Scout??
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Hey, don't be put off by the tough training. The day will come when you can hold your head high and let people know you went, you saw and you overcame all the SHIT being dished at you. It's all in the mind, you can do it. Believe in your mental strength as that is what going to keep you going when you are at your rock bottom.Originally posted by pkchukiss:I am feeling a bit sian... ISPC (a.k.a. my jungle hat course) is starting tomorrow. What it means is tons of chiong, pure torture (power PT is the highlight, as my PC puts it), fast marches with camel loads. What's even more satisfying is that I am a quad vocationalist! I am a recce, biker, signaler, and medic all rolled into one... That means I have the heaviest load of them all...
Now I am nursing a broken blister (it still looks black to me, hopefully it will recover before the first chiong session) sustained from my first attempt at fast march (4 km).
Try to tighten your boots before fast march. To reduce the occurance of blisters, you need to reduce heat and friction build up between your skin and the socks. Put in loads of foot powder in the socks. You can consider wearing a pair of thin socks, before putting on the green army socks. During fast march, make sure that each step you take, you lift your foot up, don't ever shuffle along as this is more likely to induce blisters.
Keep that chin up, trooper. You can make it, we know you will. -
It is for water collection during survival. Or it can be used to prevent dust/dirt from getting into the barrel by covering the muzzle.Originally posted by Peace84:what is condom for? -
????Originally posted by mfscrewu:It is for water collection during survival. Or it can be used to prevent dust/dirt from getting into the barrel by covering the muzzle.
surely got other ways right....
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scouts dun have a medic in their platoon as they operate in teams so everyone in the team is trained in basic medical skills. if u r talking about the MOP, then it shld be carried by the dy and not u, whom i presume is the signaller. anyway without the MOP the signaller's fieldpack is still the heaviest in the team. good luck...
btw, u can only be considered a dual-vocationalist as a biker and scout... -
There are definitely other ways to collect water, but it all depends on the situation and if the luxury of the time is there for one to explore other methods. The condom is part of the survival kit that is to be used during the E&E period when behind enemy lines.Originally posted by the.raven:????
surely got other ways right.... -
do they really buy condom and use, or is it some latex thingie that acts like a condom? cuz I cant imagine u go buy condom to collect water LOLOriginally posted by mfscrewu:There are definitely other ways to collect water, but it all depends on the situation and if the luxury of the time is there for one to explore other methods. The condom is part of the survival kit that is to be used during the E&E period when behind enemy lines. -
4sir?haha oh i from the previous batch man!!so pc LT siao and ps authur treat u guys good?hehee
Gd luck for ur course!!the siong part will be the power pt..and the long walk..abt 40km + looking for check points. -
Just to add on to mfscrewu's suggestions. Try to buy a pair of spandex tights (cycling tights) and wear them before putting on your no. 4 pants. This would prevent chafing on your thighs when your pants get soaked with sweat. Dun forget to powder your crotch beforehand though...Originally posted by pkchukiss:I am feeling a bit sian... ISPC (a.k.a. my jungle hat course) is starting tomorrow. What it means is tons of chiong, pure torture (power PT is the highlight, as my PC puts it), fast marches with camel loads. What's even more satisfying is that I am a quad vocationalist! I am a recce, biker, signaler, and medic all rolled into one... That means I have the heaviest load of them all...
Now I am nursing a broken blister (it still looks black to me, hopefully it will recover before the first chiong session) sustained from my first attempt at fast march (4 km).
I was also a scout signaller last time, so here's some suggestions. Make sure that your signal set and frame are strapped on tight. This would prevent it from rattling against your back when you do your fast march. If you are carrying spare antennas, tie the lower bottom of antenna case to the signal set ruck, and see if you can switch over to whip antenna, while keeping the collapsible one in the case. If its possible to use the whip antenna, try to tie down the antenna to your SBO by bending it down. Put a couple of smal rubber bands on the right side of your harness (or left, depending on your preference). I know we are not supposed to do it, since the antenna might snap, but just be careful and not flex it too much....But the whip antenna thing depends on your PC or team leader.
If you are putting the signal set in your full pack, try to position the radio comfortably so that it doesn't rattle. My trick was to position the spare batteries in such a way that it pushes the signal set against the back of the fullpack, and used my jacket to fill up the space and as a cushion.
Try to adjust your SBO and full pack so that they ride high on your shoulders and not around your hips, cos' it'll really hurt after awhile.
