Part I -Why Airmen leave the service
Why Airmen leave the service prematurely ๐ข๐ข๐ข
Part I (Theory)
The inhouse survey conducted by the Indian Air Force to find out the reasons for premature retirement from the service is in public now (The Tribune Newspaper). The survey was conducted on Sgts having put up 13-20 years of service and 32 percent of them have quoted lack of suitable environment as the main reason for their unwillingness to continue in service.
When I joined service in 1996, Sgt was a very respected and powerful rank. But during next 10 years of my service, this rank lost all its glory and power. Degradation of this rank started when Sgts were asked to do parade with arms and this was the beginning only. The second blow to their self respect was when they were compelled to perform Guard duties. Final blow came in the form of ACR based promotion policy and simplification of Station duties roster. Station duties got simplified in two categories only .
First one- JWO and above and
Second one- Sgt and below.
After the implementation of these award winning policies, Sgts were treated just like Paracetamol tablet, to cure all types of diseases. While signing a DI and seeing- off an Aircraft, he was an ordinary technician but while closing the F(T)700 he was supervisor again. For station duties he was pooled with novice ACs and LACs but for BOO duties he was again a Senior Non Commission Officer. This issue became more embarrassing specially in TETTRA schools and Training centres where on some fine day Guru(Instructor) and Chela (Trainee) both were made to perform the same duty. SNCO became all in one, an officer or just a classification as per service requirements.
Only two things were still intact for Sgts. Three chevrons on both his sleeves of uniform and SNCO mess facilities. I do not know the exact reason why the authorities were so liberal and kind for retaining those three Chevorons for Sgts but the reason why Sgts were not excluded from the SNCO mess is a well known fact. Actually, Sgts form the major chunk of SNCO mess strength and their monetary contribution for the SNCO mess is immense. That's why SNCO Mess fund of some stations run in crores and icing on the cake is this fund is not auditable by any external agency.
Do not get dejected. Everything was not as bleak as I have portrayed. At many stations AOC/ Stn Cdrs used to counsel all those Airmen who have opted for unwillingness. And if one or two of them changed their mind/option due to the said counseling then the commander was awarded some extra points, people gossiped.
Part II (Practical)
It was DSC day next day and I was detailed for the Guard Duty. When I reached armoury, I was surprised to find that I was detailed to man the Palta main guard room post along with two AC,s who were trainees of 5 TETTRA School. Immediately, I lodged my protest with OO but he said that it has been decided by higher authorities. How higher , God knows??
Although I was feeling insulted to perform the guard duty with cheeku AC,s but for these tough situation only , one MWO sahab has given me Guru Mantra,
" If you want to remain in service, follow the rules. If not, follow them strictly. If one really wishes to quit early, he should not waste his energy trying to change the rules."
Remembering the golden words of MWO sahab, I took my stenn MC silently and reported to Palta, MGR for Ist shift guard duty. After some time came two AC,s armed with Insas Rifles. They wished me and asked me for any specific instruction from my side. I told them cooly ," I am not here to instruct you. You are a guard and I am on no different duty than you . The difference which I find that I came by Bike and you came by bicycle and second one is that you will perform your duty with Insas rifle and I will do it with Sten MC."
As soon I took the charge of Guard Room post from a DSC , came the 'famous' 10% promotee JWO sahab of IAF(P) trade. He boasted that 'One Sgt and two AC,s' formula was his 'brain child'.Then he started preaching me that I should nurture and guide the trainees. It was my responsibility to make sure that they perform their duty properly. Blah blah blah-------As whole station was very well aware of his 'lifting' qualities , so I just heard it from one ear and let it pass through another. After enlightening me he went to another post.
As soon he left, one of the AC came to me to know what JWO sahab has briefed. I sent him back to rest room saying nothing special. You do your duty as you wish to.
It was around 8:30 p.m. and I was manning the post . Suddenly, I saw same JWO sahab rushing towards me. He came near me and asked about the resting Guards angrily. I said calmly that they ought to be in rest room.On hearing this, he got fired and said that he has checked and nobody was there in rest room.
"Then , what can I do?" I said.
" I briefed you earlier that you are the supervisor and incharge for both the AC,s. You are responsible for their conduct and discipline . I can put you on charge for this as you have failed as a supervisor . " JWO sahab was unstoppable.
Enough is enough. Now it was my turn to respond,
" Do you know the meaning of supervisor?? Can a labourer supervise another labourer ? We all three are guards , that's it.!! Where comes the term supervisor?? And what charge you will frame?? Am I not alert? or am I drunk ? My turnout is not up to the mark or I have misbehaved with you or someone else?? What charge and for what crime??"
JWO sahab was not prepared for this assault. His tone lowered down immediately,
"Sgt Sahab, you got me wrong. I was just trying to convey that It is our duty and culture to train and guide the juniors. The basic purpose of this 'one Sgt and two AC,s' arrangement is that they learn from their seniors. We all are here to inculcate good values and practices in juniors."
