10 Things About the Indian Army That Helped me Grow

This is not a definitive list, and I'm sure many others can be added. But when I wrote about the AVSC and man management, my wife told me that I come across as a disgruntled and grumpy officer to those who don't know me.

So let me start with what I count as my achievements:

• OP Officer at Siachen Glacier in 1996. Wounded in the head but still alive and kicking!
• Instructor at School of Artillery.
• Nominated to the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington in competitive vacancy among top 5, shortlisted for Staff College in UK.
• Brigade Major of an Armoured Brigade
• UN mission in Congo as Military Observer.
• Tenure in Military Secretary's Branch (where it mattered)!
• Commanded my regiment in Kashmir for two years without casualties, suicides, or operational failures during the mass agitation period of 2010 -12 and implemented my ideas without worrying about norms or rocking the boat.
• Colonel General Staff of a RAPID straight out from command of unit.
• Nominated for Higher Defence Management Course in 2014 (but refused it and opted for release from the Army)

So what are those 10 things?

I met my wife thanks to the Army. What were my chances of being in Nasirabad on 27 September 1998 if I was not in the Army? And it gave me the courage to marry her even though all norms of society were against it.

A great set of friends that's still growing. I have friends who are in their 70s and some in their 20s. The Indian Army is a great social equalizer. 

Ability to interact freely with a doorman and the CEO of a company without feeling uncomfortable.

The confidence to address a gathering of people and take charge if required.

Discern between right and wrong, a sense of duty towards country and society. And not towards my friends,relatives, religion, or 'clan'. (I don't have a caste, otherwise I'd have included that as well)

The right way to drink in a social gathering without making a fool of myself !

Understanding people from all kinds of backgrounds, cultures, religions and places.

The opportunity to read hundreds of books. Which other job pays you to sit in a bunker for months on end, and read all the books you want?!

A series of great bosses who tolerated my ideas, heard what I had to say, and permitted me to do what I wanted, even if it was untried and they didn't agree with me. And never being forced to do wrong.

And lastly (for the purpose of this blog only, otherwise the list is long, really long) Real life skills to transition seamlessly from the armed forces to the civvy street. But more on that later.