And the Winner is....

Months of inactivity and generally keeping busy with the better half. Though the thought of going back for In-Camp Training right after the Chinese New Year holidays wasn't all that appealing, much less going back for the much dreaded Stage 2 evaluation.

I had rushed to finish and hand over what work I had prior to that (I at least want my short holiday to be undisturbed) and the buildup to the exercise wasn't as smooth as one would like it to be. It was afterall, a 3-week affair.

Granted, the first week was kinda slack as we brushed up on the planning and SOPs. And then a quick pep-talk by our out-going Div Comd. Interesting conversation though:

Div Com: So, which is the best company?

(A, B, C OCs all quiet)

Div Com: No one wants to answer? Where's the Scouts?

Me (Scout PC): [Hong gan....] Sir, Scouts are the best! (What else you expect me to say?)

Div Com: Really? Good to hear that because I agree you have to be the best in order to serve the rest of the Battalion well. So let's do this one more time, which is the best company? (Think half expecting all the OCs to take my lead and claim the title)

B OC: Sir, I think all of us are quite equal. Have to remain humble (smile)

Div Com: Good. I agree humility is good but I also want you to have confidence in your own men. So C, which company do you think is the best?

(My OC Support company slides up to empty chair beside me hiding behind the other staff officers)

OC Support: Support Company!

(Everyone laughs)

We went on and slugged it out for the evaluation, us scouts having to move out an extra 24hours ahead and losing more of our blood to the jungle commandos. It was sheer torture having to bash through the vegetation and struggling to find a way through the swampy areas. I almost gave up during the first night from exhaustion after being on the move for 4 hours straight and carrying too much weight I believe. In the end, we managed to get a fairly high rating for our efforts. Two of the scout teams managed to earn a name for themselves by adopting an aggressive posture instead of retreating when encountering an enemy OP (but sadly, they both got "KIAed" and I think we lost some points on that) but clearly our CO was quite impressed and approved of the teams' spirit.

Coincidentally, our Battalion was named the best NS Infantry Battalion of the Division for the previous work year, taking over from the "retiring" Battalion. Not a bad experience though. Not bad at all.

The writer is still recovering from the many bites and scars from that traumatic 3 weeks.