For a Military Officer – which is more important : Physical Fitness or Mental Robustness…?

MILITARY LEADERSHIP – OFFICER LIKE QUALITIES (OLQ) 

Is “Mental Robustness” more important that “Physical Fitness”...? 

PHYSICAL FITNESS versus MENTAL ROBUSTNESS

Musings of a Veteran

By

VIKRAM KARVE

“ARTHRITIS” IN THE HEAD IS WORSE THAN ARTHRITIS IN THE KNEE

In his autobiography  A SOLDIER’S STORY  General Omar Nelson Bradley (the renowned American General who commanded the 12^th Army, the largest army in World War II, during the invasion of Europe) recounts an incident.

During the war – one of the best Corps Commanders,  General Troy H Middleton  suffered an arthritic disability in the knee and it was suggested to General Marshall (the US Army Chief) that Middleton be sent home rather than be given command of a army corps in the field which was engaged in active combat.

General Marshall retorted: 

“I would rather have a man with arthritis in the knee than one with arthritis in the head. Keep Middleton there.”

General Marshall was proved right.

In Europe, as a part of Patton’s 3^rd Army, Middleton commanded VIII Corps with distinction and successfully led it throughout the European Invasion all the way from Normandy to the Elbe.

Middleton was a seasoned campaigner, having commanded 45^th Infantry Division in the Sicilian Campaign in II Corps (commanded by Patton and later by Bradley).

He was then promoted to command VIII Corps in Patton’s Third Army during the invasion in Europe, when he was struck by an attack of Arthritis.

Marshall’s insistence that “I would rather have a man with arthritis in the knee than one with arthritis in the head”  was proved right as Middleton performed brilliantly as a leader especially in the  Battle of the Bulge   (described below):

“Had not Middleton, egged-on by Patton, ordered unrelenting attacks against the assaulting Nazis – and – had not his infantrymen and tankers risen to highest levels of gallantry – the Germans certainly would have overcome the 101st’s resistance and been able to re-establish their supply lines leading to Bastogne”

Following this battle – Middleton led VIII Corps in its relentless push across Germany right into Czechoslovakia when Germany surrendered and the war ended.

Before the Battle of the Bulge, his leadership in Operation Cobra led to the capture of the important port city of Brest, France, and for his success he was awarded a second Distinguished Service Medal by General George Patton.

Middleton was recognized by both the Supreme Allied Commander Eisenhower and Army Commander Patton as being a corps commander of extraordinary abilities.

General Patton had recommended that if he became a battle casualty, then General Middleton should succeed him as commander of the 3^rd Army.

Despite being “physically unfit” due to arthritis – General Middleton spent over 1200 days in war conditions in the field – ever since departing from America in January 1942.

Middleton logged 480 days in actual combat during World War II – more than any other American General Officer.

General Troy H Middleton achieved this remarkable and most spectacular military success despite have been stricken by arthritis in the knee.

(In India, he would have probably been declared a Low Medical Category (LMC) and he would have been invalided out of the Army on medical grounds – so powerful are our Army Doctors – they can ruin career prospects of competent officers by the dreaded “weapon” of medical category)

This true story, of the arthritis afflicted General Middleton narrated above, exemplifies the importance of mental fitness for a military officer, especially in senior ranks.

Mental fitness is certainly as important as physical fitness, if not more.

In some cases, especially for senior officers, mental fitness is more important than physical fitness.

The importance of mental fitness over physical fitness is exemplified in the words of General Eisenhower (when it was repeatedly recommended to him by doctors that General Middleton should be sent back to America after his success in Africa and the Sicilian Campaign, as General Middleton as afflicted with Arthritis and he was not physically fit for the forthcoming Invasion of Europe). 

General Eisenhower remarked about General Middleton: 

“I don't give a damn about his knees – I want his head and his heart. And I’ll take him into battle on a stretcher if we have to.” 

General Marshall supported General Eisenhower’s opinion: 

“I would rather have a man with arthritis in the knee than one with arthritis in the head. Keep Middleton there.”

