I started my Guards Advanced Infantry Training since January since I was posted as a rifleman in a Guards unit. To be a guardsman, you need to complete the 2km coastal swim, 12km fast march under 2 hours (for men) and heli rappelling. As a criteria, you need to get at least a sliver for IPPT for your physical fitness as a guardsman. For this few weeks, I have completed both my 2km coastal swim and my 12km fast march and I going to tell you that, what I face is not that easy, but mission impossible IS possible.
My first obstacle is the 2km coastal swim as I never swim in the shore before, and I am not that good swimmer, to be honest, I did put non swimmer as a category for myself. we were told to fully blow our life jacket, and look out for each other, my platoon was the unlucky ones to swim against strong current at 12pm. We finally completed the whole 2km swim at 2.40pm itself. It was not an easy swim, and I am glad that I completed it because of my platoon mates, they have been great, helping me throughout the way. As you know, I got a phobia against swimming in the shore since I was a kid. Coastal swim is the only criteria that stopping me being a guardsman, but gratefully, I have completed it. A very big thank you to Hanafi, Syafiq, Lawrenece, Tien & Haniz. Without you guys, I do not know whether I will be able to complete it.
Next come the fast march, it is progressive though.. 4km to 6km to 8km to 10km and finally 12km. I failed 8km though and I do not have any reason why. 12km will be the most shagged and the most memorable fast march for me. Mustaqim from Platoon 5 and I march together, looking out for each other and motivating each other. I did the 10km with him too. For the 12km, the first few rounds I keep motivating him to push himself and not to give up, fuck the pain and just go for it. I shagged out the last round, he motivate me, and told me to push myself as the finishing line is just a few metres away, but yeah, I ran for a few metres, and stopped. They told me that fast march is not easy to complete within the time given but if the previous guardsman can do it, why can't I? I completed my fast march under 111 minutes, and passed it.
