They say NS changes a person. Indeed. After joining the army, my friends and I realised that not only did we become leaner, tanner and much more vulgar, we've also gained the following ten traits as well:

1. We become obsessed with vending machines

Even if our sergeant does not allow us to buy anything, we would just stand around and stare at the drinks and snacks, imagining how good they taste.

2. We become addicted to mobile games

Just a few days ago, my buddy had a minor breakdown because Summoners War was going through maintenance. He even set the alarm of his watch to go off at the time the maintenance would be completed. True story.

3. We bring toilet paper everywhere we go

No amount of push-ups can compare to the agony of having to go but not having any toilet paper. That is why it has become our unspoken mandatory item that we carry everywhere in our backpacks.

4. We are willing to pay inflated prices for food

$1 for a measly pack of Jack 'n Jill chips from the vending machine? Sold!

$2.50 for a bottle of milk tea from the "ninja" van (pop-up stores found in outfield areas)? Sold!

Who dares to say Singaporeans are cheap now?

5. We are able to be on time for all NS-related activities but we will always be late when meeting our friends

Truly, the most frustrating of all our new-found traits.

6. Our friends can join in all our conversations by saying, "Shag sia!"

"What's your vocation?"

"Guards!"

"Shag sia!"

"The other time during our field camp, the sergeant kept making us leopard crawl."

"Shag sia!"

"This Saturday I cannot make it eh, got RT!"

"Shag sia!"

Try it. You don't even have to understand what they are talking about. To keep the conversation going, just maintain eye contact, furrow your brows, nod earnestly and in between sentences, say, "Shag sia!"

7. We bring books into camp but we never read them

Because of Summoners War, one month in, my friend is still on the first chapter of The Hunger Games.

8. We will always ask if you have a sister

Annoyed? Just reply, "No, but I have a mother."

9. A queue for the toilet will always form after breakfast

I'm not sure if it's the food or it's just us but after breakfast, you will always see a line of desperate faces, holding their stomachs, stamping their feet, queuing outside the cubicle and shouting, "Hurry lah! Reach custom already!"

10. We shout loudly and with gusto on Fridays

Unless, of course, you have guard duty.

These are the funnier and more light-hearted transformation that I've noticed after enlisting.

Of course, NS changes us in more important ways. I'm ambivalent that the change will be as big as ah boys to men but without a doubt, NS develops our character considerably by inculcating in us a sense of responsibility and grit and making us appreciate and cherish the people around us.

Top photo from Cyberpioneer Facebook page.

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