EDITOR'S NOTE
Dear Readers,
Kindly read the 'Foreword' by Maj Gen VK Madhok ,1st Course JSW/ NDA , to Victory India, vol- 1 , released on 20 Nov 2012 by CAS & Chairman COSC, Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne at Vayu Bhavan . The release picture has prominent veterans who contributed immensely towards the compilation and release of this pilot volume of the Victory India Campaign series that was followed by four more volumes until 2019 .
A lot of what's written in this book is valid today and about which the serving leadership and veterans need to know for their enhanced awareness . Victory India!
1. Here is a book which deals with the selection process of officer candidates for the armed forces at the SSBs (Services Selection Boards) and on the training of selectees (Cadets) at their respective training academies. Selection criteria, tests and standards of judgment currently being used to assess candidates and initial basic training processes and syllabi of cadets at the academies have come in for much criticism and censure. Especially so, because of the recent cases of moral turpitude and Court Martials resulting there from—of at least half dozen serving general officers and cases of false and fraudulent means to gain recognition and awards. The steep increase of suicide rates of jawans and frequent officers-men confrontation are now a matter of deep concern. These unsavory incidents are now raising serious questions as to whether our systems are still valid and sound in keeping with crucial requirements of present and future battle field environment or are these outdated and require a thorough review by a group of experts. Col Vinay Dalvi's book comprising articles and comments by various specialists and veterans addresses these issues in as comprehensive a manner as possible; that is, an analysis of the selection process followed with views on training at the NDA, IMA, OTA, Naval and Air Force academies.
2. Questions have been raised and considered regarding the methods in vogue for selection by GTOs (Group Testing Officers), Psychologists, Interviewing officers besides the screening tests. Are these officers sufficiently qualified to assess the potential of candidates? As regards training: articles by four ex Commandants of the NDA besides the one from OTA—along with the views of psychologists, lecturers, medical and sports specialists and defense analysts are of special interest: Again, the point is, are these institutions providing the necessary environment to develop the potential of these cadets?
3. Some of the issues discussed are revealing and merit action to obviate the flaws, because the quality of current and future military leadership will determine the effectiveness of our armed forces—whether they will be in a position to check and confront China or in a two front war with China-Pak nexus. Of the many issues discussed in the book I find three to be of particular interest: a) Firstly, there is a total mish-mash between the qualities in which candidates are assessed at the SSBs; those which the training academies try to inculcate in the cadets during training and finally, those in which the serving officers are assessed in their ACRs (Annual Confidential Reports). Obviously, someone has to decide as to what character qualities we are looking for in our military leaders. The Defense Minister and the three Chiefs would do well to correct this serious anomaly. b) Secondly, the weightage which is now being given to academics, especially at the NDA; is our intention to produce Soldiers of character or Professors? The academics to training ratio is officially supposed to be 70:30. Unofficially it seems probable that it is the opposite, 30:70. Could we review and draw a clear line? c) Finally, as brought out in one of the articles, there is an absolute and imperative necessity of periodic review—say, once a year, and complete inspection of our academies by an independent Governing Body comprising serving officers, veterans and other experts, reporting directly to the Chiefs of Staff committee as one of the senior authors has mentioned.
4. Today, the Soldier feels abandoned! Senior hierarchies are unable to stand up to political leadership or interact with the media. Military leadership stands sidelined. The Indian democratic system has yet to perceive the changes and shift from a colonial to a democratic way of command. And nothing can be done about that by the leadership of the Armed Forces except stand up firm on the strength of its character. The bottom line is that even technology cannot replace character. Best of Armies will always be led by men of character and not mere knowledge. The environment has changed. Today, men are much better educated. That will always be so in a democracy. Their leaders (Military) therefore will have to have much higher intellectual, physical and moral standards to be in a position to lead them. Such issues will have to be kept in view while revisiting our SSBs and training academies. This book has touched on a serious subject and it has been achieved by authors who have given committed thought to it and have articulated remarkably well. It is a great treat on military leadership and is good food for thought for all students of leadership—serious or casual. And those directly concerned with Selection and developing military leadership will do well to read it.
13th Oct, 2012. 702, Magpie, Nyati Enclave, Mohammad Wadi, Pune: 411060. Ph : 020 2697 0649
Maj Gen V K Madhok, AVSM, VSM (Retd) 1st Course JSW /NDA, Author-'Battlefields of the early 21 Century', 'Space: Profiles of the future and repowering national security' Research fellow: India Surrounded and Engaged
Comments