THE RIFT IN EVOLVING MILITARY LEADERSHIP - Brig Neil John

Yesterday, A GENERAL I know mentioned that he senses an angst against generals. And one of the grounded brigadiers clarified on a post on WhatsApp.

I was pretty amused at the levels of differences we have in leadership. The juniors we think are all a bunch of noise making nincompoops, and the seniors are looked at, as if they are spineless, clueless of ground realities and decision less.

Reminds me of the anecdote I had narrated in HC 42 when the commandant AWC, an obnoxious character who was venting about how good he was and how useless the rest are. When he said if anyone has any views. I narrated this anecdote about monkeys on a tree sitting as per hierarchy. The junior most on the lower branches and the seniors above. When the seniors looked down, they just saw monkeys with no calibre to climb and empty heads without brains. When the juniors looked up, all they saw were assholes. This is to a pin drop silence in the audience and the commandant walking out. Lots of my mates came up to me and said Neil thank god HC isn’t graded - lol. The thing is, even if it was, I wouldn’t have shied away from this narration. Cause when a fool speaks to an intelligent audience, silence is the biggest sin. Cause for a fool your silence is victory. While I understand that if you play with a pig, you are bound to get dirty, it’s normal for the pig. But in some cases, you need to get into that slush and send a strong message across. That’s the military spirit.

It’s important that we go back to this analogy. Because the gap is far and wide. The zillenial kids have a mindset that has engraved itself into fast paces and imaginary situations. They believe a keyboard and a digital device is far more effective than the mucky and dirty boots on the ground. The senior leadership is frantically trying to hold on to a military ethos that’s embedded in morality, ethics, and integrity. They need to understand the juniors don’t lack that. They just don’t have time for the process. Because you aren’t giving them that.

Our military ethics and behavioural pattern were handed down through a system of subalterns and seniors. We as young officers lived with the men, dined with them, played with them, ate with them, and often visited their homes on marriages. Doesn’t happen today at all. Because the officer comes from a society that’s craving a better life style, most from Lower middle class families. Wards of military men who have raised their kids on a dream and hope. Now, having achieved that, it's party time.

Old values are considered passé. As it is professionally, we are still stuck on fire fighting instead of strategic planning. All our military exercises are in our comfort zone of ‘teen Saal wale exercise ke blue print nikalo’, let’s play that. The thought is that 'zyada kuch change nahin hua hai.' Aur China ke saath technology mein match nahin kar sakte, toh bolo dhawa ! Sadly, none of us really have the continuity to ensure constructive progress. We live in my time work and my time visibility.

Ofcourse we all know that. But having quit the army, after intense battles fought with mindset’s and leadership. Having been instructors at 5 schools of instruction and 6 awards on my chest, I have realised one thing : What we don’t have and don’t invest in - is TIME ! Senior leaders sitting in the office till late, adding on work just because they can’t comprehend or are scared to give a decision is obvious. Their incompetence in professional acumen is a layer of perception management, just to delve in the fact that maybe, just maybe, someone senior in his reporting channel mistakes it for hard work.

The second is that we invest too much into fractious activities, accelerating or enhancing own career profile. One and a half years and two ACRs in what seems to draw out the devil with dark wings to do things that are either fruitless or useless. I have come across senior leadership who haven’t signed a single financial file that might turn out as a misnomer. The art is let the notings on the side become voluminous until the tenure ends. Projects that only remain imaginary in bloated files and the insecurity and safe play deny a good quality of life to the very men we swore to come first always and every time.

Lastly is the blame game. We are always looking to blame others for our incompetence. This is being observed by the junior lot. Non investment in grooming, diminishing physical fitness, bias towards patli kamar and not accha dimag are all add ons.

The military is what you make of it today. As senior leadership, what happened to direct, delegate, give orders with clarity, hold hands cause mistakes with the guys who actually work will happen and finally socialise. What happened? Where did we lose it all? Some might stand up and say it happens. Gentlemen please wake up. Might happen in 30% of the military with good leadership, but 70% are only happy being babus sitting on a desk and reading dak.

Ownership and responsibilities are part of a happy environment. We need to be approachable and not high headed. We need to empathise to optimise. We need to caution off the flab of training and events, give time, ensure professional growth in all areas. We need to carry forward a legacy of bonhomie, camaraderie , and ggoodwill. Get back the healthy competitions - both professional and sports.

It’s also good to sing a song on the karaoke and loosen those feet on the dance floor. But with the Punjabi music and the Bhangra beats, also inculcate slow beautiful soothing romantic music. Take the boys on an all men trekking and camping trip. It’s part of military culture. Create the adventure and not zombies in a box. Because what you sow today is what the military will reap tomorrow.