Let’s put things straight, booking in means going back to tekong camp from Singapore and booking out means going back to Singapore from tekong camp. Easy to understand right?
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BOOKING OUT ALONE/NOT TOGETHER WITH THE WHOLE COMPANY
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The very first time when I booked out was the time where I booked out alone. I had to find my way back home from the ferry terminal because I was unfit for duty (UFD) thanks to the fever that was inflicted upon me immediately after my route march. Here’s an outline on the events that will occur when you book out earlier/later due to whatsoever reasons:
1. You will need to pack your field pack and change into the appropriate attire.
2. Following which, they’ll check your items and perform a body check on you.
3. After keeping all the things back into your field pack, you will either march/walk/escorted to the ferry terminal at tekong.
4. Board the ferry with your 11B.
5. Reached the SAF ferry terminal and take a bus from the bus stop opposite of the terminal. If you have no idea what bus to board, take bus 19 (goes to tampines interchange directly, double check the notice board at the bus stop). Otherwise, you’ll end up lost like how I did. I ended up walking quite a distance in a bad shape before hailing out for a cab.
And here’s a gentle reminder, please ensure that you have enough money in your Ezlink card before you even book in! I remembered feeling so afraid of boarding the bus back because apparently, I don’t remember having sufficient money in my ezlink card and had not have any coins with me. Jot this down somewhere or memorize this. I really don’t hope anyone goes through this agonizing and dreadful state with me. It’s just terrible and nasty.
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BOOKING IN ALONE/NOT TOGETHER WITH THE WHOLE COMPANY
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And here’s what is going to happen when you book in at timings different from your company mates as your UFD status ends on another day from your mates (or some other reasons that deter you from booking in with the rest).
1. You should have a camp ferry ticket that have your book in time indicated on it. The book in timing stated there represents the time you need to reach the SAF ferry terminal. If you are unsure about what time to report or reach the bus interchange, clarify with your commanders/sergeants first. I am sure they’ll be glad to lend you a helping hand.
2. Board the shuttle bus (provided that the bus services are operating, you can check your camp ferry ticket/commanders/sergeants).
3. Prepare yourself for putting your bag(s) on the scanning machine for checking. Please don’t be like me, cocking up the whole queue because I forgotten to took off whatever items I was wearing.
4. Board the ferry and head back to your company!
5. Search will be done and you’re off to meeting your mates again :D!
By the way, the above information might not apply for “some other reasons”. Just confirm with your commanders/sergeants. Don’t worry, they won’t punish you for asking. It’s better to ask and do the correct thing than to keep quiet and mess them up.
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BOOKING IN TOGETHER WITH THE WHOLE COMPANY
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Everything is the same, you’ll have the time to pack your items and the sergeants/commanders will comb through all your belongings together as a platoon. After which, the whole company falls in together at the road and proceed marching back to the ferry terminal. There will be sporadic periods of waiting as reaching early/delays can affect how long you take to book out. Before you get dropped off the shuttle bus somewhere near Pasir Ris MRT station, you’ll obviously board the ferry and bus while reporting strength. And you are now free!
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BOOKING OUT ALONE/NOT TOGETHER WITH THE WHOLE COMPANY
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Majority of us met up with our section mates at the train station before heading to the bus interchange. Upon reaching there, we will form up company level at the huge space in the bus interchange and wait again. Waiting time can last anywhere from ten minutes to an hour and thirty minutes depending on how fast people move/how frequent the shuttle bus comes/how many companies are booking in. There is a lot of factors are taken into consideration when calculating the waiting time. I don’t have to repeat the whole process again don’t I? Fine, to ensure everybody gets the correct idea, here’s the overview:
Board bus > Wait for ferry > Board the ferry > Reached tekong > March back > Search
Another piece of advice, run. Keep running, show them there’s some urgency or everyone gets knocked down (i.e. do push ups). Inform or shout out to the other people to rush. It’s a teamwork thing, when one or two jokers decide not to follow instructions, everybody gets punished. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
And lastly, enjoy your time with your buddies and your hectic (probably not) schedule again! 🙂
L for Loktor 
Just passed by the SAF Ferry Terminal the other day! 🙂