Tag: national service

This article contains an image that some may find disturbing.

Running. This word, synonymous with everyone for a sports activity that requires a certain amount of endurance and physical capability. To me, it means so much more.

There is a love-hate relationship whenever it comes to sports in Singapore, especially running. People with busy lives would see it as an act of healthy living, and do it for the sake of keeping healthy and striking bucket lists off by completing a marathon once in their life. Those bordering on the edge of insanity do it for more than living; bragging rights, personal bests, medals, finisher tees and even podium positions.

For me? Running edges on irrationality and a particular quest. A quest to live. A quest to be better than who I am today, and what I was yesterday and many yesterdays that have passed.

My life

Growing up as a primary school student, I hated sports and any activity that required me to have a certain level of physical endurance. That resulted in my obesity and chubbiness at a young age.

When we're at that age, we are ignorant of things that happen beyond our scope of understanding. Things like cancer, life and death, and also sometimes, our future.

As I entered my teenage years, I started to become more self-conscious. I started to realise every change on my body, and was always wishing I looked a little bit more handsome than that guy who has all the girls at school swooning over.

Then, there was one particular change that made a huge impact on my life, even until now. ‘Cold sores’ and ‘white patches’ started appearing on my body, especially on my thighs, hips and back.

I initially thought these 'odd patches' were nothing more than puberty taking charge of my body, but I was so wrong.

Living in a body that wasn't living up to me

Those sores started to graduate into fungus-like plagues and scars on the majority of my thighs and hips. My skin started to flake and became overly sensitive and extremely dry—like the Sahara Desert. The white patches on my body multiplied faster than you can say cell division.

dry patches on thigh

Following the advice of my aunt, I went to the doctors to find out what I really had.

After a few weeks of going back and forth with several consultations, blood tests and biopsies, I finally had a semblance of what I was suffering from.

I guessed my aunt thought I was too young to understand and kept it from me, passing it off as a severe form of psoriasis or ezcema and only wanted the best for me. I went through several sessions of phototherapy—a therapy that involves being in a chamber where UV lights penetrate your skin.

My skin seemed to get better with each session, but the side effects were obvious. I hated going to each and every session because it was troublesome to travel to after school. I was missing classes and couldn’t do the things I wanted to do like playing games and hanging out with my friends. I suffered from fatigue, migraines, and my skin started becoming extremely sensitive.

All of that happened while I was still just a teenage boy, and I thought nothing of it. I decided not to go ahead with the sessions as that took the life out of me. I brushed my condition off as something that would get better and disappear with age.

I continued to do what I love; I played hockey for the school and national teams, and did well enough in my O-levels to get into the polytechnic and course that I wanted, and life picked up for awhile.

I felt that life was only just beginning.

Exempted from NS—Am I a 'lower-class citizen'?

Polytechnic was a blast. I made friends who even till today, are the bestest ones I can ever ask for. I went through experiences that I will go through again in an instant if I can rewind time.

After graduation from polytechnic, I was preparing for my next stage of life—National Service. I had high hopes and expectations for myself; to serve the country I was born in and that has given me so many opportunities, and to also give back to my father who has sacrificed much for my well being.

The first hiccup occurred during the compulsory medical check up at CMPB (Central Manpower Base). The medical officer wanted to give me a PES D and go for further check-ups at a doctor to make sure that I can serve, but I refused and begged for him to give me a better PES status. Maybe it was my ego, or maybe pride, but I didn’t care about my skin condition. I just didn’t want to be judged as a person attempting to escape military service.

All was well, until the month before my enlistment date.

My mother being the worrywart she was, came to me in tears telling me to go back to the doctors as she didn’t want to see me suffer. Upon her request, I went through the same troublesome processes again—consultation, biopsies, blood tests, and finally, I got my diagnosis.

It was from this diagnosis that finally revealed that my condition has advanced to a stage where it was cancerous. Even so, I wasn’t bothered by what I heard, and I just wanted to continue with my life.

Everything happened in an instant and things started moving very quickly. On the same day of the diagnosis, I received a doctor’s letter stating that I was unfit for military service due to a life-threatening condition.

Majority of guys at that age would be joyous to be exempted from NS. They'd feel happy for not having to ‘waste two years of their lives’ doing something they never wanted, but I was devastated. My future plans got derailed, and I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life.

I felt like a totally different person as compared to others, and I felt like a lower-class citizen. What kind of stories would I have to share with friends and family in the future?

For a while, I felt really lost. I was dejected and I wished I knew people who was in the same boat as me, feeling what I felt.

