The soldier is the Army.

No army is better than its soldiers.

The Soldier is also a citizen.

In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is

that of bearing arms for one’s country”

George S. Patton Jr.

Before I begin let me tell you a very brief about myself...

As a child I was extremely naughty and did not believe that study is going to be my cup of tea. I was fortunate not to flunk in any exams and completed the important milestones such as 10th standard and Graduation with First Class. Probably only thing I enjoyed during my childhood was hanging out with my friends all the time. I had some amazing bunch of friends throughout my childhood and even today friends are what I have. In fact this blog writing was also suggested by my best pal Bhushan Daga.

Coming back to my short story.... as a fixed dream of any parent (or most of the parents) in India and especially in west India, I was supposed to score outstanding marks in both 10th and 12th standard and then go for either Engineering or Medical to become Engineer or Doctor. Fortunately my total marks combining both 10th and 12th standard exams barely exceeded only 12th standard marks of some of the scholar students of my batch. This was a shame, not for me but for my parents; at one point in time they thought that I am good for nothing and that I must do some course such as electrician or plumber and chose it as a career option. By no ways I thought this as a bad choice however this was not destined for me.

So what did I do??? I just got myself admitted to First Year in college after I passed (rather somehow passed) my 12th exam with mediocre score and chose science stream. I also joined NCC (National Cadet Corps) in college and did quite well in it. Needless to say in college as well I enjoyed some amazing bunch of friends and one of them, Pravin Nair forced me to stand for election of students council of our college. So I obeyed and won the election and thus became a GS (general secretary). This stint gave me tremendous exposure in public relation and public speaking and more over my friends enjoyed privilege of bunking classes on account of some college work initiated by me.

Three years of college life went just like that. These years kept me quite busy in terms of helping my aunt for starting foreign language academy, completing my three years course in NCC, trying to get a girlfriend (which I eventually got for a short time) and being GS in college in my last year and doing various activities associated with it. So there was I in the year 2003, graduated with Physics and staring down career options and Army was one of them.

Although my first tryst with the job was by virtue of being involved in startup of 'Samwadini Academy for Foreign Languages' which was started by my maternal aunt in the year 2000. I must say that she is one hell of entrepreneur. She has outstanding vision and business acumen. I partnered with her in setting up this academy although I never myself learned any language despite being forced by my aunt time and again. The point is; this entrepreneurship was one awesome experience and it taught me a lot. I am no more actively associated with the academy however it is running strong till date with student’s base of around 150. I could have remained in this business but I wanted to do something else, something different, unique and probably I wanted to follow a path which is not traveled much and also which is relatively easy in terms of study.... yes I dared studying throughout.

Like always, one of my pals helped me taking a decision, Pranjal was preparing for Armed Forces when I was in 12th standard and somehow I thought that this is my way as well.

Why Army? Hold on your thoughts... it was not because I wanted to serve my nation etc... But I looked at it as a career choice, liked the benefits it offered along with very different lifestyle and also thought that once in the Army I need not study as I hated it like anything. So decided it was that I will be joining the Army. After clearing all the hurdles such as entrance exam, interview and medical I joined Officers Training Academy at Chennai for pre-commissioning training.

I successfully completed my training of one year and joined the DOGRA Regiment in the year 2005 as Lieutenant Sarvesh Ghatnekar. I served in the Army for six years and then decided to come back to corporate world.

My Army time helped me leaps and bounds in any which way I can think of. If any institution I can think of which moulded me into a good human being, taught me ethics, values, integrity, discipline, leadership then it’s none other than Indian Army. I owe everything good I have in me to this organization. I enjoyed each day spent in this amazing institution. As a matter of fact I found my soul mate (yes you are right I do mean my wife only) in the Army, she was also a Lady Officer in the Army and served for five years. In nutshell Army contributed immensely in my overall development.

It’s now more than 5 years since both me and my wife have left Army. Both of us are enjoying our new role in corporate world. In last 5 years I also realized that not many students in my part of the country (west Maharashtra) choose Armed Forces as a career option. This apathy towards Armed Forces is mostly because two reasons, first reason is, unawareness as to what it can offer and second reasons is, parents view that it is not safe for their children. I just thought of throwing some light on both these aspects with a hope that this may help many young ladies and gentlemen to choose or at least think Armed Forces as a career choice.

I am going to keep this real simple and what better way than to explain in terms of FAQ's, further I will be sharing my contact details at the end of the blog so any enthusiastic can reach me for any further queries or clarification.

Q1. Who can join?

Ans- Any lady or men who are between age of 18 to 25 can join the Armed Forces. Both upper and lower age limits are prescribed from time to time and it depends on which type of entry one is opting for. Men can join as early as after passing 12th Standard however Ladies cannot join after 12th standard. All three services that is Army, Navy and Air Force takes Ladies in their Officer Cadre.

Q2. What is the process?

Ans- Process differs for different types of entries, however a general process is Written Test, SSB (Services Selection Board) interview for qualified candidates in written examination, medical examination for those clearing SSB and finally those who are found medically fit are invited to join one of the training establishment of the Armed Forces, such as NDA, IMA, OTA, Air-force Academy or Naval Academy.

Q3. Why Armed Forces?

Ans- Armed Forces Offer host of benefit such as-

• Only chosen few can join basis their performance, no reservations are applicable to armed forces.
• Economic Stability
• Stable Career Progression
• Social Status
• Job Satisfaction & Job Security
• Quality of Life
• Offers lot of Adventure
• Excellent Post Retirement Benefits

Q4. How much time one is required to serve in the Armed Forces?

• Permanent commission
• Applicable only for Men
• Serve till retirement from the services.
• Benefits (e.g. pension) are applicable post retirement.
• Short Service Commission (Both men and women can apply)
• Serve for duration of min 10 years after that either leave or opt for permanent commission.
• Excellent career option for those who do not want to commit for life to the Armed Forces

Q5. What all are the types of entries into the Armed Forces?

Ans- There are many ways and qualifications with which both Men and Women can join the services. The details of the same are available on UPSC websites.  In short, men can join after completing their 12th Standard as well as Graduation or Post Graduation in any stream. For joining Navy or Air-Force one has to have science background in 12th standard or during graduation. For Army any stream is preferred. Women can join only after completing their graduation and the rule of science graduation for Navy and Air Force is applicable to women as well.

Q6. This is all you want to say?

Ans- No, not really. This is just a summary. There are few more options in terms of various educational qualifications such as Engineering, Medical, Law. Such students can also join Army. In few cases one can join Army and then become Engineer, Doctor or Lawyer. However it is not possible for me to explain all these in form of this blog.

Q7. My Parents say it is not safe in the armed forces so why risk my life?

Ans- Somethings are inevitable in life. Let me put a simple quote to answer this question.

"To every man upon this earth
Death comes  soon or late.
And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of his Gods."

This is inscribed on the war cemetery located in Kohima, Nagaland

Q8. I am interested in knowing more or I want to join Armed Forces but can you tell me little more?

Ans- Of course I will tell you more. I will be more than happy if I can help you achieve your dream of joining Olive Greens. You can mail me your query on sarvesh.ghatnekar@gmail.com, post your email we can share our contact details with each other so that I can help you more.

In summary, I hope I have added some value to your queries and I hope that my short little story helps you in deciding your career choice and I do hope that you will decide to join Indian Armed Forces.

Cheers!!

Sarvesh