the excursion to bmtc

bmtc, or otherwise known as basic military training centre is situated on pulau tekong. this is where all the new army recruits undergo their first experience of national service :)

dash's school organised a learning journey to bmtc for some of 512 students last wednesday :) dash saw some of her students from w35k in semester 2008 - and the unity within this fun class made dash nostalgic for them. ahhh! ^_^

during this visit, the students got to experience at first hand, the standard obstacle course that the recruits all had to undergo, taste the food rations, try out the face camouflage, try their hand at firing the m16 at their training simulation firing range, see the uniform, gadgets and field equipments, as well as look into the sleeping bunks of the recruits.

personally, it was an eye-opener for dash since bmtc has evolved much since dash's family visited her brother at the bmtc in 1995. dash still remember that we had to board this tanker water vehicle to get to the island - now it's a ferry similar to the ones used for transport between singapore and batam. in 1995, dash remembered the place looked greyish-green, and gave dash a dreary clinical feeling. now today, upon arrival, the buildings and landscaping of the island all reminded dash of a holiday resort! in 1995, the food tasted alright then, but dash didn't remember a wide array of choices. now the field ration packs actually has 30-over menu!

hmm, dash doesn't mind having her taxpayer monies go to providing such comforts for the recruits - afterall, the bmtc training is tough! so, thanks for taking up the rifles, crawling through the mud, mustering all the chin-ups, strategizing all the war games - all in preparation to defend our little red dot! : )

[in the picture is the quote from mm lee kuan yew at the base of the singapore flag statue that stands in front of the first building that greets visitors to bmtc - "if you who are growing up does not understand why we have to defend this country, then i say in the end we will lose.".]