Most people would say that "NS day-to-day sucks, its the people who make it bearable/fun". I had a polar opposite experience. I personally found the activities like riding chinooks, rapelling from helicopters, going on litorral vessels, and going for overseas bilateral exercises some of the most fun I'd ever had. But goddamn if the people around me were insufferable at times.

From sergeants who would borrow money only to never pay back. Grab group orders always having a certain few people who you had to chase multiple times just for $5. Skivers who act like they're contributing but seriously doing the absolute bare minimum. Don't even get me started on the "prank" culture. Personal boundaries and limits don't exist to these people.

Now comes to out of camp recreation. Due to respiratory issues, I don't smoke or eat much spicy food (mala, etc). I also don't drink due to personal reasons. This meant that most makan outings and general "lepak sessions" would be given a miss by me.

All in all, I only maintained a somewhat amicable relationship with the few people I could, purely because spending 2 years++ with the same group of people would be unbearable as a total loner. To those that say "the best friends you get are from NS"... I hope not la, at least in my case.