Is “Izzat” No Longer the “USP” of the Defence Services...?

This evening I saw the extract of one of my articles circulating on a WhatsApp Group (giving me due credit as the author – so – it is okay). 

I had written this article many years ago after a visit to a premier engineering college to deliver a guest lecture on HOW TO SELECT A CAREER

A friend who read the article on the WhatsApp Group wanted to read the whole article and requested me to post the link to my article. 

So – I decided the repost the entire article as I feel it is even more relevant today. 

At the end of this blog post – I am also giving a link to my lecture on HOW TO SELECT A CAREER which I delivered at the engineering college – so – those interested can read that article too. 


PROLOGUE 

Many years ago – the alumni association of one of the best engineering colleges in Pune invited me to deliver a career guidance lecture on  HOW TO SELECT A CAREER 

I was surprised by the size and composition of the audience in the large auditorium. 

It looked like all the students in the entire college had turned up. 

Maybe this encouraging response was because the lecture had been timed just before the campus placement season. 

Or maybe – like they do in the Navy – all students had been “detailed” to attend. 

What surprised me even more was the large number of girls (almost 30%) studying engineering. 

One thing that the Navy has taught me is “Public Speaking”.

My talk was a success – and – my lecture was well received by the students.

But – that is not important.

What is interesting is what happened during the post-lecture informal session over high tea where I got an opportunity to interact with the young budding engineers.

I asked the students, boys and girls, if anyone was was keen on joining the Navy, or the Defence Services.

I thought that there would be at least a few young boys and girls keen on a career in the Technical Branches of the Navy – or maybe in the Army or Air Force.

That is why I was quite shocked to hear that no one wanted to join the Defence Services. 

Yes – not even a single student – boy or girl – not even a single student wanted to opt for a career in the Army, Navy or Air Force.

If you want to get the gist of my lecture or have a look at the ppt presentation – I have given the url links below at the end of this blog post. 

Now – Dear Reader – here is my article which has become quite popular on the WhatsApp Group:


WHY THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF OFFICERS IN DEFENCE SERVICES 


WHAT IS THE MAIN REASON WHY BRIGHT YOUNGSTERS DO NOT WANT TO JOIN DEFENCE SERVICES (ARMY NAVY AIR FORCE)
Musings
By
VIKRAM KARVE


WHY MILITARY CAREER IS UNPOPULAR

For the past few years – we keep seeing media reports that there is a huge shortage of officers in the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Despite all the jingoistic hype and glitzy recruitment advertisements – there are very few takers for a career in the Armed Forces.

Serving as an Officer in the Defence Services is no longer a preferred career choice.

Why are bright young men and women reluctant to join the Defence Services...?

As I told you in the Prologue – sometime ago – during an interaction with young engineering students – I asked the students – boys and girls – I asked them if anyone was was keen on joining the Navy – or the Defence Services.

I thought that there would be at least a few young boys and girls keen on a career in the technical branches of the Navy – or maybe in the Army or Air Force.

But – I was quite shocked to hear that no one wanted to join the defence services. 

Yes – not even a single student – boy or girl – not even a single student wanted to opt for a career in the army, navy or air force.

Since the students were talking to me in a frank and friendly manner – I decided to delve a bit more and explore the reasons for the unpopularity of a career in the Defence Services among the smart young people of today. 

During my interaction, I discovered that the students were well-informed about the career prospects and way of life in the defence services, especially about the army, and were fully aware of the pros and cons.

I was also surprised to see that quite a significant number of students were children of Defence Service officers and personnel – while many others had relatives or friends in the Armed Forces.


SOME WELL KNOWN DRAWBACKS OF A MILITARY CAREER

My question as to why no one wanted to join the Army, Navy or Air Force evoked the standard responses (which I had expected to hear):

1. Lifetime Employment (you can’t leave once you join – no opportunity to “job hop” for greener pastures)

2. Frequent Transfers (unstable family life, problems of long distance marriage in case of a working spouse or for children’s education)

3. Regimentation (modern youngsters do not like curbs on their lifestyle)

4. Restrictions (freedom of speech, marriage, appearance)

5. Modest Career Prospects (slow seniority based promotions – with no incentives for high achievers – a moderate salary – early retirement)

There was nothing new in all this. 

I am sure you have heard all these reasons too.

LIMITED MARRIAGE PROSPECTS 

I continued interacting with the students – as they discussed the pros and cons of a Military Career.

One boy said that nowadays most girls were career oriented – and – because of this – the “Marriage Prospects” of Army Officers got limited – since working girls do not prefer an Army husband (and maybe vice versa too).

One girl even went on to say that – in order to avoid a long-distance marriage and to have a good family life with her husband – an Army Wife had only two choices:

1. To be a Homemaker (and help her husband’s career by being a “good army wife”).

2. To work as a Teacher (and that too in the cantonment military school).

The girl was an “Army Brat” but she did not want to marry an Army Officer.

