Well, I went to see a specialist regarding my back bone and it turns out that my back bone is kinda not-very-straight. This explains why I feel the pain when carrying really heavy field packs full of crap that are deemed as compulsory items in the army.
My back suffered and it came to a point of time that I sounded it out to the medic and it was suggested that I place my field pack into a vehicle and then – poof – gone was the times carrying the field pack, marching and taking cover behind a thin rubber tree.
The specialist grant me 6 weeks of excuse from carrying heavy items and instructed me to go for physiotherapy sessions.
My training is somewhat disrupted henceforth. Now when the others are training, I am reading Totto-chan at a shed. And my excuse last 6 weeks, all the way until September 22 which is after I pass out of Basic Military Training (BMT) in Pulau Tekong. [I pass out on September 7.]
I don’t know how would the arrangement be like. I am quite troubled by this for several days. Should I go out of my course? Should I continue and pass out? What will happen? I really have no idea.
Till today, I have no idea. I somehow wish to complete my BMT. It’s almost going to end already, less than a month more. I want to pass out of BMT with my platoon mates too. But I can’t go onto a full gear 24 km route march which is compulsory I think. I just hope everything turns out fine.
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Tags: health, national service, personal
I think I understand the backache, cos I face the same problem as well. I feel the strain with just a slightly heavier than normal schoolbag, so yeah…
Hope you will feel better sooon, Mr Dew.
by milky (Aug 14, 2005 at 3 PM)since you’ve come so far… it will be quite a pain (literally) to go thru the whole darn BMT thingy again. somehow, try to work out some compromise with your PS or OC (e.g. reduce the weight of your fullpack) so that you can get out of that island. With that “protection order” from your medical specialist, i think your posting after BMT will be affected (as in unlikely to get very ‘combat’ kinda roles, at least for the 1st month after BMT).
by viv (Aug 14, 2005 at 6 PM)Best wishes from my side to you, too
by Nafcom (Aug 15, 2005 at 12 AM)I think you will OOT. THe OOT personnell at our company all have back problem. You probably be a storeman in the future.
by dgj (Aug 16, 2005 at 8 AM)However, have you completed the IFC and range?
If yes, maybe you able to complete BMT. 24 KM routemarch is not compulsory for completing routemarch.
24 KM routemarch is not compulsory for completing BMT*. But dont worry about the army. Concentrate on healing your backbone ok? Hope you be well soon.
by dgj (Aug 16, 2005 at 5 PM)Totally agree with dgj here. health is most important, Mr Dew!
so best wishes again 
by Nafcom (Aug 17, 2005 at 1 AM)Thanks everyone. Unfortunately, this is not a condition that can be corrected unless with surgical methods. The doctors proposed strengthening of muscles through physiotherapy.
viv: It would be quite a waste to get out of course when I almost complete. I spoken to the OC already and I gotten excuse heavyload. Basically, he will try to let me pass the BMT (Basic Military Training) and I am grateful for that.
dgj: I don’t want to be a storeman! It’s tough job too actually. I help them run errands before. I have completed but field camp and range. I should be able to pass out of Pulau Tekong.
by Mr. Dew (Aug 24, 2005 at 2 PM)