In the Army

There's a time for the new and there's a time for the old. Was going through my collection of books stashed away in the storeroom when I found a little notebook that I kept during my days in the military. It's amazing how I have nearly forgotten about that period of time, and I must say I don't remember always that I was actually a soldier once. Considering where I am based now and what my current occupation is, that chapter seems like another life altogether. Anyway, amidst the technical notes and reminders and all, I found several diary entries in the notebook. I don't even remember writting them. I must have jotted them down when I was feeling bored, angry, lonely, poetic or whatever. It's interesting how all the entries are about military stuff, which I don't s'pose I will ever find the inspiration to touch on again. In any case, I figured I should sneak a couple of entries into my blog here just for kick.

Dated 26th July 2000:

Standardisation. Everything in the army has to be standardised, even the way things are placed in the cupboard. Within the same platoon, socks have to be folded in the same way, the orientation and position of every single item (boots, rifle, helmet, field pack, toothbrush, pillow, first-aid kit and such)must be similar and even the thickness of the toilet roll in the cupboard has to be the same for everyone. Is this what standardisation is all about? Worrying ourselves with petty details like these instead of the major picture of defending our country, is that what we are here for? If strict military discipline is all about standardisation, is this the correct way to execute it? Is there much to be debated over?

It is a rather subjective point of view, and whether standardisation can be applied to daily civillian lives is another story altogether. It may seem totally nonsensical to someone who doesn't understand and appreciate it. I personally don't. I don't care for standardisation, neither do I believe in following it. If good military discipline and being a good soldier can be defined by standardisation, then there isn't really much to it. To sound more extreme, it is actually pointless to have discipline at all, if it's all about standardisation (of silly things, at that).
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Right, here's another one, dated 27th Sept 2000:

Rank matters a lot, at least it is so in the military. Everyone cares for ranks, and the operation of every single mission revolves around ranks. You have a say in things when you hold ranks, and the amount of things you can say is directly proportional to the level of the rank. It can be explained by an unofficial (and unspoken) rule that the higher your rank is, the more intelligent and politically correct you are. And it is due to this rule that personnel holding high ranks tend to abuse their authority and torment (not to mention torture mentally) those of much lower ranks. There isn't really any right or wrong to speak of, this is just the way the army operates. If you explore deeper, it is virtually a load of illogical thrash really. Having a high rank doesn't grant one naturally of high intelligence, which means these people should not act as though they are extremely smart or preach about their "pseudo-intelligence" to others, especially to recruits and privates. By doing so, not only are they insulting genuine talents under their command, but are reflecting badly on themselves too. No one will really respect you if you have no intergrity or the qualities of a good soldier.

There is no doubt that ranks grant superiority in the hierarchy of the organisation, but it does not necessarily grant supremacy. One should still be opened to opinions and learn to take advice. As for those who follow and respect ranks blindly, they are just as pathetic and sad. The more depressing fact is that they do not realise it at all and continue to suffer in silence. These subordinates should be despised too. No matter how strong or physically capable they are, these soldiers are the weakest as they lack a sense of individuality and a thinking mind.
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