The Indian Army has adopted a standard uniform for Brigadier and higher rank officers, regardless of the parent cadre or appointment, to promote and reinforce a common identity and approach in service affairs amongst senior leadership outside the bounds of regimentation. This decision was made to promote and enhance a common identity and approach in service matters amongst senior leadership. In addition to this, the Indian Army will further solidify its reputation as a just and equitable organisation as a result of this. The decision was made following in-depth discussions at the recent Army Commanders Conference and intensive talks with all relevant parties.
There are several different arms, regiments, and services in the Indian Army, each with its distinctive style of uniform and equipment. Soldiering is built on camaraderie, esprit de corps, and regimental ethos. Junior leadership and the rank and file must be given acknowledged for their contributions to this foundation in the form of a distinct identity within the Arms, Regiment, or Services. At the company or battalion level, having a common identity was evidence of the strong tie between the officers and enlisted men and women of the same regiment.
“The decision by the Army Commanders in the recently concluded conference at New Delhi to have a standard uniform for Brigadiers and above is a step in the right direction. As a General Staff officer, the officer is expected to be unbiased and have a balanced view of all arms, combat support arms and services under his command,” said Lt Col Manoj K Channan (Retd), who has served in Indian Army, Armoured Corps, 65 Armoured Regiment.
The senior officers of flag rank, i.e. Brigadier and above, will now wear common and uniform headgear, shoulder rank badges, gorget patches, belts, and shoes. The officers who hold the flag rank will no longer be required to wear lanyards. The new policies are scheduled to be effective on August 01, 2023.
“The loyalty to the Lanyard, Beret and the Regiment was parochial and had, in the past, reflected serious bias based on who was at the helm of affairs at the Chief of Defence Staff / Chief of Army Staff level.
The promotion boards, the command of coveted formations, and appointments at Army HQ reflected this in the various press releases from time to time,” explains Lt Col Manoj K Channan (Retd).
Officers with ranks of Brigadier and above in the Indian Army are often stationed at headquarters or establishments where officers from all arms and services operate and carry out their duties together. These commanders have previously led units or battalions in the Indian Army. A consistent uniform would ensure that all senior-ranking officers share a shared identity while accurately expressing the core values guiding the Indian Army.
“The new orders will ensure uniformity and curb the tendency to dress up like a Christmas tree and have double beret badges following the style of Late General Montgomery.
“The uniform for Colonels and below needs to be simplified from the perspective of ease of maintenance and do away with the brass and leather accoutrements which need to be spit shined each day in waste of valuable manhours,” adds Lt Col Manoj K Channan (Retd).
The uniforms that Colonels and officers with lower ranks wear have yet to be updated in any way.
I can only say that the rationale putforth by the author is not convincing.