She was studying Computer Engineering.

She was interested in a serious full-time career in the IT Industry where there was a good chance of going abroad for work – and she even had the option to settle down abroad – especially in the US – and the opportunities were good.

But all this was not feasible if she married an Army Officer.

So Limited Marriage Prospects was another reason for the unpopularity of a career in the defence services.

There was nothing new in all this. 

I am sure you have heard all these reasons too.

Then – suddenly – one smart young boy said something I had not expected to hear.

He said:

“Sir – there is no “izzat” in the Defence Services any more. Nobody respects Defence Officers any longer. That is why I do not want to join the Army.”

For a moment – I was taken aback.

Then – as I thought about it – I realized that the youngster did have a point.

THERE IS NO “IZZAT” FOR ARMY OFFICERS IN CIVILIAN SOCIETY 

“IZZAT” is No Longer the “USP” of the “Fauj” 

The term “fauj” (military) is used in a generic sense and refers to all the 3 Defence Services – Army, Navy and Air Force – and the term “fauji” refers to all men in uniform – Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen. 

And – of course – “USP” means “Unique Selling Proposition”

Yes – today – “Izzat” is No Longer the “USP” of the “fauj” 

There was a time when “Izzat” was the USP of the Defence Services.

What exactly is the meaning of “izzat”...? 

I cannot define it precisely – but we know what “izzat” means.

Translated into English – “izzat” is a combination of status, respect, prestige, honour, dignity, power, reputation, social status, standing in civilian society etc

I do not know about other places – but at least in urban metros like Pune and Mumbai – which have been overwhelmed by the post-liberalization wave of consumerism and materialism – there has certainly been a huge decline in the high “izzat” that Defence Officers used to once enjoy in civilian society. 

Nowadays – only money speaks – and an honest “fauji” certainly does not stand a chance.

“Sir – there is no IZZAT in the Defence Services any more. Nobody respects Defence Officers any longer…”

That is what the smart youngster said.

Do you agree? 

Is “Izzat” is No Longer the “USP” of the Defence Services...?

Is declining “IZZAT” the main reason why youngsters are reluctant to join the Defence Services (Army Navy Air Force)...? 

Or – are there some other reasons that youngsters do not prefer a military career?

Do comment and tell us your views before you click on the links below to read my lecture on HOW TO SELECT A CAREER.

Links to my Lecture and PPT Presentation on HOW TO SELECT A CAREER 

(If you click on the links below – the links will open in a new window)

Lecture: SELECTING YOUR CAREER - A VALUE BASED APPROACH 

http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/08/career-guidance-how-to-select-right-job.html 

PPT Presentation: YOUR VALUES AND YOUR CAREER 

http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/06/lecture-presentation-selecting-your.html 

Wish you a happy and successful career of your choice.

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 article is a 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)

     

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

Revised Version of my Article First Posted by me Vikram Karve in my blog Academic and Creative Writing Journal at 7/15/2013 12:54:00 PM at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/07/is-izzat-still-usp-of-fauj-army-navy.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/06/what-is-main-reason-why-bright-young.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/10/why-military-career-is-unpopular-izzat.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/05/main-reason-why-bright-youngsters-do.html

JOB HOPPING MANTRA

JOB HOPPING MANTRA

Ramblings of a Retired Mind

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Never change your job because you are fed up with your present job.

Quit your present job and change to a new job only if you are attracted to your new future job.

Your career change must be for growth, not as a means of escape from your present career.

You must shift to a new career due to “Pull” factors (attraction) and not due to “Push” factors (repulsion).

The motivation to change your job must come from the “Pull” of the new career (attraction) and not the “Push” from your present job (frustration).

Let me share my experience from my long military career in the navy.

Organizational objectives require that the armed forces (army, navy and air force) have a steep pyramidal hierarchical organizational structure.

As a consequence, vacancies diminish as you rise in rank, and this adversely affects promotion prospects.

It is an accepted fact that career prospects in the defence services are poor as compared to career prospects the civil services.

(From time to time, attempts have been made to tinker with the time tested steep pyramidal military hierarchical structure by way of “cadre reviews” but it has been realized that making the military too “top heavy” may be detrimental to the fighting efficiency of the forces, as senior ranks only add to the “tail” and create an imbalance in the “teeth to tail” ratio)

The “steep pyramid” entails stringent promotion percentages which results in a ruthless selection process.

This results in a large number of good officers getting passed over for promotion at young ages due to lack of vacancies.

“Supersession” is an accepted “occupational hazard” in the defence services.

If you join the armed forces must be prepared for this eventuality of supersession at an early age, sometimes as early as in your 30’s, when you are “written off” and it suddenly becomes the “end of the road” as far as your military career is concerned.

In the military, individuals react to supersession in different ways.

Some overreact as they feel “betrayed” by the service (army, navy or air force) and they quit their military career immediately (strong “push” factor).

