Army proposal of ‘Tour of Duty’ is at the advanced stages for approval. It is for both boys and girls and is expected to attract the best talent.
New Delhi| The Indian Army has proposed a three-year “internship” for youths, both as officers and soldiers citing a “resurgence of nationalism and patriotism”, and the fact that “unemployment in our country is a reality”.
As per the proposal, as stated in an internal note, the short, voluntary “tour of duty” is for youths who “do not want to make defence services their permanent vocation, but still want to experience the thrill and adventure of military professionalism”.
The fit young volunteers of the nation soon might get an opportunity to serve the Indian army, including its prestigious combat arms for three years.
“The proposal is a shift from the concept of permanent service/job in the Armed Forces, towards ‘internship’/temporary experience for three years,” says the note.
“The proposal Tour of Duty (ToD) is under discussion at the highest level and positive feedback has been received to start it as the pilot project,” Colonel Aman Anand, PRO Army said.
But, there will be no relaxation in the selection and training standards, said Colonel.
Highlighting “immense financial benefits to the organisation due to decrease in pay and gratuity payouts”, the Army has said the expense of a three-year service per officer will be a fraction of the cost incurred on Short Service Commission (SSC) officers.
Also Read: Paramilitary Canteens To Sell Only Made-In-India Products From June 1
It says the cost incurred on an officer, who leaves after 10 or 14 years, is Rs 5 crore-Rs 6.8 crore, which includes the cost of pre-commission training, pay, allowances, gratuity, leave encashment among others.
The Army expects that the corresponding cost for a three-year service will be Rs 80 lakh-85 lakh.
The proposal cites a survey that has indicated that corporate houses would prefer employing individuals who have been trained by the military and join them at the age of 26-27 after a three-year ToD rather than college graduates.
The Army has said that the suggested scheme will be on a trial basis with limited vacancies and can be expanded further if found successful.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
