 
THE STORY OF INDIAS STRATEGIC
 FAILURES AND WHY
 INDIA NEVER WON AÂ
WAR AGAINST EQUALLYÂ
HOPELESS PAKISTAN
I THINK THIRD RATEÂ
PAKISTAN IS LUCKY TOÂ
HAVE A THIRD RATE ENEMY
 LIKE INDIA
AGHA H AMIN
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| Staff ANALYSTS
* In service; writes anonymously. FOR YOUR INFORMATION *With our compliments Articles in archives include: - Iran Air Force vs US airpower | Volume 10, Number 1 April 4, 2012 Comment on Indian Army promotion policies and senior officers Hamid Hussain          Vice Chief of Staff (VCOAS) Appointments: In some cases COAS designate is appointed as VCOAS while at other times another senior officer.  Some argue that senior most Lt. General and COAS designate should be appointed VCOAS so that COAS can work with him making a smooth transition when former takes over the reins of the army. Others argue that VCOAS is a responsible position and officer with at least a year or two remaining in his service should be appointed regardless of the succession of COAS. Last few VCOAS appointments show that both paths have been taken. Deepak Kapoor was appointed VCOAS before taking over as COAS but next four appointments; Lt. Generals ML Naidu (5 Rajput), Nobel Thamburaj, PC Bhardwaj and Shri Krishna Sinha (8 Gorkha Rifles) didn't consider COAS designate.  Various factors especially retirement age of 60 and seniority are main considerations. -         Promotion policy changes:  In India, army recommends about senior promotions & postings but MOD bureaucrats keep army on a very tight leash. They do not allow senior officers to interact directly with politicians that causes a lot of heartburn among senior brass but has a beneficial effect of keeping army away from political intrigues. The effects of such intrigues on police cadres has been nothing less than disastrous.  In case of India, the right of officer to challenge his rejection of promotion and even posting results in long legal battles. Officer can send representation to army headquarters followed by statutory complaint to MOD and then ultimately to civilian courts.  On positive side the officer has avenues to address his grievances (in contrast to Pakistan where Chief's decision is final) but it has a negative fallout also as long drawn court battles, selective leaks about rival's confidential reports results in fissures within officer ranks, accusations and counter accusations creating a very unhealthy environment. In my view, Army Tribunal should be the only avenue for such measures and to make it a level playing field a mix of serving & retired army officers and retired high court judges should be appointed its members. Fear of legal battles results in promotion strictly on seniority base disregarding all other factors.  -         VK Singh Backgrounder: Singh is from a military family and like many proud Rajputs  several generations served with distinction. He is a Rajput from rural Haryana. His grandfather Mukhram Singh served in British Indian army as Viceroy Commissioned Officer (VCO). His father Colonel Jagat Singh was from 14 Rajput Regiment. Several uncles and cousins served/serving in Indian army. Now fourth generation of the family is serving in Indian army. His son in law is also a Colonel. He is an upright officer well respected for his professionalism and clean track record. Good record at US Army War College at Carlisle and at Fort Benning. Not a blemish during his long career (only one accusation that as Corps Commander in Ambala he ordered construction of an expensive club house for the golf course). Unfortunately, in my opinion he should have talked directly and frankly with defense minister about his date of birth issue and once convinced that government will not change it, he should have left the issue alone but this is my two cent worth opinion. This would have served the institution better and allowed him a free hand without any controversy to tackle corruption in the army that he is so concerned about. -         Lieutenant General Bikram Singh Backgrounder: Sikh Light Infantry (I think 6 SLI) officer. Good, professional officer but considered aggressive and very ambitious throughout his career. Sometimes could be overbearing and intolerable due to his aggressiveness. Such officers step on many toes during their careers. Graduate of US Army War College at Carlisle. Served as Deputy UN Force Commander in Congo.  His deputy in Congo was a Pakistani officer now head of Special Services Group (SSG). Done good job in Congo but again his ambitions (trying to convey that he is a Force Commander material ) may have resulted in some rubbing.  No major red flags with the exception of two: First in Congo, probably his own battalion fathered some children. No problem if it was consensual; big deal if it was rape.  I'm not aware of any negative outcome from any inquiry from this episode. Second, a silly allegation that his daughter-in-law is Pakistani. To my knowledge, she is a US citizen of mixed heritage; father an Afghan and mother from one of the Central Asianstans.  In this day and age of globalization, one can not ask relatives to give up their citizenships. In my view this is quite absurd and not worth discussing. -         Court Martial President of Sukhna Land Sam: In January 2011, the General Court Martial (GCM) consisting of five Lieutenant Generals and headed by Lieutenant General IP Singh convicted former 33rd Corps Commander Lt. General PK Rath  on three counts; issuing NOC, signing MOU with the builder and not informing higher authorities i.e. his Amy Commander.  Rath was cleared of the more grievous charge of intent to defraud the army. In June 2011, Eastern Army Commander Lt. General Bikram Singh reconvened GCM to reconsider the acquittal on the last large charge. To my knowledge, GCM maintained its previous decision. -         Promotion System Changes: Promotion to senior ranks is a competitive process in every army. Annual Confidential Report (ACR) is a crucial element and subjective comments by immediate superiors can have both negative and positive impact. Point system looking at all aspects of career is used to decrease the influence of subjective comments on officer's promotion. In 2009, General Deepak Kapoor introduced two changes; first was bifurcation of senior officer (Brigadier and above) cadre into command & staff and staff only. An officer above Brigadier rank would be promoted to one of the cadres. This essentially created two classes resulting in much resentment as officer promoted for staff only cadre would never command a troop formation essentially taking him out of the race of crucial postings. Second change was decreasing the impact of subjective assessments in ACR and increasing consideration of standard points in ACR. VK Singh tried to reverse the policy and got into fight with MOD (latter's argument is that major changes can not be made every time a new chief take charge). There is still some confusion as MOD has referred the matter to Law Ministry for their opinion (again due to fear of protracted court battles from affected officers) while on the other hand to my knowledge army has promoted all officers to both command & staff positions essentially discarding previous policy of two cadres. 'We cannot afford to confine Army appointments to persons who have excited no hostile comment in their careers …. This is a time to try men of force and vision and not to be exclusively confined to those who are judged thoroughly safe by conventional standards'. Prime Minister Winston Churchill to Sir John Dill, Chief of Imperial General Staff, 1940 |
