(Added the music. Yeah!!! Happy!!! But a bit too big....never mind. no one will notice. haha)
When I meet up with my primary school friends, very often they will ask me "Which co-curriculum activity did you join?Scouts?"(Many of my friends thought I would join scouts. I will talk about it later). Those of you who are reading this now may have this kind of experience before. I always ask my friends this question when I meet up with them too. The BB emblem!!!:D
I joined the Boy's Brigade(BB) only last year, the same year I entered Victoria School. It is a uniformed group. I joined the Boy's Brigade because all the other CCAs in Victoria School rejected me(sob). Another reason is that both my brothers are in uniform groups. My big brother is in National Cadet Corps while my second brother is in Scouts. My brothers wanted me to join something different from them, so I joined the Boy's Brigade. I felt both excited and nervous when i first joined the Boy's Brigade. I had no experience of being in a uniformed group before and I knew nothing about the Boy's Brigade. At the same time, the thought that I was going to learn all about camping and knots excited me. I couldn't wait to start learning all about it. The drums :D The company I joined is the Second Singapore Company(a company is a local unit). The Boy's Brigade is founded by Sir William Alexander Smith. He was a Sunday school teacher who had difficulties controlling a crowd of unruly boys and keeping them in Church after Sunday School. Hence, he introduced the Boy's Brigade to solve the problem. The Boy's Brigade is the first uniform group ever established. It is divided into three main categories, the juniors' programme(8-11 years old), seniors' programme(12-15 years old) and the primers' programme(16 years onwards). As a uniformed group, we have different ranks. There are seven ranks for boys: Recruit(REC), Private(PTE), Lance Corporal(LCP), Corporal(CPL), Sergeant(SGT), Staff Stergeant(SSG) and Warrant Officer(WO). I am currently a Private(a bit low among the ranks, I know). my next rank! We have parades once a week(parade are like our "training" sessions). Since we wear uniforms, we are supposed to tend to our uniforms and keep it in top condition(for example, polishing our boots and belts regularly). Usually, there will be some people who do not practice proper care for the maintenance of their uniforms. They will come to school early just to polish their uniforms' components. When I see them frantically polishing their boots and belts, I feel relieved,contented and at ease that I had done this job the night before and did not need to rush like they did.
We are divided into six squads.The number of boys in each squad vary depending on the number of boys in the company.When everyone reaches the venue, we would have a muster parade, in which we would have to report strength. Reporting strength is just like taking attendance. During the muster parade, we also have to remain still for a very long time. Although we do not do anything at all, it is quite uncomfortable and agonizing in my opinion as we might get cramps if we remain standing for too long. Sometimes, I will move a little when no one is looking(=X). Many of my Boy's Brigade mates who are unenthusiastic feel that these are a complete waste of time whereas I feel that such muster parades are essential for a uniformed group as they train us to be disciplined. Once in a while, the muster parade might be dragged on for too long(one hour to two hours)and my legs would feel unbearably painful. I hate it when the other boys drag it on for too long as it makes me feel very uncomfortable. After the muster parade, we would go for our badge work. This is when we learn life skills which we dont learn in class. We also pratice drills. After that, we have tests for the various badge work concepts we have learnt. If we pass the test, we will receive the badges. Earning a badge makes me feel that my efforts had paid off. This feeling of satisfaction could keep me happy for the whole day.
I feel that the Boy's Brigade helps to train me. We have physical training, which helps to keep me fit. The Boy's Brigade also taught me various life skills and this might be useful when I am enlisted for national service. Muster parades train my discipline because it takes a well-disciplined attitude and determination to keep still and not move even when you feel tired and uneasy. Overall, I personally feel that the Boy's Brigade is an enjoyable and immensely beneficial CCA as it has helped to shape me up and prepare me for my future.
2:47 AM
Myself
Rayson
Victoria School
Age:3
Birthday:Yesterday
Class:2D
