Camp.

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I went back to camp today, and yes, it’s my army camp somewhere and I dropped off at Yew Tee MRT station.

Actually, I’ve always wanted to return to camp. Primary it’s because I want to visit my RQ and Signal Store IC and some of the individuals who I have befriend and they have become more than just superiors or subordinates – they are friends.

So we arranged and the 5 of us trooped down the usual pavements and HBD blocks that lead from the MRT station to the camp gate. It was a totally different feeling – going back as civilians and without the “feeling” of booking in. And for me, a relief that my handphone will never ring as much as it did when I was the QM.

Called it fate, but I decided that we should return to 41 first before going to brigade to find our RQ and how coincident is that we met our RQ at the road junction in front of HQ block. It was really nice and comforting to see her again after half a year. Even though we conversed over the phone a couple of times, seeing someone in person is always better.

We met SSG Evon as well and we proceeded to this newly set-up room which is meant for the men of QM platoon. Okay, half the room was sofa and the other half, some tables and chairs. And we had a good time catching up and chatting to one another.

In between, I went to find HQCSM and I’m glad that I found him in his office. He is still his same old self, just that he has a car now and a proud owner of the triangular probation plates. I met ‘Bravo’ OC and CSM as well. It is a good thing that they still recall me. Definitely, I have made some impact.

In retrospect, I never hated National Service. Yes, it took away two years of my life and maybe, precious time in securing my tertiary education and maybe, restricted my chances in chasing someone I like. But it thought me many intangible lifeskills and allowed me to make friends with people I would never have met elsewhere. Also, it taught me the authority and influence that one has when in power and how to discharge my duties accordingly.

And in this eleven months in this second-year active unit, the bonds that I have forged with certain individuals are deeply imbued in me and these emotional bonds, will forever be priceless because they were built with a commodity that is always in demand and it is time.

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