The eOK .network

Ever since the army decided to ban the use of mobile phones with camera’s from army camps, every time I go to a camp I have to live without digital communication for the duration of my visit, including today’s IPPT (physical fitness) test.

I never really minded it really… until today when the lost my $700 phone! Well, almost.

After my test, all sweaty and completely pooped, I stumbled to guard room to exchange my tag with the number 33 on it for my phone that was suppose to be securely stowed in a small locker numbered 33.

I gave it to a young skinny NSF manning the counter who tried to find the key with the number 33 from a box. To both of our horror, it wasn’t there! He took a quick glanced at me immediately thought of checking the lockers. Number 33 was open and there wasn’t a phone in it.

I could see the fear on his face as my polite smile turned into a frown.

I tried not to show it, but I was freaking out inside thinking, “did he give my phone to someone else earlier in the queue?!”

He then asked me, “is your phone on?”, wanting to call it to see which locker would ring. But I told him it was on silent (not even vibrate, just silent) and it wouldn’t help if you called it.

Then he went back and got two other guards to try and open all the other locked lockers in search of my phone. I did tell them it was a black Motorola.

After a few unsuccessful attempts, the guard tried to smile at me and said, “Sorry, I think there’s a mix up. Would you mind standing to the side and we’ll clear the others first? It’ll make it easier to find your phone.”

Trying to look angry and fierce (as if it’ll make things any better) I nodded and stepped aside. I was already planning on how to ask for compensation and imagining the trouble the kid will get into if I raise this issue to his superiors. I know how serious it is to make a mistake in the army, I’ve been there.

As my thoughts drifted on to worrying about how to call for a taxi or the fact that I no longer memorise anyone’s phone number… to my relief, the found my phone locked away in another locker! And they still had the cheek to ask me to identify myself with my IC number as if the phone wasn’t mine. Sheesh.. but I guess he was just doing his job.

At the end of it I was just glad they didn’t give my phone away to someone else. I was actually more concern about some stranger accessing my SMS history, email, photos, and video on my phone. Not that I’ve got a “Tammy” on it, but still….

This experience made me treasure my mobile phone a lot more and realise how overly dependent I am on it. Its almost as bad as loosing my notebook or someone else finding out my Google Account password. Eeeeks!

Oh and by the way, I passed my IPPT. Woohoo!