There are no out of turn promotions. An award is given to an individual according to a particular act of bravery, which has its own advantages when he gets considered for his next rank. But he has to fulfill those qualitative requirements to get promoted to the next rank and awards help in getting extra points.

Whenever Subedar Bana Singh picked his next rank, his PVC played an important role, he did not get an out of turn promotion. He had made the nation, the regiment, and the battalion proud. For a Junior Commissioned Officer to become Naib Subedar, you have to be master of many trades. You should be able to lead the troops, to set an example, to guide them, be good at man management and crisis management.

Gallantry award winners are not kept out of operations just because they have won medals earlier. Our battalion has won so many awards that everyone is treated on par.

Do officers value the experience and expertise of the JCOs and men?

Yes, yes when a young officer gets commissioned and meets Subedar Bana Singh, it is a matter of pride. It's a matter of learning when Bana Singh narrates to him how he won the PVC. Though you (an officer) may be highly qualified but from the experience point of view, you may not get that experience, exposure (on the battlefield).

A death that glorifies is a better death

Fear of life and death persists in every individual. We have to choose what kind of death we want to achieve. I may die in a driving accident and no one will know of me and my family. Is that the kind of death I would like? I don't think so.

You give your life for the country, the country recognises you. Eight hundred people from the battalion are there with your family. You are glorified, your family gets glorified, your battalion, regiment, the nation gets glorified. A death that glorifies you, that enhances your name, your family, the nation, the battalion, regiment, I think that's a better choice.

Image: Naib Subedar Chuni Lal's family at his memorial site
Photograph courtesy: 8 J&K Light Infantry

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