MILITARY CORRUPTION - WHY ?

WHY CORRUPTION AND SCAMS IN THE MILITARY?

Musings

By

VIKRAM KARVE

In the past few years the media has reported many scams involving senior military officers.

Junior Officers and Soldiers strive hard to maintain the much-admired image of the Indian armed forces as a highly disciplined, honest and professional body.

Why is it that some of the senior leadership in the military does not live up to the required high standards of conduct?

Why do senior officers fall prey to greed and get embroiled in corruption scandals and scams? 

Do these senior military officers who get embroiled in scams become corrupt only after they attain senior ranks?

Or is it possible that only the corrupt officers are promoted to senior ranks?

Is it true that a corrupt officer stands a better chance to get promoted?

Here is some logical reasoning:

1. The “powers-that-be” always want a “yes-man” in a top position so that he will do their bidding

2. A man who has much to hide is always a “yes-man”

3. A dishonest and corrupt man has much to hide

4. Therefore, a dishonest and corrupt man is always a “yes-man”

5. And, since the “powers-that-be” always want “yes-men” in top positions, dishonest and corrupt men are more likely to be promoted to top positions rather than honest and straightforward men.

Do you agree with this logical line of reasoning?

Are sycophancy (yesmanship) and corruption inextricably interlinked?

Is this the main reason and root cause for the increasing corruption and scams?

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