I have always believed that the Army is the most ‘just’ place and dishonesty or wrongdoing is not tolerated. This is not to say that there are no dishonest people in the outfit, there are; but they are few and far between. When caught they are ‘sorted out’ very quickly! But we never needed any outsider to tell us what to do…the Army hierarchy was competent enough. Now when I see Arnav brandishing ...a copy of the UN report asking a bunch of nitwits why they think no action was taken against alleged offenders in Congo, my blood boils. I am sure the Army would have dealt with it…and the action taken is not for public consumption. Why is such a thing allowed to pass?
When the COAS says that his DoB is recorded wrongly and takes the matter to the media and once again, leaving the finest outfit there is, having to listen to stupid talk from all and sundry, I wonder who is right. My own view is that the COAS has diminished the stature of the Army.
The Army has always been a slight mystery to most guys. People have always wondered what lies beyond the “Maharana Pratap Dwar” or the “Twin Tanks”. Now with it being a free for all, the Army has lost the sheen. I do not think that transparency to this extent is good. Taking this further, the op plans of a strike corps may get debated on National television…and no one to swing for the leak!
I once had the privilege of working for a COAS. I was his slide maker and the slides I made were used for presentation at the highest levels…PM, RM and CCPA. During that tenure, I had a chance to be present even in forums where Maj Gens where not allowed (but they could not do without a guy to run the slides in sync with the presentations!) At that time, I have seen the three service chiefs do a lot of plain talking to the then PM. The bluntness and strong words used were not something I expected at that level (having been subjected to the usual junior officer talk about our Generals being spineless). I was most impressed by the then CAS. He told the PM (and this is not hearsay), “….if there is a war between now and Dec, we will win, after that we will lose” and “…give me the money you are giving this guy (pointing at then the SA to RM)), and I will buy a few aircrafts, this guy is pouring the money down the drain”. The COAS was equally forthright. My regard for the higher echelons increased exponentially after this tenure and I was very fortunate that there was never a need for me to review this opinion….until now! National television is not the place to bid for tanks and aircraft.
Now, after all these years after leaving the Army, the one thing I wear very proudly on my sleeve is the fact that I once served in the finest outfit there is. My family is the Army and guys I served with…and they have stood by me during the darkest days of my life. I know it sounds cliché, but if I am born again I would like to once again serve in the Corps of Signals…easily the best among the best. Will guys who are presently serving come out with the same feelings after seeing their COAS being spoken to condescendingly by the Arnavs of the world….and the COAS himself speaking like a lawyer and not a soldier (My idea of a “soldier” is Jack Nicholson in “A few good men”).
And then…the fight between the officers and men in an Arty unit in the 3 Div Sector…shameful! And Adarsh….and Tatra….and…..
Hope the new Chief brings back some of the lost “sheen”…the Army (and some of us who once belonged to this very fine outfit) desperately need it!
When the COAS says that his DoB is recorded wrongly and takes the matter to the media and once again, leaving the finest outfit there is, having to listen to stupid talk from all and sundry, I wonder who is right. My own view is that the COAS has diminished the stature of the Army.
The Army has always been a slight mystery to most guys. People have always wondered what lies beyond the “Maharana Pratap Dwar” or the “Twin Tanks”. Now with it being a free for all, the Army has lost the sheen. I do not think that transparency to this extent is good. Taking this further, the op plans of a strike corps may get debated on National television…and no one to swing for the leak!
I once had the privilege of working for a COAS. I was his slide maker and the slides I made were used for presentation at the highest levels…PM, RM and CCPA. During that tenure, I had a chance to be present even in forums where Maj Gens where not allowed (but they could not do without a guy to run the slides in sync with the presentations!) At that time, I have seen the three service chiefs do a lot of plain talking to the then PM. The bluntness and strong words used were not something I expected at that level (having been subjected to the usual junior officer talk about our Generals being spineless). I was most impressed by the then CAS. He told the PM (and this is not hearsay), “….if there is a war between now and Dec, we will win, after that we will lose” and “…give me the money you are giving this guy (pointing at then the SA to RM)), and I will buy a few aircrafts, this guy is pouring the money down the drain”. The COAS was equally forthright. My regard for the higher echelons increased exponentially after this tenure and I was very fortunate that there was never a need for me to review this opinion….until now! National television is not the place to bid for tanks and aircraft.
Now, after all these years after leaving the Army, the one thing I wear very proudly on my sleeve is the fact that I once served in the finest outfit there is. My family is the Army and guys I served with…and they have stood by me during the darkest days of my life. I know it sounds cliché, but if I am born again I would like to once again serve in the Corps of Signals…easily the best among the best. Will guys who are presently serving come out with the same feelings after seeing their COAS being spoken to condescendingly by the Arnavs of the world….and the COAS himself speaking like a lawyer and not a soldier (My idea of a “soldier” is Jack Nicholson in “A few good men”).
And then…the fight between the officers and men in an Arty unit in the 3 Div Sector…shameful! And Adarsh….and Tatra….and…..
Hope the new Chief brings back some of the lost “sheen”…the Army (and some of us who once belonged to this very fine outfit) desperately need it!
