Defence Services as a Career Option

The Armed Forces as a Career Option – Then and Now

Musings of a Military (Navy) Veteran

By

VIKRAM KARVE 

I am often asked the quintessential question: 

“If you had to live your life again – will you still join the Navy...?”

I answer: 

“YES – and – NO...”

Let me explain.

If I could go back in time – and – if I could turn the clock back by 40 years to the 1970’s – then I will certainly join the Navy.

Yes – if I can reverse the clock back in time – 40 years back in time – to the 1970’s – then – I will join the Navy.

But – if I cannot turn the clock back – then I will not join the Navy.

If in today’s world – I possess the same qualifications as I did way back then in the 1970’s (when I joined the Navy) – B. Tech. in Electronics and Communication Engineering – then – in present day circumstances – the Navy is certainly not an attractive career option for me – since – nowadays – there are so many impressive, exciting, lucrative, rewarding and prestigious career options available for a bright young engineer – which are far superior to a career in the Defence Services.

I think the turning point was the advent of “liberalisation and globalisation” – and – the consequent “paradigm shift” in economic policy in 1991.

In the 1970’s and in the pre-liberalisation days there was no great disparity in pay and career prospects between the navy and civilian jobs. 

Those days – I remember that the salaries and career prospects in the Navy (and Defence Services) were comparable to those in the civilian corporate world and industry. 

In fact – there was a glamour attached to uniform which gave us Naval Officers a sense of pride which outweighed the slight salary advantage our counterparts in the civvy street enjoyed.

Post 1991 – as liberalisation set in – the economy and scenario began to rapidly change – and now – the flow of liberalisation is unstoppable, inescapable and irreversible.

With increasing liberalisation and globalisation soon there was an investment boom, a financial boom, an industry boom, an IT/ITES and Software boom – there were so many “booms” – the “growth story” – and – everything changed.

Today – there is no glamour attached to uniform – and – in fact – it is the corporate sector – and – careers in Business, Finance and Information Technology that have become glamorous.

Today – everyone knows the names of the Corporate Czars and successful businessmen – and bright young Entrepreneurs are the toast of society.

In contrast – if you talk to youngsters – you will realize that hardly anyone knows the names of our Defence Chiefs (Army, Navy and Air Force Chiefs) – unless they get embroiled in some controversy or scam which is given publicity by the media. 

Yes – frequent media reports of the unethical conduct of senior military officers has certainly taken off the sheen from the erstwhile shining image of the Defence Services – and the Defence Officers do not enjoy the respect in society which they earlier did.

Change is inevitable.

And – things have indeed changed – with the rapid progress of liberalisation and globalisation.

Unfortunately – the “steeped in tradition” Armed Forces seem to have been caught in a time warp – because of “resistance to change” – owing to the deeply entrenched Auld Lang Syne Complex.

Many feel that the Defence Services have an archaic colonial feudal culture which is not in sync with modern aspirations. 

Yes – the archaic “service culture” seems to be out of sync with the aspirations of the bright young people of today who are highly educated knowledgeable smart well-informed career-focussed success-oriented and ambitious.  

Whereas the civilian industry has gone way ahead post liberalisation – even the Civil Services are much better off than the Defence Services as far as career prospects are concerned.

Earlier – Salaries and Perks of Defence Services were higher than Civil Services – but – now – with successive pay commissions changing the balance in favour of the civil services – the career prospects of the civil services are far superior to those of the Armed Forces – and – the Defence Services have been reduced to begging for parity with the civil services.

So – if I were a well-qualified engineer from a premier institution in today’s world – rather than join the Navy (or Defence Services) – I would certainly like to explore better career options with excellent career prospects which are more likely to fulfill my aspirations and enable me to grow intellectually, realize my maximum potential by allowing me to make full use of my talents, earn money, create wealth and achieve material success to have a good standard of living and quality of life and accomplish something significant in life.

In the 1970’s the Navy was a great place to be in – the Navy was not a mere job – the Navy was a way of life. 

Yes – in the 1970’s – the Defence Services were a great place to be in.

Now?

You tell me.

Let me end on a lighter note.

When I joined the Navy (in the 1970’s) – there was a recruitment slogan: 

JOIN THE NAVY AND SEE THE WORLD.

Things have turned topsy-turvy – haven’t they?

Today – you have a better chance of “seeing the world” in a civilian job – especially if you are a “Techie” in the IT Industry. 

So – in conclusion – I will say – that – in today’s world – if I am fresh Engineering Graduate from a Premier Institution (IIT/NIT etc) – I will certainly not join the Navy (or Defence Services) – but – I will explore the plethora of attractive career options available in the “civvy street”.

By the way – the Navy probably realised – that – post liberalisation – good engineering graduates from premier institutions would not be inclined join the Navy – so – Navy downsized the University Entry Scheme – and – decided to produce captive engineers “in-house” via the 10+2 (NEC) Scheme (this scheme was later copied by the Army to produce “in-house” B. Tech. degree “Dapodi Engineers” at CME)

Of course – now – all cadets who pass out of the Indian Naval Academy (INA) are B. Tech. Engineers. 

