Defence Forces Rank Status Downgradation: A self inflicted injury

Child AbusersPragmatic Euphony: 6th Pay Commission Implemented

@Veeru/ Menon/ Navdeep:

The dilution of rank of Lt Colonel and equivalents is not the handiwork of SCPC. AVS-1 (based fully on Lt General Bagga’s report) was a pet project of the then army chief, not meant for the other two services. The other services were forced to accept the report as their officers were feeling let down in comparison. BTW, that army chief is currently holding a post equivalent to a Cabinet minister, managing disasters now (after causing a few in the army :-0 ).

That report changed the first select-grade rank from Lt Colonel to Colonel. The services had used this logic in the fourth and the fifth pay commission of first select grade rank for equivalence in pay. When the same logic was used by the SCPC, post-AVSC, it has come to hurt the services. The blame, if any, lies on the top brass, that has at least for the last three decades, caused maximum damage to the services by their own inchoate actions.

One thing that the top brass have ostensibly succeeded so far is in directing the ire of the service officers towards the politicians and bureaucrats. It is time the service officers and veterans realised who really lies behind the sad realities confronting them. Why not a dharna by the veterans at the Army/ Air force/ Navy house against the HR/ promotion/ exit policies in the services? Maybe, the palatial houses of a few retired service chiefs would also be a suitable alternative for these protests and demonstrations.
Pragmatic Euphony: 6th Pay Commission Implemented

Comments: The dilution of Ranks is the sole responsibility of Army Brass. An example, the Lt Col rank reduced to a non entity. Can a Red Tab Colonel gain the respect of his troops? One needs to the see the cause and effect of Red Tabs commanding a Battalion as Peacekeepers in Congo! The full Colonels have produced smugglers and Child Abusers! A real war alone will prove the disaster of diluting the rank structure, "Victory or Defeat".

Army Expedition to Jongsang Glacier

Kripan Division organised an expedition to the Muguthang sector in North Sikkim from June 24 to July 9.

The area is a typical glacial zone with steep cliffs, ice pinnacles and walls, hanging glaciers and frozen lakes which may burst any time. The expedition by the Trishakti Corps was in consonance with the army’s practice of developing love for nature, mountains, flora and fauna among the men in uniform.

The trek was also aimed at developing key leadership traits such as mental and physical robustness, camaraderie, decision making and problem solving ability among the junior leaders of the army. The expedition team, led by Captain Shanu Krishna, comprised three officers, one junior commissioned officer and 24 personnel of Kripan Division.

While most of the team members were the personnel of the Punjab Regiment, others were from Corps of Signals and Army Medical Corps for technical support. The expedition traversed through Jongsang Glacier to complete its mission by scaling Point 5630 near Jongsang Peak.
Army Expedition to Jongsang Glacier

India 61, the icons that make India

Left to Right: Major Jawed Ali Khan, Major Ashish Hooda, Major Jamini Dutta with Captain Sanket Baweja, officiating public relations officer
'Every soldier is doing a gallant job'
August 15, 2008
Meet Major Jamini Dutta, Major Ashish Hooda, Major Jawed Ali Khan: Gallantry award winners, The Indian Army.

Major Ashish Hooda is 33 and part of the Indian Army's Special Forces unit. He won a gallantry award for his act of bravery against insurgents in Jammu & Kashmir. Despite his achievement Major Hooda considers himself a humble soldier of this country. "It's not only that Major Hooda is a gallantry award winner," he says. "There are a number of officers in the Indian Army who are doing a gallant job every day. You must remember that each and every soldier of the Indian Armed Forces is doing a gallant job every day."

Major Jawed Ali Khan, who was awarded a Sena Medal for his bravery in Manipur, says: "The sense of belonging that it gives me, makes me feel proud of this great institution called the Indian armed forces."

All three officers show an identical trait that has now come to define the Indian Army - Team effort is more important than individual acts of bravery.

Photographs: Reuben NV.
Indian Soldier Nation's Pride