New Delhi: In a first, the Indian Army is considering to induct civilians on a 3-year ‘Tour of Duty’ (ToD) or ‘three-year short service’ on a trial basis to serve in it as both officers and other ranks.
Initially, they will be taken for a limited number of vacancies and then expanded later.
“The proposal is under consideration. If approved, it will be voluntary and there will be no dilution of criteria in selection,” Indian Army Spokesperson Col Aman Anand said here on Wednesday.
It is for both boys and girls and is expected to attract the best talent.
The proposed model is seen as a shift from the concept of permanent service/job in the Armed Forces towards internship/temporary experience for three years.
The proposal is seen as a solution to unemployment and tapping into the resurgence of 'nationalism and patriotism'.
The introduction of the proposal reads, "The model is a solution proposed to be implemented on a trial basis for both officers and other ranks in the Indian armed forces, initially for limited number of vacancies and then expanded later, if found successful."
This engagement based on the pattern adopted by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), excluding the conscription clause, is considered to accrue benefits to Army as well as the individual.
Its engagement would be like voluntary one. However, Israeli has mandatory of three years of military service for every able-bodied person.
A youth once selected will be imparted one-year training and three-year service.
Mulling over the cost of training, the proposal mentions it at Rs 5.12 crore for an officer serving 10-year term but under ToD it will be 80-85 lakhs.
In case of Jawan, the saving is mentioned to be Rs 11.5 crores if he serves for 3 years instead of 17 years of minimum.
The report propounds, "At the rate 11.5 crore saving on one soldier it will be Rs 11,000 cr for 1000 soldiers. There will be immense savings due to a reduction in Pay and Gratuity payouts."
The saved money could be utilized for the modernization of the Indian Army.
In case of any unfortunate eventuality, all the benefits will get extended to the person or the next of kin as is due to a regular officer or jawan.
The report mentions, "As a matter of interest, the performance of the officers and jawans under three years of service during all operations including Op VIJAY was found to be exceptional in gallantry".
The proposal also adds, “the nation and the corporates are likely to benefit from a trained, disciplined confident, diligent and committed men and women who have completed the ToD.”