I was physically fit, but medically unfit—a term that a majority of people in Singapore fail to understand.

I get questions like "you run so much, why cannot serve?!", and "you run so many marathons, chao keng ah?!".

What can I say?

It was so hard to have to explain the situation to others when I was already finding it hard to accept it myself.

After a long and hard struggle with myself, and with constant support from my closest friends and family, I came to terms that I will never be ‘normal’. I realised I was born this way, and everything happens for a reason, and that we just have to understand and respect that particular reason, no matter what it may be.

Everything happens for a reason

I took a gap year from the everyday stresses of life to find out what I really wanted to do. I worked part-time, travelled, relaxed, played games, but most importantly, I continued with my passion—running.

Things started to fall into place. I got accepted into university and was the very first batch of full-time students in SUSS. I completed more marathons, races, and became faster and better. I found a part-time job which paid well and made friends with some amazing colleagues and bosses that I will never forget.

People who don’t know me judge me for being exempted from NS, for being a ‘chao keng’, but that’s okay.

People avoid me once they see the scars and plagues on my thigh thinking that they are contagious, but that’s okay too.

People chide me for making unconventional decisions, thinking that my dreams are impossible, but that’s fine as well.

At times, my thoughts stray because I get the feeling like I am a huge burden to everybody because of my condition, as I am unable to do the everyday things that normal people do.

But do I just want to be normal?— I'd give anything to be.

And that is why I run.

15 marathons and a few ultramarathons later, I found out that the people who mind, don’t matter and the people who matter, don’t mind. I am really thankful for having awesome friends and family providing all kinds of support in the crazy pursuit of my dreams.

Who, or what do I run for and why?

Running is a release. Running is an outlet. Running is therapy.

Running doesn’t need reason, we just go.

We are but creatures of passion, driven to achieve beyond the norms.

The quest

Right now, I am living the best life that I can ever have. I work in a full-time job that utilises the best of my abilities, and fulfills the things I have always wanted to be and do in life. I am a coach, a tour guide, and managing the operations of a small company.

Everyday, I know how fortunate I am to have people around me who accept me exactly as I am.

I have an amazing girlfriend who provides me with all kinds of support—emotionally, physically and psychologically, and that is something I am forever grateful for. And I am more than grateful for a family who lets me figure out my life and supports me through my journey.

Because of all the support that I have, I have embarked on a quest that seems achievable and easy for a majority of my running friends, but near to unattainable for me due to my skin condition. I fatigue easily, I don’t recover as fast as others, I don’t perspire (which is extremely dangerous because my body doesn’t get cooled and that results in heat injuries) but that won’t stop me from trying.

The quest to break the 3-hour marathon barrier.

I don’t have anyone to prove to but myself. Excuses are plenty, but I love to find that one reason why this matters to me.

We want to prove to ourselves that limits are meant to be broken, and that cancer is just another limit in life that is waiting to be broken through any means possible. Because to earn the best days in life, we have to fight through some bad days to know that it is going to be worth it in the end.

This article is contributed by Goh Chang Teck.
All images used in this article are provided by the contributor.

Also read: Kicking The Habit – My Struggle With Quitting Smoking.

(Header Image: adapted from an image provided by the contributor)

So, you’ve just graduated from polytechnic or junior college. For the guys, that means you’re one step closer to national service. While some of you may be excited for the next two years of your lives, some of you are probably nervous about what’s to come. Maybe your mind is buzzing with questions regarding the first 2 (or 4, depending on your physical fitness) months of Basic Military Training (BMT) — we’ve all been there. We asked some of our ex-NSF friends for some of the tips they wish someone had told them prior to enlisting and here are some of our top tips to survive BMT. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.

1. Always have a bottle of prickly heat/powder with you

 

This powder is going to be a lifesaver, especially if your feet tend to get sweaty. The prickly heat/talcum powder will keep your feet dry, and foot rot (i.e. Athlete’s Foot) at bay. We’ve seen our fair share of foot rot; it’s itchy, it’s painful… You don’t want to have to deal with it while undergoing your training. Also, there will be times when you don’t get to take a shower, like when you’re outfield, or when there is just not enough time. In these cases, a powder bath will help keep you clean(er) and smelling better.

