FOR HONOUR AND GLORY

Want to know how Commandos are made? Find out in a new documentary that follows a group of enlistees on their journey to donning that famous red beret.

"I thought I was going to die!" 

That was the initial thought of one of the Commando trainees when he received his enlistment letter.

"I've never been into military stuff and I didn't know anything about the Commandos. When i got the (enlistment) letter and saw 'Special Operations Tactics Centre', it looked very serious... (so) I was quite scared." 

Perhaps not quite the garang (Malay for fierce) image that most people have of a would-be elite soldier, but watch the new series Commandos and you'll realise how tough the trainees have it. 

The 12-part documentary, which airs on Channel NewsAsia, follows the trials and tribulations of 250 fresh-faced recruits during their year-long journey to becoming Commandos.

Enduring seemingly endless turn-outs (where instructors wake the trainees up for physical training) at 3am, having only a few hours of sleep during a five-day outfield mission, carrying heavy combat loads of about 30kg in the blazing sun - it's no surprise that the trainees often "go to sleep tired and wake up tired".

"We watch them go through personal struggles and endure sheer physical pain as they walk down this path," said Ms Devika A. Rao, Supervising Producer from IFA Media. Filming began when the recruits enlisted in June 2014.

"From dealing with being away from home to getting used to a regimented life of waking up at the crack of dawn and constantly following orders; from coping with a lack of confidence to getting past their personal fears, the series really takes a close look at what these recruits go through on a day to day level."

If you've ever wondered what it takes to join this exclusive group of soldiers, be sure to catch all the action in Commandos this June!

Not a recruit, not yet a Commando

Nope, these guys can't wear that coveted red beret yet. Will they make the cut as full-fledged Commandos? Look out for these six trainees in the series.

On his reaction when enlisting: I wanted to step up my game and do something challenging, so I was quite happy when I got in. Not everyone's given the chance to join the Commandos, so I felt that since I've been given the opportunity, I might as well make full use of it.

On his family's reaction when he joined the Commandos: Commandos is a very saht (cool) place to be; my parents were very proud and told me to chiong (do your best) and go for it. Before I enlisted, I weighed about 80kg. So my friends were shocked: "You're so fat, you can get into Commandos?"

Note: Rickmond has lost 15kg since enlisting, and his IPPT results have improved from Silver to the Commandos' Gold standard.

On overcoming challenges: I have a fear of heights, so when I was doing my first airborne jump, I was pretty scared. All the waiting time built up my stress and fear, but when I jumped out of the plane, the feeling was amazing! The fear is still there, but I've learnt to mentally prep myself.

On how he has changed: I used to give up easily on things and take the easy way out. Now, apart from the training that we already have, some of the other guys and I even do our own extra training. I feel like I've become someone who's stronger mentally and physically.

On what he's learnt: Over the training phase, everyone's gotten so much fitter slimming down, running faster and pushing themselves harder. My advice (to other Commando enlistees) is just to push through. It's more about mental than physical strength.

On what keeps him going: For every tough period, whatever you do straight after that tastes so much sweeter. For example, after being out in the field and eating combat rations, even a simple plate of warm rice, when you take that first bite, you'll feel "Wah, so good"