~JcZw

For 4 years of my life the St. John annual general inspection, or, as its more popularly known among its members, AGI was just 3 hours of waiting, getting yelled at, before having to stand on the field at parade rest until one's feet became numb. But this year was different I guess

Please forgive my ramblings while I talk about my experience this year.

On friday OCC managed to collar me to be his flag orderly, whatever that meant (something to do with the colours I supposed, since he was carrying our zone flag). Like a nut I volunteered, or rather, JiaYan and SiHui sabo-ed me since none of them wanted to go. OCC tossed me a cummerband and told me to bring my white gloves... I was like "huh, so formal?"

Sunday morning at 9.30 found me at HQ in the Brigade Room looking at the strange assortment of people. I've never had to interact with people from other zones before, not even during National Competition. But here there were at least 3 people from every zone. From Zone 2 was me, OCC and his escort, a Malay SNCO by the name of Bambang, one year my senior (although, as I found out later, he was one rank below me, not that it really mattered).

Two chaps from the Navy came to teach us how to case and uncase the flags... Sounds unimportant? Actually it was quite interesting... seeing all the drills with the flags. They also told us the significance of the formation colours... Apparently SJ sets the same store on flags as the SAF does. Briefly, traditions included:

Only officers are allowed to touch the flags.
They cannot touch the ground. Once out of their cases, the officer and escort must guard them with their lives. Although as Bambang whispered to me, what was he supposed to do? throw the flag stand at potential agressors?

We uncased the flags in the boardroom in half uniform. It was quite an awe-inspiring to see the 12 flags standing sentinel in the room.

The red and white National Flag, and the 11 St. John flags each embroidered heavily with a white eight-pointed cross and the golden edges, and the lions and unicorns. Every flag had its zone also embroidered in roman numerals above the cross

First of course, was the sable-black flag of the St. John then
Crimson flag of Zone 1
Bright Green of Zone 2 (waha, AH coloured)
Maroon of Zone 3
Ochre of Zone 4
Dark Blue of Zone 5
Maroon of Zone 6 (goodness knows why there were 2 Maroon flags)
Scarlet of Zone 7
Dark Green of Zone 8 (ermm... this one was more of an RJ colour)
Bright Blue of Zone 9
Bright yellow of Zone 10

In each case, the flag escorts stood saluting behind each flag. The flag orderly and RSM stood one on either side of the flag bearer, better known as the Flag Ensign, who lowered the flag between us. As Zone 2's flag came down I caught the brass tip of the shaft (I'm not allowed to touch the flag). The OCT acting as the RSM folded the flag reverently around the shaft and secured it with the tassel, then I slid the casing home over the flag.

The SAF people also told us that "if you make a mistake, then correct it sharply and quickly, then people will think its part of the programme".

After lunch we went to the stadium, which I discovered, was the one almost next to Li Ling's house... In the midst of the rain we scrambled into the stadium with all our stuff, uniforms, flags, stands, blah. And much to my annoyance, I was not allowed to bring my bag, cos it meant I'd have to return to HQ later on. Furthermore it contained Fruitips, a bottle of water, and Chemical Bonding and Chemical Equilibrium, which I had intended to study.

What can I say, we stoned for 4 hours not doing anything... although Bambang and I talked a while. He was complaining about the muddy field... haha...

4 hours later, I felt totally bored, irritated, and a severe temptation to spontaneously combust. The audience started coming in, and off we went to unfurl our flags.

This time it was more grand. With the Guard of Honour at attention and all officers adorned with cummerband, medals, gloves and holding salute, the 11 orderlies marched in (yes, in an orderly manner). This time, as before, the RSM marched to us one after another, and it was with considerable pride and emotion in which I slid off the cover of the green flag, draped the cover with the brass tip over my left arm, and held the tip of the lance while the RSM dressed the colours and left OCC to snap the pole back to the vertical. After that we turned and marched off.

I saw the AHS division come in... haha.. it was good to see them after all the boredom. I so wanted to join them... but I had to stay at my position.

Decided to talk to the other orderlies... Most of the them were staff sergeants, or sergeants like myself. All wore the Adult Cap Badge though. The one next to me was a cadet corporal, a Malay by the name of Fitri... Friendly guy, sec 3 and a zone 1. HE WAS FROM PASIR RIS CRES! the first thing I asked was "Your school has a good fencing team right?" We talked, and through the ceremony we counted the number of people that fainted (38). We wer wincing for the Flag Ensigns of Zones 7, 8 and 9 who were standing in the middle of a mud puddle. The mud flew whenever they had to bang.

We happily ate the buns given to us. Bambang had eaten 3 before going onto parade. i asked him what if he suddenly needed the toilet. He replied "its okay, just do it sharply and quickly and people will think its part of the ceremony".

It was a moving sight when the colours marched past, and all officers young or old held their hands rigidly to their caps. The Ensigns flicked their palms as they moved past the stage, letting the flags fly freely as they went past. A great moment indeed

By the time the march past ended, we were back in the carpark casing the flags to transport to HQ. OCC and Bambang escaped the mud, but the above-mentioned Flag Ensigns had quite literally brown pants.

The trip back to HQ was a hyper one... Cos all the officers were yelling and singing at the top of their voices.

Yup, after uncasing the flags back at HQ, (which was quite painful... Had to salute and hold for the duration of the time which whineywhiney can be played 3 times. I know cos I was dancing mentally to keep my mind off the ache) I headed to Bedok to find Jiayan, SiHui and the other Jonathan. Yeah, fine whatever Jiayan... the toilet auntie is NOT attracted to me.

Yup... I've been far too long alr... thats all then... g'night!