I've found a friend who died for me

Hey to all. I would like to talk about NPCC. One request though. No tears are allowed. I hope I speak for the majority of Sec 4s when I say this...

The time has come. It's time to bid adieu to this beloved CCA. In the last four years, NPCC started from a pasttime CCA, to a life-long passion. It has become part and parcel of our lives. I often try and look back, and wonder if life would have been the same if I had not been in NPCC. The answer? Well, not being in NPCC would mean I saved all my Sec 1 Saturday mornings and Friday afternoons, but I'd have missed out on stuff like Sec 1 ALTC, ATC, Bolt Camp, Bolt Camp IPC, Leisure Camp and the two Malacca trips. Most importantly, I wouldnt have been part of this squad. Everyone knows how we feel about our squad. Join me now, as I take a look back over the highs and lows of the last four years.

I remember the first parade we had as fresh-faced Sec 1s. We were taken by this SGT, who taught us the basics, adding in some bits of humour so that we would remember his words. Then we were introduced to this woman, who was the total opposite, from first impression. As we got to know Maam J, we knew her as a person who NEVER mixed work and play. That first parade, we were taught the NPCC Pledge. How fitting is it, that we concluded our "working parades" with the recital of the NPCC Pledge during NP Day rehearsal on Thursday. SGT Shawn would be with us for a mere six months, but during that time was the tough-as-hell ALTC, our first ever camp. That camp bonded us together, for lack of a better word, as soulmates for life. We felt that we went through hell and back during the camp, but without that, things probably wouldnt be the same.

After that, in my eyes, we were suddenly introduced to another SGT. We got along well, and during the next year or so, the squad and him went through thick and thin. We had real fun times, but also real bad times as we were punished for talking bad about our seniors, and Maam J pumped herself on the hot quadrangle in disappointment about one person who complained, and made Chua-ge cry. All these experiences moulded us together, and we were not really ready for the outside world. What really opened our eyes, was the ATC of Sec 2. That year, we were forced to join Area 2 for ATC. Looking back, that was the beginning of our unity. Together, we were concerned for Junde when he managed to pitch a tent till he smashed his nose, bleeding until he had to be taken back to the mainland for medical treatment. Together, we were indignant when Junde got bullied by the Area 2 guys in his group, making him do almost everything. Together, we scolded Junde when he didnt mention to us about what happened to him until Maam J told us. Together, we laughed at how loud the Area 2 people would answer to orders but fail to do even half as good. That camp made me realise how nice the people in my squad are, and from then on, I began to treasure my squadmates.

At the end of Sec 2, we had an unforgettable Bolt Camp, mainly for the wrong reasons. But the squad stuck together and showed unity under fire. Together, we cursed when the campfire was cancelled and the plans were suddenly abandoned. Together, we rushed to try to help when Wati had an asthma attack after being forced to run around the quadrangle, and together we wished that we could have done that punishment with her. Together, we silently endured and openly cursed after the toughest endurance walk we had. That walk, was one of the things that drew us closer, as we encouraged each other on, carrying other people's bags and pushing them forward.

The beginning of our Sec 3 year, was a time where the true test of our squad's unity would be held. For almost half the year, our squad was ripped apart by parades such as SYF, NDP and the Campcraft Competition. But we held on, each remembering our memories together. There's a saying, that absence makes the heart grow fonder. How true, as we came back as a squad and exchanged tales. Following that, we had to start our NCO life, which was comparatively late as we only took over in around July. However, after the day that we formally took over, we had Area Games Day, where NCNP were crowned overall champions. Then came the formation of the Core Group, which was meant to spearhead the unit's thrust for UOPA Gold. I dunno if Core Group was a success, but I'm proud to have been a part of it.

Around after the Malacca trip at the end of last year, reality began sinking in that we had mere months left. Years turned into months, and months turned into weeks. We avoided broaching this subject, but we were all painfully aware of the impending exit that we would have to make. Slowly and steadily, we started talking to the Sec 3s, preparing them for NCO life. We stressed, that we just wished that they would outshine our batch, and that they would lead the unit to UOPA Gold. We hoped they would understand, and they would start becoming like NCOs. We never realised how much they've changed, until that day, when they wore their NCO T-shirt for the first time. Suddenly, they seemed to have grown up, ready for the challenge that lies ahead. They seemed to have grown taller and become more mature. I'll talk about their challenge in the future.

Life wouldnt have been the same without NP. As the song goes, "once in our lives, four years of our time". The past four years have been a blast. In the slightly modified words from Bad Boys II, " We laugh together, we cry together. Squadmates for life". Thank you, to those who've walked with me on this journey. Thank you, to those who paved the way before us. Thank you, for the memories. Thank you, for filling the void in my life for four years. Thank you, to my dear friends and squadmates. Thank you, for the different trials that moulded us together. Thank you, for the unity amid hardships. Thank you, for inculcating the belief,"One for all, all for one". Thank you.