Back in my days as an officer, I served under five different battalion commanders. I had seen bad ones as well as a good one. The commander I got just after graduation was a pretty bad one. But the one after him was okay I guess. His name was Mg Mg Lay. As he was from the upper part of the country, he had quite a dark complexion. He was a jolly fellow. We could only see his teeth when he laughed. He never hit someone during his stay at our base. Even when he was furious, he only said, “Guys. This is not ok. Do your jobs properly. I don’t want to be mad at you guys.” He was very honest and humble. He always admits his ignorance.
He was very simple too. Once, the division commander ordered the whole division to install and use Viber application to send photos and files. It was around when the usage of the internet is starting to widespread. Many of us have phones and so it wasn’t a very difficult job.
That evening, he called a meeting with officers and soldiers. Everyone waited for him in his office. Not long after everyone was inside, he arrived in his car. He came into the room and said, “Let’s just cut to the chase. You guys have work to do too.” He was understanding like that. We sat after him.
The room was silent as everyone was waiting for his words. He said with a straight face, “Hey, Bogyi Htet Myat, I got scolded by the division commander for not having Viber installed. So, I had to run to Minglardon Bazaar and install Viber. The guys from the phone shop were looking at me quizzically when I told them that I want to install Viber. But even after spending 2000 kyats, I still can’t use it. I don’t know what to do. Can you help me with it?” Everybody in the room laughed uncontrollably after his words. I had to explain to him after he said, “Why are you guys laughing at me? Do you think it is funny?” “Here, let me help you Aba. You can transfer Viber from each other or download it from the internet. You went to Minglardon Bazaar when you could have asked us to install it for you. That’s why we were laughing Aba. Those at the Bazaar were surprised that you wanted to install it from them. I will help you with everything I can. So, please don’t go to Mingalrdon. It would be embarrassing.” He laughed after listening to my words. “Aww, it is like that, huh? I didn’t know. I only started using my phone recently. I don’t know much about it,” he said honestly. Then, he called his driver and said, “Hey, Zaw Win. If I ever wanted to go to Mingalrdon Market, stop me. I am embarrassed.” He was like that.
He said he didn’t get any money before he become the battalion commander. He had to pay for things with his money. In the military, you can get extra money from the military-owned business. Waffle factories, Rose Gardens, Palm Farms, leased Farms and many other various military-owned businesses make money. But he didn’t know to take that money and he isn’t aware of how much money those businesses make. The adjutant reported to him about the money and asked him, “Sir, we have received the money from this month’s sales. What should I do with it, sir?”
He replied, “Well, you can give it to the officers and soldiers for their welfare. Just don’t cause any trouble.” Everyone was shocked. Well, just like he ordered, we manage some of that money for the next month’s budget and divide the rest among us. Everyone got quite a handsome reward from that.
He didn’t know we got that much money. Next month, he said to the adjutant, “Did you get money like last month? I didn’t know we make that much. I want part of it too if it is possible. Can you manage that for me?” We feel sorry for him. The adjutant told me when he went to the commander for the next month’s share, he seems happy. The commander also gave us pocket money back.
One time, there was a funny incident between the battalion commander and the second in command. We got a new second officer. He would call his family later and he came by himself first. Only after two weeks since he arrived, his family followed. His wife was in the later stages of pregnancy then. He really cared for his wife. He didn’t let her any work. He did them himself.
They went back to their Yangon home for childbirth. He took a personal leave from the commander. He went back and forth between the hospital and his work.
One day, we met him at the front gate. We asked him, “How’s your wife? Did she give birth? Tell us if there’s anything we can do for you.” “Thanks, guys. She gave birth this morning. It’s a boy. I have already reported to the commander. I came back to take the necessary stuff. Since the hospital is not far from here, the commander allowed me to sleep at the hospital. I will come back with my wife and child when they are discharged. Call me if you need me here. I will treat you guys when I come back,” he said happily. “Ha, it’s good for you since it is a boy. We will come to visit you when you came back,” we replied.
After a few days, he and his family came back. The adjutant came to our quarters and told us, “Guys, the second commander is back. His wife and his children, too. We should go and help.”
The officers were lively, “Let’s go, guys. Aba lay said he will treat us. We could meet his son and help them too.”
Like that, we marched to his quarter. When we arrived, he said, “Come, my brothers. I didn’t forget you. Here are doughnuts for you guys. We will make and eat more when we are free the next day.” “It’s ok, Aba. We came to help. It’s important to eat too,” we replied, jokingly. Just then, the battalion commander arrived with his wife and daughter. When he see us, he said, “Ha, guys. How helpful of you. Ha, ha.”
His daughter went beside her mother, who was talking to the second commander’s wife. The second commander’s wife said to the girl, “Here’s Mg Mg Lay(little brother). Isn’t he cute? Look at Mg Mg Lay (little brother).” We went silent upon hearing that. She wasn’t aware of that and went on talking to the daughter. We were set in stone. We thought it was gonna be a problem. Because the battalion commander’s name was “Mg Mg Lay”. Every officer only dared to call him “Aba”. But now, she was calling his name “Mg Mg Lay” since she was talking to the girl. The second commander went up to his wife and told her about that. Only then she came to realize what she had done and apologized to the commander, ‘Ah, Aba. I am sorry. I was just calling that name since he was her younger brother.” “It’s ok, my sister. Don’t apologize. I don’t mind,” he replied.
When we arrived back at our rooms, we retold the story and couldn’t stop laughing. Thank God our commander was understanding. The second commander and his wife were flustered.
I was in contact with that battalion commander after he moved. Since he was nice to his subordinates, most of us still remember him and contact him. He was just like before, humble and jolly. The last time we were in contact, he was a tactical commander at Nay Pyi Daw.
Yours respectfully,
Htet Myat