Dear Karan,
I don’t agree with your point of view being expressed on the forum in various threads about the discussion with regard to matters military. However, that doesn’t mean that I will dismiss your views, which is the most common trait noticed here. The discussion naturally becomes passionate too. I shall try and give my point of view in simple language.
The military service in India was and is voluntary. I joined the forces because of passion to serve my motherland. I was fully aware of the dangers involved when I opted for Infantry and served with my head held high for 21 years. Given another chance, I shall do exactly that, again and again. It is my choice and no one can convince me about the correctness of my decision or otherwise. Others may be corrupt but I can only speak for myself. I have held various important appointments during my career and I never indulged in any act that was ‘un-officer like’.
The Indian Army officers who get posted to US or other foreign countries are mostly those who have had an outstanding career record. Yes, sometimes few in-laws too can manage. However, if they sell their souls for getting a green card, it is a sad reflection on their character. I personally know more than a dozen officers who were posted in foreign countries, including Washington, and I can vouch for their uprightness. Every nation and force has black sheep. What to do, the system is like that. Even ‘many so called greats Americans’ managed to escape from being sent to Vietnam by using influence of one kind or the other.
The Indian Army follows a chain of command like any other Army. In an Infantry Battalion the second in command (2IC) always takes over if the commanding officer is killed or wounded. If a company commander (a Major) is wounded then his 2IC, an officer or a JCO, takes over. Who says Indian Army doesn’t train their JCO’s and NCO’s to be leaders? There are numerous posts along the Pak & China border (Platoon and Section Posts) which are commanded by JCO’s & NCO’s. In fact formal courses are conducted at premier training establishments for junior leaders. However, officers, whenever commanding a company or even a special combat detachment lead from the front.
It is hard to believe that in an actual combat situation a Battalion Commander of a US Infantry Battalion has a Sgt Major as his 2IC and not a Lt Col. A Sgt Major can officiate as a CO in a training exercise, but in actual combat, I have my doubt, unless there is no officer left to take over. Presently, a debate is taking place in military circles all over the world about the overall leadership, effectiveness and efficiency of the mightiest Army of the world (US Army). We can discuss that later.
It is very easy to comment on the issue of ‘false bravado’ of an officer that leads to casualties. Who is to judge? There are too many factors that are in play leading to a combat situation. It is easy to blame and there is no end to this blame game. The Army can blame the Government for not giving priority to the needs of modernization of the forces. If funds are released, there is a blame game that kick backs have been received. The socialists and communists say that why so much expenditure on armed forces when there is abject poverty in the country. The human rights groups too start making noise. There is no end.
I am also against the over romanticizing of our fallen comrades who made the ultimate sacrifices for the ‘naam’, ‘namak’ & ‘nishan’ of their ‘Paltan’ and Nation. Well, who else is there to make that sacrifices if people from the Armed Forces don’t? Not the shopkeeper next door! Is there a need to make that sacrifice? I suppose if you don’t kill the enemy, he kills you. And the Indian Army is fighting a war since independence. It is not our fault to be in that situation. We can’t just pick up our bags and leave the borders unmanned, can we?
We will continue to fight for better pay and perks, status, facilities and pensions. We are in a democracy and we have the constitutional right to do so. When ‘Masters’, ‘Teachers’, ‘Sweepers’, ‘IITians’, ‘Bankers’, ‘Doctors’ strike, they hold the country to ransom. We are, so far, only carrying out a very peaceful and disciplined protest.
Best regards,
JS Malik