Army8217;s punch line: Catch 8217;em young

NEW DELHI, June 27:Highlight our positives, catch them young. These are the two main principles guiding the Army's latest set of proposals m...

NEW DELHI, June 27:Highlight our positives, catch them young. These are the two main principles guiding the Army8217;s latest set of proposals meant to package itself better as an attractive employment option for the youth.

Called the Human Resource Development Doctrine, it has been prepared as an Army training note by its think-tank, the Army Training Command. The doctrine assumes importance as it comes at a time when the Army, short of officers, plans to tap colleges and universities.

The doctrine suggests that Army headquarters request the Union Government 8211; through the Ministry of Defence 8211; to issue directions so that stories on war heroes are included in the Central Board of Secondary Education text books.8220;The education system of our country must emphasise our heritage and values. Role of our war heroes and a positive projection of the Army at this impressionable age is extremely important,8221; says the doctrine. 8220;All State organs need to be more actively involved in aspects related to security,8221; itstates.

To sell itself, the doctrine suggests, the Army needs to project itself more aggressively to attract manpower, both officers and jawans. Recognising the need to improve advertising techniques 8211; including the need to involve professionals 8211; the doctrine says that Army8217;s glamour, its heritage and its role in nation-building have not been adequately projected.

To this effect, the doctrine calls on Station Commanders to 8220;exercise greater influence and project the positive attributes of Army life on the designated feeder units8221; to the Army i.e. the 22 Sainik Schools, five military schools, Rashtriya Indian Military College RIMC and the various Army schools. Pre-induction education and motivation would be of immense help, the note states.

The doctrine underlines the importance of the selection system since it is the first interface with prospective candidates. Arguing that the manner in which candidates are called for interviews has a 8220;direct bearing on the impression that is created,8221; thedoctrine proposes that recruiting officers improve their 8220;maintenance8221; so that 8220;men joining the Army get a healthy impression during recruitment time8221;. In a significant departure from the past, the doctrine declares that since technical and specialised manpower is now abundant in India, 8220;we should change the QR qualitative requirements for such categories and enroll trained personnel directly. As an incentive, these personnel could be enrolled directly as NCOs and/or given incentive pay8221;.