Choose the life of an officer

By Ranjan K Baruah

One of the best career options for any individual is none other than joining the defence forces. When we talk about defence forces, they include Army, Navy and Air Force.
Indian Army offers different things to aspirants, like professional advancement, job satisfaction, job security, economic stability, social status, quality of life, variety and adventure.
The Army offers both permanent and short service commissions (SSC). Permanent Commission (PC) is granted through the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehra Dun and Short Service Commission (SSC) is granted through Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai.
Recruitment of commissioned officers in the armed forces is mainly through the Union Public Service Commission under permanent commission. For technical branches, women special entry scheme and NCC special entry scheme and service, recruitment is made directly through respective recruiting directorates for the army under SSC.
Selection for permanent commission through 10 + 2 NDA/Indian Naval Academy cadet entry and CDSE (Graduate) entry is through a written examination conducted by UPSC, followed by an interview by the Service Selection Board (SSB).
For all other Permanent Commission and SSC entries there is no written examination. These applications are shortlisted as per the criteria laid down by the Naval Headquarters, Directorate of Manpower Planning and Recruitment.
Women are granted SSC in Naval Architect, Law, Logistics, ATC, Aviation (Observer) and Education Branches.
The government has also given approval for permanent commission in Education, Law and Naval Architect on completion of SSC tenure depending upon merit and vacancy.
The best way is to join Indian Air Force as an officer because one can inherit a glorious heritage and timeless tradition of IAF, blended perfectly with the latest technology.
As an officer in the Air Force one will strategise, lead and manage. Depending on one’s qualifications, one could join one of the various branches in IAF. Broadly the Air Force has three branches with further sub-streams and the branches are flying (fighters, transports, helicopters), technical branch/aeronautical engineering (mechanical, electronic), ground duty branch (administration, accounts, logistics, education, meteorology).
There are two types of commission in IAF, which are Permanent Commission and SSC. Aspirants may opt for permanent commission or short service commission in Air Force.
Students or job aspirants may browse the official website of Army, Navy and Air Force for all job updates and other opportunities. Do not listen to any person who promises to give jobs as most are frauds and they take money and run away. For updates and jobs, aspirants must look at the newspaper advertisements and official websites of defence forces. There is also entry for soldiers, airmen and sailor, apart from above mentioned officers’ entry.

Updates
Greece Scholarships: The State Scholarships Foundation of Greece (IKY) is offering 50 scholarships to foreign nationals, including Indians, for attending courses and seminars in Greece in the Modern Greek language and culture. Last date for sending application is September 6.

The CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, has instituted a scholarship scheme for the students of the North East for bachelor degree programme in natural/basic sciences at B.Sc, B.Sc (Hons), integrated M.Sc/MS programs in any one of the recognised institutions in India. Last date for applying is September 15.

(Ranjan K Baruah is a career mentor and can be reached at [email protected] or 98640 for any career related queries)