Perhaps it's due to my childhood period where once I was so sure to join the army. I remembered very well once my aunt asked me what was my ambition. I refused to tell her as I knew she would laughed. She insisted and promised that she wouldn't laugh if I tell her. After much coaxing, I decided to trust her since she was persistent. The moment I told her I want to be a soldier, she looked at me with disbelief, and burst out into laughter.. I regretted telling her. I bought several books on wars, conflicts, weaponry, the origin of special forces in different part of the world, and what lead them to develop the concept of "Special Forces".
I love watching movies made based upon real events, like Black Hawk Down( I've watched that movie 42 times, and I have 3 different original DVD copies.), We Were Soldiers, and a DVD collection of Future Weapons. Why on earth would I have three original copies of Black Hawk Down? Well, that's because the first copy which I bought from Speedy Video was censored and the quality was awful! Even the pirated DVD versions is so much clearer. Then I went over to CWF and bought an imported version, uncut. A few months later, as I routine stop by the shop weekly, I saw a special edition with added unseen footage of the movie. Which was absolutely awesome!
As I watched the movie, i begin to buy books on the actual event that took place, and the book that I bought, "Black Hawk Down, history of modern warfare" by Mark Bowden was a page turner. I read the entire book in a single night as I simply couldn't put down the book which documented the actual incident that happened in Somalia in 1993, where the US 75th Ranger Regiment and 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment (Delta Force) took part in "Operation Gothic Serpent" on October 3rd, 1993. The characters are events that is portrayed in the movie is based on this book.
This real life drama is the most intense close combat US troops encountered since the Vietnam war. In this conflict, two member from Army's special unit known as Delta Force was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honour.
The Congressional Medal of Honour is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States' Government. It is bestowed upon any member of the armed US forces who distinguish themselves "conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.
The two posthumous award recipients are Sergeant first Class Randall Randy Shughart and Master Sergeant Gary Gordon.
1st Class Sergeant Randy Shughart was portrayed by Johnny Strong.
Left-right:Nikolaj Coster Waldau, Johny Strong.
Master Sergeant Gary Gordon was portrayed by Nikolaj Coster Waldau.
These two recipients were the first to be awarded The Congressional Medal of Honour post Vietnam War.
I was so obsessed with the movie and the history behind this military operation, that I even spotted a mistake on Wikipedia, where they show the photos of the two recipients and the Medal at the side were actually bestowed on the Marine Corp/Coast Guard, while Delta Force are Special Forces is under the United States Army, where the design differs for US Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The movie was shot in Morocco, as it absolute stupidity to shoot the movie in Somalia. The 2 downed Black Hawks were actually decommissioned Huey helicopters which were modified to appear like AH-60 choppers were given by the Pentagon.And the fast roping scene where the Rangers landed at the Olympic Hotel were the actual Rangers who were in Somalia.
I don't why but each time I watch the movie, though I've been watching it for over 40 times, it never fails to bore me, nor become less excited. In fact, it unleashes the childhood dream within me. The inner part of me that seek the thrill,excitement, and actions in the army.
While I was medical officer in Hospital Kuala Lumpur, I remember vividly one of my elderly patient's son in law was one of commissioned officer working in MINDEF. I expressed my interest in joining the armed forces. He suggested if I were to join as a medical personnel in the armed forces, I will automatically be bestowed the rank of a captain.
I will be given a handgun, and required to spend certain hours per week in the shooting range. That sounds awesome! But I need to be practical. I just got married back then, and my wife was pregnant.
At times the line between reality and dream isn't very distinct, in fact, it often overlaps. If I had joined the armed forces earlier on, I wouldn't have experience these.
I would never exchange anything for what i have now. A beautiful and understanding wife, and three charming little angels.
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