Darth Squeaker - Ramblings Of An Misunderstood Scientist

BMT

I just booked out from BMT after live firing and I have to say, I realised I've matured a lot. In terms of discipline and self-management skills, a year ago I would have floundered in BMT. Now, even though I barely possess the skills needed to make it, I am able to manage my time and learn everything as I go along and more importantly take care of myself. A feat I would never have thought myself capable of a while ago.

Indeed, I think a large part of all this goes to my family, i.e. my mother, father and brother and not least of all my new coach, John. He has indeed quite inspired me to go beyond anything I previously thought possible during training and sparked off more than ever my drive to excel and win. I think it was mainly this that forced me to take more care of myself and to be willing to make the sacrifices to go all the way.

A good example of all this, would be my trip to Oxford to see my brother. I know for most people, this would probably have been fine but I've never personally been on a trip to anywhere on my own, least of all without my parents . The experience was pretty freaky but on the whole enjoyable and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

Anyhow, enough with the deep stuff. Whoo! Hard work for a person who hasn't used his brain or gone to school in a year.

I had live firing the two/three days before and I did quite well. I also had one of the worst experiences in my life. True, it lasted less than a second but it freaked the hell out of me. Suffice to say that we have one blur soldier in my platoon by the name of Jonathan. Halfway through our live firing, when we just moved to the 50m mark for the standing shoulder position, from which there is no foxhole of sandbag to hide behind but a blank empty space, our CSM calls out to us to talk to us as there is a slight delay in the shifting of targets. Jonathan turns his head and along comes his rifle. Loaded with 4 rounds and cocked. Scares the wits out of me. Fortunately, the CSM screamed "Don't move your rifle! Your rifle always points forwards! Can't you move your head without your whole body turning? J* b**." Now that I think about it, the rifle was set to safe. Still, it was a very unnerving experience. One that I hope no one else has to go through.

Posted by Ming at October 26, 2004 06:00 PM