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| 18 members of the 6th Batch of Midshipmen at yesterday's gathering |
What is it about old Navy mates that makes getting together so much fun. In 1978, eighty-seven boys joined the Navy Midshipman School at Terror Barracks (Sembawang) in a quest to become Naval Officers. Some were there for just 2.5 yrs of National Service. The majority signed on to make the Navy their career. We were just boys then. Fresh from School and thrust into the rigors of military life enduring our first exposure to regimentation & disciple. It would be the first time we had all privileges & freedom removed from us. The first time we had to sleep in barracks, eat whatever we were given and made to wake up at 4.30am, wash & iron our own clothes, given a rifle and forced to work as a team or perish. It took almost 2 years as a midshipman before we got our hard earned commission by President Benjamin Henry Sheares at the Istana. I had served the Navy as regular from Dec 1978 to Jan 1984 and as a reserve from July 1984 to May 2010. 32 years in all.
I have gained so much from the experience and will always cherish my Navy years as the best years of my life. Now at the half-way point of my life, I intend to live these better years to the fullest of my ability. The'll be no holding back. I will spend time sailing the Riau Archipelago, driving to London from Singapore and touring Australia by Land Cruiser. The first half was a learning adventure. I intend for the 2nd half to be just as adventurous.
The way we were growing up in the Navy in Pictures.
