THE NAVY CADET AND HIS GIRLFRIEND
Short Fiction – A Love Story
A Fictional SpoofBy
VIKRAM KARVE
THE CADET AND COLLEGE GIRL – a love story by Vikram Karve
“A” was a Navy Cadet at the National Defence Academy (NDA) near Pune.
Short Fiction – A Love Story
A Fictional SpoofBy
VIKRAM KARVE
THE CADET AND COLLEGE GIRL – a love story by Vikram Karve
“A” was a Navy Cadet at the National Defence Academy (NDA) near Pune.
“B” a smart girl studying in a premier college in Pune.
“A” and “B” became acquainted during the “NDA Ball”.
Soon – “A” and “B” started dating each other on weekends – when “A” would come to Pune on “liberty” to meet his girlfriend “B”.
Three years later – “A” completed his NDA training – and he was off for Navy Sea Training on a Cadet Training Ship.
Meanwhile – the Cadet’s girlfriend “B” – she finished her graduation – and then – she joined the MBA course at an elite “B-School” in Pune.
“A” and “B” kept corresponding with each other.
They met whenever it was possible.
Whenever he got an opportunity – “A” rushed to Pune – even for a day – just to meet his girlfriend “B”.
“A” and “B” realized that they had fallen in love.
So now – the Cadet’s girlfriend “B” – she had become his lady-love.
“A” opted for the Engineering Branch of the Navy – so that he would be at the training base at Lonavala (near Pune) for the next three years – for his degree engineering course.
This proximity to Pune would enable “A” to meet his lady-love “B” frequently.
Yes – “A” took a career decision – to join the Engineering Branch instead of the Executive Branch – just to be near his lady-love “B”.
“B” finished her MBA in Finance – and she got a good job as an investment banker in Mumbai.
“A” too managed to get posted on a ship based in Mumbai after his training.
“A” and “B” got married.
So now – “A” and “B” had become husband and wife.
“A” and “B” enjoyed a few blissful years of happy married life – staying together in Mumbai.
Then – “A” was transferred out of Mumbai.
He wanted “B” to move with him to the new place.
But – his wife “B” was reluctant to move out of Mumbai.
She was doing extremely well in her job – and her career was just taking off.
Besides – as far as her career as an investment banker was concerned – there was no scope for her in the new place where “A” was posted – which was a comparatively small town.
“A” went away on posting – and – “B” remained back in Mumbai to pursue her career.
So – the long distance marriage of “A” and “B” began.
Now – “A” and “B” had become a “long distance” married couple.
Though he tried desperately – “A” could not manage to come back to Mumbai.
Mumbai was a “prize posting” – a station in very high demand.
“A” had already served for 3 years in Mumbai – so he would have to wait his turn to be posted back to Mumbai.
So “A” and “B” spent the next few years living separately.
Three years passed.
“A” was expecting to posted back to Mumbai.
But – instead of being transferred to Mumbai – “A” was transferred to another place – which was even more remote and further away from Mumbai.
I told you that – it was a “love marriage” – so – “A” could not bear separation from his beloved wife “B” any longer.
One day – feeling extremely lonely – “A” called up “B”.
“A” told “B” to quit her job – and join him at his place of posting.
“B” retorted that it was “A” who should quit the Navy – since “B” was earning much more than “A” – and her career prospects as an investment banker were much brighter than his career as a Naval Officer.
“B” said that – even of she quit her present job – as an investment banker – job opportunities for her were mostly in big cities – especially in Mumbai – and certainly not in the remote place where “A” was posted.
So – “B” would not get a suitable job commensurate with her qualifications and experience as an investment banker in the desolate place where “A” was posted – and she would have to sit at home doing nothing.
On the other hand – “A” would also be able to find a good civilian job in Mumbai – so – it would be better for “A” to the Navy and come to Mumbai and take up a good job in the corporate world.
“A” felt that “B” had a point – she was earning much more than him – she had brighter career prospects – and “A” would easily get a job in Mumbai once he quit the Navy.
In fact – he already had a prospective job offer in Mumbai.
So – “A” put in an application to quit the Navy.
But – Dear Reader – it is not easy to leave the Navy.
So – though “A” had put up his papers to quit the Navy – his resignation was not accepted.
Unlike in Civilian Jobs – you cannot just quit the Navy – if you just go away – you will be declared Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL) – marked “Run” – declared a “deserter” – and may land up in Prison.
So – “A” has no choice but to continue serving in the Navy.
For “A” and “B” – “long distance marriage” has become a reality of life.
The stark realization of signing up for “Lifetime Employment” in the Navy has now dawned upon “A”
“A” knows that the only chance to get out of the Navy will come when he is permanently “superseded” for promotion – and that is still a few years away.
“A” realises that he has to complete at least 5 years more service before his first promotion board for the first select rank – and he will have to be rejected for promotion 3 times by three consecutive annual promotion boards before he is declared “permanently superseded”.
So – it will be only after 8 long years that “A” will be able to quit the Navy.
And now – after introspecting and thinking things over – “A” does not want to get “passed over” for promotion – and get branded as a written-off “permanently superseded” officer – and bear the stigma of being a failure for his entire life.
Why should “A” ruin his Navy career – which he likes so much...?
So – “A” decides to continue serving in the Navy.
And over the years – “A” and “B” have got used to living separately as “married bachelors”.
MORAL OF THE STORY
In earlier days – once a girl married a Defence Officer – she used to go along with her officer husband wherever he was posted – as a “memsahib” – playing “second fiddle” – as a full time housewife (homemaker).
At the most – she could become a teacher at the local school in the unit.
Nowadays – things have changed.
Women are pursuing their professional careers very seriously – and they are not willing to “sacrifice” their careers.
Modern women want to be financially independent – and they do not like to become “second fiddle” housewives – dependent on their husbands.
Working women do not want to give up their jobs and go to live with their “fauji” husbands at some remote “back-of-beyond” place.
Owing to all this – it is no wonder that – an unintended consequence of the Defence Services policy of “Lifetime Employment” is that Defence Officers are no longer much sought after in the “marriage market’.
Maybe – it is the same for Women Officers of the Defence Services as well.
Probably – that is why you see an increasing number of marriages between male and female Defence Officers within the service (in-house “marriages in uniform”).
There is a saying:
“The Navy is not a job. The Navy is a way of life...”.
In the Navy – “Lifetime Employment” is the way of life.
I think this applies to the all 3 Defence Services – Army, Navy and Air Force.
So – if you are thinking of joining the Armed Forces – you must ask yourself if you have the mental make-up for the military “way of life”...?
Do you have the mindset for lifetime employment...?
Do you have the attitude for lifelong obligation...?
Are you ready for a long term commitment towards the Navy, Army or Air Force...?
And – if you are young girl thinking of marrying a Defence Officer – you must ask yourself:
Are you ready to give up your career and live a nomadic life with your husband...?
Or – if you are serious about pursuing your career – are you prepared for a “long distance marriage”...?
So – if you are thinking of joining the Armed Forces – or marrying a Military Officer/Soldier/Sailor/Airman– do remember the Story of the Navy Cadet and his Girlfriend – and think about it.
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
Disclaimer:
1. This story is a fictional spoof, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.
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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