Don't let them end up as guards

Lt Gen KJ Singh (retd)

The Army is coming to grips with the Agnipath scheme. It is time to put in our best endeavour to give it a fair trial, notwithstanding the angst and apprehensions harboured by veterans. It is a clarion call for all hands on deck, as the scheme impacts our operational effectiveness and the future of Agniveers. Most importantly, let us stand with the one who is ultimately accountable, the Commanding Officer (CO). Despite all challenges, we know that ‘Tigers’ or COs can make any scheme work, with their unit tarteeb (routine) and jugaad (improvisation).

My regiment, 63 Cavalry, was presented with the challenge of grooming 140 young soldiers of the 1425 batch, who joined in 1998, with a truncated training of 12 months instead of the stipulated 18 months for recruits. They were called pass grades and even continued to be referred as recruits. The basic idea of complete ownership came from our Army Commander, Lt Gen Vijay Oberoi, who directed that once they joined, they were our responsibility, regardless of the nomenclature, but they will no longer be called recruits.

For an armoured regiment of approximately 500 available personnel, 140 works out to roughly 30%. The regiment has an independent squadron with another 150 soldiers. Manning of this squadron is the responsibility of the regiment and it was normal to despatch 30-odd there. People at a higher level computed figures by combining the strength of both entities and maintained that 140 in 600 was manageable. It was a tough call but the ownership was taken.

All soldiers wear 63 Cavalry embroidered on their shoulder flaps. This lot was given distinctive shoulder flaps with the squadron (equivalent of company) colours — red, blue and yellow. It mandated that they will work always under squadron supervision and not outside. Depending on performance, they were graduated a level up and allowed to wear regimental colours. This again meant working under regimental supervision and not to go outside for every botch-up elsewhere leads to loss of face. They were told that they will always double up and be on the run.

The regiment was nominated to get inducted for counter-insurgency operations, so they were put through the paces. The Kargil operations resulted in a change of role with induction scuttled. We were preparing for taking on Pakistan with armoured thrusts. In all this flux, our ‘Agniveers’ of the 1425 batch displayed commendable flexibility and commitment. Credit for this goes to my team of officers, JCOs and ustaads.

As the Army embarks on this new journey, challenges will be manifold: training of only six months and uncertainty over the future, but we have competent Tigers. They know that the buck stops with them. At the same time, corporates and CAPFs have to support them by making good promise for a second career. It will be sad if committed and skilled Agniveers are forced to masquerade as security guards.

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