Results

Today was a very interesting day to say the least. It was the day of the First Aid Competition. We assembled early at 7 pm in the St. John Room for some last minute First Aid Lessons and touching-up to our uniforms. At 10.30 am we left school for SJAB HQ in a taxi, while the AC Team took another taxi.

Once we arrived there, we waited in the corridor until it was time for us to register. Whilst waiting, we saw some of our opponents in the AA Team Competition. For one, there were our old rivals from Swiss Cottage. We somehow, by the grace of God, won last year's competition by a mere eight points, and I knew that they would be out for revenge. Later on, we also saw our biggest rivals, the St. Andrews Team. We knew that the main competition would be between them and us, but there was no form of face-off whatsoever between the two teams. We registered ourselves, and we were AA3, or AA Team Number 3. There were five teams in total, but as mentioned earlier, it would be a David-Goliath fight for the title.

We proceeded to the waiting room, and all too soon, it was time to take bearings for the competiton. In doing so, the Footdrill judge would mark us according to how neatly we dressed and overall impression. Our main rivals, were AA1, so they were marked first. Their commander shouted a loud, "Squad, sedia!!!" The team got into sedia position, and it was a perfect bang! Then, the team shouted, "Good...Morning sir!!!"

At that time, I was not surprised, since I already knew that we were up against a team that was strong in footdrill and Transportation of Casualty (TOC). For our team, our stamp was less than perfect. At the same time, when Icyfate gave the command for senang diri, the commander of AA4 shouted out at the same time, which led to me stamping late due to the mix. However, I was not worried, since our gameplan was to own the two First Aid Cases.

We went back to the waiting room, and had to stay still for around one hour, before we went to our first component, which was First Aid Short Case. The case was multiple gashes on the casualty's arms as well as bleeding on the cheek and an amputated thumb. The problem for that case was that the gloves were still in the bag in the First Aid Kit. Thus, we spent about 30 seconds putting them on, neglecting treatment. After that, I used two bandages to apply direct pressure on the casualty's arms. Then, I began looking around for the amputated thumb, and found it in the form of some plasticine on the ground. I indicated the position to Icyfate by nodding in the direction. However, since the thumb was the same colour as the floor, Icyfate ended up stepping on it. There was no choice, and Icyfate could only try to repair the damage by putting it in a plastic bag. Since both JL and I had our hands full, we were unable to secure the dressings. Therefore, Icyfate had to go around securing the bandages for us. When the case ended, we reported the case to the judge and Fate handed in the casualty report. The judge actually laughed at Fate for not filling in the last part of the report. In my opinion, that was a blatant act of narcissism by the judge. It was as though the judges were looking down on us, without considering our First Aid Knowledge. But anyway, the case was done, and we moved back to the waiting rooms.

The next component was footdrill. When we were told of the area we had, I was laughing inwardly: The place given was twice as big as what we had practised!!!! We usually practised marching within six parking lots, while we were given space from the centre of the car park to the garage area. Icyfate gave the command, "Sekuad Sedia!!!" And we stamped. Perfect bang!

"Dari kanan cepat jalan!"

"Sekuad, berhenti!" Perfect!

The subsequent commands were not exactly perfect, but we threw in everything we had. Icyfate shouted so loud that an echo could be heard from our surroundings. JL timed consistently and sharply, and even Fate stamped his hardest. When we finished our sequence, the judge said that Icyfate's voice was good, except that we could have used the space more effectively, as well as avoided taking steps to the right and left. Other than that, the judge told Icyfate that, "Your guys were good."

That was it. Having screwed up Short Case we wanted to make up for it in footdrill, and we did it! So it was back to the waiting room for us.

The next component was First Aid Long Case. That was the big one. Worth 50% of the total score. Probably the deciding factor. We entered the case knowing that we had to impress. And so we did, treating all the injuries as best as we could. When we had finished, the judge said, "Luckily they saved the best for the last," and "this must be some high ranking team." (Of course we're high-ranking. 3 SSGTs and 1 SGT)

We knew we had done it. We had impressed. Even the casualty told me, "Thank You" when we cut case. After completing the casualty report, I showed my team-mates the two thumbs up symbol. All that we had to do was keep up with other teams for TOC and we should win, and we went back to the waiting room with high spirits.

TOC came, and we treated the casualty for spinal injury. This casualty was quite heavy, so we substituted Fate, since he himself had a back injury. We completed the case reasonably fast, except for a few minor mistakes, and were confident of a win. I was quite sure that we would win because of our Long Case marks.

We went back to the waiting room for some time before the results were out. The AC Team results were out first. Top in TOC, AC4! That was the ACS (I) Team! Top in footdrill, another team. Top in long case, AC4! Top in short case, another team. Best leader, another team. Overall champions, AC4!!!! One was in the bag, it was time for another.

Next were the AA Team results. Top in TOC, AA1. Top in Footdrill, AA1. Top in long case, AA...............1????? The minute I saw that, I know it was all lost. I muttered, "Cannot already" under my breath.

We saw the overall results. We had lost to AA1 in every component! We came in second place. We went up to receive our award, and walked back, dejected. I was still doing fine with the loss, but I heard JL sniffling a little. Hearing him sniffle made tears rush to my eyes. My actions not only affected myself, but my team as well. As the team gathered together to pray, JL and I broke down. It was over. We had lost. As far as I know, we have the most knowledge in First Aid, yet we lost. We were like an Ace Four of a Kind, only that we met a 5-6-7-8-9 Straight Flush.

Of course, one cannot possibly win everything in life. Life is unfair, even though we work hard for something, it does not mean that we will win. I talked to Edward later, and he told me that we scored lower in long case only because the other team had more teamwork. Every time one member asked for help, another would respond immediately. For us, we impressed with our First Aid knowledge and skills, but lacked teamwork. Oh well, at least the AC Team won, and we will win the Nationals through them. Even if we cannot participate in the Nationals, at least we can experience it throught the AC Team.

Anyway, to my team-mates, I cannot be more proud of any of you. Icyfate, who shouted his lungs out and got a 9.5 for leadership in drill. JL, who timed well and handled the other casualty as well as the casualty for short case. Fate, who gave a perfect ambulance call and stamped hard during footdrill. PKL, who substituted Fate for TOC. God, who was always our sixth member. We have done our best as a team.

We showed the ACSian spirit of never giving up even though the situation looked bleak, and held our ground even though we knew that it was going to be a David and Goliath encounter. We upped our footdrill from a usual 32/50 to a 43/50 for the competition, and displayed all the knightly values that form the shield of the ACS crest.

To all the cadets who came to support us for the competition, I would like to thank all of you for your support. I hope this clears up all misconceptions that you have about your NCOs. We are not some sadistic monsters who are out to pump you just because the wind is blowing. We are just like you. We feel pain like you do. We bleed like you do. Like you, we smile when we win, and cry when we lose. I hope that you are proud of your fellow cadets who brought back the title in the AC Category.

"If we hold on together,
I know our dreams will never die.
Dreams see us through to forever,
Where clouds roll by.
For you, and I."

We did not begin the revolution, since it was started by Ming Jie Sir, and Edward Sir. What we did was to continue the revolution, passing the torch on to our juniors who will carry on the revolution. Though we end our journey here for now, ACS(I) SJAB will carry on its endeavour to be an FAC powerhouse in Singapore just as in the late 80s and early 90s. Knowing always that........

THE BEST IS YET TO BE!!!!

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The hopes we had were much too high
Way out of reach but we have to try

No need to hide no need to run
'Cause all the answers come one by one

The game will never be over
Because we're keeping the dream alive
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-- Extract from Keeping the Dream Alive by Freiheit