Mahindra backs 3-yr military service idea
nNEW DELHI: Industrialist Anand Mahindra has backed an army proposal to allow the country’s youth to serve the military for three years under a new “tour of duty” (TOD) model, saying the exposure would give them an “added advantage” in the next workplace they choose, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday.
HT on Thursday reported the army is examining the proposal. The proposed model is similar to the short-service commission that allows officers to serve in the armed forces for 10 to 14 years.
In an e-mail to the army, Mahindra said his group would be happy to consider those who opt for TOD for corporate jobs. “I recently learnt that the Indian Army is considering a novel proposal, the ‘Tour of Duty’. The young, fit citizens of India will get an opportunity to gain operational experience in the Army both as soldiers and officers through this voluntary threeyear programme,” he wrote in the email. If the proposal is accepted, the army could implement the TOD model--essentially an internship after military training--on a trial basis to fill limited vacancies. “I think military training will be an added advantage for Tour of Duty Graduates as they enter the workplace. Considering the rigid standards of selection and training in the Indian Army, the Mahindra Group will be happy to consider their candidature,” Mahindra wrote.
The TOD proposal, reviewed by HT, stresses that the internship would result in savings for the organisation. “The cumulative cost of pre-commission training, pay/allowances, proposed severance packages, leave encashment and other costs is nearly ~5.12 crore and ~6.83 crore for shortservice commissioned officers ...similar costs for those released after three years will be ~80 to ~85 lakh,” the proposal says.