The Mob

I got called back for mobilisation today, an absolutely stupid and useless day just to inspect our field packs. Had to drag myself out of bed at 10 in the morning, pack everything, stuff it all into a duffel bag and then drag the whole thing downstairs to take a cab to camp. It funny by the way, I never forgot how to tie my boots.

I reached the camp half an hour before the inspection and oh man was I sweating like a pig. I swear I hadn't sweat till beads form along my chin since the day I ORD-ed, and that was nearly 3 years ago. Memories of my service days started to flood my mind, I started to recall those horrible service days and I'm glad I don't have to do it everyday now.

The first person I saw during the mob was Mike. Mike, better known as Yuyang was this very atlethic gung-ho fella I had known since my primary school days. That was then, of course. Now he's a laid back white collar worker who's gotten plump. Oh my gawd. He never smoked as far as I remember and I was shocked to see him with the stick. Funny, I was telling Keith how Mike was energetic and healthy back in secondary school but through the years it like he starts to decline from a laid back soldier to a uh . . . . . . well Mike is now working in a small private advertising company. Come to think of it, I had a very atlethic body many years ago and now that I'm just busy with work, I've started to grow fat.

I was surprised to bump into KengWhye later, a very old friend of mine from way back during primary school. I wasn't expecting to see him in my unit, and I figured he probably got attached to us somewhere along the way. I sure was glad to see him again.

A little later the hall started to fill and the event became more like a reunion of sorts; old friends seeing old friends again and former platoon mates coming together again for another training. I saw Hengka again, all fresh and chirpy, then he surprised us with his shiny brand new "10 Packs". Gawd, I thought, this guy must be mad. I was impressed nevertheless, because he had once again shown himself to be an able leader. It kinda funny, how an old friend is my superior in green.

I met others along the way and there are those with a happy, upbeat life and then there are those with sad tales. Take Gerald for example; a smart, intelligent fella who was a medic in our company. You'd think he probably has a good job by now, or maybe a proper life but I talked to him and learnt later on that he had joined the construction industry, long hours, low pay, no social life and no girlfriend. If I had more time to chat with him, I would've wanted to say," C'mon Gerald, you're an able man so why aren't you doing anything with your life? I mean, I think you can have a better career path seriously." Bryan on the other hand, told us he's now a father and husband. He looked happy and all, so we're really glad for him.

It interesting that I got to see how people change with times, and you bump into old friend you had known since your childhood days and you just witness the changes in them.. then you come to a point where you realise that we're all growing old and how life goes by.

I'm looking forward now to my first ICT. I hate the SAF and the government to the core, but I'm beginning to see reservist as an opportunity to network and see old friends, maybe even gain myself potential customers, create contacts and create an entirely new social circle.