Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: September 2016

Thursday, September 29, 2016

What is Military Strength ?

How does one assess military strength...?

I feel that Military Strength has 3 key determinants.

Read on...

MILITARY STRENGTH

“Hardware” – “Software” – “Skinware”

Musings of a Veteran

VIKRAM KARVE

The Military Capability of a nation is dependent on 3 key ingredients:

1. “Hardware”

2. “Software”

3. “Skinware”

1. MILITARY HARDWARE comprises weapons, equipment, ordnance, platforms (ships/submarines/aircraft/space based platforms) etc – and is a Technology governed Qualitative and Quantitative component – depending on the “high-tech” Quality and Quantity of Military Equipment.

Military Hardware is a tangible factor – and – the Military Hardware and Technologies of a nation are well known.

2. MILITARY “SOFTWARE” refers to the War-Fighting “System” – the operational doctrine, strategy and tactics and the organizational management aspects like Rules/Regulations, HR and Training Policies etc.

Military “Software” comprises both tangible (documented) and intangible (experiential) aspects.

3. MILITARY “SKINWARE” comprises the Human Resource Element of the Defence Services.

Of course – Military “Skinware” includes the Military Men and Women in Uniform (Officers and Soldiers/Sailors/Airmen) – and also the Bureaucracy and various Civilians who provide support to the Armed Forces – and – most importantly – the Political Leadership which governs the entire gamut of Defence Services and Security Machinery.

Of course – “Skinware” numbers can be quantified – a nation may boast of the numerical strength of its Army, Navy and Air Force.

But – the vital characteristic of Military “Skinware” are intangible aspects – which comprise indefinable “hard to quantify” factors like morale, leadership quality, ideology, motivation, inspiration, welfare/care of servicemen and military veterans etc.

CONCLUSION

A nation must develop its Military Capability in a holistic manner – giving due importance to all 3 aspects – “Hardware” “Software” and “Skinware” – in a balanced and harmonious manner.

Dear Reader: Do you agree...?

VIKRAM KARVE

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This is a revised re-post of my article MILITARY PROWESS – Hardware “Software” and “Skinware” posted online by me earlier at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/04/military-capability-hardware-software.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/07/determinants-of-military-strength.html

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Career in Defence Services – Military Life in a Nutshell

“MILITARY” CAREER IN A NUTSHELL

Many youngsters keep asking me about life and career prospects in the Armed Forces (Defence Services) – Army, Navy and Air Force.

So – here are the salient aspects of a Military Career in a Nutshell.

12 UNIQUE ATTRIBUTES OF A MILITARY CAREER IN THE DEFENCE FORCES
Musings of Veteran
By
VIKRAM KARVE

(The generic term “MILITARY” includes all the 3 Armed Forces – Army, Navy and Air Force)

A career in the Defence Services or Armed Forces – the Army, the Navy and the Air Force – is different from most other civilian careers.

The unique attributes of a military career entail a distinctive “way of life” that makes a career in the Armed Forces totally different as compared to a career in the civilian world.

Yes – the Armed Forces are a “way of life” – not a mere job.

Many young persons join the Defence Services without fully understanding the unique aspects of a Military career – and then – they feel out of place, mismatched, frustrated and regretful.

During my long Naval career – I have seen so many officers – who realised that they were misfits in the Navy – and – they wasted many frustrated years of their lives in misery trying to get out of the navy.

Please do not let that happen to you.

Do join the Army, Navy and Air Force – but do so with due diligence – with your eyes open and with full awareness.

It may prove foolhardy to join the Defence Services on a sudden impulse – or in a wave of “jingoism”.

You must be realistic about choosing your career – whether in the Defence Services or elsewhere – because your career is probably the most important part of your life.

If you have the right attitude and compatible mindset – then a Military career is very satisfying and fulfilling.

But – if your attitude in not in sync with the Military “way of life” – then you may get frustrated and your life may become miserable.

That is why – before you join the Defence Services – make sure you have the right attitude suitable for a career in the Armed Forces.

