Boys' Brigade - part 2

Well, I think I should proceed to the second parts on the my BB life.Today I will talk about the programme in 4th KKL BB. Hm...let me relate with previous blog. I have joined the senior section after I entered secondary school. I have to wear a new set of uniform which comprised of a buckle belt, a sash, a pair of boots and a field service cap. All these things have to be maintain properly throughout the day. One thing I can tell you is wearing a full uniform under the sun will make you sweat like standing in a sauna. Especially after the foot drill training, our uniform will be like drench in water...full of sweat. I remember the room where we change the uniform is stink due to our odour from our uniform...haha.

I remember I have been assigned in to Squad B2 if I'm not mistaken.I remember my first squad leader is Ronald Liew. Well, Ronald is a good leader and also a funny guy. Luckily, no one try to bully me maybe because my brother is a Sergeant that time...haha..good for me. We usually have two meeting everyweek. The first meeting is a short two hours meeting in our school (SMK St. Gabriel) from 12.30pm - 2.00pm and a Saturday meeting at St. Gabriel church from 10.30am to 5.00 pm. Friday meeting usually will be focusing on regular squad discussions, annoucements, foot drill and some music theory classes. On Saturday, we will be having a band training session from 10.30am to 12pm. I really enjoyed the band practice. I have learned to play marching flute, fife flute, xylophone and euphonium. Even up to today, I bought a modern flute and learn to play myself..hehe. We have been taught by the Kuen Cheng instructor for couple of years. The instructor is really strict and he demand a high standard performance. Of course lo, Kuen Cheng is top 1 or 2 school marching band in the whole Malaysia. I really learned a lot of things from him especially in marching and ochestra instruments. I have successfully obtained two badges each from brass and woodwind (flute and euphonium). They name for the badges are Bugle badge and Bandsman badge.

After the band practise, we will be having a break from 12-1pm. At 1pm, we will be having our parade for 30 minutes. At this time, our uniform will be inspected by officers and any person have unpolished belts or boots, and or untidy uniform will be punished. Well, I remember I have to do twenty push-up and run around the church ground for 3 rounds...but still my punishing rate is low...hehe. Well, after the parade went for worshipping time. As I mentioned before, BB is a Christian movement so worshipping and bible study is part of the programme. Even though I am not a Christian but my knowledge on bible is not weak. I have passed bible study stage 1 and obtained a badge in bible study...haha. However, I didn't proceed to stage two. Ah...I remember I can memorised the who sentence of John 3:16 when I was in standard 5. Well, it is a requirement for a badge exam as well but I don't really know the meaning back then..hehe. It maybe easy for those who come Christian family but for me a total new exposure, memorising it is quite difficult.


After the worshipping, we will be having a badgework session for us to learn new knowlegde. At the end of eash session, we will be having theory and practical exams. If we passed, we will obtained a badge. I'm quite proud of myself because I obtained about 18 badges and couple of stage 2 badges in five years. Also, I am the one who has the most badges in my batch..haha...defeating all other friends..hehe. The most proud badge I got is when I was a Lance Corporal. The badge is about Citizenship. I am the only person who passed the exam with quite a high mark. There are about 35-40 people in the class. As a Lance Corporal I sucessfully defeating all my superiors. I was really happy back then..it is a great moment.


All the badgework badges is worn on the right hand side. At the left hand side, there are badges can be obtained for full attendance, training and also for good UPSR, PMR and SPM results. On the left hand side, I have about 11 badges...haha. I am still the one who have the most badges on my left hand side and also right hand side for my batch...hehe. I am so "hau lian"...hahaha..but i really quite proud back then.


After the badgework session, we comes to the worst time of the day...the foot drill. I remember my mum always said I am like a charcoal back then because I'm always drill under the sun for an hour...haha. Apart from the attack from the hot sun, we also attacked from our drill commander. I think we do at least 50 push-up every foot drill session. The objectives of foot drill is to train how to become discipline, team work and listen to command. So, if one person did wrong, all people will be punished. Well, fair enough for foot drill. However, I passed the drill exam and obtained a badge. All my seniors said this is the hardest badge to pass but I manage to get it...haha.


After the drill session, it some to the best part of the day...the physical training. All of us like this session because most of the time we can play football, volleyball, table tennis and etc. Well, it is really a enjoyable session. After that about 5pm, we will gather again for fall-in to end our weekly meeting. Of course, our day didn't ends here. After that we usually went to mamak stall to eat, drinks and of course chatting. It is really fun.


Apart from normal training session, we have camp as well. I've went to a lot of camps like Gunung Nuang in Ulu Langat, Chang Mang waterfall in Pahang, Sungai Congkak in Ulu langat as well, Taman Negara at Pahang and of course at our school ground. My first camp is back in year 1998 when I was in form 2. I was Private back then and my squad leader is Keang How. He is also a nice guys and he is very taking care of his squad members. From this camp, I feel really relax and comfortable. I like the feeling of surrounded by nature..it is really nice. At some point, I really like to stay there longer...haha..want to become a native...lol. Well, I have some of the pics from my friends. He sent it to me few days ago because I didn't have it. Here is two pictures taken at Taman Negara:

Well sorry for the small picture. This is the best quality my friend can get. He scanned the photo so not really clear. If you see carefully, I am the second one from the left hand side without glasses.

This one also not really clear. I am the second again but from the left. I am wearing a white shirt with blue colar but this time with glasses.

Well, it is really a nice old days memories. H,..I think that's all I want to say for today. My next part will be my advancements in BB. From private to warrant officer..stay tuned..haha.