Army needs a changed perspective

While no major modernisation has been effected since the 1980s, the army continues to be structured to fight wars of earlier eras. As the world’s third largest army observes Army Day, which marks the 62nd anniversary of General (later Field Marshal) K.M. Cariappa taking over as the first Indian army chief, the force faces multiple challenges. The army is in dire need of a major transformation into a lean, technology intensive and networked potent force to fight 21st century wars, says former army vice chief, Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi.

ARMY NEEDS A CHANGED PERSPECTIVE
Another Army Day was flagged on Saturday. The Army Day has always been a day of reflection on the achievements and shortcomings of the past year and the plans for the ensuing year. However, this year it is not just the start of one more year for the army but the commencement of a new decade. The army therefore must look at two decades, the previous and the one ahead.

The army always has achievements to cite every year. These are well known and are always a source of inspiration and satisfaction. But it is also important to mull over the areas of weaknesses so that these are removed and the army remains both a potent and relevant force.

The major areas of concern are both internal and external. The first category includes a comprehensive transformation plan; a makeover in manpower policies; greater interaction and empathy with veterans who need to be valued as adding to the strength of the army; and finally the need to get away from the status quo and defensive mentality, which hinders progress.

The external areas are modernisation, joint endeavours, reductions in internal security commitments, an assertive stand in core areas where no dilution should be acceptable, and halting and then reversing the trend of diluting the status of the army.

Transformation needs to be speeded up, as without it the army would continue to wallow in old and inefficient structures that are out of sync with the present and future battlefield environment and the rapidly changing methodologies of waging war. The army has not seen any major structural changes since the mid-80s and essentially it is still structured to fight wars of earlier eras. We need to change or upgrade our doctrines and concepts, restructure the field force, efficiently manage internal conflicts, upgrade human resources, streamline logistics, and modernise the training methodology. Our aim must be to transform the army into a lean, technology intensive, networked and joint entity.

Manpower policies are not merely promotion policies, but include recruitment and in-service management, especially grooming for higher ranks. For officers, recruitment and training policies are fairly comprehensive. However, we continue to be a generalist army, with no specialisation. There is no sectoral or geographical specialisation, no continuity in specific appointments like those in information technology that require long tenures, and little language proficiency.

Command appointments for officers are a must, resulting in shorter and shorter command tenures to accommodate everyone. The compulsion on commanders to "show" themselves in these truncated tenures, results in their riding roughshod on their commands! As regards promotion of officers, the seniority of passing out of training academies remains throughout one's service. This has resulted in many bright officers losing out. The need is for a reassessment of each officer's caliber at least at 10 years intervals and re-fixing seniority in accordance with the officers' changed abilities and performance.

In the case of jawans, there is a mismatch between imbibing technology and educational qualifications. In non-technical arms, which also handle the latest weapons and equipment, intake qualification continues to be class-X. In a transformation study carried out over 10 years ago, I had suggested upgrading the criteria to class-XII by 2002 and to graduation by 2005, but we continue to remain in a time warp! Secondly, though JCO'S are an essential link in the organisational structure, they all are promoted from the ranks. They are of higher ages, are comparatively less fit and have the same educational qualifications as the troops. Despite discussing the issue a number of times for recruiting at least a percentage directly as graduates, we have always baulked at doing so.

Today's active soldier is tomorrow's veteran. However, there seems to be a firewall between the two categories, with different norms of treatment, emoluments, medical arrangements and other related issues. This has resulted in the veterans getting disillusioned and the bureaucrats widening the gulf even more. It is the veterans who are role models for our youth as they interact with them more than the serving personnel; they ensure that the best and motivated manpower joins the army. This has not only eroded but a very large number of veterans now speak ill of the army. The army needs to re-focus on this important issue and do away with the artificial division that is increasingly disillusioning the veterans. The veterans must again start feeling that the army chief is their chief too! Although a Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare is in existence for the last six years, it has done virtually nothing for the veterans. How can it, when it is exclusively manned by the bureaucracy?

Coming to the last two areas of internal concern, status quo is no doubt a safe option, but no organisation can prosper if it loses its ability to change as the environment demands. As regards the defensive syndrome, no country has won by being on the defensive, which even in military teachings is a temporary phase.

The external areas of concern are much better known and need not be amplified. Modernisation has been a crying need for the last at least two decades. It is a great pity that neither does the army receive a sufficiently large budget, nor does the procurement wing of the Ministry of Defence and other ministries concerned, especially that of finance, see any urgency in modernising the army. Lack of modernisation has substantially reduced the fighting capability of the army and if this continues, the army is unlikely to be the deterrent force it ought to be.