Military history is replete with examples of this – during World War II, Fredendall  was replaced by  Patton  after American Forces suffered a reverse at  Kasserine Pass – Auchinleck was replaced by Montgomery after defeat in the first battle of El Alamein –  and even during the 1962 Sino-Indian conflict, a move was made to replace Kaul with Harbaksh Singh (decision reversed with disastrous consequences) but, finally, Kaul was replaced by Sam Manekshaw, but by then it was too late as the war was over. 

Will it not be apt for the Indian Armed Forces, obsessed with “medical categories”, to mull over these words on the importance of mental fitness in senior officers.

PHYSICAL FITNESS AND MENTAL FITNESS EVALUATION IN THE INDIAN ARMED FORCES

Do we regard mental fitness to be as important as physical fitness in our Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force)...?

In the beginning (at the time of recruitment): 

Yes – for Officers – both Physical and Mental Fitness are evaluated in the initial selection process.

In India, the selection process for an officer in the armed forces (army, navy and air force) includes assessment of both physical fitness and mental fitness.

Physical fitness is tested at the Services Selection Board (SSB) followed by a thorough medical examination at the Military Hospital (MH).

Mental fitness is analyzed by various psychological tests, group tasks and interviews at the SSB.

Thus, both physical and mental fitness are confirmed before selection.

Thereafter, physical fitness is evaluated and confirmed every year by an Annual Medical Examination (AME) and Physical Evaluation Test (PET).

If an officer does not meet the specified standards, the officer’s medical category is downgraded and his career is adversely affected as the officer is considered unfit for combat duties.

Physical fitness is not taken for granted.

This is because it is felt that physical fitness of a person can change over the years depending on one’s health and the attention one pays to maintaining oneself.

However, mental fitness is never evaluated during your entire military career once you have been commissioned as an officer.

Mental fitness is taken for granted.

It is assumed that mental fitness does not change and there is no need to “examine” and confirm an officer’s mental fitness every year.

However – like physical fitness can change with time – similarly – mental fitness can also change over the years depending on life experiences.

PHYSICAL TOUGHNESS versus MENTAL ROBUSTNESS

Physical toughness and mental robustness are two different attributes.

Physical toughness does not automatically guarantee mental robustness.

Yes, it may not always be true that all physically tough persons will necessarily be mentally robust as well.

In the army, physical toughness may be more important for junior officers, but for senior leadership it is mental robustness that matters.

In his book  “The Unfought War of 1962”  the author JR Saigal cites the example of his Brigade Commander who was physically tough but mentally weak-willed.

As a junior officer, he had suffered harrowing experiences as a prisoner of war during the Second World War and was determined not to become a prisoner again.

The Brigade Commander became so jittery when he heard of the advancing enemy that he abandoned his troops and fled from the battlefield even before the attack was launched by the enemy.

The author says that a person with such a vulnerable mental make-up should not have been posted anywhere near an operational area.

Yet such a shaky and mentally unfit officer was posted to a crucial command appointment – and that too in war.

DOES “ACR SYNDROME” CONVERT “LIONS IN ACTION” INTO “DOGS IN OBEDIENCE”...?

In the Navy too – I have seen many officers – who were mentally robust in their younger days – become mentally soft and lose their boldness as they become senior – due to their fervent ambition and fanatical obsession to get promoted to higher rank.

In their quest for promotion at any cost – these officers fall victim to the “ACR Syndrome” – since promotion is solely dependent on the all important ACR (Annual Confidential Report).

I once saw a Commanding Officer become a nervous wreck in his quest to earn an “outstanding” ACR – there were 10 other highly ambitious Commanding Officers in the Fleet of the same rank competing with him for promotion, and, he knew that the vacancies were very few, so the cut-throat competition was very tough.

I was astonished by the change in the mental makeup of this officer, since the same officer had been a robust happy-go-lucky carefree individual in his younger days.

It seemed that “zero error syndrome” coupled with his extreme ambition had made him fearful and lose his mental robustness.

Instead of enjoying his command, he was stressed out, since, due to his obsession for an “outstanding” ACR, he was doing a few things which he knew were wrong.

