WHAT IS OLQ
THE DEFINITION OF
Musings
By
VIKRAM KARVE
What
is OLQ?
What
are the “Officer Like Qualities” required in a Naval Officer?
Do you
want to know the answer to this question?
It’s simple.
Click
the url link below and go to the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page of the
Indian Navy Recruitment Website:
Have a
look at Question No. 3
What kind of “Officer like
Qualities” are required for commission in the Navy?
Now
click on the Question and read the answer provided:
The candidates who
successfully pass the competitive examination conducted by the UPSC, are
interviewed by the Services Selection Boards. Officer Like Qualities of a
candidate are assessed during these interviews, which last for about 3 to 4
days. In broad terms, the ability of an individual to withstand physical and
mental stress, leadership qualities, determination, fighting spirit, clarity of
thought, expression, resolve and overall suitability is assessed during the
course of the interview.
I am paraphrasing
below the relevant extract of the above answer which defines OLQ or Officer
Like Qualities:
…Officer Like Qualities or OLQ is the
ability of an individual to withstand physical and mental stress, leadership
qualities, determination, fighting spirit, clarity of thought, expression,
resolve…
What
about Ethics, Moral Values, Honesty and Integrity?
Are
these not being assessed by Services Selection Boards?
It is
no wonder that so many scams and scandals are taking place.
From
the definition of OLQ given above, it appears that the focus is on “personality”
rather than “character”.
It is
surprising that core value-based inner qualities like truthfulness,
trustworthiness, honesty, forthrightness and integrity are not considered “Officer
Like Qualities”
I feel
that sound immaculate character attributes
and unblemished ethical qualities are
an essential part of OLQ and these
are much more important than the personality traits mentioned in the
definition of OLQ given in the Navy Recruitment Website.
What
is your view?
Please
tell us.
Do you
feel that Ethics, Moral Values, Honesty and Integrity are not essential “Officer
Like Qualities”?
Do you
think that an officer need not be truthful, trustworthy, honest and forthright
under all circumstances?
Do you
feel that concepts like “code of conduct” and “honour code” are outdated ideas
of the past and have no relevance in the current environment?
Are you
of the view that, in today’s modern world, to succeed in the navy, an officer needs to be “street smart” rather than straightforward?
If
one goes by the answer given in the Navy Recruitment Website which lists the “Officer
Like Qualities” which are assessed during the Services Selection Board (SSB)
Interview, it seems that candidates are not being assessed for “ethical fitness”.
You
assess intellectual fitness (UPSC Exam), you assess physical fitness (SSB), you
assess “OLQ” fitness (SSB), you assess medical fitness (Military Hospital) –
but do you assess Ethical Fitness?
Why
does OLQ not include “Character Attributes” like Ethics, Moral Values, Honesty
and Integrity?
Why
is “Ethical Fitness” not being assessed by SSBs?
Do
we want naval officers who are “ethically unfit”?
It
all depends on the moot question:
What
is OLQ?
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 book review.
© 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.
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