Thinking back about the Old BB Days

I do not consider myself old. Neither do I think that I'm experienced in my service of the Boys' Brigade. However, thinking back about the days in Secondary School helped me to see how much I have changed since the time I entered the Boys' Brigade. 

My first Character Quest Competition back in 2006 (Juniors' Programme)

As Eric, Timothy, Kevin, Jireh and myself met for dinner last Friday, we talked about the days when we were difficult boys to handle (just me and Tim or just me) and how we have come so far from the whiny little boys we were. Yet, as I looked back and saw all these things and realised things I never knew, I remembered the article I wrote when I received the Founders' Award in Secondary 4. 

“No good journey is completed without failure”. After reflecting about my journey in the Boys Brigade thus far, I can still remember the bittersweet moments in my journey.

I started my BB Journey 8 years back, back in 33J sponsored by Fairfield Methodist Primary School. I had a lot of fun when I entered the Junior Programme and I can still remember the annual campfires and many activities that I had gone through in the Primary School. I was appointed the Chief Leading Boy of 33J. Through all the glitz and glamour, I would never forget the officers who were all so nice to the boys.

I moved up the ranks into the Seniors Programme and continued my journey in the Boys’ Brigade as I felt like it was the “rite of passage” that most BB Boys would take. My brother was a respected Warrant Officer and held a key position in 33^rd Singapore Company, sponsored by Fairfield Methodist Secondary School. My father was the Vice-President of the Brigade then and currently the President of the Boys’ Brigade in Singapore. I felt like it was an obligation to join the Boys’ Brigade since my family mainly consisted of BB Members. During the CCA Selection, I chose Squash as my second CCA but deep in my heart, it felt like a ‘back-up’ CCA in case I did not like the Boys’ Brigade.

When I first entered the Boys’ Brigade in my first parade, I felt really comfortable because I largely knew most of the other members there since most if not all came from the Primary School. I felt very welcomed since my leaders knew my brother and it felt good to be acknowledged by both officers and seniors. My first year in the Seniors’ Programme went by quickly.  My batch went through camps after camps, parades after parades and drills after drills. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

However, in Secondary 2, I started to lose interest because it was the transitioning period for leaders where a new team of leaders would lead us and we had really grown close with our first batch of leaders. Our new leaders did things differently and I really disliked it. I was at the brink of quitting my CCA when our level officer, Mr. Eric Chiok, saw how our batch was doing and decided to spend a lot more time with us. He dedicated his free time to Saturday Study Sessions as it got closer to our Streaming Examinations as well as meals after parades. He really inspired me to stay on until at least the end of the year.

I was then encouraged by my squad leaders, family and peers to try out the position of a Company Orderly Sergeant. Furthermore, the Leadership Development Camp that everybody saw as a tekan camp honed my leadership skills. However, when we finished the camp, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and really saw a different side of myself. It was not a torture camp but instead, an important camp that helped to build up my confidence.

In Secondary 3, I was appointed Deputy Company Sergeant Major. I took up the role with great pride but at the same time, with great arrogance. I refused to listen to my committee and pushed away advice from my officers because I thought that my position meant great power. I only learnt of this ‘issue’ when I planned my very first Camp, the Passing Out Parade Camp, for the Recruits that I too, was in charge of. I had not delegated sufficient work to my committee members and the camp was disorganized and messy. It was a good experience for me, as I would have never found that quality out about myself if I were not given the opportunity to plan the camp.

My BB journey was not always smooth or easygoing. In fact, it was difficult and rigid but without all these complications provided by the Lord, I would have never become who I am today. I graduate from the Seniors’ Programme as a Warrant Officer, a Founders’ Men and most importantly, a boy who fears the Lord.

My encouragement to all those who have lost interest in BB; be Steadfast and persevere for the Lord has a plan for you. Do not be discouraged if you have met a big obstacle in your BB Journey. You may end up being somebody you never thought you would be. Alex Ferguson who recently retired after coaching one of the top teams in the Soccer World was a former member of the Boys’ Brigade and said “It was the teamwork and commitment of the boys that made the BB so special to me ... I still to this day have my Boys’ Brigade bible, I pray everyday and my Christian faith is so important.”

My BB Journey has not ended but for now, I have only the officers, primers, peers as well as my seniors to thank for all their guidance, patience and love they have shown us. Last but not least and most importantly, I have God to thank for providing such people in my life and for being there when I was down. It has indeed been a fruitful journey.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6 NIV

As I read it now, I realised that the things I wrote here were not who I said I became, back then in 2013. Yes, I identified my weaknesses and the things I learnt as a BB Boy in Secondary School but identifying them was one thing, working and knowing how to overcome these challenges were another. For instance, I understood that I was a difficult person to work with. Yet, it never occurred to me to actually work on it. And this was how, my additional 2 years serving in the Primers Programme made it all the more fulfilling. 

In 2013, my brother was awarded the Presidents' Award for Primers. Back then, my father was the Vice-President for the Boys' Brigade.

I made it my goal to be just like him, to attain the award, the same prestige he got when I finished my "career" as a BB Boy. This made my Primers Journey extremely focused on attaining that one goal. I was so determined that it became an unhealthy obsession.

Just before the interview for the award, I shared on Facebook that I had broken down because I was giving myself second thoughts, not just about my intentions and my reasons but also about the outcome and the uncertainty of the result. God did show me a way and He got me to take my mind off the award. He showed me that there was no need to prove myself as an individual, to make myself more special because in the beginning, He loved me first and He died for me. That was the identity that He wanted to create in me. Not some award winner (Not that there was anything wrong with it). He taught me that, despite the fear I had in relation to my intention and all that, He showed me not to fear and keep moving. He showed me that thinking too much about my own intention was pride in its own way (in wanting to seem humble).

Now, all this was finally affirmed by the photos which were taken of me in Secondary School, where there wasn't much to prove, except to give of the very best, in enjoying the experience and making the best out of every step of the journey.

As I receive the award in the month ahead, I know that this is, but one of the many stages and experiences I will ever go through and there will be more to learn, more to experience and even more lives to be changed in the process of the journey of Life which My Heavenly Father has blessed me with.