Of Matters Military: We, the Veterans

Major General Mrinal Suman

We, the ex-servicemen are a distinct segment of the society and we take pride in the fact that we belong to the noblest profession in the world – the profession of arms that ensures security of our country. Some of us prefer to call ourselves veterans or senior-soldiers or retired-servicemen. However, nomenclature and taxonomy are irrelevant. What really matters are issues related to our identity, entity and conduct.

On the eve of the Republic Day 2012, an interactive session was organised by Headquarters Southern Command wherein veterans of the three services were invited. It was an unprecedented initiative to establish rapport with veterans, apprise them of various developments and obtain their inputs. After a highly informative talk by the Army Commander, senior staff officers briefed the gathering. Disappointingly, the interactive session took the shape of a unit Sainik Sammelan. Veterans took it as an opportunity to vent their grievances about the inadequacies of various welfare schemes, especially ECHS. It was sad to see that such a distinguished galaxy had nothing to contribute towards the general betterment of the services. They were concerned only with their own interests. 

For decades, a Command Headquarters has been inviting all veterans and their wives once a year for dinner to maintain rapport with them. It is a big affair with the strength of guests invariably exceeding 2000. A few years ago, an Army Commander directed that the dinner be replaced by a high-tea in the evening to save veterans the trouble of driving back late at night. Invitations were sent accordingly. A total of 20 guests turned up for the party. A senior officer was heard remarking that veterans come only when pegs and legs (chicken) are offered to them.

All arms and services start celebrations of their raising days by paying homage to their martyrs by laying wreaths at the war memorials. Though invited, only a handful of veterans attend such solemn ceremonies whereas they are present in hundreds at evening social functions for drinks and dinner.

Visit any services welfare housing society and see the infighting, petty bickering and squabbles amongst the resident officers. All the sheen of their gentlemanly behaviour disappears the day they hang their uniforms. Some go to the extent of complaining against each other to municipal and state authorities on trivial matters, much to the embarrassment of the civic authorities who are reluctant to intervene.

Petty jealousies make some veterans conduct themselves in an appalling manner. Their behaviour reveals a psyche of intolerance and unconcern for others. Strangely, many veterans seem to suffer from the syndrome – ‘I am unhappy because my neighbour is happy’.

It is shameful to see some veterans indulging in parochial behaviour by forming religion/region based groupings. Apparently, the veneer of secular thinking and nationalist outlook that they displayed in service was only skin deep. Retirement exposes their true colours as communal and narrow-minded individuals. 

Many veterans do not find it necessary to bother about their appearance. They are quick to point out that they are no more under the Army Act. At the same time, they do not forget their rank and are quick to demand courtesies due to an army officer. Shabbily dressed and unshaven veterans bring a bad name to the services and project a poor image of the officer cadre amongst the civilian.

Many veterans find it difficult to forego service privileges. Unabashedly, they hang on to their helpers (Sahayaks) for years together by pressurising the officers who had served under them. They brazenly invoke regimental spirit for selfish gains. Such blatant misuse of soldiers is an obnoxious sight that does immense damage to the standing of the services.

Even a casual glance at email exchanges amongst members of various veterans’ associations will show that the veterans are obsessed with their self-interest issues. It is OROP, ACHS, canteen facilities and so on. Not a single issue of concern to the health of the services is ever discussed.

A highly dedicated and spirited veteran made valiant efforts to create a platform for the veterans to engage in intelligent and informed debate on matters of concern to the health of the military. The response was pathetic. Veterans have countless complaints and suggestions as regards their own welfare but show total apathy towards the welfare of the services. 

Leaving aside a handful of veterans who take pains to study, raise and debate serious issues, most believe in boasting of our past escapades and exploits during social interactions. They are terribly reluctant to put their experiences down in writing for the benefit of posterity. The common excuse is shortage of time and inability to get into the ‘correct mood’. 

The Way Forward

It is a mystery as to why retirement negates all the gentlemanly traits imbibed during long military service, causing a major change in attitude, behaviour and conduct. 

Most veterans feel that having rendered long service they owe nothing more to the armed forces and that it is now for the armed forces to reciprocate by looking after them. There may be some justification for such an expectation but it cannot become a one-way traffic.

It should never be forgotten that veterans are an inalienable part of the history of their respective arm/service/regiment. They act as conscience-keepers of their units. Serving troops look up to them for inspiration. Nothing should be done to breach their faith. 

 

Respect cannot be demanded. It has to be earned. If veterans want to be treated with due deference by the society at large, they must behave like gentlemen-officers. Alternatively, they should live in anonymity without disclosing their military rank and be treated accordingly.

Public has little contact with the serving soldiers who are mostly deployed on the borders. They form their impression and opinion about the services after watching the conduct of veterans and judging their value-system. In other words, veterans act as ambassadors of the services. Therefore, their conduct has to be above board and worthy of military officers. 

In the ancient scripture Sukraniti, the relation of the military to the state has been compared with that of the mind of the man. And, we the veterans represent the military. As we never tire ourselves of declaring ‘once a soldier always a soldier’, we cannot let the services down.