendly and fun to joke with, i asked for chocolates since it's v'day. There's none she can offer, but the fun chat was good enough.

Remember the previous post i had with regards to my friend's blog site, which sells jewelry and stuff? (The-Jewelicious) Apparently her business is picking up and i think she has long passed the 100 dollar mark. And her clients are actually asking for friendster contacts for that they felt good doing business with her. Humans can be really amazing at time ain't it? Some of my friends who bought from her, somewhat befriended her as well. So much about ugly side of humans, this i think clearly shows when you're sincere and nice, people do like it. Maybe it only applies between gals? Guys have egos too big to swallow? You be the judge.

Last note, happy CNY to all Chinese, and thank you to those other ethic race personnel who will be on duty for us. Have a fun festive period ahead. And if i get too bored, you guys would probably see another post from me real soon. Till then.