Army vice-chief Lt Gen MMS Rai retires

New Delhi, August 31

Vice-Chief of the Army, Lt Gen MMS Rai, retired on Wednesday and will be succeeded by Lt Gen Bipin Rawat on Thursday.

The General Officer hung his uniform after an illustrious military career spanning four decades.

Lt Gen Rai was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers on December 15, 1976. Apart from the regimental service, the General Officer had tenanted various key staff, instructional and command appointments including that of GOC-in-C, Eastern Command.

Lt Gen Rawat will take over as the VCOAS of the Indian Army tomorrow.

He was commissioned in the Fifth Battalion of the Eleven Gorkha Rifles in December 1978, from IMA, Dehradun, where he was awarded the 'Sword of Honour'.

The General Officer has vast experience in high altitude warfare and counter insurgency operations.

He commanded an Infantry battalion, along the Line of Actual Control in the Eastern sector, a Rashtriya Rifles sector and an Infantry Division in the Kashmir Valley.

He has tenanted instructional appointments at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, and Army War College, Mhow.

Lt Gen Rawat has held important staff appointments at Directorate General of Military Operations and Military Secretary's Branch at Army HQ.

He has also been Major General General Staff at HQ Eastern Command. The officer commanded a Multinational Brigade, in a Chapter VII mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC).

An alumnus of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the Higher Command & National Defence College Courses, the General Officer, during the span of over 35 years service in uniform, has been awarded for gallantry and distinguished service.

Prior to taking over as the VCOAS, Lt Gen Rawat tenanted the appointment of the GOC-in-C, Southern Command. — PTI