Defence integration

With reference to Premvir Das’ “Towards integration in defence” (May 28), we have been only talking about defence integration. Even re-mapping the AOR (area of responsibility) commands to coincide has not been thought of. But integration at the top is half the job. What about the lower rungs as also within the forces? The navy and air force are fairly integrated as they have only one sword branch/arm, but the inter-corps and inter-infantry regiment rivalry in the army needs to be tackled. Visible integration is an important aspect of total integration. First, all starred officers in the army must have the same lanyard and beret (suggestion: purple, the colour only Caesars could use) and belt buckle. All different hats (like Gurkha and Garhwal regiment), colour of rank badges, backing etc. should abolished for starred officers. Visible integration must extend to uniforms for all three forces — at least the shirt should be olive green, rank badges the same and forbidden for civil and police forces. Rank names must also be integrated. Next, does the army have a structured inter-corps career development path after command of battalion/regiment? Further, is there an interservice attachment for all three forces before the two-star level?

After coinciding the AORs of commands, we move to integrated commands and finally doing away with the names — army, navy and air-force. We should only have a Ground and Tactical Force (Army and Tactical Air Force) and a Strategic and Nuclear Force (Navy and Strategic Air Force). A 10-year restructuring plan, which no one can interfere with, needs to be drawn up in six months and implemented. Or we can keep on talking.

T R Ramaswami Mumbai