2. Have a bottle of fabric refresher in your room

As we mentioned earlier, personal time (or ‘admin time’) can be tight. You usually have just an hour or so, sometimes even lesser, which means there will be days when you have no time to wash your clothes. Imagine wearing a smart 4 or long 4 that smells like three-day old sweat. It does not feel good. Spraying your clothes with fabric refresher will keep them smelling nice and feeling fresh, even if you haven’t washed them in days. It also has anti-bacterial qualities, so your clothes do actually get cleaner, even if slightly. Go ahead and spray it on anything else that starts to stink—your socks, your bed, your field pack.

3. Bring a portable charger in with you

Gone are the days when NS boys needed to get a no-camera phone for NS, which usually came with a longer battery life. These days, you can bring your smartphones in, and we all know how weak the battery life can be. Unlike in the outside world where you can conveniently stick your charger into an outlet and charge your phone whenever, you don’t get this luxury in NS. You won’t be allowed to use the wall sockets in camp (Tekong) to charge your phones. Officers and sergeants have shared that there’s limited electrical power in Tekong, so it’s to prevent the island from possible power shortage. So it’s best to bring additional battery packs or a portable charger to power your phone and keep you in contact with your loved ones on the outside.

4. You can never have too much black tape

Buy and bring as much black tape as you want into camp because in the army, there’s no such thing as too much black tape. Whatever the amount of black tape SAF is providing you, buy more, because you’ll need it. Black tape is one of the handiest, most multi-functional tools you can have with you in the army. If anything breaks or tears, that’s your solution. Glasses broken? Black tape. Sandals snapped? Black tape. They also come in very handy during marches. When out on a march, one way to make your field pack feel lighter is to tighten all the adjustable straps all the way. To keep the straps from dangling off and slapping you as you march, fold them up and tape them up with black tape.

5. Bring plenty of coins

Bring plenty of coins into camp. Collect whatever coins you have lying around your room or loose change your family members want to offload, and take them into camp with you. After being in the sun all day, there’s nothing like downing a refreshing, ice cold drink. You’ll be able to get your hands on these at the vending machines in camp.

6. Bring more hangers—especially those with clips

While fabric refreshers, powder, and deodorant are great for keeping your clothes smelling and feeling relatively fresh, nothing beats putting on some clothes that are actually clean. Given your limited personal area, and the strict rule that you have to keep it neat and tidy, drying your laundry can be a pain without the right tools. Having plenty of hangers means you can hang all your clothes neatly, without taking up too much space. If you can, bring in hangers that come with clips; they’re great for small items like socks and underwear. Also, use a marker to mark all your hangers. This will help you distinguish your own clothes from the rest because it’s not uncommon for NSFs’ clothes—admin tees, admin shorts, pants—to get mixed up and for pieces to go missing.

7. Go in with a good attitude and an open mind

When it comes to BMT, attitude makes all the difference. There will be tough times. The training and going outfield can all be tough. But try going into all these things with an open mind, free of preconceived notions. You’ll be surprised by how much better the experience will be.

8. Love your mates because they will be your friends for a lifetime

Image Credit: Yeo Khee
NS is the time you make mates that are for life. Many of us have made friendships in there that are still going strong to this day. After seeing each other every day and enduring tough times together, you forge a bond you truly can’t find elsewhere. Love your mates and don’t take lightly the relationships you make in the army. You never know how long these guys will stick around in your life.

9. Don't spend all your money during your time in NS 

Image Credit: Giphy
Being in camp all week, virtually everything you need is provided for. That means it’s actually the best time to save money for more important or necessary things in the future, like a driver’s license, a laptop, or even a house, further down the line. From an old NSmen to a young NSF, one of the things we wish we had done more of was save the money we made while in NS. Partying a little less hard could have done our bank accounts a world of good. With that, our final tip is to save at least some money during your 2 years of NS. You never know when you’ll need it. These days, it is easier for NSFs to save money and grow their savings with POSB Save As You Serve (SAYS).

POSB SAYS

This savings programme is the only initiative in Singapore that is designed specifically for NSFs. It consists of a POSB Save As You Earn (SAYE) savings account which allows you to earn 2% p.a. interest on your monthly savings, AND your choice of having the SAFRA DBS or HomeTeamNS-PAssion-POSB Debit Cards to enjoy 2% cash rebate on contactless MasterCard® transactions! Here’s how: Step 1: Choose a debiting POSB/DBS account to be linked to your POSB Save As You Earn (SAYE) Account Step 2: Open a POSB SAYE Account
  • Save any amount monthly (min. of S$50)
  • Pick your preferred date for the savings to be credited into the POSB SAYE Account
Step 3: Chill and watch your monthly savings grow. And if you’re keen to enjoy the additional benefits that come with the debit cards, Step 4: Apply for a SAFRA DBS or HomeTeamNS-PAssion-POSB Debit Card, and enjoy access to SAFRA or HomeTeamNS facilities. Plus, exclusive privileges at over 3,000 merchants islandwide! For a limited time only, sign up for POSB SAYS and get up to S$74 worth of rewards, including a pair of Shaw Theatres IMAX® movie vouchers worth S$44, and up to S$30 cashback (promo T&Cs apply). So the next time you book out, you can reward yourself with a treat to the next blockbuster at Shaw Theatres IMAX®! What’s more, look out for special monthly deals in celebration of POSB’s 140th anniversary and NS50 from now till November!

