Last Words (for now)

First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone who were involved in my surprise farewell celebration. All the Boys, officers, instructors and teachers alike. Thank you.

I will try to keep this post as concise as possible.

Before I take a leave of absence from serving the 45th Company, there have been some issues that have been nagging at the back of my head, and if I don't say them now, I will never get the chance again. I cannot help but wonder to myself: "Is everything going to be okay?"

I do not doubt anyone's aptitude or knowledge. The only thing I am concerned about is attitude. However skilled, proficient or talented a person may be, he can be nothing if he does not have the right attitude. Attitude is the one factor that will distinguish you from others, that people will take notice of and have the biggest impression of. It is with deep regret that I must say, attitude is something which a lot of you are lacking in.

On some occasions, I have been nagging and reminding about discipline and putting in due effort in whatever you do. Sadly, Saturday's events it made me feel like my words fell on deaf ears. I shall not disclose anymore information, but for those of you who don't know but are dying to know, I suppose you could approach Platoon 2, the NCOs, officers and instructors who where there on Saturday morning. On Friday I felt like I was the happiest and most blessed person on the face of this planet, and Saturday made me feel the time spent this year and the last serving this Company was like a total joke.

It really pains me to witness right in front of my eyes how reminders, scoldings and advice given were forgotten in less than 30 minutes. Usually I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, but it's extremely hard to do so when the facts are screaming in your face otherwise. Is it so hard to put in effort in the things you do, to show due respect for your superiors, to exercise discipline? For some it might not be an easy task, but it's definitely not impossible. I don't see anyone even TRYING. No one's going to help you if you're not going to help yourself. This is YOUR 45th Company, this is OUR 45th Company. Please take a little ownership and be more self-sufficient. Please don't wait for people to start nudging, prodding and spoonfeeding you.

Fortunately, I have not lost all faith. I believe that somehow, you all will wake up from this slumber and start to take action. I believe that in due time, this kind of obnoxious behaviour will be reduced to a minimal. I only hope that it will not be too late when that happens.

I shall now end this tirade before it gets out of hand. I had wanted to keep my last memories in 45th a pleasant one, but sadly, certain circumstances don't allow me to. I would rather tarnish my image than to see something I love and care for so much crumble into nothingness. I know that not all of you will read this, but I trust that you will have the good sense to ask your mates to read this if you think that I make sense.

Platoon 2, I realy hope that each of you meant what you said in that notebook. On Saturday it felt like those words were in there just to make me happy.

I wish all of you good health, wisdom, courage and the passion to keep fighting for what's right. God bless 45th.


Hongyou