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| Army losing charm, colonels shun elite course | | | New Delhi | May 20
For the first time, more than 10 colonels have refused to join the prestigious "higher command course" (HCC) and "higher defence management course" (HDMC) run by the Army for its topmost officers in the reckoning for higher ranks like brigadier and major general.
The move by the colonels, who apparently do not want to sign the mandatory bond to serve another five years in the uniform after the one-year courses, has come as a rude shock for the army brass, who are already grappling with more and more officers filing for premature retirement or release.
"This is unprecedented. Earlier, officers threw parties if they were selected for HCC or HDMC. But now, many bright officers simply want to ditch their uniforms for lucrative jobs in the corporate world," said a senior officer.
"The paltry hikes suggested by the 6th Pay Commission have only made matters worse. Some officers feel if they do not become brigadiers due to the steeply pyramidical promotional structure in the armed forces, why should they rot in service for another five years?" he added.
Incidentally, only one in around 10 colonels are "deep selected" for HCC at Army War College in Mhow, and for HDMC at the triservice College of Defence Management in Secunderabad.
The courses are considered crucial because they are structured to teach officers "going up the hierarchy" all about higher-level defence planning and management of war at the operational and strategic levels.
The decision of the selected colonels to opt out of the courses reinforces the fact that the armed forces are facing a bleeding battle on two fronts. One, they are failing to attract bright youngsters with requisite OLQs (officer-like qualities) to join the forces.
Two, serving officers are seeking PMR in ever-mounting numbers. |
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