ROTU High Platform Jump | MUHAMMAD ADIB BAZLI BIN SYARIFUDDIN's Profile

1) Mini Report:

This activity is one of the most challenging exercises in the UTM Reserve Officer Training Unit. As a matter of fact, most of the other activity which is solely decided and managed by the Malaysian Army Unit. This training activity is, however, was organized under the collaboration between the Malaysian Navy and the Malaysian Army since this training requires the participant to jump off from 5, 7, and 10 Meter diving platform located at UTM Swimming Pool. The content of the lesson itself is to jump from the diving platform at each respective height. Therefore, there is no real need to know how-to or having a swimming skill. However, the Malaysian education system is not known to teach their students how to swim, which is an essential skill to survive. This activity undoubtedly will develop a light aquaphobia among cadets who do not know how to float on water, let alone swimming. The task to jump from such height is also not a small feat. In fact, a study found that acrophobia is affecting as many as 1 in 20 individuals. The inability to swim and jump from an unusual height will undoubtedly challenge one concise and emphasize the trauma.

It should be noted that there is a fleet of certified lifeguards and expert below the platform preparing in a case when things went downhill. Even if that the case, the accumulated fear from both water and height is slowly draining one trust and confidence. Although the task is as simple as ‘jump,’ the real challenge is to trust and relax. At that moment, the UTM swimming pool must have seen a multiple series of distrust and failure.

2) Self Reflection:

In the early day of ROTU recruitment, UTM has given me two choices: Navy or Infantry. I choose the latter since I have a terrible history with water. There is a saying, “What is a life, without the spices,” which hit me real hard, something that I never expected from this training doctrine program. I tried to run from something that I afraid of. Now here it is looking for me. My life lesson does not end here as when I enter the grand stage, it overwhelmed me. The sight of blue water, the reflection of the sunlight, and the smell of chlorine starting to consume me, leaving me with a cold shiver. I was given two choices, tuck my tail and run away or overcome myself and my fear. Living in society is nothing but full of deception, and it is not uncommon for your boss to request something unreasonable. It dawns upon to me that, if I run from myself now, will I, when I really need it, able to face myself later? I was afraid, but I know that I had to do it. The instruction is unambiguous, report, jumps, and get into safety. I believe that I have learned a life-long lesson in this activity. It is the importance of trust, the ability to stay composed in a distress situation, and the quirk to adapt to any change. You might want to ask just how jumping into the water from such height made you learn all of it; it does not make any sense. The key lies in fear of death. You simply lost your reasoning, distrust everyone. There, I know how inefficient it is when you start to panic and act beyond reason, and perhaps I should prepare myself.