Lance Corporal Aaron Leong

"My journey in the Boys’ Brigade began 4 years ago when my dad, who many know as Mr Ronald, introduced me to BB. My original company was the 8th PJ company where I joined

the Junior Section there. Despite the welcoming officers and amazing friends, I didn’t enjoy the idea at first. I was a fat and naive kid at the time and would rather stay home playing video games than waste my Saturday afternoons at a church marching and sweating and suffering; I had to get myself out of this odd organization. My dad had other plans. He was confident that one day I would thank him for doing this, so he made me continue and looking back now, I am glad to admit that he’s right. I eventually learned to love BB. However, it felt as if something was missing. There was a feeling in my gut that there was more to it than just meeting up with a group of friends every Saturday.

Eventually, I turned 13 and was called to the 12th KL Company when I entered WMSKL(I). Still having a mindset that everybody in BB would never hurt a fly, I was completely shocked when all the NCOs kept shouting at us; punishments were just as common. However, my passion for the Boys’ Brigade did not falter, as I went on to partake in many other BB activities. NTS completely changed my perspective of how I looked at life entirely and earning the rank of Lance Corporal also showed me that there is more to BB than just earning badges, looking smart when I don my uniform and having fun at camps, and yet it was still missing: that reason to devote myself to BB no matter what happens.

When my friends ask me, “Is BB even fun? Why do you still want to go?”, I say that it’s very fun and that there are lots of activities; but it doesn’t actually make a difference for me. That’s not why my fiery passion for the Boys’ Brigade will never be extinguished. My motivation comes from my juniors. Whenever I see Nicholas Wong still show up for Drill Trainings and stand strong under the blazing sun despite being the only Year 8 there, or Chong Lin lending a hand to other Squad Leaders and NCOs, ever-ready to help and serve others despite being a monitor at the same time, I get so inspired. Every time I see Chung Jie overcome hardships and obstacles, it motivates me: it’s not easy these days to find someone who has such grit and perseverance. Every time

Oscar Tham messages me or suddenly walks up to me, giving me a big hug and tells me about how ecstatic he is that his own squad members have grown fond of BB, a smile manifests on my face. To think that these amazing people were once my own squad members and have grown from young recruits to passionate privates serving with pride and dedication, really touches me. To think that I have helped in their maturing and growth gives me a sense of accomplishment, the feeling of achievement that I have impacted their lives.

The Brigade has given me a chance to learn from seniors like Staff Sergeant Nicholas Ng, and Staff Sergeant Ming Yang, two of my biggest role models, who have taught me so many life lessons and skills. It has blessed me with many close friends whom I can rely on and trust to stand by me through life’s most violent storms like Lance Corporal Chris Wong, Lance

Corporal Ernest and the rest of the team. It has given me life-changing experiences, valuable lessons and bittersweet memories. Most importantly, it has given me opportunities to change the lives of others the same way mine did when I joined BB, a chance to be someone who made a difference in someone’s life. After all, Acts 20:35 reminds us that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and I want to help give the Boys a better future."

-Lance Corporal Aaron Leong, 2018

Sure and Stedfast

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