Serving one’s nation is the ultimate duty and the ‘dharma’ that cannot be compared to any other form of human endeavor in its hallowed pursuit. Among the many and diverse forms of national service, wearing the nation’s uniform to defend its values and integrity, while being ever willing to lay down one’s life if the need arises, namely serving in its Armed Forces, has no parallel. Even years after retirement, this abiding, passionate loyalty to the motherland remains steadfast in the minds of the soldier, airman, and sailor.
The Veterans, as they are called after honorable retirement from the Army, Air Force, or Navy, retain their fidelity with the same fervor and spirit as they had while in service. It is well known that a majority of the Indian people, across the length and breadth of this ancient land, truly admire and respect their Armed Forces. Yet, there is a small constituency, including some from the bureaucracy, other security forces, and a few politicians, whose adulation for the Indian Armed Forces is missing for a variety of reasons. Despite this, Armed Forces personnel must disregard such negative-minded people and carry on with their assigned tasks with traditional vibrancy, high-grade professionalism, and undying loyalty towards Mother India. Most Veterans also endeavor to be useful to society at large, if given the chance, even while employed elsewhere after retirement.
Armed Forces personnel are trained in countless ways, to serve in many varied jobs and skills, both highly technical and non-technical. Their potential for hard work, honesty, high motivation, and a never-say-die spirit make Veterans ideal candidates for recruitment in the private sector, governmental jobs—both skilled and non-skilled—with NGOs, and even in jobs conceived and practiced by themselves. Many retired personnel are fruitfully employed in various assignments. With some clarity and vision, this huge mass of trained, disciplined manpower in India must be put to useful work for the nation and society at large. The transition for our ESM from the “battlefield to the boardroom” comes rather easily, and the values and lessons they learned during their service are of immense value in their new roles.
According to official estimates, there are about 2.6 million ex-servicemen and 60,000 widows, including war widows, in India—a total of 3.2 million, of whom about 86 percent are widows, JCOs, and Other Ranks, and officers are around 14 percent. Nearly 60,000 personnel retire from the Armed Forces each year, resulting in a significant number of personnel in the right age category to be re-employed in the civil or governmental sector. All potential employers would like to employ disciplined, dedicated, and hardworking honest personnel—qualities that our Veterans amply possess. Some suggestions for their useful employment are provided in the succeeding paragraphs.
Employment with Centre and State Governments
Age restrictions permitting, both the Centre and state governments can effectively employ ex-servicemen across the skills spectrum, both technical and non-technical. Although most state governments have fixed quotas for re-employing ex-servicemen in various jobs, regrettably, not even half of this authorization is ever realized. This aspect must be seriously addressed by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), and state governments should be advised accordingly. Vacancies in Central and semi-governmental sectors also have the capacity to absorb a large number of ESM, and the Centre needs to re-energize departments/agencies/PSUs to offer jobs to the ESM. The DRDO should also be directed by the government accordingly. Such steps will surely lead to better productivity nationwide. The previous CM of Punjab, Capt Amarinder Singh, himself an ESM, had employed a large number of ESM to visit far-flung districts in Punjab to monitor developmental works. This was indeed an innovative initiative by any state government.
Private Sector Opportunities
India has a highly resourced, technologically advanced, and vibrant private sector with international standards manufacturing capacity. Some of these are engaged in research and development, manufacture, and export of various goods, arms, ammunition, platforms, weaponry, and defense equipment. Better coordination between these industries and those looking after ESM interests will significantly contribute to our ‘Atma Nirbharata’ initiatives. India has the dubious distinction of being the world’s largest importer of arms and equipment in the last few decades. We cannot let this fact remain permanent but must strive to indigenize the manufacture of all equipment required for our Armed Forces and for export to third-world countries. The ESM community can greatly assist in this national endeavor in multiple ways. Fortunately, an increasing number of ESM are now being utilized by private sector firms engaged in manufacturing equipment for the Armed Forces. The ESM fraternity must better market themselves for employment in our private sector.
Contribution to Society Through Social Work
Many Veterans, not seeking material benefits after retirement, wish to serve society at large. Some join concerned NGOs or create their own organizations to assist society in matters concerning the environment and ecology, orphans and widows’ welfare, hygiene and cleanliness, educating children from downtrodden sections, etc. It is highly advisable for our veterans to either join such NGOs or establish their own setups in the far-flung districts of India, closer to their homes, and assist people in any way they can.
WHAM Operations
Many soldiers, during their service in insurgency-hit areas, would have participated in various WHAM (Winning Hearts and Minds) operations. The Army and other security forces could profitably employ local ESM in similar operations, as and where possible, as part of their counter-insurgency strategy. Security for these ESM from extreme hostile elements would have to be ensured. In J&K and the NE states, there have been a few cases of retired soldiers/policemen being targeted by terrorists from across the borders.
Super Specialization Skills
The Armed Forces are gradually moving into super specialization areas to succeed in various domains of modern and futuristic warfare like Nuclear Specialization, Information Warfare, Cyberspace engagements, Space Warfare, Quantum Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Sea operations, and the like. Both India’s public and private sectors and friendly foreign industry will be involved. Many armed forces personnel, while in service, would be engaged and deployed to attain expertise in these fields. Thus, even after retirement, our personnel could be employed in such niche areas, and the expertise gained during their service could be profitably employed for the nation’s preparedness.
Conclusion
As has been appropriately quoted, “the true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” The nation must note that this love, in the same intensity, if not more, remains embedded in the Veteran’s soul and mind till his dying day. After retirement, the Veteran wishes to continue serving his nation. Society at large, the nation, and the Services HQ should harness the high levels of motivation and skills learned by the Veteran and utilize them for the nation’s benefit. Let it never be forgotten that for a Veteran, the nation is above all religions, castes, and creeds, and he/she carries this feeling until his/her last breath.