“MILITARY” LIFE IN A NUTSHELL

To put “Military” Life in a nutshell – here is a list of 12 Unique Attributes that characterize a Military Career in the Armed Forces (Army Navy or Air Force):

1. HOLISTIC ORIENTATION

2. LIFETIME EMPLOYMENT

3. REGIMENTATION

4. TOUGH DANGEROUS CHALLENGING WORK

5. MODERATE COMPENSATION PACKAGE

6. MODEST CAREER PROSPECTS

7. NON-SPECIALISED CAREER PATH

8. CONFORMIST ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE

9. RIGID RANK BASED HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE

10. INFLEXIBLE HR POLICIES

11. UNSTABLE NOMADIC FAMILY LIFE

12. EARLY RETIREMENT AGE

If you planning to join the Armed Forces you must ask yourself whether you have the right attitude and compatible mindset to match all these 12 military attributes.

I am sure you understand each of the 12 points mentioned above which are self-explanatory – but – nevertheless – I shall try and elaborate on each point later in my blog.

In fact – I have already written articles/stories based on most of the above 12 attributes.

Also – it is always a good idea to talk to young officers of your age group to get a first-hand view of life in the respective Defence Service – as serving officers will be more updated and current in this matter.

All the Best.

VIKRAM KARVE

Disclaimer:

1. These tips are based on my own experience and represent my personal views which may not be universal in nature and may not apply to you. You must make your own career decisions with due diligence.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

This is an abridged extract from a series of career counselling articles written by me Vikram Karve 6 years ago in the year 2010 as a part of my career guidance lectures and I have Earlier Posted this article in my Academic and Creative Writing Blog more than 3 years ago in the year 2013 at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/07/career-guidance-tips-do-you-want-to.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/08/army-life-in-nutshell.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/07/career-guidance-tips-do-you-want-to_9.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/07/career-guidance-tips-do-you-want-to_4735.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/03/fauji-life-in-nutshell-12-attributes-of.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/03/military-career-in-nutshell.html

Do You Drown Your Sorrows in Alcohol...?

Once – a shipmate was feeling miserable because his girlfriend had dumped him.

“Come on – have a drink – it will make you feel better...” someone said.

When another officer was passed over for promotion and was feeling dejected – he was given the same advice: “Have a drink – it will help raise your spirits...”

A course-mate was in a bad mood after an altercation with his boss.

He was given the same advice: “Come on – have a drink – it will cheer you up...”

If you are feeling depressed – or – you are in a bad mood – or you are feeling stressed out – some “well-wishers” will advise you to “drown your sorrows” in alcohol.

Is this a wise thing to do...?

Is alcohol the panacea – a “cure-all” – for all emotional ills...?

Is alcohol the stress management “elixir”...?

Does alcohol help you escape from your problems...?

I remember a saying:

“Intoxication isn’t an escape – it just pushes problems further away”

If you think that “drowning your sorrows” in alcohol is a good idea – here is some “food for thought” – an article I had written many years ago in my series on “The Art of Drinking Alcohol”...

BOOZE WISDOM

NEVER DRINK WHEN YOU “NEED” A DRINK

Golden Rule of Drinking Alcohol

VIKRAM KARVE

The Navy taught me many things.

One of the things I learnt in the Navy was how to drink alcohol.

Yes – I am a veteran “drunkard”

(Sadly – I gave up alcohol 15 years ago)

However – I have rich “domain experience” in the field – which I must share for the benefit of “budding alcoholics”.

So – let me delve into my “Alcoholic Archives” – and – share with you – some of my “Boozy Wisdom” – from my select writings on “How to Drink Alcohol”...

Cheers – Enjoy !!!

NEVER DRINK WHEN YOU “NEED” A DRINK

People who drink to drown their sorrow should be told that sorrow knows how to swim

~ Ann Landers

One evening – a friend of mine landed up at my place – and he said, “I have had a really terrible day at work. I need a drink.”

“I will get you a cup of tea,” I said.

“Tea…?” he exclaimed astounded, “haven’t you got some whiskey or something? I told you I am feeling terrible – everything went wrong today – I desperately need a drink…”

“I know you are dying for a drink – you are craving, yearning, thirsting for that “soothing” sip of alcohol. That is why you must not drink now. You must never drink when you need a drink,” I said.

My friend pleaded – but I did not budge.

I gave him a cup of tea – which he drank with great reluctance.

Then – he walked off in a huff – calling me all sorts of names – he said that I was a miser – a “good for nothing” friend – an “unofficerlike” officer – but I knew I that had done the right thing.