It is quite ironical, that instead of becoming more and more mentally forceful as they become senior, some highly ambitious officers start becoming spineless, due to their servility to the powers-that-be, as they crave for career-success and even yearn for post-retirement sops.

Thus, by the time they reach high rank, long years of submissiveness severely compromises their mental robustness and this may affect their command capability, especially in a crisis.

You cannot expect an officer to be a “dog in obedience” and “lion in action” at the same time.

Similarly, once an officer who was a “lion in action” gets slowly converted into a “dog in obedience” – it is very difficult to instantly re-convert the “dog in obedience” back into a “lion in action”.

ANNUAL MENTAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT 

WHY NOT HAVE ANNUAL PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION (APE)

One solution to alleviate this problem is to have an Annual Psychological Examination (APE) to assess the current “Mental and Emotional Fitness” of an officer and ascertain his suitability for leadership in combat situations.

In today’s world, modern tools and techniques are available to conduct such psychological tests.

All that needs to be done is to include an Annual Psychological Examination (APE)along with the Annual Medical Examination (AME).

It is as simple as that.

The APE will ensure that the military will have officers at the top who are as mentally robust as they are physically tough.

Hopefully – the Annual Psychological Examination (APE) will ensure that those with “arthritis in the head” will be weeded out – and only mentally robust officers are promoted to high ranks. 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
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. These are my personal views based on my observations and life experiences and the stories and examples quoted may be apocryphal.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story 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.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

     

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

This post is a Revised and Updated Version of my Article First Posted by me Vikram Karve on 22 Oct 2013 at 10/22/2013 11:59:00 PM in my blog at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/10/military-musings-is-mental-fitness-most.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/10/military-olq-officer-like-qualities.html  and  https://karve.wordpress.com/2016/08/19/musings-on-military-officer-like-qualities-olq/ and http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2016/09/military-leadership-qualities.html and https://karve.wordpress.com/2017/04/24/for-a-military-officer-is-mental-robustness-more-important-then-physical-fitness/ etc 

Humor in Uniform – “Dental” Memories from my Navy Days

Around 12 years ago – towards the end of my Naval Career – I was appointed in a rather nondescript inter-service organization – and – I lived in “Aundh Camp” – in the “back-of-beyond”.

One Saturday morning – my “Better Half” had a “dental emergency”.

So – we rushed to the Military Dental Centre (MDC) located in Military Hospital (MH) Kirkee (Khadki) – which was the nearest Dental Centre I was aware of.

When we reached MDC Kirkee – we noticed that the place was all “decked up”.

The Dental Centre had been made all “spic and span” with a lot of “spit and polish” for a “VIP Visit”.

At the reception counter – we were informed that in view of the “VIP Inspection” – patients would not been seen on that day – so – we should come on Monday – the next working day.

When we pointed out the “dental emergency” – we were told:

“You can try the Bombay Engineer Group (BEG) Dental Centre…”

Someone said:

“No – No – it is better they go to College of Military Engineering (CME) Dental Centre – their unit is located in “Aundh Camp” which is across the river – so they come under the “jurisdiction” of CME Dental Centre…”

Someone else remarked:

“No – No – since they want urgent dental treatment – it is better they go to BEG Dental Centre – the Dentist there is very good and cooperative – the Dental Centre at CME is most non-cooperative – last week – they sent back patients saying that they were overloaded with internal patients and had no time for “outsiders”…”

A random “Pongo” gave an “expert comment” (in the spirit of “Jointmanship”):

“Why are Naval Officers coming here for Dental Treatment…?”

“Do you want us to go to Mumbai…?” I said angrily, “please understand – it is a “dental emergency”…”

“Sir – I suggest you go to BEG Dental Centre…” someone sensible advised us – and he gave us the directions.

So – we drove down to BEG Dental Centre.

There – we discovered that the Dentist had gone to “Dighi Camp” to conduct “Dental Inspections” of Soldiers.

But – the Dental Assistant at BEG Dental Centre assured us, saying:

“Sahab is very good – he will see you in the Dental Clinic there. Sir – you go to Dighi – I will call up and tell him that you are coming…”

So – after getting directions from the Dental Assistant – we drove down to Dighi.

