HELLWEEK.....to HELLWEEKER

" Gentlemen, your Hell Week is secured. " - CO Dive School.

*Cries, sobs, and shouts from the 31st Batch*

Hellweek seemed like a dream(sound familiar?). A week ago, 68 of us were filled with dread knowing what the upcoming week had in store for us. Now a week later, we are declared HELLWEEKERS. 4 months of tough training just to cross this week, just for all the ecstasy and joy for passing Hell Week. It was totally worth it. Hooyah.

Sleep deprivation for 5 days, cold treatment, continuous physical exertion are associated with Hell Week. We were constantly wet to the skin, a step out of our comfort zones, footrot and abrasions setting in. I can't elaborate on everything, since many events took place within this span of a week. So if you want to know, ask and i'll tell :)

An exerpt from Ling Qiang's Facebook post :

"WE are HELLWEEKERS!

5 sunrises..
the journey full of downs…
shits…
disappointment..
physical work outs..
hammerings..
illnesses..
tiredness
torture
WE pull it out as ONE..
the 31st Batch Naval Diver Trainees
i need to stress on the word WE… really..
they say the week is no longer called Hellweek.. but Team Building Week for a reason..
we need to stay strong.. stay tight in order to finish this week together..
no one can really stand alone during this one week..
without sleep and with lots of activities people wont like to do..
without my buddies around me.. i think i will just drop out at the first nightfall..

its amazing to us all..
to see us back there.. completing the torturous 5 days..
a time that all of us will never ever forget in our lifetime..
the time when we…
all hugged together to keep each other warm..
have one boat on top of our heads running like the end of the world
put the paddles in the water together to keep us moving..
hold on to the same rope and run
push the tire
crawl side by side
do the Haka with fire in our eyes..
sing the Frogmen Song with unity
laugh at ourselves for doing funny things..
we pushed ourselves to push the one beside us to help push ourselves..
it goes round..
and finally jumping around with tears in our eyes hugging each other to congratulate all of us for pulling it through the week we called Hell

we also witness the people within ourselves..
people who are born to be leaders..
and people who are pure selfish..
the line can be draw much more easily.. like what our instructors had mentioned..
this made me think back to my schooling times.. when i face this essay question..
”Are leaders nurtured or born?”
hmm……….

after the Hell week that we had..
i begin to understand why Naval Divers have this cohesiveness with them..
its like a community of Divers that is so unique..
well.. i guess i cant put my idea in words.. haha.."

- LQ Fong.

Hooyah Instructors.

Hooyah Warrant Tan.

Hooyah Master Teo.

and the best for last,

HOOYAH 31st BATCH!