War is a joint endeavour. The complexity of modern war is likely to increase in the future on account of increased and sophisticated technology; the nature of modern war; new threats and challenges; and the reality of nuclear weapons in our neighbourhood. Consequently, a joint force, which acts in an integrated manner, is not just desirable but imperative. Most professional militaries have adopted jointmanship but the Indian military is unfortunately an exception. While everyone endorses the need for jointmanship, it eventually turns out to be merely lip service. This must change. Appointing a CDS and an integrated ministry of defence would be the first steps. We would then be able to generate the necessary synergy, so essential for winning conflicts, battles and wars.

The involvement of the Army against insurgents has been extensive. Despite the ever-increasing central police forces that should be conducting such operations, there is no reduction in the commitments of the army. We have unfortunately reached a stage where the army, instead of being the last option, is often the first recourse! The heavy commitments of the army have undoubtedly been at the expense of its war-readiness, as well as the desired quality of life. Even In situations where the employment of troops becomes essential, they should be withdrawn at the earliest opportunity.

The apolitical stance of the army is correct, but should not translate into meekly accepting whatever orders the bureaucracy relays. Unfortunately, our political leaders are shy of dealing with the army directly, preferring to do so through the bureaucracy. This has resulted in a skewed arrangement whereby gradually the services chiefs appear to have lost their power of dissent even when they find any dispensation that reduces the status, power, emoluments or morale of their command. This needs to stop. It is nobody's case that the chiefs should be confrontationists, but when it comes to their authority being usurped by the bureaucracy, they must hold their ground and get the best for their men.

The military has been and will continue to be the most potent instrument that is used for the most difficult tasks, when every other instrument has failed or given up. This cannot be done by a meek military. We need to educate our political leaders the correct meaning of civil control and supremacy in a democracy.
ARMY NEEDS A CHANGED PERSPECTIVE

India pays homage to its martyrs

Posted on Fri , 15 Jan '10

The Indian army today commemorated its 62nd Foundation Day by paying homage to soldier at the country's largest war memorial known as the Amar Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi. Chiefs of the three wings of the armed forces, General Deepak Kapoor, chief of army staff, Admiral Nirmal Verma, navy chief and Air Chief Marshal PV Naik, chief of the air staff, offered floral tributes at the Amar Jawan Jyoti. Army Day is observed every year on January 15 to commemorate Indian General, Field Marshal K.M.Cariappa's taking over as the commander-in-chief of the Indian army from Sir Francis Butcher, the last British commander, in 1949.
India pays homage to its martyrs to mark 62nd army day: click here to view video

62nd Army Day Greetings

PTI: Army chief General Deepak Kapoor addresses a press conference ahead of the 62nd Army Day in New Delhi on Thursday. Photo: AP
{COAS Press Conference: Click here}

“REPORT MY SIGNAL”

WISHES ALL ITS MEMBERS

A VERY HAPPY ARMY DAY

HAVE A NICE TIME.

In service of Indian Military Veterans
Chander Kamboj

IESM: Membership drive incentive till Army Day 15 Jan 2009

Dear Colleagues,
In view of persistent demand from some ESM, the IESM has decided to offer a special one time amnesty membership offer on reduced fee. From Vijay Diwas (16 December 2009) to Army Day (15 January 2010), both days inclusive, the membership fee is reduced as under:

Officers– to 20% (pay Rs 100/-instead of Rs 500/-)

JCOs– to 20% (pay Rs 40/- instead of Rs 200/-)

Other ranks– to 10% (pay Rs 10/- instead of Rs 100/-)
Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM.

Army puts its best foot forward on 61st Army Day parade

Watch Video: click here
BEST FOOT FORWARD: The Army will also re-dedicate itself to the service of the nation with a brand new slogan.

New Delhi: Hoping to put a difficult year behind it, the Indian Army will put its best foot forward at the 61st Army Day Parade in the Capital on Thursday, January 15.

Army Day commemorates the taking over of General K M Cariappa as the first Indian Chief of the Indian Army.

It's also a day of stock taking. It comes in the wake of tensions with Pakistan and the major security revamp forced by the terrorist attacks on Mumbai.

The Army will keep it's guard up on the border and play the lead role in beefing-up counter-terrorist forces across the country.

The 1.1-million-strong force is also putting in place institutional checks following the alleged involvement of an officer in a terrorist attack. The Army will also re-dedicate itself to the service of the nation with a brand new slogan.

Chief of Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor said, “Our troops have stood up to uphold the faith which the nation reposed in them to come up to the expectation and for that I humbly feel proud and keeping that as the perspective, the theme for the army day celebrations this year as been 'Nation above all.'”
Army puts its best foot forward on 61st Army Day parade

Giving Soldiers their Due

One more Vijay Diwas! One more Army Day or yet another Republic Day! For the politicians and the bureaucrats, it is time to dig out the names of some martyrs and their families, dish out a few goodies and show empathy. Oh yes, it is time to impress the public and hog the limelight and then quickly turn your face away till the Independence Day at least. My contention is well substantiated by a series of stories being carried in this News Paper on the plight of war torn martyrs’ families.