I must say that this BEG Dentist was one of the best Military Dental Officers I have ever met.

He immediately attended to my “Better Half” in a most professional and courteous manner.

Sometime later – when we wanted some Dental Treatment – we visited him at the BEG Dental Centre – and he treated us most cheerfully.

Unlike others – he did not seem to have any “jurisdictional” issues – and he welcomed all patients.

Sadly – he was posted out – and his replacement was very particular about “dental jurisdiction”– which we discovered a few months later – when he showed great reluctance to treat us – grumbling loudly that we should have gone to the Military Dental Centre at Khadki (Kirkee).

After this disheartening experience – my “Better Half” decided to get her dental treatment done from a reputed Civilian Dentist.

After retirement – I too visit the same Civilian Dentist for dental treatment.

This morning – while I sat terrified in the Dental Chair – hearing the Dentist’s comforting words – I remembered this story about my favourite Military Dentist – a Lady Navy Dental Officer… 

“DENTISTS” in UNIFORM

Dental Memories of a Navy Veteran

A Fictional Spoof

By

VIKRAM KARVE 

Disclaimer-cum-Warning: 

This is a humorous spoof – satire. 

So – read this story only if you have a “sense of humor” 

“Dentists” in Uniform – Memories of My Navy Days

A few years ago – after I had retired from the Navy – a fellow Navy Veteran learnt that I was visiting a Civilian Dentist for dental treatment – so – he asked me: 

“Why are you going to a Civilian Dentist…?”

“It’s convenient…” I said.

“But – if you go to a Civilian Dentist – you have to pay from your own pocket. If you go to ECHS (Ex-Servicemen’s Contributory Health Scheme) – they will send you to a Military Dentist – and – you can get your dental treatment done “free of cost”…” the Navy Veteran said.

“The Civilian Dentist is located near my home – whereas the ECHS Clinic is quite far away – and – the Military Dental Centre is even further – so – it is very inconvenient for me to go all the way – first to the ECHS Clinic to take a referral – and then drive down to the Military Dental Centre...” I said.

“Yes – you live so far away – it is certainly inconvenient…” the Navy Veteran said.

“Actually – inconvenience is not the only factor. The main reason I go to the Civilian Dentist is that I like this particular Dentist – I am comfortable with him. In the Military – I cannot choose my Dentist – I will have to go to whomsoever Military Dentist they send me to – whether he is good or not – and – there is no continuity – next time – they may send me to someone else – especially if the earlier Dentist is posted out…”

“But if you go to a Military Dentist – it is free. If you go to a Civilian Dentist – you have to pay…”

“At my age – as a Retired Senior Citizen – for me – my comfort is more important than money…” I said to my fellow Navy Veteran. 

“Oh...” he remarked.

 Then – I said to my Navy Veteran friend: 

“Let me tell you one more reason – the Civilian Dentist is trying his best to restore some of my teeth which were ruined by Military Dentists…”

Dear Reader – before I tell you about the Military Dentists who ruined some of my teeth (or removed them) – let me begin on a positive note. 

Let me tell you about the best Military Dentist I came across during my long Navy Career – a Lady Dentist.

Actually – she was wearing Navy Uniform at that time. 

But then – like all Military Doctors belong to the Army Medical Corps (AMC) – all Military Dentists belong to the Army Dental Corps (ADC) – and – they keep changing uniforms – depending on the service to which they are posted. 

And – just like “Military Doctors” are called “Medical Officers” – “Military Dentists” are called “Dental Officers”.

This happened around 18 years ago – when I was appointed in the premier Naval Dockyard at Mumbai.

One afternoon – while having lunch – one tooth chipped off and broke.

This hapless tooth had been “worked-on” by a Military Dentist – many years ago – during an Annual Medical Examination (AME)

Dear Reader – let me digress a bit – and – tell you that – during the AME – we were sent to the “Unit Dental Officer” to get our teeth examined.

Most Dental Officers delegated this task to their Dental Assistants – called DORA (Dental Operating Room Assistant) – in the Navy.