Last thing...hang in there bro!! You can do it! And welcome to our fraternity... -
sbo on the shoulder?!Originally posted by Tango1:Try to adjust your SBO and full pack so that they ride high on your shoulders and not around your hips, cos' it'll really hurt after awhile. -
alamak...nooooo....that's not what I meant lah...Originally posted by wuming78:sbo on the shoulder?! What I wanted to say was that you should shorten your harness straps on your SBO so that it rides above your hips. And clip in the excess padding on the bottom...the idea is not to let your equipment sag around your hips... -
so des. wont have such a problem when they introduce the vest to replace sbo.Originally posted by Tango1:alamak...nooooo....that's not what I meant lah... What I wanted to say was that you should shorten your harness straps on your SBO so that it rides above your hips. And clip in the excess padding on the bottom...the idea is not to let your equipment sag around your hips...
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PS is definitely a big time joker, hardly a day goes without some crack from him... He is really good. Some of the 1 Guards recoursee are with us, and he never fails to make them laugh too. PC is very ambitious, but he hardly mixes around with us, even though he gives us prep talk.. He wants us to grab all the awards available.Originally posted by xiao_mao:4sir?haha oh i from the previous batch man!!so pc LT siao and ps authur treat u guys good?hehee
Gd luck for ur course!!the siong part will be the power pt..and the long walk..abt 40km + looking for check points.
The nice thing is that the bikers from the driving course also came along with their platoons. Armour and Brigade. Nice to know friends in so many places...
Here is something strange that happened to me. On Thursday, we went for a 6 km fast march. I was the rear scout with my usual signal load. Strangely speaking, I had no problems walking while the others were struggling (no signal load!) to even catch up. I am not a very strong walker. Does this have to do with walking at the back (slip stream or something?)
On Friday, just when we added combat rations to my already crazy load (I now know what it means to "stuff a kitchen sink into a field pack...") I started to get nightmares from the load. Why the difference? We only added a day's worth of combat rations, and I start to struggle with my signal set. What can I do to reduce the stress on my back? I've tried to tighten my SBO such that some of the weight rests on my hips, but it does not really seem to be working...
But I must say, this first week is rewarding... The leopard crawls, worm crawls in FBO have really given me a new respect for the human mind. Nobody wanted to drop out at all, even though the load was breaking them. It is really a sight.
I think Power PT is a reduced version from what the previous batches would have done, cos nobody actually collapsed from doing the sets. Some people tried to be funny with the instructors and memorised all sorts of things, like the number of spotlights in the background, etc.. Shack, but shiok.
I think I might be addicted to physical training after all. -
nice to hear tt u r doing well!Originally posted by pkchukiss:PS is definitely a big time joker, hardly a day goes without some crack from him... He is really good. Some of the 1 Guards recoursee are with us, and he never fails to make them laugh too. PC is very ambitious, but he hardly mixes around with us, even though he gives us prep talk.. He wants us to grab all the awards available.
The nice thing is that the bikers from the driving course also came along with their platoons. Armour and Brigade. Nice to know friends in so many places...
Here is something strange that happened to me. On Thursday, we went for a 6 km fast march. I was the rear scout with my usual signal load. Strangely speaking, I had no problems walking while the others were struggling (no signal load!) to even catch up. I am not a very strong walker. Does this have to do with walking at the back (slip stream or something?)
On Friday, just when we added combat rations to my already crazy load (I now know what it means to "stuff a kitchen sink into a field pack...") I started to get nightmares from the load. Why the difference? We only added a day's worth of combat rations, and I start to struggle with my signal set. What can I do to reduce the stress on my back? I've tried to tighten my SBO such that some of the weight rests on my hips, but it does not really seem to be working...
But I must say, this first week is rewarding... The leopard crawls, worm crawls in FBO have really given me a new respect for the human mind. Nobody wanted to drop out at all, even though the load was breaking them. It is really a sight.
I think Power PT is a reduced version from what the previous batches would have done, cos nobody actually collapsed from doing the sets. Some people tried to be funny with the instructors and memorised all sorts of things, like the number of spotlights in the background, etc.. Shack, but shiok.
