my dearest MMS, my fellow sec one squad ics and RVNP as a whole (:
It felt like yesterday when we first got our posting, when the four of us first met up to come up with ideas on how to take the squad and what to prepare/teach them for their first activity.
Never able to forgot the first activity we had with them, how excited we were, how nervous we were.
Through the few months we had with them, many things happened, many memories shared, many emotions experienced, many things learnt. We grew, they too. And not forgetting the last act with them and our ROD. However cliche it may sound, I am really thankful to have shared those memories with them, and my fellow ics.
Through these years, they have matured, grown in many ways. I've seen how they first learnt drills, I've seen how they trained, I've seen how they lead. Honestly speaking, it really seemed so fast, one year flew past, as I ROD-ed as a CI, as I watched them take over the unit. And today, I see them handing the unit over to the next batch of NCOs. There is this indescribable feeling in me, which I bet was felt by every single IC seeing their squad ROD, I guess it was pride and happiness.
Their performances/speeches although simple, came from the heart. Was really touched to be appreciated in this way, to hear special dedications, to every single IC that has taken their squad, to be remembered for the effort put in to helping them to improve and become better. The memories came flowing as they mentioned bits and pieces of the past, moments that were shared just between us. Especially the story about how their squad name came about, how their squad motto came about, honestly, didn't expect MMS to have been derived from there, but on the other hand, felt reassured that we did leave behind a legacy in the sense. It's amazing how after so long, those memories we had are still so etched in our minds, how simple words like "firecrackers" can set us off laughing non-stop, how different parts of the school brought back really beautiful memories. There were definitely joy, laughter, tears, sweat and what not, which made all these memories unique in their special ways.
Being back for ROD seemed so natural to us, having attended the 7 RODs ever since sec 1.
Really happy to be back despite the upcoming finals, with squadmates, to have a simple catch-up, to do really crazy things together, to reminisce those days we had as a squad, laughing and tearing up.
Lying on the grass and taking photos, taking jumpshots in the middle of the track, watching performances together, doing billibanja on the track (& always ended up laughing), and do a crazy chain of cheers as if we were still cadets. Still remember all those funny incidents during our ROD performances since Sec 1, how we tried our best but still fail simply because we were not cut out for dancing. How we went through really hard times together as a squad, to learn many things through the hard way, shed tears together, supported one another and grew together. As I always say and believe, squadmates are people who are unique, they are not like normal friends 'cos we suffer together while we play and learn together. Irreplaceable, this special group of people so close to my heart. Over the years, many things have changed and many of us changed too, yet some things remained the same, that feeling that comes to us whenever we are back with the unit, that joy in us. Come to think of it, it has been 3 years since we ROD-ed as bangbangsquad, and I'm glad we are still so closely-tied to RVNP, and it's really wonderful to have them around. With the love and bond to RVNP, I'm sure there are many more RODs for us to attend together in the future (:
The pride and love for the unit hasn't changed a bit.
To MMS,
Congratulations on your ROD Sec 1s, 你们真的长大了。4 years went past just like that, I don't know how much y'all feel that you have truly gained from this journey, but I'm sure y'all have learnt some kind of skills, and most importantly, gained the special friendship and bond between you and your squadmates. Treasure this special bond, one that I believe will be able to last a lifetime if you are willing to put in the effort to maintain it. As y'all mentioned in the speech, some of y'all didn't join NP willingly back in Year 1, but the very fact that y'all stayed on with the unit despite given the choice to leave in Year 3 proved something. Never told you guys this before but I was impressed with the number, 23 out of 28 is alot, and it is heartening for me, be it from an IC point of view or as a CI or even as senior/fellow RVNP cadet.
I have to say that I'm glad to see how emotional you guys got, the tears on your faces, but this is not because I'm sadistic but because I see how much you guys care. That again, is another heartening realization. Also very touched by how closely knitted you guys have became after all the years, and the fact that y'all were appreciative to your ICs, officers and all those who helped you guys to become who y'all are today. Really really proud of you guys. As the cliche line goes, this is not the end, it is merely another beginning. You may have stepped down as an NCO but never as an RVNP cadet. Continue to keep that passion and love for the unit in your heart, visit your juniors, give them the advice and help as y'all can, contribute and give back to the unit in ways y'all are able to. All the very best in your studies and in your respective new CCAs. Do remember that once an RVNP cadet, always an RVNP cadet. Last but not least, welcome to the RVNP Alumni Family and Happy ROD once again Maomaos! (:
RVNP SOLID SAH! (:
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