I later found out that the event was actually aimed for 2nd generation PR (all PRs whose children will attend NS), so there were a lot of parents who gave us questioning looks.
Here are the "special" guests
This pict is taken when I arrived in Pulau Tekong [I guess the camp is located in different island so that the boys cannot escape :D]. The buildings in the background are the NSmen "apartments".
This is my favourite banner , hung on the gate in Pulau Tekong, welcoming the fresh men. Couldn't stop laughing when I first saw this. So sweet ;D
[from here, no more picture taking. quite sad coz there were a lot of cool experiences to remember]
The visitors were given a tour around the island to experience more about NS. We were also allowed to try one of their training facility, the Individual Marksmanship Trainer in which I shot virtual target with a real M-16 rifle. Great experience, as I managed to give deadly shots around the head and chest *so proud of myself*
Next we went to their bunks, which are very decent. 10 guys in a room, with bed and metal wardrobe provided. Each company building(200 people) is equipped with one common room, inside : aircon, tv, sofas, reading materials, and...... pool table. Cool!
The medic facility is also wonderful and apparently, the docs there have the same problem with their colleagues on land, high number of sickness after weekends :D
After the tour we had a short presentation and Q&A session, just normal talk. The interesting part came afterwards.
Ms Tan (MOE officer in charge of us during the event)
[to the scholars] : I need to talk to you guys.
Felix : Yeah?
Ms Tan : You'll be having lunch with some guests, please look for your name on the table
Felix : *guests? who?* Oh, ok.
So I went to a big table in the soldiers' canteen. A guy in black grabbed my arm and pulled me to my seat. On the table, I saw something like this
Guy in black : Hey, Felix. Come sit here, beside the [censored]
Felix : *Gasp, Oh my....* WOW! (looked left and right)
On the table, beside mine, there were other cards with names on it. On my left was Col. Benedict Lim and on my right was A/P Koo Tsai Kee.
Here is a pict of Mr. Koo (I couldn't find Col Lim's)
For the benefit of you who do not know much about Singapore govt, Col Benedict Lim is Director, Public Affairs/MINDEF Spokesman. As for Mr Koo, he is.....Minister of State for Defence! You have to be on my seat to get the feeling of sitting in between MINDEF's top personnels.
[I later found out that the guy in black is actually another SAF Colonel as well]
So for the first few minutes, the conversation on the table was like
*eating*
Minister Lim : Come, take the chicken
Felix : Oh, yes, Sir
*munch, munch*
Minister Lim : Here, eat more veggie
Felix : yes, Sir
*chomp, chomp*
Col Lim : Do you want more rice?
Felix : Oh, ok. Thank you, Sir.
But, after a while, I was more relaxed and was able to have some normal conversation. The two gentlemen beside me are amazing people and I was honoured to sit and have lunch with them.
Then, in the end of the lunch
Ms Tan : Felix, do you mind stepping aside?
Felix : Hmm, ok. *what is it this time?*
So I followed a guy who took me from her out from the canteen. Before I could ask him why, I was standing in front of a camera. *wow, great, another cool experience* [but now my knee seemed reluctant to co operate]
I was there on a field, under blazing sun. A three legged camera, bigger than my torso stood still opposite me, its owner slightly behind, with earphone attached. A guy holding a mike was on its right. On the left, an interviewer ready to bombard me with questions.
I smiled like a sheep, squeezed my hands, lock my knee, and answered. Throughout the session, I silently prayed that the camera is equipped with image stabilizer or else it would appear that I was interviewed during earthquake.
When it was done, a deep sigh, handshakes exchanged, and then we all went back to the city.
BMTC visit was over, I rushed to Dhobby Ghout for Die Hard 4, still thrilled by my half day visit.
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