I think I might be addicted to physical training after all.
and its possible to really be "addicted" to physical trg - our body produces a hormone endorphine when we undergo physical training, and endorphine has effects that resembles opiates - it causes the sensations of well-being after physical exertion (tt is if the exertion is not so great tt fatigue numbs any other feelings). so u see the link? -
ya lor ur ps is a big joker..when u guys haven posted into the camp..he always tok alot of cocks wif us.."mai kong jiao wei"..whereas the pc is more like keep to himself..Originally posted by pkchukiss:PS is definitely a big time joker, hardly a day goes without some crack from him... He is really good. Some of the 1 Guards recoursee are with us, and he never fails to make them laugh too. PC is very ambitious, but he hardly mixes around with us, even though he gives us prep talk.. He wants us to grab all the awards available.
The nice thing is that the bikers from the driving course also came along with their platoons. Armour and Brigade. Nice to know friends in so many places...
Here is something strange that happened to me. On Thursday, we went for a 6 km fast march. I was the rear scout with my usual signal load. Strangely speaking, I had no problems walking while the others were struggling (no signal load!) to even catch up. I am not a very strong walker. Does this have to do with walking at the back (slip stream or something?)
On Friday, just when we added combat rations to my already crazy load (I now know what it means to "stuff a kitchen sink into a field pack...") I started to get nightmares from the load. Why the difference? We only added a day's worth of combat rations, and I start to struggle with my signal set. What can I do to reduce the stress on my back? I've tried to tighten my SBO such that some of the weight rests on my hips, but it does not really seem to be working...
But I must say, this first week is rewarding... The leopard crawls, worm crawls in FBO have really given me a new respect for the human mind. Nobody wanted to drop out at all, even though the load was breaking them. It is really a sight.
I think Power PT is a reduced version from what the previous batches would have done, cos nobody actually collapsed from doing the sets. Some people tried to be funny with the instructors and memorised all sorts of things, like the number of spotlights in the background, etc.. Shack, but shiok.
I think I might be addicted to physical training after all.
from wat we been doing..when we have to include combat rations..we usually take wat its needed..and signaller's combat ration are distributed to basher/shadow.so that the load for the team is even lor...just help each other out if possible..cos there's gonna be more chiong sua for the team..i suppose maybe u are fitter than ur other plt mates..tats y u dun seems to have any problem when carrying a signal set.but if more loads add on..i suppose all cannot tahan liao..all these nid physical conditioning lor..mainly strengthening the shoulder muscle..so as to tahan the weight of the loads.btw are u guys using the saf fieldpack or the US's(bigger fieldpack) provided in our scout store?PT training still consist of the 8 sets of exercise?those will the tough ones..it was even introduced to our coy trainings..haha
gd luck again..hee -
think u refering to the alice pack?Originally posted by xiao_mao:btw are u guys using the saf fieldpack or the US's(bigger fieldpack) provided in our scout store?
gd luck again..hee -
yap..haha..forgotten abt the name..just know tat is big,can contain alot of things..
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Good for you! You are coping well with the stresses of scout training. Yeah, signallers carry the heaviest load around...what to do? You are the commo lifeline of the team....Originally posted by pkchukiss:PS is definitely a big time joker, hardly a day goes without some crack from him... He is really good. Some of the 1 Guards recoursee are with us, and he never fails to make them laugh too. PC is very ambitious, but he hardly mixes around with us, even though he gives us prep talk.. He wants us to grab all the awards available.
The nice thing is that the bikers from the driving course also came along with their platoons. Armour and Brigade. Nice to know friends in so many places...
Here is something strange that happened to me. On Thursday, we went for a 6 km fast march. I was the rear scout with my usual signal load. Strangely speaking, I had no problems walking while the others were struggling (no signal load!) to even catch up. I am not a very strong walker. Does this have to do with walking at the back (slip stream or something?)
On Friday, just when we added combat rations to my already crazy load (I now know what it means to "stuff a kitchen sink into a field pack...") I started to get nightmares from the load. Why the difference? We only added a day's worth of combat rations, and I start to struggle with my signal set. What can I do to reduce the stress on my back? I've tried to tighten my SBO such that some of the weight rests on my hips, but it does not really seem to be working...
But I must say, this first week is rewarding... The leopard crawls, worm crawls in FBO have really given me a new respect for the human mind. Nobody wanted to drop out at all, even though the load was breaking them. It is really a sight.
I think Power PT is a reduced version from what the previous batches would have done, cos nobody actually collapsed from doing the sets. Some people tried to be funny with the instructors and memorised all sorts of things, like the number of spotlights in the background, etc.. Shack, but shiok.
I think I might be addicted to physical training after all.
There's little more you can do to reduce the stress on your shoulders, unfortunately...the best thing to do is to make sure you distribute your load...i.e. spread the things around in your full pack or ALICE pack in such a way that both shoulders would carry about the equal burden. Another way you could ease the burden is to buy some thick foam padding and tape them on your ruck's shoulder straps.