At a recently held state sponsored Vijay Diwas function, the district stadium was filled with a motley crowd of special invitees, school children and many tamaash beens. The sound of trumpets ushered in the chief guest. An army band played the national anthem that was followed by a wreath laying ceremony and a march past. From the dais, a local politician babbled incoherently for a while and then solemnly distributed a couple of wheel chairs and sewing machines to a few selected disabled soldiers and to some veiled widows. A cultural programme and some more speeches later, the show ended. Next day, the media would splash pictures of the VIPs.

Standing next to me in the crowd, a frail looking war widow with two young children, fixed her gaze vacantly at the march past. Her husband was killed in an ambush in J&K. Five years ago, when his body bag was brought home; a local politician assured her a liberal financial aid, a government job and free education for her children. Nothing materialized. Sadly, back home in her own village, she became an outcast and recluse over a period. She now works as a maidservant. No, a ‘domestic help’ should sound more dignified.

Sadly, she is not the only one fighting a losing battle to redeem her status and dignity. In wars, it is the women, besides parents, who suffer the most, remain as widows and shoulder the burden of bringing up the orphans in endless struggle. Today, a very large community of ex- servicemen including widows, veterans and war heroes, mostly spread in rural India, are faced with a similar predicament. Shunned and rebuffed at every doorstep of bureaucracy, this helpless lot is made to run from pillar to post in search of a respectable rehabilitation and lost esteem. Ironically, soldiers who are sent away to defend our nation are made to fend for themselves in their own society when they return. Is this the way to show our gratitude to our brave soldiers? Why can’t the government, the bureaucracy and the common man be more sensitive to their aspirations?

Statistically, the government has introduced many welfare schemes for the Ex-servicemen. The problem actually lies in implementation. Due to lack of political will, most of these schemes remain buried in files and folders gathering dust. Local leaders who come and make tall promises soon get busy elsewhere protecting their vote banks. The bureaucracy just follows suit.

The prevailing malady needs to be tackled on two fronts. At grass root level, the ESM community, lying fragmented across the country, must some how form itself into a formidable and cohesive political force to be able to participate in the process of governance and policy making.

Secondly, the government should set up an autonomous apex body, say like NHRC, headed by a retired army chief and equipped with sufficient powers, with a clear cut and sole objective of fulfilling the aspirations of ex- servicemen. All other existing establishments with similar objectives should be dovetailed in to this apex body. A responsive chain of command with effective feedback mechanism should identify major problem areas of ex-servicemen and recommend new welfare measures if required. One can then hope that pending related issues like ‘one rank one pay’ and many more can be resolved expeditiously.

In the growing economy, the government must strengthen the financial backbone of the defence community by offering a comprehensive rehabilitation package and liberal concessions post retirement to assure a hassle free retired life.

Our Armed forces are the best- trained outfits in the world. Not many armies can boast of concluding a campaign as swiftly and as successfully as we did in the 1971 war. We as nation must feel indebted to our soldiers.

Today, the ex-guardians of the nation, mostly in their twilight years, are struggling to lead their residual lifespan in peace and dignity. A disabled soldier is not interested in how many candles are lit at a war memorial when the one in his own heart has got blown away. A widow is not interested in how many praises are sung on martyrs’ day when her own hero is not alive to sing in praise of her. Some one has rightly said,

“Our God and soldier we alike adore
Just at the brink of ruin not before
The danger past, both are alike requited
God is forgotten and the soldier slighted”
Let us not be branded as a nation of hypocrites.
Let us resolve to return the debt of a soldier in a befitting manner?

NS Ahuja
Col (Retd)

Extract of letter received by Brig CS Kamboj, VSM, from Col NS Ahuja

"Visited your blog site. It is interesting, very informative, very well planned and even a better lay out. My sincere thanks and compliments to you and your team. You people are doing a great job indeed. Besides, it provides a suitable platform for airing and sharing views. I keep getting your Report My Signal email too and, in fact, look fwd to it.
I am tempted to send one of my articles, ‘Giving soldiers their due’, carried recently in the weekly column ‘Defence Talk” in HT Chandigarh edition. The article focuses on the plight of ESM in our civil society and suggests some possible steps. Thought of sharing with other brother officers."

Blog Team thanks Col NS Ahuja for the thought provoking article and bringing to focus the plight of ESM and widows of Martyrs'.