CONCLUSION

So – Dear Reader – if you ask me the quintessential question:

“If you had to live your life again – will you still join the Navy...?”

I will answer:

“YES (if I could turn the clock back by 40 years to the 1970’s) – but – NO (in today’s world)...”

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 based on my own experience and represents 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.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

     

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

This is a revised repost of my article WILL YOU JOIN THE NAVY (The Armed Forces as a Career Option – Then and Now) posted online my me Vikram Karve in my Academic and Creative Writing Journal Blog at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/03/will-you-join-navy.html

Humor in Uniform : “Man at Sea” vs. “Shore Based Mogul”

Humor in Uniform

“MAN AT SEA” vs. “SHORE BASED MOGUL”

A Spoof

By

VIKRAM KARVE

“MAN AT SEA” vs. “SHORE BASED MOGUL”

During my long career in the Navy, I have observed that, at any given point of time, there are two types of appointments for individuals in naval uniform:

1. The “man at sea”

2. The “shore based mogul”

In theory – the “shore based mogul” is supposed to support the “man at sea”.

But – in practice – it is exactly the opposite that happens.

The hapless “man at sea” is hounded and dominated by the “shore based mogul”.

Of course – like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde – a Naval Officer has to undergo both types of appointments – afloat and ashore – and I have seen many a powerful “shore based mogul” reduced to a powerless “man at sea” – when he went for his sea appointment – and vice versa.

The exceptions are some lucky individuals who never have to go to sea – like Officers in “landlubber branches” and Lady Naval Officers – who always remain powerful “shore based moguls”.

After slogging at sea – and a few “powerless” appointments ashore – one fine day – I suddenly realized that I had become a “shore based mogul” – when I was transferred to the mighty Naval Dockyard on the Eastern Seaboard.

Actually – my department was a “post office”.

Ships raised various defects which they wanted us to repair – and, like a post office does – we stamped the forms.

Our “stamp” indicated how the job was to be done.

Now – let me tell you how my “post office” ran.

“GOOD COP” and “BAD COP”

There were many sundry officers and staff in the department doing all sorts of work – but essentially – the whole show was run by two senior foremen – experienced veterans who had spent more than 30 years slogging in various departments of the dockyard.

One was a “good cop” – and the other was a “bad cop”.

If I wanted a job to be done – I would send it to the “good cop” – who would stamp the request accordingly.

If I did not want a job to be done – I would send the request to the “bad cop”.

“Bad Cop” had some interesting stamps in his drawer.

He would then use his ingenuity.

Let me give you a few illustrative examples (purely apocryphal):

He could stamp “SS” – which meant that “Ship’s Staff” is to do the job.

Quite a “Catch 22” case.

If ship’s staff could do the job – then why would they project it to the Dockyard in the first place.

(Of course – I am sure navy “insiders” know the answer to that one)

Or – “Bad Cop” could stamp “SSRR” – which meant “ship’s staff remove and refit” 

This was like a “carry in” repair – where the ship’s sailors would remove the item – land it in the dockyard – collect it after repairs – and refit the item back into the ship.

This was okay for smaller items – which we had agreed to do – and were handled by the “good cop”.

But – when “bad cop” used the “SSRR” stamp with a wicked smile on his face – he did so for such items which it was impossible for the ship’s sailors to remove from the ship.

We once had a furious Engineer Officer who had been asked to remove his main engine and land it in the dockyard thanks to the “SSRR” the “bad cop” had stamped on the request.

“QUOTE AUTHORITY”

“Bad Cop” had many such interesting stamps – but the trump card in bad cop’s repertoire was the stamp: “QA”

“QA” meant “Quote Authority”

And – this stamp threw the ship’s staff into a tizzy.

No one knew who or what this “authority” to be “quoted” was.

If a confused ship officer landed up asking as to who was the “authority” to be “quoted” – our “bad cop” would say matter-of-factly: “Sir, how do I know who is the “authority” to be “quoted”...? If I knew – why would I ask you...?”

This system was running fine.

I believe in the cardinal principle of systems management: 

If a system is running fine – do not tamper with it 

So – I let the system run – and everyone in the department was happy.

One evening – I unexpectedly met an old shipmate in the swimming pool.

We had served together on a ship around 12 years ago – when I was doing my first sea appointment – and he was struggling for his sea watchkeeping ticket.

The Captain made him struggle so much – that the moment he got his watchkeeping ticket – he volunteered for Aviation to escape from the Surface Navy forever.

He was enjoying his Flying when the Navy decided to remind him that he was still in white uniform – and they appointed him as the Commanding Officer (CO) of a Surface Ship.

He was quite disgusted and he remarked to me: “You know what a tough time I had doing my watchkeeping. I am bloody clueless – but thankfully my officers seem to be quite clued up – and I have decided to leave everything to them. I hope that this sea tenure is over fast so that I can get back to my flying.”