As for the combat rations, pass some to your SAW gunner/basher, and put the rest in your ruck. If possible, you could even put one or two in your thigh pockets. It really depends on your preference. If you want a warm meal of say, glutinous rice, then sandwich one of the ration packet in-between the radio and the backboard of your fullpack, or even better, your ALICE pack....after you work up a sweat, the heat from your body, plus the signal set would transfer to your ruck, and accordingly, to your combat ration...quite nice!! -
During reservist we had to use the leftover PRC-77 signal set. Na bei heavy like fxxk. Weighs 12kg and the spare battery another 2kg.
After one whole night of route march and FIBUA, I couldn't climb out of the trench during FOFO without help by daybreak. And that's when I'm in top form.
And with the PRC set I'm always the last one to climb up the 3-tonner so always kena sit on the floor.
Sometimes walking in the forest at night fall asleep and nearly lose balance because of the set. -
Yah...its bound to happen..like most of us have posted, signallers have the heavist load...Originally posted by tvdog:During reservist we had to use the leftover PRC-77 signal set. Na bei heavy like fxxk. Weighs 12kg and the spare battery another 2kg.
After one whole night of route march and FIBUA, I couldn't climb out of the trench during FOFO without help by daybreak. And that's when I'm in top form.
And with the PRC set I'm always the last one to climb up the 3-tonner so always kena sit on the floor.
Sometimes walking in the forest at night fall asleep and nearly lose balance because of the set.
The PRC-77 set? Hahaha!! There was one exercise that we were playing opfor scouts against a reservist infantry unit, and one of their company's section spotted us, and the whole bladdy platoon gave chase....wah lau, we had to break contact and continue mission, running like mad dogs.
Finally, we decided to disperse and spread ourselves (cover and concealment) since it was quite dark anyway. Sekali as I was lying prone, my signal set (the PRC-77) sounded out with my PS's voice wondering where we were, since we didn't report in...and the area was swarming with with opfor guys hoping to capture one of us for welfare bonus...somemore the sqelch was damn loud, and my PS was asking whether the enemy was near or not...knn...I felt like shouting in the handset at the moment: "YES!! They're NEAR!! YOU WANT TO TALK TO SOME OF THEM?!!!
"
wah lau...panic like siow man.... -
I thought only reservist use PRC-77. This Vietnam War relic is probably older than me - and I'm quite old.
I haven't served for 7 years since living overseas. Is the PRC-77 still on issue?
The damn thing is indestructible. I once got so tired and frustrated after excercise I threw the damn thing onto the bunk floor and kicked it across the room. Still worked.
The range on this thing should be quite good but it is too damn heavy especially for reservist who are getting old like me.
I once saw some scouts with the fancy waist and headphone type of radio. The thing is bigger than a handheld set but much smaller than a PRC-77 and attaches neatly to the belt. And instead of the handset it's got headphones with mic attached.
These scouts also use brand new CAR-15 carbine. This was way before SAR-21. -
Heh....I've also been overseas for about 7 yrs also. Did my NS time from '94-96...old men we are...Originally posted by tvdog:I thought only reservist use PRC-77. This Vietnam War relic is probably older than me - and I'm quite old.
I haven't served for 7 years since living overseas. Is the PRC-77 still on issue?
The damn thing is indestructible. I once got so tired and frustrated after excercise I threw the damn thing onto the bunk floor and kicked it across the room. Still worked.
The range on this thing should be quite good but it is too damn heavy especially for reservist who are getting old like me.
I once saw some scouts with the fancy waist and headphone type of radio. The thing is bigger than a handheld set but much smaller than a PRC-77 and attaches neatly to the belt. And instead of the handset it's got headphones with mic attached.
These scouts also use brand new CAR-15 carbine. This was way before SAR-21.
Yeah, there was some cock-up before the exercise, that's why I ended up using one of the reservist unit's radios instead of my usual 9 series radio. The one with the headphone...arrrgh...I cannot recall the designation...
yeah, I carried that too...for short-range missons...uncomfortable as hell...
The PRC-77 was slowly being phased out during my time already...the 900 series radio sets were replacing it...most of the units still using PRC-77 tended to be reservist units or combat support units...hate that clunky thing...
