Ministry of Defence, Brunei Darussalam, Scholarship - Scholars Savour Military Flavour

Home

English Articles

Scholars Savour Military Flavour

Friday, 01 December 2006

Scholars step into the boots of a soldier for a week

Ladies looking smart in uniform

0600hrs and already, all have assembled at the Military Special Reserve Unit, Rimba – ready and waiting for further instruction. That’s military punctuality for you… not surprising considering the Regimental Sergeant Major had instilled the fear of day into the frail hearts of this ragtag band of mishaps the day prior to the programme. The military orientation program for recipients of MINDEF (The Ministry of Defence) Scholarships of 2005 and 2006 kicked off on Tuesday 18 July, extending to Saturday 22 July.

The first day of the program was riddled with a healthy dose of physical exercise and marching. It did not take long for bright-eyed, bushy-tailed innocents to be transformed into dull-eyed zombies. Despite the regular breaks and lenient treatment (since the Unit was instructed to administer only carefully controlled doses of army life instead of the full course), many found themselves questioning their sanity.

The fact that this was supposed to be a group with exceptional mental dexterity was not of very much help. The afternoon proceeded with lessons on methods of army communications – something one would expect scholarship recipients to welcome and excel in. Unfortunately, most seemed to have experienced a failure in brain functionality by then. It was, by large, a day of rude awakening to the harshness of army life.

A test of Scholar’s fitness endurance

On the second day, the physical exercise and marching resumed. Anticipating the worst after the first day, it seemed that the group had hardened its resolved and resoundingly decided to tackle the day’s trials head on. As a result, the heightened fervour was translated into a marked improvement in both marching and physical endurance. The afternoon was a welcome remission from the physical rigour. Looking beyond the façade of brute force, our attention was diverted towards a more mundane, but no less integral, aspect of military life – maintenance and care of our uniforms and kit. The condition of one’s military uniform or kit is an ample gauge of one’s commitment and discipline – two traits that we found to be the anchor of self-belief, which embodies the essence of what makes up a good soldier.

Still standing: After the 4km morning run

The remaining days involved instructions in weapons-handling, specifically on the M16 rifle and 9mm Browning handgun, and the odd lesson on military tactics and institution. On the last day of the program, we were given the opportunity to unleash our inner demons in a bout of massacring targets at the shooting range at Berakas Garrison. While some who approached this activity of mass genocide were undaunted, and were in fact eager, others were initially ill at ease with the prospect of handling firearms. However, such fears and anxieties were readily overcome, replaced by excitement and a sense of empowerment. Blinded by our cockiness and smugness at being able to ‘competently’ handle a weapon after a mere two days, we sought to outdo our instructors – to no avail. Failing miserably, it gave us an entirely new appreciation of the rigours of training that all members of the army have to endure.

Learning to shoot a rifle

Dispensing with the technicalities and physical aspects, what is more meaningful is how this program has affected each of us as individuals. It is insufficient to know that one has adequate physical prowess and mental capacity to complete all the tasks thrown at one’s feet. In reality, what matters most is whether you have the drive, perseverance, ability to vanquish your fears, and the confidence in your abilities and your teammates to brush aside any errant hurdle that unwittingly hobbles your way. The only way that such adherence within a group can culminate is through nurturing the ties between you and your teammates through collective agreement to shoulder responsibility, abiding by the strict codes of discipline and showing respect for each other.

Amid all of the thorns and brambles of training, we could not help but build a sense of empathy for the men who have made this a way of life. It is admirable that these are men who have voluntarily thrown themselves in line for their country. Our brief brush with the other side of life has left us, not scarred, but toughened with small, yet ever-present battle bruises to remember our experience. It has served to crumble away whatever callousness towards soldiers that may have existed, so that any future decisions that we may make during our future careers with MINDEF will not only benefit the higher echelons, but the unit as a whole. This in turn will catalyse the development of MINDEF by bridging the separate tiers within the ministry to remove any prevailing prejudice that might be an obstacle to mutual respect and cooperation.

Beyond the mission to unlock new opportunities for Brunei, this whole experience has not merely prepared us for our ever-eminent careers with MINDEF, but it is also a stride towards newer heights within ourselves as individuals. As soldiers would say, ‘Roger, out.’

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]