While riding back from training, I contemplated about my supervisor and how he is different from his predecessor. Ya, I know it's not a good thing to compare but I was trying to figure out why we were having a hard time adapting to him and his way.

Each of us have our own opinions regarding this issue. To me, the first part is he doesn't listen. He may claim to be listening but he is more concerned about putting his point across than to hear your viewpoint.

That isn't new. We all figured that out a long time ago. But from yesterday's duty, I realised something.

Our previous old man, although in general not a sociable guy, very mercurial in temperament, very vulgar, as old school as you could probably get, but he teaches us, in his own gruffy ways.

He was never satisfied with the current practices and sought ways to improve. That's the crux of his work attitude. Looking to make things work better. Thus, we learnt to use the standard drills as guidelines but we were encouraged to think innovatively on how to improve. Like the aerial coupling, our place for clipping the personal line snaphook, etc.

He ruled with an ironfist, expected a lot from us.. And we became good fire fighters because of it. We became independent. We gained a certain pride and esteem as his men. Because of living up to his standards, being creative, working hard and doing our best.

I miss my old DRC.

Our current old man though.. He banks heavily on his past experiences. Not discrediting it; he is one of the most well-known firefighter withing SCDF. But he doesn't stray too far from the unknown. Keep to the lines, follow protocol, all those things we previously did were all bullshit and unorthodox, not to be used anymore.

Come on man, if there are ways to improve how we do things, at least consider and debate it. And he described the previous regime as autocratic. Pffft.

He has his plus points, I don't deny, but he is irksome to many of the older heads in our rota for various reasons.

Sigh. Sorry lah, after this morning's CAFS presentation.. It's not a breaking point or anything, but to me, he failed me as my supervisor. And Amin actually was more offended than me. Oh well.

Latest news is I might be a firebiker as early as March. I will miss Rota 3 but I won't miss him. Oh heck, it's still the same station..

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