On Army Day, These Veterans Bust Myths We May Have About the Army

When my dad – Colonel Bhonde – was posted to Nagaland, my mom would sit by the phone and wait for dad’s call.

From crisis situations and perilous adventures to sheer passion, these men of steel have endured everything that has come their way.

(Photo Courtesy: Major Yogesh Sayanakar)

Dressed in a camouflage army uniform, military combat boots, and aviators, Major Anoop looks fresh and radiant despite the 5 km run followed by a series of lectures and physical training. “We are men of steel – flag bearers of the Indian Army,” he smiles.

For him, life in the Army began as early as 17 when he joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) as an officer cadet. At the time, a day that would begin at 4 am with physical training (horse riding, swimming, etc.) followed by lectures would end only at 10 p.m. with sports and more physical rigours. “It was a life no other institution in India or the world could throw at a teenager”, he says.

At the time, he felt his world go topsy turvy when compared to the relative comfort of a boarding school.

But discipline and camaraderie are a couple of things that the Army has taught me. Mundane feelings like home sickness or going on a date hardly make a difference because there are days when it is a challenge to survive.

Similarly, for Major Yogesh Saynakar who passed out of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) when he was 21, the Army has been a learning experience in more ways than one.

“Posted at the border in Rajouri, where terror lurked at every nook and corner, I realised my mental and physical strengths,” says Major Yogesh.

Posted at the border in Rajouri, where terror lurked at every nook and corner, I realised my mental and physical strengths and found true camaraderie in brother officers.

In case of my dad, Colonel Bhonde, something that the Army taught him is leadership and what being selfless meant. This was tested in various assignments that helped make him a seasoned soldier.

Commanding a unit and leading a troop of soldiers is a masterful choreography of compassion and leadership. The thing is, that at the war front, it doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman. The enemy will treat you the same way.

In case of my dad, Colonel Bhonde, something that the Army taught him is leadership and what being selfless meant.

From crisis situations and perilous adventures to sheer passion, these men of steel have endured everything that has come their way.

Here are a few myths that they would like to bust –

Myth #1: Serving the Army is a Cushy Job

My dad believes that unlike what most people feel, serving the Army is not a comfortable, cushy job, as it is made out to be.

For instance, there were times when I was living for weeks – sometimes even months – in the jungle. There was no sleeping. You had to manage a few winks while you were walking. You could not sneeze, even if you had a cold – the sound of mere breathing could alert the enemy. At such times, most of us would question our decision of joining the Army, but the funny thing was, when you came back to the cushy beds at home, you couldn’t sleep at night.

“There was no sleeping. You had to manage a few winks while you were walking,” says my father.

Myth# 2: A Soldier Fights Alone

It isn’t only the soldier, it’s the whole family that makes a sacrifice. When my dad was posted to Nagaland, my mom would sit by the phone and wait for dad’s call, which obviously was difficult considering he spent most of his time in far-off areas cut off from the city and closer to the jungles.

We would anxiously wait for his return. Day after day, dead bodies would be flown in and our hearts would just stop beating – only to be restored after their identities were disclosed.

It isn’t only the soldier, it’s the whole family that makes a sacrifice.

Myth # 3: Army Life is All About Glory

Anoop feels the Army life is not as glorified as it is made out to be. He says,

The fact is, we are as ordinary as any Indian trained to be a good human being – which makes us look extraordinary in a country and society that is fast denuding in basic values, mannerisms and civic sense.

Myth# 4: A Career in the Army is Not Cut Throat

Yogesh believes that, contrary to popular perception, a life in the Army is very cut throat.

Yogesh believes that, contrary to popular perception, a life in the Army is very cut throat. He tells me,

Out of nearly 600 cadets graduating from the IMA every year, only a handful get promoted to the rank of a ‘General’. Admission to this life is highly competitive.

(A freelance food and fashion blogger, Pranjali Bhonde Pethe aims at getting people and their favourite food and style closer through her blog moipalate. Email her at [e-mail] and follow her on @moipalate.)