Was sitting on the sofa in our parlour on that day in February 2011,thinking about many things concerning my life,as usual there was no light so it was a dark scene,I am tired of going to the football field everyday playing my sorrows away,I really wanted to think that day. I am like whats wrong with me? I made my Olevels at only one sitting, Ive sat for 3 jamb exams and had over 200 in all the sittings but the Post Ume thing wont just give me way into the University,Oh! Then I remembered that I dropped out from a polytechnic in 2009 for reasons known to only me,the following year I did a pre-degree programme at OAU ile ife but all didnt work out,I was duped big time all in the name of admission... There I was,all my young ones are almost through with secondary school,will they come and meet big bro struggling? Hell No! Cant really think of a better way out that day until dad came back from work and told me about the Navy if I was interested...why wont I be interested? Let me give it a try was my reply to him, the next day I got the form and filled it online... Then the military journey started,I have never dreamt of this kind of life before,me carrying guns and all those things. Well I am bit stubborn and my actions when I am angry makes neighbours suggest the military for my parents, but I dont even think about that, what can one do about destiny? Absolutely Nothing...what will be will surely be... 323 Artillery Regiment was the recruitment venue in Akure Ondo State,it was another experience being in the midst of military personnels,we were treated like thieves,sat on the floor,flogged,served punishments and was being controlled by the recruitment officers,I passed every stage of the recruitment exercise with a little bit of ease and help from God because at every stage,people got dropped. You need to come see the crowd,young boys and girls wanting to get out from house and put an end to their struggle. Everyone has a reason for buying the navy form like I have mine too,I wanna get out of the house... Medicals nearly dropped me but God helped me and I scaled through other stages successfully.... At the end of the recruitment exercise on May 22nd 2011, 88 of us passed from over 500 that came for the exercise,lucky I guess but that wasnt the end,it will be cut down to a shortlist of 25 to go for the basic Training in Portharcort...I hoped and believed that I will make it. I still sat for jamb the next month,I took the jamb form before the navy form, I had 222 which was my highest in my first 4 sittings,my mind was not disposed,I already set my sights on joining the navy even though I dont have a clue who the navy are or what they do... Everyday of my life after the recruitment,I check the navy website for the shortlist because I have no one to inform me even when its out, then it happened that day in July when I surfed through as usual and I discovered that the names have being shortlisted,some kind of strange fear gripped me,I was sweating and so afraid to fail again,I didnt check it alone,I waited till everyone was around then I started from page 1 Abia State...I saw names,I even saw list of 20 from some states,I was afraid,I got to Ondo and I started checking,1-10 my name is nowhere to be found on the list,then I moved to the next page and saw something like Orowale Samuel Kolapo staring at me occupying the number 18 spot,25 names were shortlisted in Ondo state....I jumped for Joy! Hugged my dad for the first time since I grew up to that level,I was overwhelmed with joy.... It wasnt a dream come true but an escape route to forget my troubles... I am to report at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School Onne Portharcort on September 2nd 2011. My preparations started immediately but I never knew the pain and sorrow that awaits me in Portharcort. To be continued!
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 20:16:59 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015