In the wake of the death of Dave Lee, a full-time National Serviceman (NSF) Guards trainee who succumbed to heat injuries after a fast march, several NSmen have come forward to share their unpleasant experiences.

Alternative response

One Ryan Wu, however, has a different take as a former 1 Guardsman himself.

Unlike other posts that documented alleged mistreatment during their time serving the nation, Wu shared his alternative and unconventional view on his Facebook page on the morning of May 3.

Due processes to prevent malingering in order to retain men within unit

Wu shared that he had fallen out of training before due to a "bad heat rash".

However, he was questioned by all his superiors and was even told by his platoon mates to push on.

While Wu agreed that the bombardment of questions from superiors and platoon mates alike may seem like they are forcing soldiers to do something, a soldier ultimately can make their own choice.

"I, just like every other soldier, had a choice to make, carry on with the training or fall out."

He ultimately managed to fall out after further insistence, despite being told by his commanding officer (OC) that he will have to stay back over the weekend for remedial training.

"My point here is that in 1Guards or any unit that has a high rate of malingering, there are bound to be due process to prevent malingering so as to retain the men within the unit."

"Tekan session" happens typically during training period

Wu also shared about the infamous "tekan sessions", similar to the ones documented by other ex-Guardsmen on Facebook.

These sessions apparently could take a toll on an individual that it can make them "feel like sh*t and demoralized":

" Some of my most memorable ones are; mid-afternoon bear-crawl chasing my PS (platoon sergeant) because some men laughed during PT (physical training), cleaning up after a dustbin that was thrown off the second floor because we didn't put a trash bag in it, running around the parade square because we didn't get recon 1 for technical handling only to come back after the run to get tested right away, these are just to name a few and I don't even want to get into the name calling."

However, he stressed that the "unnecessary" sessions typically ended after the Guards Advanced Infantry Training (GAIT) period and to him, it was "necessary" to build up their mental strength.

"Because unlike other units, guardsmen don't have it easier after our training phase, neither do we have it easier in our second year."

He also defended the commanders, saying that they act in this matter "not by choice", but because that is what they have to do for their training.

Nonetheless, he did not dismiss other guardsmen's unpleasant experience but didn't think it was fair to generalise every single commander in a negative light.

"Commanders can sometimes over step the line. But it is unfair to them to call them sadists."

Heat exhaustion is serious, but can be difficult to spot

Wu shared his platoon's medic experience with heat exhaustion.

Once at outfield training, the medic spotted a man who appeared to be sleeping on his field pack.

This man was from another platoon and the medic, suspecting that it was a case of heatstroke, carried out the appropriate standard operating procedures, including cutting the clothes and pouring water wherever necessary.

This, however, happened even when a company medic was present but hesitated to take any actions, perhaps because he couldn't determine what was wrong with him.

"My point here is that heat exhaustion is very serious but not easy to spot. And the question is to who is to blame for such an accident to even occur."

[related_story]

Put yourself first, then take care of others

To end the post, he shared his personal takeaway:

"It is in every individual soldier to take care of themselves first, then to look out for your buddy and fellow soldiers around you."

Wu also said that while NSFs are forced to go through NS, nobody can force them to do what they don't want to do.

"Don't push yourself beyond the limit just because someone says so. I hope all past present and future guardsmen and fellow NSFs alike take care of themselves."

An exclusive deal for Mothership readers: