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

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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.

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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