Recruits singing the cadence song 'Training to be Soldiers'
My first bookout was liberating, to say the least. I was finally free to do whatever I want, whenever I want, and however I want. Although it was only two days, it was better than nothing. I was tired of the military life where everything is highly regimental and disobedience would immediately lead to me ‘knocking it down’.
Nonetheless, I was adapting to the military lifestyle. In the past two weeks, I had learnt how to march in cadence, disassemble and assemble a rifle and first aid among other basic military skills that can be classified as the very “functional literacy” brought up by Scribner when he was describing the literacy skills required for modern soldiering. I was also learning basic military commands in Malay such as ‘Kiri Belok’ which meant to turn left while marching. Having grown up in an environment where English and Chinese were the two main languages I interacted on a daily basis with, I did not intuitively understand what the commands meant. I distinctly remember defining models and structures to memorize what various malay words meant, such as remembering that ‘kiri’ meant ‘left’ because both words contained four letters. Towards the end of the two weeks, I believed I had acquired what Wong referred to as Basic, Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) in terms of issuing and understanding simple military commands (Wong, 2).
During my bookout, I found myself whistling to cadence tunes such as ‘Training to be Soldiers'(video above) and Purple Light (see below for lyrics) that I picked up when the commanders sang the songs while we were marching from one point to another. The music stuck in my head throughout the weekend. That weekend, I felt more like a soldier than an ordinary civilian.
Purple Light Lyrics
Purple light In the valley There is where I want to be Infantry Close companion With my rifle and my buddy and me….
SOC [Standard Obstacle Course] Si bei jia lat [Totally hopeless] IPPT [Individual Physical Proficiency Test] Lagi worse [Even worse] Every day Doing PT [Physical Training] With my rifle and my buddy and me….
Booking out To see my girlfriend Saw her with another man Broken heart Back to army
With rifle and my buddy and me….
ORD (Operationally ready date i.e. the day National Service ends) Back to study Got degree So happy Can’t forget Still remember With my rifle and my buddy and me….
Purple Light At the warfront There is where My Buddy die if I die would you B-U-R-Y me? [the pronunciation of “bury” is lengthened and dragged out] With my rifle and my buddy and me….