However – some “Eager–Beaver” Dentists who were keen to “hone their skills” by extensive “Hands-On” experience – would personally examine and “treat” every Officer who came for the Annual Medical Examination (AME).

I remember one such “enthusiastic” Military Dentist – who probably wanted to become the best “Root Canal Therapist” in the world.

Since uniformed military personnel have no choice to select their doctor/dentist – they have to visit their “Unit Dentist” for Dental Examination/Treatment.

Luckily (for him) – this passionate “Root Canal Therapist” was posted to a prestigious tri-service Military Training Academy – and – he was the one and only “Dental Officer” posted in this huge establishment – and he had a large number of military cadets and staff under his “dental jurisdiction”

This opportunity provided this aspiring “Root Canal Therapist” plenty of “Guinea-Pigs” – on whom he could experiment and hone his dental skills – before he quit the Army – and started a lucrative dental practice in “Civvy Street”

So – he ruthlessly “root-canalled” everyone who entered his dental clinic – and – sadly – I was one of his early “victims” when he “root-canalled” two of my teeth in quick succession – when I reported for my Annual Medical Examination.

Both my teeth were ruined.

Later – one of these “experimentally root-canalled” teeth was extracted by another Military Dentist – who was aspiring to be an “Extraction Specialist”.

Fortunately – the other tooth was restored by a Civilian Dentist who painstakingly performed a “re-root-canal” 

And – it was only then – that I realized that Root Canal Therapy was an intricate procedure involving multiple sittings – not the “shoot and scoot” type “root-canal” done on me earlier by the Military Dentist.

Military Dentists are lucky – they have plenty of opportunity to “experiment” on hapless gullible “Faujis”.  

It is not so in the case of Civilian Dentists – who run the risk of being put out of business – in case their “dental experiments” start going wrong. 

Yes – just a few “dental mishaps” can badly affect a dentist’s reputation in the highly competitive field of dental practice in the civilian world – and even ruin his business. 

Coming back to Military Dentists - like “Root-Canalists” and “Extractors” – I came across a few “Drillers and Fillers” and “Cappers and Crowners” too.

Yes – like the Corps of Engineers has “Sappers and Miners” – in the Army Dental Corps – we have “Cappers and Crowners” and “Drillers and Fillers”…

Maybe – it was a few of these “super-specialists” who seemed to have “worked on” the tooth which had now chipped and broken.

Anyway – I rushed to the Naval Dockyard Dental Centre with the broken tooth-piece in my hand.

There – I had expected to see the Surgeon Commander (D) who was the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Dental Centre – who I feared would probably extract the damaged tooth (since he was famous as an “Extractor”…)

But instead of him – there was a pretty young girl in Naval Uniform wearing Two Stripes with Crimson in-between (a Surgeon Lieutenant)

(In the Navy – for Medical Officers – the term “Surgeon” is prefixed before the Rank – and – for Dental Officers – in addition to the prefix “Surgeon” – there is a suffix (D) in brackets)

Seeing the surprise on my face – the young Lady Surgeon Lieutenant (D) said to me: 

Sir – the OIC had to suddenly go on leave…”

“Oh…”

“Sir – I am officiating as the OIC Dental Centre now…”

“Have you come on Temporary Duty…?”

“No, Sir – I just reported yesterday – they have appointed me as Deputy OIC – Sir – today is my first actual day at work as a dentist…”

I had no choice but to submit myself the young lady dentist. 

I explained my predicament and showed her my piece of tooth which had chipped off and broken.

She asked me to get onto the dental chair and she examined my damaged tooth.

“Are you going to extract the tooth…?” I asked her, fearfully.

“No, No, Sir – we will save the tooth…” the pretty lady dentist said – and – she began working on my damaged tooth.

While she was treating my tooth – she kept on talking to me – giving a “running commentary” – explaining what she was doing.

Normally – I feel terrified when I sit in a dental chair – but – her “running commentary” had a soothing effect on me.

Though she was young – she was extremely dexterous and skillful – and – she repaired and restored my damaged tooth very well.

Then – she checked all my teeth – and said: 

“Sir – I think two more of your teeth need a bit of restoration – the fillings seem to be coming off...”