He again tuned to Preaching channel.
Sir, Have you performed guard duty with an AC in your whole service life even once?? If no, then please keep these sermons with you . I am not in a mood to take 'Gyan' from you right now. Please go and leave me alone."
JWO sahab left the scene and I decided to leave the service as early as possible.
เคुเคฒ्เคนाเคก़ी เคे เคชीเคे เคฒเคा เคฌांเคธ
ReplyDeleteเคฌांเคธों เคो เคฆेเคคा เคค्เคฐाเคธ
เคाเคถ, เคเคธे เคฌांเคธ เคจा เคนोเคคे
เคคो เคुเคฒ्เคนाเคก़ी เคธाเคฒे เคाเคธ เคจा เคนोเคคे
เคชเคฐ เคฌांเคธ เคो เคाเค, เคांเค เคเคฐ เคฌांเคเคเคฐ
เคเคญी เคเคญी เคกांเคเคเคฐ
เคชिเคเคตाเคก़े เคฒเคाเคฏा เคाเคคा เคนै
เคฌांเคธเคตाเคก़ी เคเคเคตाเคฏा เคाเคคा เคนै
เคซिเคฐ เคเค्เคी เคเคฐ เคเค्เคा เคเค เคตाเคฏा เคाเคคा เคนै
เคซिเคฐ เคเค ाเคจे เคตाเคฒों เคी เคซौเค เคนोเคคी เคนै
เคเคฐ เค เคธเคฒ เคฎें เคซौเค เคฎें เคฒिเคซ्เคเคฐ्เคธ เคी เคฎौเค เคนोเคคी เคนै
เคนीเคฐे-เคเคตाเคนเคฐाเคค เคंเคเคก़-เคชเคค्เคฅเคฐ เคฌเคจ เคाเคคे เคนैं
เค เคชเคจे เคเคช เคเคจ เคाเคคे เคนैं
เคซिเคฐ เคธเค्เคे เคฌเค्เคे เคूเคจ เคฌเคนाเคคे เคนैं
เคเคฎเคे เคเคฐ เคธเคฐเคฆाเคฐ เคนเคฐाเคฎ เคा เคाเคคे เคนैं
เคเคธे เคนी เคธเคฌ เคฐुเคฒ เคฐेเคुเคฒेเคถเคจ เคเคนเคคे เคนैं
เคชเคฐ เคนเคฎ เคเคธे Subjugation เคเคนเคคे เคนैं ๐ข
เคธเคฐ, เคเคช เคจे เคคो เคชूเคฐी เคเคตिเคคा เคฌเคจा เคกाเคฒी।
Deleteเคธเค เคนी เคนै। เคฒिเคซ्เคเคฐों เคจे เคจเคฐเค เคเคฐ เคฐเคा เคนै
Marvellous, truly narrated.
DeleteIt has been 11years since I left service. The stories and incidents are quite fresh because this is the truth. Very good write up indeed.
DeleteI have episodes why i planned to leave the service, among the most pinching was the inequality, i can suffer all humiliation on me but not to my family. The services did not leave this chance to pinch me.
ReplyDeleteThere were occasions when there was some unit celebration in that the ratio of officers families to men families was 20:80 but the chairs were put just opposite leading to vacant chairs at the officers side and family of men fighting for chair, those who got are afraid to get up as they might loose. Also those who got, because they came 2 to 3 hrs early then the actual time. officers side rain is also taken into consideration where as men are waterproof.
Second, the AFWWA meetings where wife of men are trained to dance on the stage and some foolish men and their family feel proud that the wife of there boss knows them by their name.
At the time of tea and snacks family of men are given in paper plates and officers families are served in proper plates. Here also the ratio is maintained. The smart families of men who can dive and better physique can afford to catch hold of snacks others just remain spectators. Once my APM told me if my wife can join this meeting with his (that being in small unit and very few living outs in Tezpur). I told him that my wife has never joined this type of meetings and will not join.
Thirdly, my son (5 yrs) was sick and i was waiting in the queue at SMC, where we were waiting for our turn when an officer came with his son who was also studying in the same class and having fever, both boys started talking and in 2 minutes his father called and they entered SMO, straight way, came out, took medicine and pushed off. My son asked me why he did not follow the queue, i told him he may be more sick and he is not having a good stamina like you who can bear and hold.
There are many things of suppression will continue further. These made me firm to decide that there is no meaning continuing in this service and spoiling my precious life.
Excellent sir. You can author a book on life of airmen, you have the skill. I too have so many episodes but the skill to present is absent in me. I always used to have have head on with officers and luckily there were some God sent good officers on my side to rescue. Every where you were humiliated to let go your ego. This haunts at your self respect level and triggers you to act at different time. I was lucky to come out after 15 years. It was in 1989, the % of seniors lacking trade proficiency over weighed pleasing efficiency was more and the survival was purely depending on mortgaging one's self-respect for ever.
