01 Dec
Yippee! I've finally cleared my SoC, which means I'm almost through with my Year 2 requirements. Just another 2 more major hurdles to go... ATP and ATEC
05 Dec
After scoring 14 out of 16 in my day shoot for the new Combat/ Support Shoot (rundown), I was delighted with a perfect night shoot. 26 points means I don't have to come back the next day for a reshoot. The new CSS is muich easier to score, and when compared to the previous Range, in which we had to hit targets from as far as 300 metres, the new shoot only requires us to be accurate at least at the 100 metre mark. Poor zeroing (or a lack of rounds to zero) and fatigue were the main reasons why I had fared poorly in my previous range, scoring almost as much as in this current range, but with twice the number of rounds then.
08 - 09 Dec
We spent two whole days refreshing the men on their Medical core skills - Buddy Aid, which is a requirement for ATEC Stage 1. Comprising a measly 2% of the total score, we are expected to score more than 95% of that 2& to pull our score up and attain a redcon 1. Not easy, if you'd askl, since almost anything can be faulted by the external invigilators.
10 Dec
Cohesion day at Teahouse, China Square Food Centre. Gabriel joined us for a dim sum buffet, which though lacked variety and served less-than-perfect Siew Mais, was a rather affordable S$15 nett. We piled the table with bamboo baskets twice over before Dr Lim and Sgt Melvin joined us for another 2 more rounds. Dessert was rather alright, with red bean paste, Honey Dew Sago, Mango pudding, chin chow and peanut paste. My only other complaint is the noodles, which came with no more than three pieces of bite-size meat.
After the food fest, we headed on down to Peace Centre, where we had several games of Pool, picking up Chong Han at UOB Building. Poor response, though, broke the momentum of the event. We took a brisk walk down to Plaza Singapura and spent some time accompanying Chong Han for dinner at Long John's Silvers and treating ourselves to top-of-the-range entertainment systems.
13 - 17 Dec
Medical Profficiency Test
As part of the requirements for ATEC Stage 1, we undergo a gruelling 3-day refresher lecture on everything under the sun pertaining to Medical efficiency, including Directives and the Military PAM sequence, which we have never attempted before. The training and revision cumulated in a Theory Test on Day 4, which I managed a weaker-than-expected 34 out of 40. But then again. the highest was only 38, so I guess my profficiency was alright-y. :) In the afternoon, I took my Practical Test, and being taken by Staff Tan for one section really kept me on my toes. He has and will fail Medics outright if they do not meet his level of profficiency...
Day 5 was spent coordinating with S1 Branch on their PATS inspection. Apparently, both our systems have been linked, without our knowledge, and differing standards between both Administrative systems caused quite a lot of headache, as we ploughed through the records to ensure that glitches were resolved if possible. Wanted to cut my hair in the afternoon, but the barber's on leave. How unfortunate!
19 Dec
Merry Christmas in advance! With 5-odd days more to shop for a present for your loved ones, "Have you done your Christmas Shopping yet?"
Personally, I'd rather wait till the post-holiday season before shopping, since that's the time you'll really get a good deal out of retailers with surplus inventories.
With the New Year a fortnight away, "Have you made your New Year's Resolution(s) yet?"
6 more months to ORD! Less Full troop in January, ATEC Stage 2 in February, that makes for just 4 more months. Less leave / Off, it's 2-odd months to go!