After TA low,an Army high for city youth

Having completed his education at the Army School at various locations,as per his father’s place of posting,Rathore,a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) graduate from MMCC,appeared for the PIB written exam for the TA on April 21 last year and after clearing the same,appeared the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview on December 31.

“ I was not recommended for TA after the SSB. But thankfully,I had appeared for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE) in October for which I got a call last month. The sole reason I can say that got me though was the training I received while preparing for TA. I was taught that there are two types of officers, people’s officer,someone who cares for his men and a professional officer,who probably gives priority to his own growth over men. I want to be a people’s officer,” said Rathore who will join the IMA in June-July followed by a 18-month training after which he would be commissioned by the Army as lieutenant.

Having grown up watching his father don the olive-green uniform,Rathore too dreams of joining the same unit as his father’s; 4/4 Gorkha Rifles. “I was always sure he will make it to TA. But having made it to the regular army is even better. This is the first example I have seen where an aspirant who could not make it to TA has made it to the regular army,” said lt colonel Kuljit Jaggi,AA and QMG,TA,Group Headquarters,Southern Command,who trained Rathore.