DeleteI agree Sir. Specially the discrimination during AFFWA and other family meetings is quite clear.
ReplyDeleteAs you mentioned they put less chairs/ items for the families of Airmen and then laughter when they fight for snacks
Thank you sir for being the voice of airmen.
DeleteThe above statements are very true ,there are many more reasons , why airmen leave the Air force at 20 years of initial service . There are many airmen who are ready to leave service even before this , in case Air Force permits thim .
ReplyDeleteSir, I have written three posts regarding why Airmen leave service prematurely. Two are already public, one in pipeline.
Deletesir, no single factor for morale boosting, as well as lifters are destroying the service
DeleteAgreed. There are many factors
DeleteAbsolutely correct there was a trend when I joined iaf in 1994 south Indians were leaving then after some years technical trades especially those who are working on aircraft first mechanical and then irrespective of trades were leaving when my time came everybody was leaving as if water is gushing out when floodgates are opened
ReplyDeleteReally appreciate the way you have brought out the treatment met to seniors and sadnthing is that such practices continue. The difference becomes glaring in AFWWA meetings/ theatres / smcs where family's are also expected to obey. The need of the hour is to focus on acheiving the org. goals by revamping these policies and unofficial ese that force willling people also to quit. jai hind.
ReplyDeleteYes, now families are also targeted. They are compelled to attend AFFWA meetings.
DeleteSir u r greatu say " Man ki baat" .I like it and salute u.
ReplyDeleteThe similar treatment in Navy also... I never took my family to any of the official gatherings, neither ever visited Armed Force Hospital... I’ll never encourage anyone to join any of the forces until this discrimination persists... The Army/Navy/Airforce act still follows the British rule... Where the white British officers treated Indian Soldiers as slaves...
ReplyDeleteOh, same or I should say worse condition in navy as well.
DeleteThe system follows the rotten values. There need a participative culture for common goal of Savior. The discrimination leads to non cooperation which is dangerous. Rank is fine, but Class is dangerous . All such systems were designed to divide and rule by britishers but fellow Indian forgot that they are Indian only. The person who could not cope up with this finds the ways and gets out, those who have accepted it as their fate, they are carrying on. Else there is humiliation at every nook. If there is a meeting, I am compelled to laugh why a soldier is made to sit on floor. Why cannot be a separated accommodation for other ranks in living in, does he nit have a privacy? Why a person cannot take tea in Cup and given the mug of metal as provided in jail. There are numerous question which has only one answer is Class.
ReplyDeleteYes, System needs an overall change.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIndian Air Force has basically none of the values that a military orgaNisation should have.
ReplyDeleteThe most important values of a military organisation should be comradeship and that leaders should eat last, which is never to be seen there.
The input of the military services in India comes from a society which is even today suffering from feudalism and unemployment. In such a situation people never behave like comrades of a nation; they always have an axe to grind in whatever they do.
The so called SSB- qualified able officer do not even treat the PBOR as Indians, let alone fellow soldiers on the same mission. They just feel they got some people to obey them for all their stupid acts.
What is making Indian Air Force even worse is the new breed of James Bonds joining as officers. They don't have the basic manners and basic knowledge of what is expected from them, let alone being an able officer.
Following our long tradition of flattery, a senior airman is usually ready to harm his juniors to any agent for petty benefits.
Boys, I left AF in 1993. Still I ruminate the life in IAF. All my friends enjoyed the life as we were a group of fun loving people. We are not united.We have joined the rat race to defame/degrade our frinds for personal gain. Keep your hand on your chest and say howmany of your billet mates, and trades men? Try to change the system unitedly. I was a chronic bachelor. Living in cpl with 11 yrs of service. I had some privilege as med Asst. I used to complain about food quality in mess. So O I/C mess convinced smo with great difficulty to spare me to be mess I/C for a month. We improved the food quality with co-operation of living in members and a little sacrifice of greed from me. We did not allow any interference from CAdo. Learn to turn the tide in your favour. I joined a respectable post in civil. My experience in IAF has placed me a notch above my colleagues.
