Stop complaining, there's nothing I can do..

Ah.. Brunei - the mere mention of the country conjures up images of jungles, mud, swamps and huge cicadas. However, to some (or one), Brunei is a reminder to cover your ears while you sleep...

This is the true, unabridged story of how the courage and sacrifice of a cockroach managed to subdue one of Singapore's best.

It was another routine mission in the unforgiving jungles of Brunei and Yong (not his real name) was really upset. First of all, his fieldpack was really heavy and it didn't help that he was already drenched in his own sweat which only served to restrict movement through the harsh forest. Secondly, Yong (name concealed to protect identity) had a feeling that something, somewhere, was watching him and this brought a chill to his bones. The jungles of Brunei are home to a myriad of weird creatures and the belief of roaming jungle spirits are deeply rooted in the traditions and folklore of the locals.

Little did Yong know that he was to encounter something far, far more sinister than a roving spirit.

It was already late and our company decided to set up camp at a clearing. I recalled that we formed nuclear groups, huddled close together and prepared for a much-needed rest. Some of us started fires to keep warm and the overall mood was a dreary one.

In one small corner, Yong was already lying down and drifting off to sleep. Nothing separated his head from the cold, clammy substrate that was the forest ground. Normally, he would have laid out a groundsheet but his fatigue was too great and he settled for the status quo.

The night went on and soon morning arrived - bringing with it the horror of the sense of awareness.

When Yong woke, he immediately realized that something was amiss...someone had stolen his lemon tea sachet! Launching into a tirade of expletives, he packed his stuff and prepared for the trek ahead. The day was not starting well...

It was only halfway into the trek that he began to note a soft but incessant buzzing in his ear. Originally assuming it to be the buzz of excitement, he thought nothing of it and trudged on. However, it got to a point where he felt that in addition to the buzz, there was a flurry of movement - IN HIS EAR! Panicking, he surged to the front of the pack where our commander, 2LT Jega, was leading the group.

"Sir Sir! There's something in my ear!", Yong rhymed. "I'm pretty sure coz I can hear, a crazy buzzing, and I'm filled with fear!", he rhymed again. This promptly went on for the next hour and Jega had had enough.

"Stop complaining! There's nothing I can do!", Jega yelled in exasperation. It was then decided that Yong was to be offloaded at the next waypoint, to spare the team their ears. What irony...

Anyway, to cut the story short, Yong was extricated and sent to the Lakuin Medical Centre where it was diagnosed that he had a cockroach stuck in his ear. The little critter had to be cut up and taken out piece by piece. This sacrifice didn't go in vain and his valiant story continues to be told to generations of soldiers who go through the ranks of Lakuin camp - in the medical brief ('Dangers to look out for in the jungle', I think).

This ends the story of how one of Singapore's best was taken down, not by a bullet nor a slit to the throat, but by a plucky cockroach who risked it all to achieve immortality.

PS: Story might have been stylized or exaggerated for greater impact. Nonetheless, the general gist is there. It is also in the author's wish that any parties involved in the story not get angry at him and take it out on him the next ICT. Reminder that we still have 5 ICTs together and a convivial relationship would be good.