SINGAPORE — The routine for Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps’ (SAFVC) training varied from day to day, but waking up at 5am was typical.

Within 15 minutes, we had to get ready and assemble for the start of a long day.

After having our temperatures taken — in case anyone was running a fever — trainees go for a water parade where we have to down at least half a litre of water.

Then, it was to 5BX — military parlance for five basic exercises — before a rushed breakfast.

Within those 10 days, SAFVC trainees also have to learn foot drills, practised whenever possible, including enroute to the cookhouse and back.

The first three mornings of the two-week stint were for physical activities, such as to try out the Individual Physical Proficiency Test, aerobic and strength training and Standard Obstacle Course.

It was followed by two days of weapons training, which involved lessons on how to strip and assemble the SAR21 rifle, and how to remedy when a rifle stopped firing. The training culminated in live firing at a range.

Lunch and dinner breaks are also brief, short breathers in between the mad rush of finishing the training or activities for the day.

Nights are usually left for other activities and administrative matters such as photo-taking, weapons technical handling theory test and packing of our field pack.

In the second week, trainees go for a three-day field camp, which involved the quintessential military experience of digging shell scrapes, among other things.

At 9.30pm every day, trainees fall in for the last parade, where instructors would give a rundown of the schedule for the next day, together with instructions on what needs preparing.

After that, there is a mad rush to queue to shower, do laundry, pack for the next day, and call loved ones in less than 30 minutes before lights out at 10.30pm.

In the morning, the cycle repeats.