ALTC 07
Hey hey to one and all. My blog has been stagnating for quite a while so it's time to blog and make sure nobody gets too disappointed when they dont see updates.
Well, in a flash, my last camp has passed me by. ALTC 07 has given me many memories and feelings and I just wanna air my views. If anyone disagrees, well you know where to find me.
On the whole, I feel satisfied to have run the camp without major injuries and largely good weather. It's really God's grace that nothing bad happened and that He held back the weather. But deep down, I think I speak for almost all my committee members when I say that I didnt end the camp and leave the camp with very positive feelings about the future. I wanna use this opportunity to raise my views and opinions about the problems that we face on a squad by squad matter and if anyone's reading this, I just wanna say in advance that no offence is meant.
Sec 1 Squad
I told them this time and again. There's potential in them. I've personally been attached to their squad for much longer a period of time than the others, and I see glimpses of leadership and potential. That being said, everyone has potential, and it's up to the person to acheive it. Sadly, they're not living up to their potential. It's always disheartening to see people who choose not to acheive great things due to a mindset that is faulty. Even at this relatively early stage of their time in NP, I see people who have potential to be good future leaders of NCNP. I see people who are already cultivating the spirit of NP and the unity among them is slowly but surely starting to build. However, the flaws in their squad are so big and apparent that their good points are not being seen. I keep telling myself that they're young and have yet to learn the essence of being a squad, but still, the basics have yet to be seen for some. They have an uncanny ability to both endear themselves to people and also piss people off at the same time. In a way, I'm kinda impressed by their gutsy mentality of "shooting" whoever is wrong in their eyes. Herein lies the problem. We all think we're right, and it's only when we grow up mentally that we start to reflect on our actions. Their squad is made up of very unique and special individuals. Personally, I see alot of Squad 4 in them, minus the gutsy "shooting" mentality. Perhaps it is this that makes me partial to them and makes me wish and wanna see that they grow up into a squad that mirrors Squad 4 '07. Don't judge them too early and condemn them. We all know what problems that caused personally. Nurture them, and while I'd love to turn time back a year and do it personally, I cant. So here's my advice. Nurture them, teach them and love them, but most importantly, don't spoil them. There's a fine balance, and I believe it's going to take the most mature of people to be able to handle this squad.
Sec 2 Squad
I speak for most of my committee when I say that we have been impressed by some individuals in this squad. And personally, I really like it that this squad has grown up alot during this camp. I realise that while we keep insisting that their attitudes are not the best, it is still wise to reflect upon Squad 4 when we were in Sec 2. Back then our attitudes werent the best, and we pissed off our DIs to the extent that they cried. But never did they give up on us, and neither should we give up on them. This squad has had it relatively comfortable for a year, which is why they didnt have the right mentality at the start. To guide them back to the "real world", we have to take time to teach them at an interpersonal level. As seen from this camp, a mixture of hard and soft really can give them the chance to shine. I just hope that whoever takes over from Aaron and Meiqi can continue to give them opportunities to shine. While on paper this squad looks relatively lethargic, wonders can be worked. Deep inside this squad lies a sleeping catepillar in a cocoon. With the right mix, this squad will break out of their cocoon on their own and fly like beautiful butterflies. I understand that they have the ability to drive people nuts. The most patient people are capable of nurturing this squad to great heights. For they are at a junction, a make or break year for them. If they end this year with strong bonds and wonderful spirits, chances are that we will be able to see a great NCO batch 6.
Sec 3 Squad
I believe we have been sorely disappointed by their performance and attitude of most of them in this camp. Why? Cos we expected that they would be able to understand the impact of this camp. This camp was the last time we would see them as cadets instead of NCOs, and we went into this camp thinking that they would use this opportunity to shine. Instead, what happened was that we were given attitudes that really wasnt up to standard, save for a few. The usual suspects did well, but the others whom I expected to step up and impress us fell far short of that. In fact, on a whole their performance became so worrying that we now worry what will happen to NCNP after 6weeks. I hope this is a one-off case of sudden low morale or whatever it is that's causing this. I think we wanna pass out with peace of mind that the unit's in good hands. Right now, that seems far from the truth. Last year around this time, I was where they were. I was sick and tired of listening to my seniors preach about how they wanna leave without worries and how worried they were about the future of NCNP. Now, I fully understand why. For Squad 4 had its troubles and gave nobody but ourselves any indication that we were ready for the challenge. Now, the gauntlet is about to be passed to the Sec 3s. It's time to step up to the plate and lead. Now is the chance for them to lead and guide NCNP to better heights. I believe they can do it. But the question remains. Do they wanna?
All in all, that's all I have to say for now. I'll be back soon. Till then, this is Dan signing off.
