In a major change of events, the Indian Army has come up with a unique idea that allows common citizens to join its ranks as officers and soldiers for a three-year short service termed as 'Tour of Duty'.
Right not the 'ToD' is only proposal by the Indian Army. If accepted the common people of India will have the opportunity to experience not only military life but also to join its ranks as officers and soldiers for three-year with pay.
Indian Army believes that the proposal would be of immense financial benefit to the Army due to a reduction in pay and gratuity payouts. If the proposal is approved, it will be voluntary in nature and there will be no dilution in the selection criteria.
The proposal is a shift from the concept of permanent service in the armed forces towards “internship” or temporary experience for three years. As per the draft, "This proposal taps into the feeling of the youth to experience military life for a temporary duration."
The draft also said the defence budget has grown by 68% in the past five years. While the salary outgo of the armed forces has grown by 75%, pensions have grown by a whopping 146%.
The draft also outlined, "India’s defence pension budget is $16 billion, nearly double the total defence spending of Pakistan, which is $10 billion."
“The cumulative cost of pre-commission training, pay/allowances, gratuity, severance package, leave encashment, and other costs is nearly Rs 5.12 crore on an officer if he/she is released after 10 years, and Rs 6.83 crore if released after 14 years,” it said.
A similar cost for those released after three years of Tour on Duty (ToD) would be around Rs 85 lakh.
It calculated that the financial benefit to the Army emerging out of a soldier employed on ToD for three years against a sepoy with 17 years of terms of engagement is Rs 11.5 crore.
“Thus saving for only 1000 jawans could be Rs 11,000 crore, which could then be utilized for the much-needed modernization of the Indian armed forces,” it said.
The draft, however, said that in case an officer or a soldier becomes a battle casualty, all benefits could be extended to them or their next of kin.
A newswire quoted top military sources saying the Army is also considering inducting personnel from the paramilitary forces and central armed police forces for a short duration of up to seven years following which they would be allowed to return to their parent organisations.
The "game-changing" proposal is being examined by top commanders of the Army. "If approved, initially 100 officers and 1,000 men are being considered for recruitment as part of test-bedding of the project," said Col Aman Anand.
Criteria of Recruitment:
Sources said age and fitness level will be among the key criteria for recruitment for the 'Tour of Duty (ToD) or 'Three Years Short Service' scheme. There is a "resurgence of nationalism and patriotism" in the country and the proposal attempts to tap the feelings of youth who do not want to join the Army as a profession but wish to experience the military life for a temporary duration, a source said.
Present Scenario:
At present, the Army recruits young people under the Short Service Commission for an initial tenure of 10 years which is extendable up to 14 years.
As per the proposal, the people to be recruited under the ToD will be eligible to be deployed as combatants in key forward locations and there will be no restrictions in their roles.
An officer or soldier after completing one year of training and three years of ToD is likely to display visible improvement in self-confidence, teamwork, responsibility, initiative, stress management, innovation, and social skills, according to a military officer.
Anand Mahindra and Other Corporates In Favor of ToD:
Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, said, "I definitely think military training will be an added advantage for Tour of Duty Graduates as they enter the workplace. In fact, considering the rigid standards of selection and training in the Indian Army, the Mahindra Group will be happy to consider their candidature."
The top army official also said, "Initial surveys tell us that all corporates would favor an individual who has been trained by the military and comes to them at 26/27 years of age rather than as a raw college graduates at 22/23 years of age."