I told him about myself – where all I had been transferred since those glorious Mumbai days.

“Hey, why don’t you come over for a glass of beer tomorrow...? I will tell them to make your favourite Asian Fried Rice for lunch...” he said.

“Okay,” I said, “I’ll be on board at 12 noon.”

Next afternoon – we sat in the Captain’s Cabin sipping chilled beer.

I observed that his cabin was in bad shape.

He must have noticed that I had noticed – because he said: “Look at this shabby cabin – everything seems to be dilapidated – and just imagine – this is supposed to be the Captain’s Cabin,” he complained.

I nodded.

“Hey, you are in the dockyard – can you do something?” he asked.

“Sure – I will try my best to do something...” I said.

When I returned to my office – I called “good cop” – and I mentioned it to him.

“Good Cop” smiled and said: “Sir, no problem – I will visit the ship – and see what is to be done. Then – we will get things moving on top priority. After all – he is your friend.”

My friend’s cabin was refurbished on top priority – and soon – his cabin was the best Captain’s Cabin in his squadron.

He was so happy – that he praised the dockyard effusively – mentioning me in particular – to his seniors in the fleet – the good words carried – and this earned me words of appreciation from various quarters.

Now – there was a hot-shot CO of a ship in his squadron who thought he was “cat’s whiskers”.

When he visited my friend’s cabin – he too wanted his own Captain’s Cabin on his ship refurbished.

My friend told him to meet me.

Now – this “hot shot” officer was roughly of my seniority.

But – he thought it below his dignity to come over and meet me.

After all – he was a prima donna Commanding Officer from the crème de la crème Executive Branch – and he thought that it was below his dignity to grovel before a “lowly technical officer”.

So – he sent an official request asking that his cabin be refurbished.

I promptly forwarded this request to “bad cop”.

“Bad Cop” had a look at the request – he thought for a while – and then stamped it “QA”.

The “hot shot” “cat’s whiskers” CO was flabbergasted.

He promptly sent his second-in-command – the Executive Officer (XO) to find out what “QA” meant.

I sent the XO to “bad cop”.

The “bad cop” patiently explained to the XO that “QA” meant “Quote Authority”.

The XO asked: “What does ‘authority’ mean...? Who or what is the ‘authority’ to be quoted...?”

In his typical style – our “bad cop” said matter-of-factly to the XO: “Sir, how do I know who is the “authority” to be “quoted”...? If I knew – why would I ask you...? Sir, I am a mere Foreman – you are a Senior Officer – so you must be knowing which “authority” to be “quoted”...”

The XO went back to his ship and told the CO what had transpired. 

He advised the CO to meet me.

“I am a Commanding Officer. I don’t meet small fry. Get me an appointment with the General Manager (GM),” the CO told his XO.

“BHAI BANDI”

Next morning the GM called me to his office.

The “hot shot” CO was sitting there.

I sat beside him – and I looked at my GM across the table.

Then – I asked my GM: “Anything, Sir?”

“He says you refused to refurbish his cabin,” the GM said to me.

“Sir – it is not an operational job. So I asked him to ‘Quote Authority’...” I said.

The GM looked at the “hot shot” CO – and then – the GM said matter-of-factly to the puffed up CO: “Okay. That’s it. Just ‘Quote Authority’ – and the job will be done.”

The “hot shot” CO complained vociferously: “But, Sir – he did the same job on another ship – he refurbished the Captain’s Cabin of XXX – who is the CO of my one of my squadron ships YYY…”

The GM looked at me and raised his eyebrow.

“Sir – that CO is a good friend of mine – he requested me personally – so I did the job on a “bhai-bandi” basis,” I said.

“I see...” the GM said.

Then – the GM looked at the “hot shot” CO – and – tongue-in-cheek – the GM said to the CO : “Well, you decide – the choice is yours – either you Quote Authority – or see if you can get the job done on “bhai-bandi” basis.”

One hour later – there was an invitation from the “hot shot” CO – calling me over to his ship for a glass of beer in the Captain’s Cabin!

MORAL OF THE STORY

The “man at sea” must always remember that it is the “shore based moguls” who call the shots.

Many merchant mariners tell me this is true in the merchant navy as well.

Maybe – it is true of the Army and Air Force as well – where the so-called “Services” dominate the “Arms”.

“Defence Civilians” overshadow the uniformed personnel they are supposed to support.

It is not akin to the tail wagging the dog?

In theory – the “Dog” is supposed to Wag its “Tail” but – in practice – sometimes – the “Tail Wags the Dog”.

Tell me – haven’t you seen this universal phenomenon at many places and in many organisations as well?

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 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.

 

This story was written be me 2 years ago in 2013 and posted online earlier in my blogs at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/04/humor-in-uniform-shore-based-mogul.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/07/humor-in-uniform-quote-authority.html