OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL

Outward Bound School

After the sea cruise, we had some days off. Our next phase of Midshipman Training was to attend the 3 weeks Outward Bound School in Pulau Ubin. The purpose of this training was confidence building as well inculcating other qualities such as teamwork, discipline, resourcefulness and leadership. We had heard of this course so many times. To us, it’s another 3 weeks of adventure and we were raring to go.

Welcome and Introduction

From Punggol Point we were ferried there buy bumboats. We assembled at OBS School and met with other eager trainees sponsored by various organisations. We were allocated to billets and was as to changed and begin our training. This time we were introduced to all our trainers. We were divided into group and played some games as ‘ice-breaker’, to get to know the other members. One of the first activities was to bend down, spin 50 round and run straight which we discovered was impossible. We had good laugh when some just ran amok. Our final welcome activity was to walk across the stream. To the uninitiated, this wasn’t a stream; it was a swamp with 2 feet deep of smelly mud. I waded through with little difficulties as I have done this scooping fish from a stream near my house. For those who never did it before, it was sure hell especially when the shoes were stuck and had to put their hand in the mud to salvage the shoes. After that, it must be the best and longest shower for some.

So Many Activities

We did the ‘Fire Fox’, sliding down a few hundred feet on the rope on the fireman chair. Other activities include basic rock climbing and abseiling, walking about 30 feet on tight rope and many more I cannot remember. It was really fun and enjoyable for me.

Canoeing

This was one of the toughest courses for me. Firstly, my arm muscle was my weakest link, secondly my partner was an SIA admin officer, and he was even weaker than me. We set off in a group from Ubin, followed by a safety boat and rowed all the way to the Causeway. From there, we canoed back. We camped for the night on a smaller island off Tekong. We had to cook and eat our ration provided. The next morning, we canoed again and my canoe was always the last of the pack. I felt it provided 3 quarters of the muscles as my mate just couldn’t coup. My arms were real sore after 3 days of canoeing. But it was really satisfying to complete the relay. That I think was the essence of the course. Focus, discipline, determination and sheer hard work make all thing impossible possible.

Solo Nights.

We were each given rations and tent and discarded on an isolated spot and live there for the next 3 days. I was a kampong boy, well acquainted with darkness and noises of night creatures. This place was no different except it didn’t have a roof. So for the next 3 days, while some of my mates suffered in fear and anxiety, I enjoyed doing nothing, just relaxing, eating and sleeping.

Topo March

This was a team effort to go from one point to another. It was here one can show leadership. The participants from other organisations took it seriously. We took a step backward and let them run the show as we don’t need to prove any leadership. At the same time, we had done this so many times since our days in school.

End of Course

We were graded but it was not relevant to the navy. We earned our OBS badge and certificate. I thoroughly enjoyed this course as it was an adventure as there wasn’t any regiment involved in all the daily activities. No fall in and fall out and no flag rising.
It’s back to Midshipman school to prepare for next phase of the training. We will be posted to various ships for on the job training before commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant. But prior to ship posting, we had leave. Together with a few friends, we went to Kuala Lumpur and Penang for a couple of days.

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