I am a fan of your Blog and visit it frequently. The issues brought out on the Blog site are very relevant to serving and veterans of Armed forces. Most of the issues have been covered in the postings but the one of the Lady Officers of Armed forces, who are very much a part and parcel of the Forces and as patriotic as the other male members, has not found a place in the site.But the irony is that in spite of many of us serving for 15 years, our presence is ignored. When Lady officers were initially inducted for 5/6 years, it was truly Short service but with time we got the 1st and subsequently 2nd extension, thus we hoped that PC will surely come one day..for those who were deserving. But to our shock, our services to the nation will come to a rude stop 15 years (not actually 15 yrs but 14 yrs 364 days)... Reason is that after 15 yrs, claims for pension can be made. This is truly gender discrimination. If we are good enough for 15 years why cannot we serve the complete tenure till the superannuation. The excuse given is as the lady officers move up in service, they will have to be given Commanding Officer duties....but I beg to differ the Technical lady officers in the Indian Air Force have already assumed the duty of Commanding Officers of communication units and have done well in those positions getting commendations and appreciations for their professional work. It is heart breaking that because some units do not want to have Lady Commanding Officers, the others do not want to give Permanent commission to serving lady officers of the Ground duty branches.
We lady Officers have done our bit for the forces and the country and do not deserve this kind of treatment when the entire country and politicians are taking about Gender equality... Where is the equality?
The youth stage is the most difficult time in a lady's life cycle with getting to know the nuances of the service, trying to prove herself against all odds...probably being the only lady officer in the base, having social pressures of getting married and having children, postings after every 2 yrs, separation from spouses etc.... After coming out successfully against all these odds...and serving for 15 years successfully...The lady officers are asked to hang their uniform without any recognition/ financial benefits and they have to venture again ...Now into the corporate world to find a place for herself, commensurate to her post in the Forces... For being a Gazetted Officer to now what a house wife or a lowly paid job. In the forces where many male officers want to leave forces and are frustrated lots.... The lady officers who are still motivated and want to continue to serve even after 15 years... are given no option. So the Government policy to Retain Male officers but throw out Lady Officers smacks justice.
Sir, we need help of all senior officers to understand our plight... we are not asking for Reservations... only requesting that if We are Deserving then please let us continue and serve the Forces... We are also very loyal and patriotic... please do not doubt our integrity and capability.... "Help lady officers to get what they deserve- Permanent Commission". If the medical branch lady officers can do it... we ground duty lady officers of technical, logistics, admin branch also can... Please give us the opportunity to prove ourselves....
Please do put these points in your blog... It will generate awareness about the plight of Lady Officers of Armed Forces and probably help our cause. I am a Technical Officer in IAF completing my tenure of 15 years on 29 May 2009... and then though I do not want to leave Indian Air Force, I will have to go and search for jobs in the Corporate world so that my professional skills do not rust.
Thanks
Regards
Ms Urmila Sahu
(IAF Officer)
Armed Forces Management Programme 10-Professional Profile
Read more:
We're proud to wear the uniform: IAF lady officers
IAF says no need for woman officers, but retains male officers
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