Taking Stock on "Army Day"

ON Januray 15, the Army commemorated another Army Day, the fifty ninth. I have deliberately used the word ‘commemorated’’ and not ‘celebrated’, because although it is a day of rejoicing, it is also one of introspection and taking stock. I have also not stated that the nation has been celebrating or commemorating the day, for the truth is that the majority of our political leadership, our bureaucracy, the public and lately even the media, are fairly blasé about what the military does. A great pity, indeed, for when an adverse security situation develops internally or externally, everyone suddenly wakes up with the usual homilies for our ‘brave’ defence forces!

This day was selected as the Army Day, as it was on this day in 1949, that the first Indian General (later Field Marshal) K.M. Cariappa had assumed the prestigious office of the head of the Indian Army. The day is marked by an impressive parade at the army parade ground in Delhi Cantonment, where the reviewing officer is invariably the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

This day is dedicated to the officers, JCO’s and the jawans of the Indian Army, who have sacrificed their life and limbs for the defence of the nation. The Chief, in his address, indeed did thank them for their steadfastness, sacrifices, courage and loyalty. He also honoured the brave individuals, as well as units which have excelled, by presenting gallantry and distinguished service awards to individuals and unit citations for collective achievements by units.

The parade is followed by a semi- formal ‘At Home’ by the COAS, at his official residence, where political as well as civil and military dignitaries get a chance to mingle with the awardees of the morning. It is always a memorable occasion, where one meets a wide spectrum of people, from the President and the Prime Minister, to leaders of many political parties, to a selection of serving and retired military officers, and of course the decoratees of the morning, proudly displaying their well-earned medals and honours.

Army Day is a day of celebrations, for it is a joyous occasion. Besides commemorating the passage of one more successful year, all ranks of the Army look back with nostalgia on another year of hard work, pride in their achievements and re dedication, added to the long and glorious history of their units, regiments and corps, as well as the Indian Army. All officers and men are also acutely conscious of their individual and collective contributions to the safety and security of the nation.

At a different plane, however, it is a day of stock taking of every facet of the functioning of the army. The main question in everyone’s mind is whether the army is fit in all respects for carrying out its task of ensuring the security of the nation in a professionally robust and befitting manner.

This question covers practically every endeavour of the army, from its manpower to its equipment, as well as important issues like training, leadership, discipline, operational readiness and of course morale. In this technological world of today, it is also important to assess how technologically savvy our personnel are and how well they are able to use the latest technological equipment that is being fielded by the army?

There is also the important aspect of modernisation, which is a continuous process that needs dedicated and sustained infusion of the correct and relevant weaponry, equipment and materials. This is only possible when adequate funds are made available to the army.

Any slackening of the modernisation process results in losing the race vis a vis our adversaries, because once it falters, it is difficult to catch up, both because much larger funds would be needed thereafter, but also because of opportunities lost, which cannot be regained.

Introspection should reveal both strengths and weaknesses. It is a time-tested method for military commanders at varying levels to gauge the proficiency and efficiency of their commands. When General Deepak Kapoor reviewed the Army Day Parade, he would also have been thinking of these fundamental questions – on how his army has fared in the service of the nation in the preceding year, as well as the challenges ahead, for which it must be ready and prepared.

Over the years, our media has lost interest in the events of the Army Day. Although, it still gets covered as a news item, the coverage is sketchy and routine.

The Army Day again has been celebrated in the backdrop of heavy commitments of the Army. The officers and jawans are continuing their fight against the enemies of the nation, both on the borders and within the country, without any thought to their own safety and comfort. They do deserve the gratitude of the nation, but it is my view that it is not forthcoming, in the manner and to the extent that is desirable.

Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi (Retd), PVSM, AVSM, VSM
The writer is a former Vice Chief of Army Staff

Message from Chief of Army Staff

On the occasion of Army Day, I convey my greetings and best wishes to all ranks of the Army, ex-servicemen, civilians and families.

The Indian Army has passed through yet another significant year that has added glory to its magnificent past. This has been possible due to your high standard of professionalism, sense of selfless service, bravery and commitment towards the organisation. The year gone by abounds with your bravery and unwavering sense of duty. You epitomize secularism, national integration and harmony.

I compliment all those deployed along our vast borders for their colossal contribution in improving the proxy war and internal security situation. I would also like to compliment our Officers, JCOs and men who are keeping peace in several countries of the world as part of United Nations Peace Keeping Force. In performance of our duty we have earned the gratitude, respect and appreciation of our countrymen.

There will be many challenges ahead in the year to come. I am sure we shall surmount these too with the same zeal, gusto and confidence, that has been the hallmark of our great Army. Our efforts to upgrade the Army and make it technologically uptodate are beginning to bear fruit. Once completed these will go a long way towards making our Army stronger, vibrant and dynamic.

On this occasion, I call upon all ranks to rededicate themselves to the service of our motherland.

May God be with you in all your endeavours.

JAI HIND

DEEPAK KAPOOR
General

New Delhi, 15 Jan 2008