Self-less or fool-hardy?
I just received a call from my platoon commander (hereafter referred to as pc, regarding a training aid i am tasked to do for some WITS project on his behalf. Firstly, let me provide some background information. What started as something as simple as touching up an already pleasant looking training aid, erupted into something where the pc subtlely demanded more and more from me. As it is, i am in no way obligated to do this so called WITS project for him, it is afterall, his own work! But the current situation in my platoon is as such, most of the men are soon- to- be ord personnel hence, they really cannot be bothered to embark on such things. Which means i am left with no choice but to help him. I am doing this only out of sympathy thinking that he is truly busy and therefore needs help. However, its tragic to say the least that my sympathy was unfounded and that this 'slacker' of a pc actually isn't really busy because he still has time for games(my mum provided me another perspective, maybe he really is busy and simply just needs and outlet to 'destress'). Sadly, it took me so long to understand this when some nice friends of mine have told me the pc is just simply taking advantage of my goodwill towards him. He told me the reason why he always calls me (suddenly, i feel like an asset!) its because he thinks i am reliable and can be counted upon to do his work and that i am also merticulous in what i do, hence, i make the perfect candidate. That is only half the story...maybe, he says all that in the hope that i will be moved to help him or he probably truly thinks that of me that's why he keeps getting me to work for him. In any case, i do not need people to validate me.
Anyway, as i have said before that no one else can be bothered to help him. Even if he asked, they would probably give him the snub. This is evident when we were up in Thailand when the men just simply ignored my pc's commands( but they acquiese anyway, probably out of fear of being charged for insubordination). However, i must admit that at times; especially on the battleground; when he needs to coordinate matters, he is genuinely busy. Otherwise, he is just plain lazy (maybe yes, maybe no). Being 'lazy' is one thing, what i cannot take lying down is the fact that he expects so much of my help that he resorted to keeping my off on hold," the work done must be up to expectation, otherwise your off will be pending," to quote him. Gasp... like where the heck is this coming from, as it is i am in no way indebted to you or am obligated to do your work yet you exact such demands on me. Not even considering the countless number of times i have helped cover his ass by helping him with his work, like; helping him with his maps, maps, maps and more maps( incidentally, i am known as PCPA by many because i can always be seen around my platoon commander, no not to carry his balls but to help him with his work) and the training aid. I guess i have said enough...i have tried to be as objective as possible, however, some things just don't warrant that. But i need to (or people should try to) understand matters.
In life, i have learnt to give people the benefit of the doubt and not be too quick to judge. I should thank my mum for instilling such values in me. All too often people are too quick to pass sentence on someone too soon, without truly making the effort to understand why people do what they do. There is a lesson to be learnt.
Incidentally, why the platoon thinks my PC is screwed up is because they think he is not competent; evident from the many exercises that we had where he screwed things up, either he miscululated something or he 'hollanded'. Their opinion of him is made worst when they thought of him as a lazy bum. The bad opinion of him was further compounded in his leadership during the recently concluded exercise we had in Thailand. I still thinks he has his reasons. And i will dissect matters to give all a better understanding of my pc's performance as an officer.
Some background information on my pc....
A poly grad who enlisted in the later half of last year and after BMT made it to OCS. He probably prove his mettle; otherwise i do not possibly think he would have made it to OCS. After 5 months at OCS, he entered the School of Combat Engineers (soce). And he only signed on as a regular after he was comissioned as a full-fledged second lieutanent. This could be a classic case of being cash-strapped, hence the person signs on to alleviate the burdens on his houshold. Ths SAF pays well!
Incompetency aside, like i have said, he probably have reasons for screwing things up...like during the time we had our exercise up in the man-forsaken regions of thailand; so pristine and untouched(kanchanaburi), where half the time i could tell he was not concentrating on matters; hence, the screw ups. This is because of some malaria pill incident which i shan't divulge as investigations are still under way. What about the other times in Singapore when he has no compelling reasons for screwing things up like 'hollanding'* so many times. One might say that is probably atrributable to plain incompetency on his part; but maybe things are not that simple. What thoughts you wish to engender is up to you...well, by now i guess you can tell i am not quite the cynic.
Time and again i have helped my pc with or without rewards; such as a day off. I don't believe in asking for such things, but he promises such rewards anyway. People have said i am foolish to be doing so much work for him. Yes, its a thankless job but i do get something in return too. Some even tell me to stop helping him altogether. But do i really have a choice? Maybe, maybe not. Not when he sits me down comfortably in his office and literally pleads me to help him with his work, i simply just can't turn him down. It is unlike me to not help someone; even when everyone thinks he is simply not worthy of any help, but do these people give a damn? No!...they think only for themselves and they simply do not comprehend the full gravitas of the situation. Even though, i do sometimes share the same sentiments as my fellow peers with regards to my pc's leadership and incompetency, still i think sometimes he genuinely needs help. This is especially after knowing where he is coming from. Not one who turns someone else down so easily, i offer to help...........Anyway, he is my pc after all, when i have long ord-ed i will still be his friend...probably would go clubbing with him one of these days...