They suddenly land up on the “Civvy Street” in a bitter state of mind and unprepared for the consequences, not knowing what to do, since they have made no plans for the unexpected career shift.

Many such officers quit in a huff before completing the mandatory 20 years pensionable service and land up in dire financial straits.

Some remain in service, become bitter, and sour the atmosphere around them.

Others enjoy their “passed over” state and keep serving till superannuation.

If you are feeling “bored” with your job, remember it is better to be “bored” than “broke”.

One of my friends, a naval officer, quit the navy because he felt “intellectually suffocated” and “bored” in the navy.

Like I said earlier, he quit because of the “push” factor.

He discovered that his new job in the civilian world was even more “intellectually suffocating” and “boring” than the navy.

He quit that job too, and after a few days he spent all his savings and was broke, so he was forced to accept an even more boring and “intellectually suffocating” job.

In contrast, I have observed that those who changed their careers due to “pull” factors are happy and have done well in their new careers.

Some were attracted by the “pull” of entrepreneurship and wanted to do their own thing, so the opened their own businesses/industries/start ups.

Others discovered their true métier and shifted careers due to the “pull” of the new vocation they wanted to pursue.

I know a bright officer, who was doing well in service, who discovered that enjoyed teaching immensely, and he changed careers to become a schoolteacher and is very happy with his new way of life.

Here is my “Job Hopping Mantra” in a nutshell:

1. Never change your job because you are frustrated in your present job (“push” factor).

2. Change to a new career only if you are attracted to your new future job (“pull” factor)

Career Shift must be motivated by “attraction” to the new career, and not due to “repulsion” from your present job.

Dear Reader: Do you agree ?

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. You must do your own due diligence.

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.

 

IS MONEY THE ONLY MOTIVATOR FOR EDUCATION ?

IS MONEY THE ONLY MOTIVATOR FOR EDUCATION ?

Musings

By

VIKRAM KARVE

I love to teach. 

That is why I always accepted teaching opportunities and assignments.

I have encountered two types of students:

1. Students interested in learning and acquiring genuine knowledge

2. Students obsessed with marks, grades and acquiring qualifications. 

This second category of exam-oriented ambitious students would often say that I taught beyond the syllabus and what was the use of all this knowledge from the examination point of view. 

More importantly, they were interested in knowing how would the knowledge help them in getting a “good”  job.

The “good” refers primarily to the salary package. 

Yes, nowadays, Good means Money. 

So a Good Job translates to Higher Salary

UTILITY VALUE OF EDUCATION

That is why, in today's world it is only the “utility value”  of education that is emphasized upon. 

The quality of an educational institution is determined by the pay packages its students are offered in campus placements. 

INTRINSIC VALUE OF EDUCATION

No one seems to the bothered about the “intrinsic value”  of education and knowledge.

Most students do not seem to be bothered about acquiring genuine knowledge in their core profession. 

MONEY - THE ONLY MOTIVATOR

The focus seems to be on lucrative job offers in terms of salary, perks, CTC and “pay packet” . 

Attributes of a job like challenge, interest and learning are secondary.

That is why we have so many engineers from IITs, NITs and premier engineering colleges who never pursue engineering as a career, but they switch over to lucrative white collar jobs in Finance, HR and Marketing management (the most sought after being investment banking) which have no connection with engineering. 

I know a bright young civil engineer who did not want to work as a civil engineer onsite in the “field” and quit his job in the infrastructure construction industry and joined an IT firm for a well paying comfortable 9 to 5 five-day-week job in a metro. 

Now he is “bored”  with his IT job and is thinking of quitting his IT job too and doing an MBA and wants to become an investment banker. 

Is money the only motivator for studying? 

If one is not interested in civil engineering then why waste so many years and so much effort studying civil engineering. 

And by taking a seat in the course why also deny someone else who is interested the opportunity to study the subject? 

I remember another brilliant student of mine - a very bright Electronics and Communications Engineer who possessed an natural aptitude in design and would have made an excellent researcher in Engineering and technology. 

She went to an IIM after her B. Tech. and is now an investment banker working abroad.

Even within the domain of engineering everyone seems to be migrating to high paying and comfortable IT jobs.

I have seen metallurgists, chemical, civil and mechanical engineers who don't want to pursue their core specializations and prefer a desk job in IT. 

That is why the primary emphasis is on marks, grades, succeeding in competitive exams like CAT - yes the focus is on those aspects that enable you get an attractive high-paying job and enjoy a lifelong lucrative career. 

No one seems to bothered about true learning to acquire genuine knowledge and become proficient in one's core profession for which one is studying, especially in engineering and technology.

In order to enjoy studying you must understand the true value of education and distinguish between acquiring genuine knowledge and just going through the motions to obtain degrees and qualifications.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2013

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

NB

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 2013. All Rights Reserved

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About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and an anthology of short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional  and academic research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
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Email: vikramkarve@hotmail.com

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