this is my footdrill reflection.
it is up to you to read it. it is BORING. no explicit text. it is 100% boring. if i can add those into my reflection, i would get suspended. it is not purely from my heart. i have to hide alot of things as this is a reflection to be handed up to the teachers.
Being the person as to plan the footdrill trainings, it got me hyped up for this footdrill competition. The preparation, to me, started quite late and maybe, that is one factor as to why the squad was not good enough to win the compeition. It was hard to persuade the experienced people to come join the squad again. For me, to be in the squad for the third time, was a very big thing.
For the first training, I could see the enthusiasm in everybody’s faces. Most of the squad was made up of first-timers and that could be the second factor as to why we were not good enough as we lack the team experience. It was possible due to the previous competition preparation that made the cadets lose their enthusiasm in footdrill. It could also be that losing last season’s footdrill competition was a setback to those cadets.
As time passed on during the December holidays, I was not able to attend most of them as I was away on holidays. I would really like to apologize to the squad for that. The first few trainings were basically meant to test the knowledge of drill commands of the squad and there were many mistakes being committed. But as the trainings passed, the standard of the squad increased.
There were many times as when the squad’s morale was very low. Especially when most of the squad mates weren’t there. Time was running out and there was never once when there was a whole squad drilling together. Everyone had different commitments. Much sacrifice had to be made but even I, wasn’t good enough to prioritize. I believe morale plays another great importance to the performance of footdrill. During the whole of the December trainings, I feel that the squad was very cheery and most of the times, too playful to even focus.
I believe most of the squad’s upbringing is due to the VIs, Leonard-sir and Chanel-ma’am. They have brought much knowledge to the squad. With their past experience, they managed to impart them to the squad. However, there were times when we NCOs felt that they had took a step too far. The VIs had pretty much taken control of everything at one time, that we NCOs, did not do much. We sort of saw that as an interference. Since we have taken over the unit, why do we still have so much support and help? Shouldn’t we be at least left to stand-alone and do something on ourselves. If we have a setback, then the VIs should then be there to give us advice but not take control of the whole situation. Anyway, I believe that what they have done is for the squad’s own good.
Putting that aside, when I returned for the training in January, I saw that the squad had a great improvement in their standard of drill but the others didn’t think so. It was because that seeing the squad every time, one would be monitoring so closely that the changes would not be big. This shows that at least the squad has put the effort to make an improvement.
During the footdrill camp, I believe that the squad really bonded together and that it is true that the training was not tough due to the bad weather. The footdrill camp was the only time where there was a full squad. I feel that the squad bonded greatly only through the games that we played. It was fun. The squad bonded little during hardships. There were little bickerings here and there. It was only through this camp that we then knew our confidence and fitness level. It was through this that we then knew our strengths and weaknesses and also, how much the teachers and VIs cared for us.
The friendly competition with TKSS was a good advantage. It gave us a view as to where we stood. It turned out that we were too high above ourselves. There were too many first-timers resulting in a nervous breakdown in some cadets. Also, I believe that the morale of the squad was not there as there was not a full squad. This has been a good experience. I believe for the next season for preparation for the footdrill competition, there should be another collaboration. A friendly competition should not be a setback to anyone, but a very good learning experience.
The day of the competition. I believe that the first-timers felt nervous. For me, I did not feel much as it was the third time for me. During the waiting time, Fion was motivating the whole team. Everyone was feeling relaxed up till a point that some could fall asleep. Much confidence was boosted in the cadets. During the uniform inspection, I believe that everyone in the squad did their best to show off their ‘7 protocols’. At the corner of my eye, I could see that some other competitors had fall out of their squad, as they could not take it. On the competition ground itself, I was confident of myself. I admit that I did a mistake. I could not really hear Irysad’s command clearly. I believe that everyone in the squad put in their best effort. During the competition, I could not really see how my squad mates were doing as I was executing the ‘7 protocols’. After the results were announced, disappointment was spread out clearly on everyone’s faces. The lesson learnt from Miss Tai and Miss Shamsiah’s pep talk had inspired me as to how to prepare the next squad. Afterwards, Fion, Huiling and I, really wanted the cadets to stay back to watch the 2nd round of competition to gain experience for the next season of preparation. We were quite disappointed in them, except for Ginyong who was the only one who stayed back. We were really proud for him.
My reflection has made me realized that I have not really prioritize my commitments and that was maybe the 3rd factor as to why we did not succeed. With all my factors plus all the other cadet’s factors and reasons, I hope that it would not occur for the next batch.
My passion for footdrill will never die out. After so many setbacks, I have still continued drilling. I wish to see more of the cadets following suit. I have always put my full 100% effort to constant remind myself of my mistakes. I push myself to the limits. Never have I at any point of time, fall out of the squad because I feel sick. Footdrill has played a great importance in my school life in Fairfield. This has been a new life-changing experience for me. With added on experience from this season’s compeition, I’m sure it would motivate me further in my studies.