Saturday, December 30, 2006
Today is the day! Today is the last day of Basic phase and the day where we are told what weapon system we will be trained in, I got posted to RBS70. Nooooo!! It was a very big disappointment, because it wasn't what I wanted to go into. I had wanted to go to the IHAWK because the missile system is definitely much more prestigious, a larger and more potent SAM system that looks really menacing and cool from a distance. The IHAWK is the largest missile in the SAF arsenal. However, the RBS70 is a laser-guided short-range surface-to-air missile with a much shorter range and kill probability. Considering that all missiles in the RSAF will always be bigger and more menacing than anything the infantry has to offer, it is probably insignificant to be so choosy about a particular missile system isn't it?
I guess it's the recognition, but in the next hour our so, I found out the main reason why I had wanted to go into that IHAWK instead of other systems, I mean, the Mechanized-Igla is pretty cool as well, mounted SAMs on an APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier).
RBS70 training is definitely more tough, road marches with the 24.3kg missile on top of a regular field pack, a 12kg signal set and various other launcher accessories. (All the other missile systems are too heavy to be man-packed, and are mounted on armored vehicles), the RBS is also mounted, but that will come later. I am not afraid of tough training, but we were all put off by our new officer.
He is just so screwed up, he gave such a demoralizing brief, "you'll feel worse than earthworm shit." Almost everything we said was shot back at us extremely blunt and crudely without any consideration at all. He didn't smile at all throughout the 1 hour briefing and all of us came out feeling like shit after the 1 hour.
Then did I realize that the instructor really counts a lot for the morale of the men and now its rock bottom because of him. It's like the first 3 weeks of OCS all over again (The hellest of hell in Officer training and every cadet has his story to tell.) and our mood was all spoilt.
Being at officer ain't going to be easy at all, next time when I handle my men, I must remember that I don't want them to feel the same shit that I went through during training, not all officers have to be so screwed up.
Everyone had mixed emotions when they were told what weapons were going to. Most weren't posted to their choice and more than three quarters didn't get what they wanted and most felt screwed up. Most of the I-hawkers were happy though, the officer of IHAWK is just so jovial and homely. RBS is not the one I wanted to go to, I had wanted IHAWK because of him, but I guess it's fate. Sigh, the instructor is such a dread!
I guess I can gripe initially, but as officers-to-be, we are constantly reminded that we must uphold our stature and integrity. Officers don't gripe, whine or complain isn't it? We're still human after all!
Actually I dun mind tough training. If it was another instructor teaching RBS70 (there are a few very nice instructors), I wouldn't have minded at all, those instructors make the toughest of training seem fun, but this RBS70 instructor is so strict and regimental. It's back to infantry and extreme regimentation all over again, I think all we can do now is take it all in our stride, at least it's not so bad with 2 of my bunkmates who are with me in RBS. I guess, this 20 weeks of training will really show what mettle we are made of.
The RBS70 Surface-To-Air Missile System
2:51 PM