Yes – I had done the right thing – I did not give him a drink when he “needed” a drink.

Because – that is my first golden rule of drinking alcohol – or – if you like – let’s call it “Booze Wisdom”...

DON’T DRINK WHEN YOU “NEED” A DRINK

Yes – don’t drink when you desperately want to have a drink.

Do not touch a drop of alcohol when your mind or body craves for alcohol.

Sounds funny isn’t it...?

Let me try to elucidate.

Never drink when you need a drink.

Do not drink when you are feeling any negative emotion like despondency, sadness, anger, irritation, envy, unhappiness, frustration, emotional pain, bad moods, down in the dumps feeling, or any negative vibes.

Never touch the bottle when you are in negative mood – otherwise – the bottle will “unbottle” you.

Remember – if you drink alcohol in these circumstances – the bottle will “unbottle” your dormant repressed inner feelings – and – release your pent up negative emotions – and – make you feel even more miserable – and – spoil the mood of all those around you.

Let me tell you something I have observed in real life.

If you want to know the true character of a man – just get him drunk – and – what is hidden inside him will come out – and his true inner self will be revealed.

(Maybe – the same applies to women as well – but I did not have the opportunity to observe women getting drunk – so I cannot vouch for it)

Alcohol opens you up.

That’s what alcohol does – isn’t it...?

Alcohol reduces inhibitions – makes you more talkative, more expansive and more expressive – loosens you up – and helps release, bring out and amplify your inner emotions, talents, passions, sentiments.

That is why some persons become more creative after imbibing a drink or two – since alcohol unleashes your inhibitions – and releases the music, the poetry, the creativity hidden within you.

If you are happy inside – after a few drinks you will start physically expressing your happiness – maybe in a boisterous manner – and outwardly – by laughing, cheer and bonhomie.

Alcohol will dissolve your inhibitions – you will become more expressive, talkative and friendly.

Once you drink when you are in high spirits – you may even articulate your secret unexpressed love – you become amorous and romantic – you try to realize your hidden desires – and you will reveal without compunctions –all your inner secrets – which otherwise you would never disclose when sober.

But – the converse is also true.

By reducing inhibitions – alcohol may bring out the worst in you – by facilitating the release of pent up negative emotions like anger, envy, dejection, despondency, frustration – and these unleashed amplified negative emotions may result in undesirable, unpleasant and even disastrous consequences.

Have you noticed how some people get violent, argumentative, rude or even melancholic, moody, sullen, depressed, unsociable, unpleasant after a few drinks...?

Dear Reader – in my opinion – the best thing is to be a teetotaller – and avoid drinking alcohol altogether.

But – if you must have a drink please do make sure that you are feeling positive vibes and are peaceful and happy inside – and – never drink when you desperately “need” that drink.

Yes – Do Not Drink Alcohol when you are feeling depressed or low or angry or have negative emotions.

Remember this Golden Rule:

If you must drink alcohol – always drink when you are happy – you must enjoy your drinking when you are in good cheer and full of positive vibes.

So – this is my first golden rule of drinking alcohol:

NEVER DRINK WHEN YOU “NEED” A DRINK

If you must drink alcohol – remember the corollary to the above dictum:

It is okay to have a drink when you don’t “need” that drink.

But – Don’t Drink when you “Need” a Drink.

Cheers ... !!!

VIKRAM KARVE

Disclaimer:

1. This is based on my personal experience. It may or may not work for you. So please do due diligence before trying out this technique.

Copyright Notice:

This self help article was written by me Vikram Karve around 15 years ago in the year 2001 and posted online by me a number of times in my blogs including at urls: http://creative.sulekha.com/drinking-alcohol-golden-rule-no-1-don-t-drink-when-you-need-a-drink_544617_blog and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/10/drinking-alcohol-golden-rule-no-1.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/03/do-you-drink-to-drown-your-sorrows.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/10/how-to-drink-alcohol-part-1-does.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/10/how-to-drink-alcohol-part-2-never-drink.html andhttp://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/07/boozy-wisdom-never-drink-when-you-need.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/06/dont-drink-when-you-need-drink.html etc

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve

Thursday, September 29, 2016

What is Military Strength ?

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Career in Defence Services – Military Life in a Nutshell

Do You Drown Your Sorrows in Alcohol...?

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