Impressed by her proficiency – I asked her: 

“When can you give me an appointment…?”

“Sir – you can come anytime – preferably in the afternoons…” she said. 

I got those two teeth fixed “ship-shape” by her that week itself.

I was so impressed by the young Lady Surgeon Lieutenant (D) – by her gentle dexterity and her professional skill – that I profusely praised her everywhere – even during our weekly meeting chaired by our boss.

“If the new Lady Dental Officer is really as good as you say – I must get my teeth fixed by her too…” he said.

“Yes, Sir…” I said, “She is a really good dentist – she is not like our “Extractor”…” 

“Ha Ha – “Extractor” – an apt name for our Surgeon Commander (D)...” our Boss said, “That’s why I avoid going to the Dental Centre – all that the bugger does is to extract teeth at the slightest opportunity. I have to go “out-of-station” this week – so – I will get my teeth fixed by the new Lady Dental Officer next week…” the boss said.

Sadly – he was too late.

When the boss reported to the Dental Centre after one week – the Surgeon Commander (D) had reported back from leave and assumed duties as OIC – and – the young Lady Surgeon Lieutenant (D) was relegated back to her position as Deputy OIC.

Now – in the Military – seniority is sacrosanct.

Yes – in the Military – everything depends on seniority – even competence – so – ipso facto – it is assumed that the Senior is more professionally competent that the Junior (though actual facts may be otherwise).

So – the senior Surgeon Commander (D) – the “Extractor” – attended to Officers – whereas – the junior Lady Surgeon Lieutenant (D) – the “Restorer” – she had to take care of Sailors.  

As per this precedence – when our Boss – who was a Senior Officer – reported to the Dental Centre for treatment – he was ushered into the office of the Surgeon Commander (D) (the “Extractor”)

Our Boss pleaded that he would like to be treated by the young “Restorer” Surgeon Lieutenant (D) – the Lady Dental Officer. 

But – the “Extractor” Surgeon Commander (D) refused to listen – and he said to our Boss: 

“Sir – you are a very Senior Officer – how can I hand you over to that young inexperienced Dentist – she is only a Lieutenant – she is meant for junior ranks.  Sir – I will personally treat you myself…”

In the Military – the moment you enter a Clinic/Hospital – the Doctor’s word is final. 

So – our Boss had no option but to submit himself to the “Extractor”. 

As expected – the the “Extractor” Surgeon Commander (D) extracted the tooth which was paining. 

One hour later – our Boss emerged from the Dental Centre with one tooth less in his mouth. 

And – in lieu of this extracted tooth – he carried a One Day “SIQ” (Sick-in-Quarter) Chit in his hand.

Yes – in the Military – visiting a Dental Centre is like playing “Roulette”. 

If you are lucky – you may get a “Restorer”.  

But – if you are not that lucky – you may land up with someone else – a “Driller and Filler” – a “Capper and Crowner” – a “Root-Canaller” – an “Extractor”– or maybe – an even more deadly “super-specialist”…

Also – when you are in military uniform – you have no choice – and – you have to report to the assigned Military Dental Centre if you have a dental problem (and for your Annual Dental Examination)

At least – after retirement – you can choose your own dentist – if you are willing to pay for it. 

(Dear Reader: Hope you enjoyed this story. I am sure you will enjoy DOCTORS IN UNIFORM even more. 

Here is the url link -> http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/12/humor-in-uniform-military-medicine.html ) 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
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, satire, 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.

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.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

 

This is an abridged and revised repost of my article “DENTISTS” in UNIFORM posted online by me earlier at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/01/dentists-in-uniform-humor-in-military.html  and https://karve.wordpress.com/2017/01/21/dentists-in-uniform-humor-in-military-medicine/  and https://www.quora.com/profile/Vikram-Karve/Writing-by-VIKRAM-KARVE/Military-Humor-%E2%80%93-%E2%80%9CDoctors%E2%80%9D-in-Uniform?srid=5Hkq  andhttps://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/03/happy-national-dentists-day-to-all.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/05/dentists-in-uniform-memories-of-my-navy.html etc