(From left) Ahmad Ramli, Eric Sjoekoer, Lawrence and Zainal at Lumut Naval Base in Perak during their reunion.
IN February 1984, a military vehicle picked up a group of young men, mostly in their teens, from Seremban train station to Officer Cadet School, Sebatang Kra, Negri Sembilan.
As the group that had signed up to join the military was driven into camp, they were greeted by a large sign “Satu Peluru, Satu Musuh”.
Thus began their basic military training as Special Sea General Duty Navy Cadet Officer Intake 31 of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).
For their 40th anniversary, they decided to meet up at the RMN base in Lumut, Perak, to reminisce about experiences that forged an independent group of young men into brothers-in-arms.
They included Kapt (Hon) Datuk Ahmad Ramli Kardi who is currently aide-de-camp to Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
Being ex-Special Forces (Paskal), Ahmad Ramli believes in the tough training.
“The harder you train, the more pain you experience.
“This will make you stronger and more resilient in facing the challenges of life,” he reasoned.
Lieutenant (Rtd) Lawrence Blon, an Iban from Kuching in Sarawak, is currently working as internal auditor with Sarawak Forestry Corporation.
He said the RMN training moulded him into a better person, fostering unique friendships.
For Commander (Rtd) Zainal Abidin, his navy training in operations, management, administration and human resource prepared him for challenges in the corporate world. He is chief executive officer of Little Geniuses International Sdn Bhd
The veterans and their families were greeted by Lumut Naval Base Commander First Admiral Jamaludin Sairi and taken on a tour.
At the end of the reunion, they went their separate ways not by saying goodbye but bidding each other “Fair Winds and Following Seas”.
