MY SALUTE TO MY BROTHERS OF INDIAN ARMY ON ARMY DAY
Army officer says:
Saw list of fatal battle casualties of Army on 2016 published in newspapers. Total of 86 is surely high. I pray for the departed souls and their kith & kin. Noticed list included 10 officers including 2 Lt Cols. Officers casualty sure is very high. Does this speak of ethos of our Army? Officers form less than 3% of 12.6 Lakh strong Army yet their casualties rate is 11.5%. Yes, this is incontrovertible evidence as seen repeatedly in all wars and operstions year after year that Indian Army officer class leads from front. Even a junior most officer holds the position of Company second-in-command or higher. Yet, in harms way, he voluntarily leads a platoon, a section or even an specialist assaulting detachment. Why does he do so? Is it foolish fatal attraction with death? No way sir, he does it bcoz of wht is ingrained in him : my own safety & welfare comes last, always & everytime. That he would let harm come to his men, 'paltan's izzat' or to innocent citizen, only over his dead body.
Saw list of fatal battle casualties of Army on 2016 published in newspapers. Total of 86 is surely high. I pray for the departed souls and their kith & kin. Noticed list included 10 officers including 2 Lt Cols. Officers casualty sure is very high. Does this speak of ethos of our Army? Officers form less than 3% of 12.6 Lakh strong Army yet their casualties rate is 11.5%. Yes, this is incontrovertible evidence as seen repeatedly in all wars and operstions year after year that Indian Army officer class leads from front. Even a junior most officer holds the position of Company second-in-command or higher. Yet, in harms way, he voluntarily leads a platoon, a section or even an specialist assaulting detachment. Why does he do so? Is it foolish fatal attraction with death? No way sir, he does it bcoz of wht is ingrained in him : my own safety & welfare comes last, always & everytime. That he would let harm come to his men, 'paltan's izzat' or to innocent citizen, only over his dead body.
Consider this also. Today, even in intense operational areas, owing to shortage of officers, the hardscale of 12-14 officers are performing duties of 20-22 officers. In so called 'peace' areas with excruciating training & planning regimen, only 5-8 officers perform all duties of 20-22 officers. Miracle is that how do they still perform so effectively. Of course, by routinely sacrificing on his/ her personal welfare, administration and rest. And then we see our media going ballistic over video posted by few 'rogue soldiers' to question morality of Army officers and the institution of 'buddy system'. Yes, buddy system is the very basis of officer-men camaredrie at the micro level both in peace & war. It is at the core of all battle drills and battle procedures. It is not thay jawan is buddy to the officer - both are biddies to each other and both take care of each others professional & admin committments as well as safety & risks, albeit in different ways. It is not the Army but the media or few bleeding hearts who demean the buddy by calling him 'domestic help'. The officer & his buddy have bonds based on extreme mutual trust. They trust their lives on each other. They trust their weapons & ammunition on each other. They trust their cash, security of personal assets & even welfare of families on each other. They are a 'family'.
Let those who have no clue of Army's values, ethics & morals and how it translates into day to day functions whethet in peace or war, refrain from commenting on Indian Army's officers and men.
On this Army Day, I remain as proud of my Army. I am also certain that all JCOs, NCOs & Jawans (excepts for odd few counted rogues out of over 12 lakh and who surely need to be weeded out) are as proud of our great Indian Army
Jai Hind
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