<a href=" Out More About POSB Save As You Serve Here!

This post was brought to you by POSB.
It seems Singaporeans are not quite done with picking on our men in uniform. In a letter published on All Singapore Stuff recently, contributor Elaine ranted about the recurring massive jams around the White Sands area on Friday nights. Blaming parents who drive and park around to pick up their sons from army, she wants “these parents and army boys to know what kind of confusion and delays they have caused”, and that they “are enjoying their conveniences at the expense of other innocent motorists!” Airing grievances such as having to “get stuck for at least 15 minutes to get out of that place,” she calls for MINDEF to take action. She then reproaches the parents for “pampering their boys whom are serving their NS”, even making remarks like “Are these boys paralysed? Or need to be spoon fed?” and “So these army boys are what? VIPs?” Perhaps this is what she expects from all of us:

Constant Public Scrutiny

Thanks to ‘Stomp culture’, our poor NSFs have gotten their unfair share of being slammed and ridiculed for the most ludicrous reasons. How many times have you seen reports calling out soldiers for taking up seats on public transport? Our soldiers deserve a seat as much as we do. There is no law stating that they cannot take up a seat on the train, and yet it's not rare for them to be shamed for doing just that. Like in this report, where the writer so conveniently crops the empty seat out of the photo, making the NSF look inconsiderate for not giving up his seat to an elderly woman.
Image Credit: SGAG
Or this lady commuter, who is so affected by the “air pollution” from NSFs who book out every Friday.
Image Credit: All Singapore Stuff

The Adverse Effect Is Real

These young men go through grueling weeks in camp serving the nation, and when they're out, they have to put up with such criticism. Because of the constant public scrutiny, the fear of public condemnation among NSFs is real. A post on SAF Confessions tells of how two recruits were standing hesitantly, unsure of whether or not to sit, even though the train was empty.
Image Credit: SAF Confessions
Evidently, they are not the only ones. This photo shared by Facebook user Teguh Budiman, is captioned “Sad what public media has done isn’t it.”
Image Credit: Teguh Budiman
This social experiment by The Hidden Good is another good example of how uncomfortable our NS men are when in the public eye. Even when a seat was put up just for them, no one took a seat. Sad, isn’t it?

Going Beyond Military Duties

The NSFs in our country have done plenty of good and we thought it would be good to shine a light on their service to the nation, even when off-duty.

Like this soldier, who walked hand-in-hand with an elderly man as he went to purchase a tooth brush. It is especially heartwarming as it was a random stranger who grabbed onto his arm out of the blue.

Image Credit: The Singapore Army Facebook Post
Kudos to these men for their acts of kindness too: Noticing Madam Loh Ngiuk Lan with her wheelchair-bound mother-in-law, this group of RSAF soldiers physically carried the wheelchair-bound elderly up the stairs because the lift wasn’t working. These soldiers, who weren't in uniform, even offered to return to carry Mdm Loh’s mother-in-law down the stairs again when they were done.
Image Credit: Dr Ng Eng Hen's Facebook Post
This group of off-duty SAF medics spotted an elderly woman with a bandaged head and immediately stepped forward, using their professional skills to help her.
Image Credit: The Reservist Facebook Post
There was also this kind NSF soldier who found a wallet and went all the way to the owner's home to return it to her.
Image Credit: All Singapore Stuff
And this sweet lieutenant, Tee Chze Hao, who helped carry a little girl as her mother's hands were full with things and their destination was quite a distance away.
Image Credit: Kenny Leo's Facebook Post

Give Them A Break

The next time you go off on a tirade about these NSFs, spare a thought for them. Stop snapping and shaming. While it may seem like nothing, such hurtful remarks can have a big impact on the countless men who toil to protect us. Give them a break, and more importantly, give them the respect they deserve. Also read 10 Brutal Punishments We Suffered As Kids – As Told By Singaporeans