Deleteเคตिเคจเคฏ เคคुเคฎ्เคนे เคाเคจเคเคฐ เคเคถ्เคเคฐ्เคฏ เคนोเคा เคि เคเคเคคเค เคคुเคฎ्เคนाเคฐी เคญाเคญी เคจे POPO เคฎเคคเคฒเคฌ passing out parade เค เคेเคกเคฎी เคฎें เคชोเคธ्เคिंเค เคฅा। เคเคธी เคคเคฐเคน เคเค เคเคเคจा เคธूเคฐเคคเคเคข़ เคฎें เคตाเคฏू เคธेเคจा เคชुเคฒिเคธ เคे เคฏ10% เคेเคกเคฌ्เคฒूเคฏू เคธाเคนเคฌ เคे เคธाเคฅ เคนूเคตा เคฅा। เคเคตเคฐ เคॅเคฒ เคฎें early party เคाเคคे เคธเคฎเคฏ เคฐैเค เคเคฐ เคญाเคทเคฃ เคฆिเคฏा เคฅा เคि เคเคตเคฐเคเคฒ เคคो เคाเคฎ เคเคฐเคจे เคे เคฒिเค เคนैंเคเคฐ เคा เคก्เคฐेเคธ เคนै । เคूเค เคฆिเคจ เคธाเคนเคฌ เคถाเคชिंเค เคंเคชเคฒेเคธ เคฎें เคฎिเคฒे เคฅे เคตंเคนा เคूเคฌ เคฌเคाเคฏा।
ReplyDeleteSir ,I left Navy after 20 years as MCELRII, initially I had problems,my dialogue as a jr sailor was , don't go behind donkey,and in front of officers,one will kick by back legs,other will bite you by teeth
ReplyDeleteI have not faced much problem in service, because I got good and reasonable officers,ofcouurse when time needed ,my favourite dialogue was ""Andhey lavade fouz me dhoude,girpade tho ,phir utake dhoude ,putche kyum dhoude Sab dhoude tho, ham dhoude""
One more thing I want tell academically u r weak,Most of the sailors not paying attention to civil studies, improving their academica carrier,
My last dialogue is
Once there is a will there is a way ,way u must find out u r self
Dear Sir. I have also a story of guard duty which put the last nail on the coffin of my decision to leave the service in 2010 after 20 years of service. At 25 ED, I just handed over the duty to a CPL at Santiban guard post which is on the road of 25ED connected to the main civil highway. Opposite of highway is officer's mess. Ur duty is to open the gate and close when civil buses pass by.One officer's mess waiter came with a piece of paper in his hand. The on duty CPL asked him do u have pass? He told yes sir and he showed it. Then the CPL asked what is that paper. He told it is SECRET I will not show. Then the CPL said how u r taking secret document show me or else I will not allow u. Just at that time the dy cadmo was going on evening walk. The waiter said to him sir sir see ur "WATCHMAN " is not allowing me to go though I have the pass. When dy cadmo asked the CPL he told that he is not showing what secret docs he is taking. The waiter said it is AFWWA document. The Dy Cadmo became fired and scolded the CPL left and right in front of that waiter and civilians passing by. I was standing by the side. It hurt me so much that I thought I certainly did not join service to become a WATCHMAN. Ur position is even inferior to a waiter. Ur officers don't support u but a waiter. I decided to leave the service whatever the cost to me may be... Guard duty in AIRFORCE for highly educated airmen who perform high quality jobs is highly embarrassing and responsible for disenchantment with the service. For guard duty there should be a trade as general duties guards.
ReplyDeleteSir, these are the reasons. Officer treat even their servants above airmen.
DeleteOnce your job is commended ,& kept in highest order u will not fear even god .Some well thought & convassing the working environs r created to hav defferences between higher echolon & below . Offers r not for working instead they hav to get work done .In AF there r two warrior grps:- Offrs- men .
ReplyDeleteNobody expects officers to work with them but at least they can treat airmen with dignity.
DeleteYear 2004-2020, place Air HQ VB, Dte Ops JP
ReplyDeleteA sincere hard working Sgt beyond time frame, handled various important table which cannot be discussed at this forum, but the reason for saying good bye to IAF was only one. Five times my name recommend for commendation CAS/VCAS, but as usual, the MTD were selected and official hard working are not considered. The mind game of SO of all ACAS.
Now working with same spirit in civil where I am working and rewarded best in industry.
There are good officers, they know the problem area, but are helpless
I am lucky. I joined in 1977 and left in 1992. Things were slightly better.
ReplyDeleteเคเคซिเคธเคฐ्เคธ เคे เค ंเคฆเคฐ เคฌเคนुเคค ego เคนोเคคा เคนै
ReplyDeleteThey are treated us as a labour/Slaves
เคเคฐ เค เคชเคจे JCOs เคो เคฒिเคซ्เคिंเค เคธे เคนी เคซुเคฐ्เคธเคค เคจเคนीं เคนै 90% JCOs เคे เค ंเคฆเคฐ เคธेเคฒ्เคซ เคฐिเคธ्เคชेเค्เค เคจाเคฎ เคी เคोเค เคीเค เคจเคนीं เคฌเคी เคนै Sgt & below เคฌเคธ เค เคชเคจा เคाเคเคฎ เคชूเคฐा เคเคฐ เคฐเคนे เคนैं
Sad state of affairs
ReplyDelete