So I finally overcome’d procrastination and got myself to complete this. Like I promised. Do keep in mind that the NS experience would never fit into one blog post, or even a few, in this case. This is my best attempt at trying to compress 70 days of training into these words, so bear with me if you will. =)
Batch Info: Program Latihan Khidmat Negara: Kumpulan 1, Siri 4/2007, Kem Puncak Permai, Bau.
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I would never forget the shiver in the wind as I dragged my rolling bag down the slope leading to the hall of Kem Puncak Permai, Bau. It the 1st of January and it wasn’t as bad as it seemed, it had rained that morning, and the winds were no help to the chilly weather. I, along with about 30 others made our way down to the hall after disembarking from the very first bus to arrive, savouring the new surroundings of the place we would call ‘home’ for the next 69 days while trying to make sense out of scattered blocks of almost identical buildings.
A lake was to the right and right beside it was the hall, in all its glory. We observed that it was clearly the largest structure within the complex, as we walked into it with much uncertainty.
It was there that I first met Jason, who would be one of my best buddies in weeks to come. We reported ourselves, had our bags screened and spent the rest of the day waiting bus after bus to arrive, ferrying in trainees from all over the country, until the camp was filled with about 421 trainees of all races, yet with the same nationality, all summoned in for one common reason.
Generally
Now, to get you into the mindset of roughly what we do, and have, here are some facts you should know.
As of 10th of March, at any given time, there are 421 trainees roaming around the camp’s compound, of which, 202 are males and 219 are females. In case you are wondering, I got there figures while spying around in the camp’s management office, and yeah, the females outnumber the males. Duh!
The instructors on the other hand, had 17 manning the Physical Module and 20 in charge of the other three modules. And talking about modules, we went through the Physical Module, the Character buidling module, the Nation Building module, the Community Service module, the Weaponry module (modul kesenjataan), and the Literature and Cultural Programme.
So, we were all divided into four large companies, the Alpha, the Bravo, the Charlie and the Delta company. There were 8 dormitory blocks for the boys and each company occupies two dorm blocks, same goes for the gals. I was assigned to block L7 of the Delta Company along with Jason.
There were 31 dudes sharing dorm L7, Jason and I were one of the first ones to enter and so we had the privilage of choosing our beds. Each dorm has a washroom attached to it, complete with 5 small sized sinks and 6 large sized sinks for washing clothes. There were also 6 shower cubicles and another 6 toilet cubicles. Not forgetting a large pool in the middle were our dorm mates would often have water wars. XD
The facilities in our camp were rather new, it is new, in fact, for Kem Puncak Permai is the newest camp in the country, completed only in 2006 and we were the 3rd batch to use it. Lucky eh?
Time Management!
So goes the trademark of En. Azezi, who’s often went out of tune. Fellow campmates would know..hehe.
Basically, the daily routine life begins with the morning roll call at 0600 hours where we have to be readily in line by that time, waiting for En. Lenggang. Then PT follows until 0700 where we would be heading back to the hall for breakfast. Classes starts at 0830, breaks at 1030 for Morning Tea and finally ends at 1200 noon, where we will have our lunch.
By 1430 hours, it would be the activities of the Physical Module, which ends at 1600 for Afternoon Tea and then at 1700 we would gather at the Marching Field for sports. 1800 hours mark the most awaited dinner.
By 2030 hours, we have to gather back in the hall for any activities that follow at night and by 2200 we would have supper. Lights off by 2300, where we all would have to be quietly tucked in bed, if not snoring the dorm roof off.
On weekends though, we are pretty much free to roam around, for there are no activities. Except of course, it is the Community Service day which usually falls on Saturday, where we would be ferried out in buses to our respective locations serve the community. Everyone will be out for prayers on Sunday mornings, except for the Muslims. Christians are ferried to Churches, Buddhist to Temples and so on.
I’m hungry.
Umm..no, the food sucks. Probably the only complain you hear about is the food. Uncooked, tasteless and lack of variety. Much of us wouldn’t take another piece of salted fish for the rest of our lives, if you get what I mean.
But oh well, at least it’s enough to keep us up and going, 6 meals a day, 7 days a week. Talk about slimming! (not me though, heh)
Well, that’s probably everything all summed up in general. I’ll leave the activities and more photos for later.. I promise there will be a part 2, heh.
Seriously, I’d love to know WHERE you were when you took that last photo…and where you were SUPPOSED to be when you were taking it. XD
Damn! I was hoping no one would notice that. Well then theres no reason to hide the truth from you. I sneaked out of the crowd before they even lined up and crawled through the ditches all the way up the hill, earning myself a few cuts and scratches in the process.
Seriously, lol. That pic was taken by my dad during the camp’s open day. Look for me in there, if you’re still aren’t convinced. XD
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hey there. thanks for you info about NS camp. anyway im going for ns after my spm. @ kem puncak permai. can’t wait for that moment. but im afraid of its food. argh. hahaha. 😀
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hey there.
wow.
it is a nice page i can say.
well i’ve been there.
i was from the second batch.
kump.2 siri 4/2007.
and i’m going to visit again this beautiful n memorable place sumwhere in this month.
can’t wait.
have been missing those ppl over there.
KPP RAWKS..!!
Cool! fellow KPP-er! =D
Kinda miss my campmates too..and yeah, its been memorable.
Elow mf fwenzzzz.….….……