Post childhood fantasy relived in the reserved land of Ulu Gombak. I never thought I would fight in the jungles of Malaya.
On Friday night while de-stressing in my living room, Commander
Lifemou called at 9:30 p.m. to report for duty next morning.
I never knew there were parks behind Zoo Negara. Isi Rimba was the Paintball service provider.
As debriefed by the organizer, the apparatus was called a “Marker” and not a “Gun” since it is meant to be a non-violent. Originated from cattle owners who used the device to mark their livestocks, it eventually became a game when they playfully start shooting at one another!
Wearing jeans and a collared T-Shirt, I was ready to be peppered and bruised by squashing balls. Newton suggested I be the team leader but honestly I have no idea how to strategize a platoon into combat.
We had a few rounds of combat, one in an enclosed netted arena and the other in the jungle. The arena was quite straightforward, capture the flag in the opposite direction or be shot by the enemy.
I was totally worked out and tensed after the first game. Hands trembling and voice quivering, I took the game far too seriously, as if it was a life and death situation. I settled down after that.
The jungle game play was a disaster as most of us could not see through the fogged goggles. Those who wore spectacles compounded the fogging. I could not see where I was going and end up hiding behind the bush like a helpless sheep.
I risked injury by raising my safety goggles just above my glasses exposing my chin. Used my palm to protect my nose and lips. In this way, I was able to at least see where I was shooting.
In the 6 hours, I was hit thrice: on the arm, direct splat on the front goggles and the most painful on my neck. This was nothing compared to some of the bruises sustained by my braver comrades.
This game is by no means a child’s play. The compressed air propels the spherical dye-filled pellet as far as 200 feet with enough velocity to bruise the skin. There was a case a finger bled. Another hit on the cheek, narrowly missing his eyeball by cms despite wearing the safety googles (?).
I personally felt better safety measures and marshalling should be employed. For instance, anti-fog goggles; gloves, body armour and usage of a loudhailer would have made the game a far more enjoyable and less painful experience.
Overall, it gave a perspective of how soldiers had to contend with fear, fatigue and trauma in a real battlefield.
Thanks to Lifemou for the invitation - to flashback my childhood thrill.
