I realized it is for me to write how I successfully converted into a guardsman.
The Guards Advanced Infantry Training for me lasted for 9 weeks, I hope through this post, one can gain an idea of what is going on.
GAIT comprises of many things, but the main core components include the 12km Fast March in FBO (Full Battle Order) worth of 30kg weight where you have to walk 6km per hour as opposed to 4km per hour in a normal route march. This component is the toughest to me, and it is indeed mind over body as you endure through the pain to meet the timings.
Next is the 2km coastal swim component where one has to train swimming in the normal swimming pools first before going to the sea. It is very safe and you wear the life jackets while swimming. It is one of the best parts of the training.
Thirdly, the heli-rappeling component which some might say is the best part. It is the most exciting as you get to come down to the ground from a real life super puma helicopter, feeling the downwash of the blades in the process. It is not difficult and is quite relaxing unless you have a fear of heights. However you will soon get used to it and start to love it.
Lastly, the summary exercise. It was a hellish 4 days, but it was bearable. We were basically deprived of proper sleep, only getting some naps in between missions. At the beginning it was still quite easy, but fatigue sets in afterwards. I still remember how we had normal conventional missions as well as OOTW (Operations Other Than War) like peacekeeping missions to carry out. It was a new experience. Mistakes were made and lessons were re-learnt. At the end of the 4 days, we were very happy to return all the ammunition, and we embarked on a journey back to camp in the bus.
I am very proud to get my Guards tab and khaki beret, the feeling that I earned it with my sweat made it all worthwhile. It is more of a character building experience than a tekan session. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be, hearing nonsensical stories from the past soldiers.
Those 4 tasks above were compulsory for us to pass through GAIT. There is another event that wasn’t “compulsory” but we had to do it anyway. That was the beach PT. After learning all the drills for beaching, we were told to put our equipment down and then thrown off the craft. We swam to shore and began this intensive tekan session that involved leopard crawling. Those who were too slow had to do it again. We had to be in push up position whilst each and every one of us had to leopard crawl below each other. It was a test of endurance as our arms are sore. Not to mention the idiotic questions that come to test your mental power in harsh times. I remember my question was “How many ‘Guards’ are there in the Guards creed”. Thankfully I guessed correctly.
The Guards Advanced Infantry Training is not a sick course. It is something that every one is able to do unless you are medically unfit. I am a very short person and I not that fit. Yet I am able to complete the training without additional help given. Everything is merely mind over body. The GAIT had given me character building lessons that I cannot find elsewhere, and its values and spirit has guided me through my entire life since then. It is something to be proud of, and not something to be shunned away.
