Monday, June 12, 2006
ARMY = NO LIFE?
I have always wondered why my friends complained about army when i was back in Toronto. I have also always maintained that i will have a positive outlook when i come into the service. But what has happened since then has just gotten worse and worse. Not only have i failed in maintaining a positive attitude, i have sunken to a new low with the realization that certain personnel in the army will stop at no cost to get what they want, sometimes beyond reason.
When i first realized that i was to be posted to 3GDS, i was disappointed to say the least, because of all the stories i have heard abt my unit C-O. 'Tyrant', some would say. 'Gangster', said others. Apparently, my C-O was feared for the wrong reasons across the SAF. He was supposed to be unreasonable, and have a horrible temper; so much so that the only time i lost any sleep since i came to the army was the night before my first day reporting to Bedok Camp.
however, as time passed, i have come to see that not everything was as bad as ppl made it out to be. at least not for me. True, my big boss does have quite a temperament. True, he may not have the best way of confronting of subordinates--often screaming at point blank range and also metting out physical punishments to his officers in front of their men, so much so that they have no dignity left. But one thing i see in my C-O is that i believe that he is a reasonable person. He respects that his subordinates have a life. They have a family, they have things that they hold dear.
My new boss mr. "S-3" on the otherhand, just showed exactly why he can be the opposite. On this very fine day, which happens to be an off day just in case u don't know, he informed his dyS3 that I have to attend the s3 conference scheduled at 1800hrs. Not only was it last minute, he also seemingly deemed that fetching my sis and mom from the airport is unimportant. Fair enough, after some explanation to the dy S3, he allowed me to be a couple of hours late, but the fact that he said, i quote "since when did the BSO decide for himself whether he needs to attend my meetings?" is reason enough to see a certain part of his character.
My dear Cathy, i understand ur concern. I understand ur worry that if i were to mishandle this circumstance it could potentially ruin my working relationship with my new boss before it has even started. And it is because of that promise that i will take a step back and accept this nonsense. If i were to lose every trace of my personal life after this week when i officially report to s3 branch, so be it. I guess it is time i learn and understand that the way of the real world is as such, and needless to say, my current workplace is no different.
I have always wondered why my friends complained about army when i was back in Toronto. I have also always maintained that i will have a positive outlook when i come into the service. But what has happened since then has just gotten worse and worse. Not only have i failed in maintaining a positive attitude, i have sunken to a new low with the realization that certain personnel in the army will stop at no cost to get what they want, sometimes beyond reason.
When i first realized that i was to be posted to 3GDS, i was disappointed to say the least, because of all the stories i have heard abt my unit C-O. 'Tyrant', some would say. 'Gangster', said others. Apparently, my C-O was feared for the wrong reasons across the SAF. He was supposed to be unreasonable, and have a horrible temper; so much so that the only time i lost any sleep since i came to the army was the night before my first day reporting to Bedok Camp.
however, as time passed, i have come to see that not everything was as bad as ppl made it out to be. at least not for me. True, my big boss does have quite a temperament. True, he may not have the best way of confronting of subordinates--often screaming at point blank range and also metting out physical punishments to his officers in front of their men, so much so that they have no dignity left. But one thing i see in my C-O is that i believe that he is a reasonable person. He respects that his subordinates have a life. They have a family, they have things that they hold dear.
My new boss mr. "S-3" on the otherhand, just showed exactly why he can be the opposite. On this very fine day, which happens to be an off day just in case u don't know, he informed his dyS3 that I have to attend the s3 conference scheduled at 1800hrs. Not only was it last minute, he also seemingly deemed that fetching my sis and mom from the airport is unimportant. Fair enough, after some explanation to the dy S3, he allowed me to be a couple of hours late, but the fact that he said, i quote "since when did the BSO decide for himself whether he needs to attend my meetings?" is reason enough to see a certain part of his character.
My dear Cathy, i understand ur concern. I understand ur worry that if i were to mishandle this circumstance it could potentially ruin my working relationship with my new boss before it has even started. And it is because of that promise that i will take a step back and accept this nonsense. If i were to lose every trace of my personal life after this week when i officially report to s3 branch, so be it. I guess it is time i learn and understand that the way of the real world is as such, and needless to say, my current workplace is no different.
yeongest 2:11 pm