Col R D Singh (retd)
Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, a decorated infantry officer, takes over the command of the second largest army of the world at a time when it is faced with senior leadership deficit, scams and controversies, shortage of officers, the hanging issue of the OROP, and above all, the resource crunch. Hence, the first challenge before the Chief will be to ensure the internal health of the Army, and inject motivation into its troops. He has to send a clear message to the environment that he is as much committed to removing corruption from the Army as was Gen V K Singh, or his predecessor, Gen Bikram Singh. The new Chief should be seen building upon the good work done by his predecessors, and ignoring their negatives. At this exalted office, there is no room for vendetta or nepotism.
Having crossed the major hurdle of soothing the environment, he should strive towards improving working relations with the MoD. This is important, as he was approved by the UPA govt, and the Modi govt would like to feel comfortable with him. Being an upright officer, it should not be difficult for Gen Suhag. The army must have a better say in decision making in respect of defence policy matters and equipment procurement. There is a definite need of some senior defence officers being posted to the MoD. They will bridge the gap between the three services and bureaucrats, and make the functioning smooth. The Chief and his Principal Staff Officers ( PSOs) should not be stalled by the bureaucracy. The Defence Minister will do well to streamline the system and not allow the defence forces to suffer at the hands of neta-babu nexus.
The next challenge before the Chief will be to ensure that the existing critical deficiencies in the equipment, arms and ammunition, are made up on priority. Our army is well trained and ready for war, with fine soldiers. But to fight, you need ammunition and latest equipment. Lets get it as fast as possible. Having trained for war, and equipped for it, but still not permitted to strike the enemy, if the situation demands, is a sad day for the soldier. It happened during OP PRAKRAM, and the Kargil war. We were restrained. We have to have the political will to go to war, in case our adversaries dare us. The Army Chief has to convey this point very succinctly to the PM and the Raksha Mantri during the biannual army commanders conferences. There is no bigger motivation for a soldier, and prestige of the nation, than a victory in war. Lets not pull the soldier back when the enemy challenges him to act. We can not be seen as a soft army.
And finally, the challenge of restoring young officers (YOs) faith in their seniors, which has eroded over the last 10 to 15 years. The YOs and soldiers feel that many a senior officer are upwardly mobile, and put their personal interest before service. The young officers lament that we no more have officers like Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw or Lt Gen P S Bhagat or Lt Gen Hanut Singh who were not only fine leaders but also troops’ generals. It is the poor quality of some senior officers, with their spoilt better halves, who are harming the organisation. The senior officers’ wives should stop wearing their husbands ranks. Our promotion system must ensure that only upright officers, with proven merit, go up. They have to set a personal example in moral ascendancy, and professionalism. Then alone, the jawans will truly respect them, and you will find less cases of insubordination. The Chief has to reach to the core of this problem, and improve the internal health of the army.
The new Chief will be watched very closely for his performance in the light of controversy created about him by Gen VK Singh ( now a MOS in the Modi govt). Avoiding coteries, and remaining apolitical, he must take the army off the media glare, and unite it as one team. The man in uniform must regain his pride. The ex-service men must regain their dignity in the civil, and wish to see OROP implemented in letter and spirit. We, the 20 lakh plus strong veterans, are an extension of the olive green family. Even today, if nation demands, we will lay down our life. Each one of us must use our rich experience for the good of the nation, and stand by our fine organisation. We are with you Chief. Trot on.
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