Thoughts 2 Records

Friday, June 23, 2006

CIBTC J06 RC

It's just after the J06 Passing-Out Ceremony. Hence, I guess now is the right time to blog my thoughts...to records about this event. Here's my next 'grandmother' story. And this one will definitely not be a short one. Hence, if you have nothing else better to do, you can spend the time reading. Here how it goes...

Pre-Course
J06 CIBTC is my second 'official' CIBTC I'm serving, and still energetic about it. Things began in March when the Coordinators starting forming their team of CIIs. Times were not smooth, I had to go through a bumpy journey before embarking on the ship of the CIIs...but through it all, I've learnt a bit more about what others perceive of me.

Before I continue, let me thank the two Coordinators, Kaiyong and Yanru, for giving me the oppurtunity to join their team of CIIs.

Instructors' Preparatory Course (IPC) was the first main event for us. A 5D4N stay in HTA with all the CIIs meant to be involved in the Course. As the course name states, this course is meant to prepare us.

I was excited because it was from IPC in J05 that I started to open up my mind more and gain more knowledge. But this time, I decided to go for IPC with another goal in mind - to understand deeper into the certain things the CITs are going to learn. It is not merely a question of "How?"...but more to "Why?".

And the IPC did go pretty interesting. Although I didn't really fulfill what I initially wanted to, I achieved something else instead...

During the course, I've learnt a few things which I'd like to quote the 'authors' and the learning points for the benefit of those who are reading...

1. CI Jon - On orienteering on why there needs to be a fluid
It is harder to swim than to fly...

2. CI Casey (legend) - on why we should always try
As long as you don't die, you become stronger

3. CI Shijian - on communicating to difference audiences
You cannot speak of ocean to a well frog, nor of ice to a summer bird

4. Unknown - on why we should be honest
You can fool all the ppl some time;
And some of the ppl all the time;
But you cannot fool all the ppl all the time

5. CI Danping - On getting feedback during her Leadership lecture
5-4-3-2-1 method

6. Unknown - on being self-confident during presentation
No one knows you're doing it the first time...so do it confidently!

Posting
IPC over and attendance were submitted - which courses can attend. As for me, I'm practically able to attend all the courses - April RC, June RC, ATC.

Everyone, or at least I was, excited on which post I will get. I am pretty flexible on whichever post I get since after all, I am already in the CIBTC...which is my goal...lolz!

The coordinators decided and consequently, I got my post as a member in the Admin committee for the April RC.

Was I happy? Definitely...because I enjoy doing Admin. It is tedious but, somehow it give me satisfaction when I see all the data are properly and presentably done.

April Course
Being an Admin in April course, it was quite tedious to update the data everyday...because of the number of CITs involved...but I can't say it is too tough...what about the Dec batches where the population is usually higher?

I did manage to get down to 'field' though. Was given auxillary for quite a number of drill lessons. Oh well, since I like Drill so much anyway...so getting to auxillarate any squad, I was happy enough.

Hence, I manage to take different drill sessions for all the 4 squads - Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta. One thing I was reinforced was that drill needs practice...and I definitely lack the practice and warm up...cos I felt I underperformed in terms of the demonstration of the drill commands.

My favourite drill session?
It is Armsdrill 3. That is one drill session where I can play with time because the syllabus can be compeleted very quickly...unless of course the squad really CMI. But then again, I try to pressure myself by Edwin Tan's quote of "There's no bad crew, just bad captains".

Most tiring drill session?
Footdrill 3. To teach 2 squads Tukar Haluan and Jadikan Skuad...is a killer. Lolz! But it is a great challenge for me...and I hope the Trainees have benefited from it.

Memorable moment 1?
The uniform incident. Okay, I am someone who's pretty particular about uniform. Disrespect of the uniform (esp in public) can trigger me pretty bad - I feel that the disrespectee deserves a good scolding. Unfortunately or otherwise, the CIT who committed the incident wasn't actually someone with a bad record...but being impartial, I gave him the same treatment. But nevertheless, I respect the CIT for being very firm in his belief and his purpose of wanting to be in the CIBTC. I feel that he is sincere, and I hope that he will learn from his mistake and will pass down the same values down to his juniors.

Memorable moment 2?
Drill Assessment. I was one of the assessors for Drill for one of the squads. Being quite a drill siao myself, I decided to apply "What is bitter to experience is sweet to remember" theory into the assessment - a non-stop movement drill for more than 20min. If I were to do drill with effort for that amount of time, it will definitely burn fats...and boy, I guess the CITs did burn some. Who won't when you wet your uniform and steam coming out from your back? Been there, done that, done to others, to do it again!

June Course
I was posted to Admin again...haha! But yeah, I still enjoy it. I initially thought that 2 squads with a pathetic population of 24 CITs would be a bore...but I was wrong. I forgotten that sometimes too many cooks spoil the broth.

This time in June (unlike other June batches) is made up of totally JC students (with an exception). Okay, they are more Singapore academically-inclined and more theory.

Being a small cohort, it was much easier for communication. Moreover, each squad consists of only 12 persons. It's cool when the members are siao-onz.

Again, I did auxillary for Drill Sessions - my favourite. Must thank the Aux IC for allocating me into Arms Drills, Baton Drill and Sword Drill.

My favourite Drill Session?
Well, it is Arms Drill 3 again. It is just so fun to teach Arms Drill 3. Haha! Okay, I was given the feedback that I was pretty slack when teaching that session...but I hope the CITs have benefited.

Most tiring Drill Session?
Okay, not exactly tiring...but stressful. It has to be Sword Drill. I have to admit that my sword drill is not good. Every execution was quite nerve-wrecking...I keep on hoping that I will execute a positive demonstration so that the CITs can benefit from visual learning.

Memorable moment 1?
Hmmz, I guess it would be the debrief where there were a few CITs who left an impression on their debrief points namely...
CIT Chen Yi Cheng - Somehow his debrief points made me reflect deeper. I've shared what he's shared during the course...in one of the posts in my blog.
CIT Chia Bing Qiang - Hmm...I wonder who in the June Course will forget the "Can we make it?" guy. I think he's proud of it as well. It was quite funny when Yi Cheng (who spoke next) said "After such and inspirtational speech from our batchmate, I am sure we are mroe awake now." Lolz!
CIT Lim Chee Hao - Everytime he debriefs, he sounds like a wise guy. Although his points may not be agreeable to some, I commend his willingness to share.

Memorable moment 2?
The day I kicked Jon...haha! Oh well, my alarm is the most irritating sound to hear and it irks other instructors a lot cos I am a deep sleeper and my alarm sems to be for them than for me.

And so one fine morning, Jon came over to my bed to wake me up. I was half-concious and surprisingly...in playful mood. He nudged my leg with his thigh and i actually raised my leg to kick him while lying on my bed. Jon simply catched it and swing it over to the other side...cussing in the process...lolz!

So did we wake up? Nahz! Both went to sleep again! Haha!

The April and June RCs had been fun. After all, I've always enjoyed CIBTC. I hope to have another chance at it the next course...

spoke at : 23:59