The carbine was the standard issue weapon to most scout companies, with the exception of infantry. Loved my carbine like hell....sigh... -
Transfer some of my combat rations to the basher? From the looks of his face during the 9 km fast march yesterday, I am worried I would break him. Better give to the TC/DY
Actually, I didn't notice any field packs in the store when we went in some time back, just some portable boats for water crossing.
Tomorrow, we are having Exercise Longwalk, which they say is very xiong. I don't doubt that, especially after I saw the AO on the map (super long stretch from the Jalan Bahar area to near the tip of Lim Chu Kang).
Hmm... I guess I must be the lucky one among all signalers... I've gotten the PRC 940A. People from ASPC are envious at my good fortune to be saddled with a lesser evil. Even then, I am having some problems getting the whole lot on my shoulders. Either I end up whipping someone with the whip antenna, or the handset cord keeps entangling itself in my arms, threatening to snap at the time when I am most shacked... (Darn that 1206.
)
I've also seen the brigade guys' carbines, so bloody cool! Too bad I have got a SAR 21, which is pretty useless in my own opinion, because PS said we would not even get to fire at the enemy if we get contacted... -
oh?see if ur tc/dy are helpful enuff a not lor..they also gt their own load to carry..in addition wif the themal imagner(watever name,cant remember ).maybe those alice fieldpacks are taken away..anyway they arent really helpful(except big)..they weigh down on the sbo..making it uncomfortable.
to prevent whipping ppl wif ur antenna(i always kena..c.b
) u can try securing ur antenna from behind to the front of strap of sbo wif some string or watever..so tat when u bash..it wont hinder ur movement, and running away from enemies..cos sometime if u din screw it probably to the antenna base..it may come loose..and u run..u drop..u sign 1206
True..scout dun fire their arms(extra load )..even contacted..also run away..unless enemies only one or two..confident..then attack back..and take their personal information like maps.. -
Tango, I older man than you. I ROD (as it was known back then) in 1986.
I haven't been in uniform for seven years. Sigh... I do miss it a lot.
Anyway, the bloody PRC-77 set. During assault I have to hold the fxxking handset in my left hand and my weapon in my right hand. There's nowhere to put the handset. There's a clip for you to hook onto your SBO harness but even if the clip isn't broken, the damn thing falls off as soon as you start running. I don't even hold my weapon by the pistol grip and simply sling it in front of me or usually just grip it where the magazine well meets the handguard.
Never get to fire a single shot during the assault as I'm yapping away on the handset anyway. It would've been really nice to have a short weapon as a platoon runner. -
Finally, after so many weeks, I have passed out from this course! I cannot imagine how glad I am, to be able to go home and have a proper night's sleep!
8 days outfield, 2 exercises, and 1 wet jungle hat presentation ceremony! I can't believe I went through all that!
Network is the craziest mission I think. On the first day, we did something crazy, like walking along the track to draw enemy fire... too bad there wasn't any to report. Then the very first night, at the BSP, I saw a Guards battalion going past us with their LSV (can't believe they didn't spot me, I was just inside the vegetation by the side of the road), then when we shifted again, we ended up sleeping on a 84mm live firing impact knoll (imagine all the blinds we could have set off...). For the final link up to Elephant hill, we wanted to take a short-cut, but ended up walking even more because we were blocked by a water body... Then we climbed Elephant hill TWO times! It was Cat 1 when we climbed up the first time, and we went down to shelter. Then it lifted, and we had to climb up again, wet and smelly (think any civilian attending the parade will faint from the biological fallout). But the finale was cool... CO put my jungle hat on for me, then OC was standing there looking very pleased in his red beret. Then we met our S2 for the first time, whom described himself as a "bastard who doesn't seem like a bastard". After which, he proceeded to jam all the sleep deprived souls with technical questions...
S2: "You over there. I bet with you one month's salary that the 940A dipole has a battery inside it!"
Victim: "Uh... there isn't any battery inside the dipole what."
S2: "ARE YOU SURE?!?! Let me tell you I can bet there is a battery inside. I can even take it out to show you! Come, let's bet one month's salary. Want or not?"
Victim: (Jammed)
S2: (to another victim) "YOU! Why are you looking at me like that? Ok, how much do I owe you?"
Victim 2: (Jammed)
S2: "I know, I know, just tell me how much I owe you"
Victim 2: "You don't owe me any money sir"
S2: "SURE or NOT?? (Takes out wallet) It's ok, you can just say"
S2: (to the commanders; winks at them) "Have you told them of the 72 km route march yet?"
Question to all: Are all S2s like that?????????????????????????????????????