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Army Chief General M M Naravane on Wednesday said that the idea came up after the army learnt from visits to colleges and universities that the youth were eager to experience army life. “When our officers addressed youths in colleges, we came across the feeling that they want to experience army life, but not as a career. Taking a cue from this, this idea was born of why not give them an opportunity to serve for two to three years,” he said.
“We will benefit by getting younger manpower and the society will benefit by getting people who are disciplined and have imbibed the ethos of the army,” he added.
Officials explained that the proposed model of Tour of Duty (ToD) has been proposed to be implemented on a trial basis for officers and other ranks in the army for a limited number of vacancies. The vacancies would be increased if the model is successful. The proposal is a shift from the concept of permanent service in the armed forces towards an “internship” for three years.
Officials explained that the proposed model of Tour of Duty (ToD) has been proposed to be implemented on a trial basis for officers and other ranks in the army for a limited number of vacancies. The vacancies would be increased if the model is successful. The proposal is a shift from the concept of permanent service in the armed forces towards an “internship” for three years.
Officials said that the cost, including training, pay and allowances, incurred on people joining under the new model would be Rs 80-85 lakhs, as compared to over Rs 6 crore for an officer under the Short Service Commission, who serve up to 14 years. The army believes that the savings from this can be used in modernisation.Savings will also be in other areas. “With the ToD concept implementation, there is likely to be an exponential reduction in our salary and pension budgets,” an official explained.
Officials also said that the corporates can benefit from individuals who would serve in the army for three years. “Many corporates have indicated that these ToD officers would also be preferable to the present Short Service workforce joining the corporates at the age of 33-34 years... The officers exiting ToD would have an edge over other candidates due to their training and exposure,” an official said.
Officials also said that the corporates can benefit from individuals who would serve in the army for three years. “Many corporates have indicated that these ToD officers would also be preferable to the present Short Service workforce joining the corporates at the age of 33-34 years... The officers exiting ToD would have an edge over other candidates due to their training and exposure,” an official said.
The army is also examining giving a “token” lum sum amount to officers and jawans exiting from the ToD scheme, to make it more attractive. Benefits of a battle casualty to a ToD personnel could be given if they become one. With this scheme, the army is trying to atract youth from top academic institutes such as IITs.
