...and with that, I find myself in possession of a (comparatively) cheap sword engraved with my name.
After days of rehearsals, the SAF finally appoints me as a 2LT, bestowing upon me great trust and responsibility (although it only does so from the 24th of this month). Strangely enough, I don't remember any part of it at all. Everything just ran like clockwork, and before I knew it I"m walking back to my seat clutching a sword and scroll tightly to my chest with a dazed look on my face.
Walk down the stairs. Don't swing your arms. Don't clap. Once the guy in front of you marches up the stage, walk to the stairs. Halt. Walk up the steps, don't bounce. Halt again. Ok, they just called your name. Take 7 steps and halt in front of the BG. Good evening, sir. Hmm, he has grey hair. Wonder if he's retiring soon. He just handed the sword over. Stick hands out. Grip sword in left hand, curl inwards and hold tight to chest. Right hand guides sword inward so it doesn't obstruct when you swing your right hand. Extend right hand for handshake. Thank you sir. Sidestep slightly to the right, take 9 steps to the edge of the stage. Halt. walk down, halt. Walk to the first row of seats. Halt. Walk up the stairs, don't swing your hands. Reach your row, halt. Walk back to your seat. clamp your sword with your knees, lion head facing outwards. Relax.
I don't remember how loudly I greeted him or thanked him, or whether I returned his handshake firmly, or whether I remembered to smile as I walked up to him. When you're there, all you can see is the sword, gleaming gold under artificial light. It's tacky, but you can't help but be wowed by it as it is thrust into your hands. It may be cheap, but once you're back in your bunk and you draw the sword and hold it in your hands you start to feel the weight. Not too heavy to make it unwieldy, but heavy enough to serve its purpose: to remind you of the burden of command responsibility that's been pre-emptively placed on your shoulders by the G.O.H. that evening, and which will be symbolically placed on your shoulders by your parents in a weeks' time.
It's easy to be an officer. It's not easy to be a good officer. that is what really scares me now. Ask any soon-to-be-commissioned cadet if he is scared, and if he says no chances are he doesn't give a damn about being good enough for his post, for the SAF, for himself, and for the men under his charge.
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16 comments:
Don't get bullied by the other PCs in your combat company, else you'll be leading the point platoon, the breaching platoon, the boat platoon and the company recce team for every exercise. Oh, and your commission is akin to getting a middle management post. Pretty crappy in the grand scheme of things, make sure your men know that, and most times, they'll sympathise and try to help you out. (At least, in reservist, we do).
I think you WILL be a good officer!! :-)
*sigh* thanks for all the advice. unfortunately, 90% of the above don't apply to me, because in 2 weeks' time i'll be an MTO (refer to post), and hopefully in another few months' time i'll be wearing the air force no. 3.
incidentally, most of what you guys have said coincides with what my instructors have been telling us so far (they are sick bastards, but they are ex-PCs too). in fact, after our first turnout, they told us, "the way we treat you now is the way you should not treat your men in your unit". hey, the SAF is going LO now, so don't worry too much about the pointless PT.
of course, that quote came from the same instructor who said "if your men all look like can jia (makan) one, then go and jia, understand?" *shrug*
if you get the chance, write this down and give it to your PC. we don't often get enough advice from our subordinates.
as a combat unit grunt, i wholeheartedly agree with everything everyone has said so far - they are absolutely right. you'd do well to pass those tips on to the rest of your fellow officers.
Congrats on your commissioning!
BTW, I have an officer fetish too. ;p I think it's 'cause they all have dark tans and bulging muscles from the torturous OCS training.
Oh yes, and might I add that the No. 1 helps a lot in enhancing officers' macho-macho image.
Merenwen! Down, girl!!
Sorry, sorry. *cows in abject misery at not being able to indulge my fetish but bows in deference to Mr. Miyagi*
As I understand it, Mr Miyagi looks quite striking in No 4 himself. :)
I was pressing the comments button furiously to swoon over officers in their uniform.. going to ask why didn't you post pic of u in uniform with that oohh-ahh sword *salivating* But apparently, I aint the only one with my primal instinct seething.. I'm so slow.
And yes.. there's something about officers.. that crisp and proper uniform that makes pple wanna crease it. totally different appeal from the camo uniform... yet still.. *roarrrrrr*
then again, my previous beau sneered at the name of officer cos most of them ended up being incompetent and unworthy of the hype.. (esp he has one at home tightening the grip of his hand whenever she sees one).. but he has no idea that competent or not..
who cares?
or so i thought.
do wish that u keep that passion alive and make a difference :)
Sorry... i forgot to add.. can I have a picture of Mr Miyagi in number 4? my email is..
erm, if you are shy, you can always mosaic or twirl ur face or something.
*BEAMS*
IMO, if an officer sucks it's because:
1) his instructors in OCS suck
2) the cadet selection system sucks
3) he sucked before he even went into OCS.
OCS doesn't stop you from sucking, and getting into OCS isn't a guarantee against sucking. you can't have good officers without bad officers hanging around as well.
but a smart officer will give it only as a reward, and cover his ass while doing so.
I'm an MTO, dude. As long as they turn up for their duty on time and with proper bearing and sign whatever they have to sign and do whatever they have to do, they can go to the canteen all they want. And if I'm free I'll go with them too.
Little doubt, the dude is completely fair.
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