Mother India wants you!

Army to advertise for officers

Syed Firdaus Ashraf in New Delhi

The army is down to advertising in newspapers and on television to attract youngsters, following a shortfall of 13,000 officers.

This effort will supplement the promotions being given to non-commissioned officer and junior commissioned officers as announced earlier.

General Shankar Roychowdhury, the chief of the army staff, heads the campaign that tells the youth that pay and perks are not all, the country beckons to you… Or words to that effect. 'To join Army is to serve the country…. The army is not a profession…. It is love for your country that must lead you…'

Colonel Anil Bhatt, the military spokesperson, mournfully harks back to the heyday of the army. "Gone are the days when the army used to put a board of vacancy outside the headquarters. Youngsters used to fill the vacancy for every post." Ergo the ad campaign, especially on television because it is so attractive.

Poor salaries, frequent transfers and stringent rules are among the reasons cited for the shortage of officers and men. Not mentioned is the miserable pay. A captain gets to take home between Rs 2,300 and Rs 3,900, a lieutenant colonel between Rs 5,100 and Rs 6,100, a major general between Rs 6,700 and Rs 7,800 and a general, Rs 9,000.

Worse, an officer cannot discontinue his service without special permission from the defence ministry which is nearly impossible to get. Also, those who do not serve for more than 20 years do not get a pension.

Moreover, officers have to retire in the early fifties with no major post-retirement opportunities. A chaotic career bound by a bewildering assortment of rules during which he risks life and limb in various parts of the country, gives way to an uncertain retired life. Naturally, most youngsters seeking a future don’t consider the army.

Never has India faced such a shortage of officers as now, says Commodore (retired) Ravi Sharma, complaining that there was no love for the country as in his days. Youngsters want an easy life and fast money, he said, adding that no one wanted to serve at the Siachen glacier. "A Master of Business Management degree is more important than the National Defence Academy these days," he said.

Rs 37 billion has been allocated in the 1997-98 defence budget for defence personnel which is to be implemented only after the Fifth Pay Commission recommendations come into effect. Commodore Sharma says the government must immediately implement the recommendations or risk more army officers leaving.

The problem began in the mid-1980s after the liberalisation process began. According to one colonel, many multinationals are now offering ex-servicemen jobs lucrative posts in security. These jobs pay more than double the salary while being less dangerous and more stable than those in the army.

The army may advertise. But it will a very slick campaign indeed to make youngsters overcome their current inhibitions.