Self-less or fool-hardy? You, go figure!
My parting statement shall go something like this....
what that appears on the surface is only skin-deep, only superficial...understanding someone; going the extra mile will do wonders in making the world a better place. There will be more happiness around. Go spread the cheer! Thinking about that...maybe, i should go visit HAPPY...its been a while now. :)
Anyway, as i have said before that no one else can be bothered to help him. Even if he asked, they would probably give him the snub. This is evident when we were up in Thailand when the men just simply ignored my pc's commands( but they acquiese anyway, probably out of fear of being charged for insubordination). However, i must admit that at times; especially on the battleground; when he needs to coordinate matters, he is genuinely busy. Otherwise, he is just plain lazy (maybe yes, maybe no). Being 'lazy' is one thing, what i cannot take lying down is the fact that he expects so much of my help that he resorted to keeping my off on hold," the work done must be up to expectation, otherwise your off will be pending," to quote him. Gasp... like where the heck is this coming from, as it is i am in no way indebted to you or am obligated to do your work yet you exact such demands on me. Not even considering the countless number of times i have helped cover his ass by helping him with his work, like; helping him with his maps, maps, maps and more maps( incidentally, i am known as PCPA by many because i can always be seen around my platoon commander, no not to carry his balls but to help him with his work) and the training aid. I guess i have said enough...i have tried to be as objective as possible, however, some things just don't warrant that. But i need to (or people should try to) understand matters.
In life, i have learnt to give people the benefit of the doubt and not be too quick to judge. I should thank my mum for instilling such values in me. All too often people are too quick to pass sentence on someone too soon, without truly making the effort to understand why people do what they do. There is a lesson to be learnt.
Incidentally, why the platoon thinks my PC is screwed up is because they think he is not competent; evident from the many exercises that we had where he screwed things up, either he miscululated something or he 'hollanded'. Their opinion of him is made worst when they thought of him as a lazy bum. The bad opinion of him was further compounded in his leadership during the recently concluded exercise we had in Thailand. I still thinks he has his reasons. And i will dissect matters to give all a better understanding of my pc's performance as an officer.
Some background information on my pc....
A poly grad who enlisted in the later half of last year and after BMT made it to OCS. He probably prove his mettle; otherwise i do not possibly think he would have made it to OCS. After 5 months at OCS, he entered the School of Combat Engineers (soce). And he only signed on as a regular after he was comissioned as a full-fledged second lieutanent. This could be a classic case of being cash-strapped, hence the person signs on to alleviate the burdens on his houshold. Ths SAF pays well!
Incompetency aside, like i have said, he probably have reasons for screwing things up...like during the time we had our exercise up in the man-forsaken regions of thailand; so pristine and untouched(kanchanaburi), where half the time i could tell he was not concentrating on matters; hence, the screw ups. This is because of some malaria pill incident which i shan't divulge as investigations are still under way. What about the other times in Singapore when he has no compelling reasons for screwing things up like 'hollanding'* so many times. One might say that is probably atrributable to plain incompetency on his part; but maybe things are not that simple. What thoughts you wish to engender is up to you...well, by now i guess you can tell i am not quite the cynic.
Time and again i have helped my pc with or without rewards; such as a day off. I don't believe in asking for such things, but he promises such rewards anyway. People have said i am foolish to be doing so much work for him. Yes, its a thankless job but i do get something in return too. Some even tell me to stop helping him altogether. But do i really have a choice? Maybe, maybe not. Not when he sits me down comfortably in his office and literally pleads me to help him with his work, i simply just can't turn him down. It is unlike me to not help someone; even when everyone thinks he is simply not worthy of any help, but do these people give a damn? No!...they think only for themselves and they simply do not comprehend the full gravitas of the situation. Even though, i do sometimes share the same sentiments as my fellow peers with regards to my pc's leadership and incompetency, still i think sometimes he genuinely needs help. This is especially after knowing where he is coming from. Not one who turns someone else down so easily, i offer to help...........Anyway, he is my pc after all, when i have long ord-ed i will still be his friend...probably would go clubbing with him one of these days...
Self-less or fool-hardy? You, go figure!
My parting statement shall go something like this....
what that appears on the surface is only skin-deep, only superficial...understanding someone; going the extra mile will do wonders in making the world a better place. There will be more happiness around. Go spread the cheer! Thinking about that...maybe, i should go visit HAPPY...its been a while now. :)
posted by VERNON at
8:13 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home