Sri Ramakrishna Math : The Vedanta Kesari, August 2002

Lt. Col.(Retd.) N.C. Guha is a thoughtful writer and a devotee of Sri Ramakrishna from New Delhi.

In the eyes of the public, military discipline is generally seen as an unquestioned obedience of orders which, however, they feel is applicable to personnel in uniform only. Some section of the public also feel that it has very little relevance in civil life and they often adopt an indifferent attitude towards it. Unlike in the Armed Forces, the life style in the civil is vastly different. It is more open and rules/ regulations are liberal. Disciplinary cases take much longer time to get settled in the civil courts of law. As a result, barring a few select corporate sectors and established religious institutions like Ramakrishna Math/Mission and a few other similar bodies, cases of indiscipline and corruption are rampant in civil life. It is eroding the moral fibre of our younger generation and the student community in particular. Even the law abiding citizens and the elite of our society find themselves in a helpless position. Under this uneasy chaotic scenario, the study of military discipline and its relevance in civil life is worthwhile.

The Oxford Dictionary meaning of the word discipline is 'obedience to rules' and military discipline means obedience of rules laid down in the military. Discipline has the same applicability throughout the Army while responsibility and accountability differ. Since officers in the Armed Forces are responsible for the unit organization which includes men in battle, their lives and the families, they ought to be an example so that laxity does not creep amongst its command. Laxity in discipline may result in death of an individual or lead to a group disaster, with its repercussions for the nation. Discipline to a soldier is doing a right thing at the right time correctly. In a group it is respect, cooperation and safety of the group. Its relevance in public is the same as in army. Every individual has his duty (swadharma) towards the society and the country. If one diligently does what he is required to do in a society or workplace, he is as good as a soldier.

Some people also feel that discipline is another word for 'fetter', to curb freedom. This bogey of curbing freedom is totally unfounded. With a disciplined life and in a disciplined ambience, one enjoys the real freedom to do, act and communicate without the hindrance of chaotic conditions created by the indisciplined environment. However, the real purpose of military discipline is to bind together individuals from different socio-economic, cultural and religious background into an organized group commonly known as a unit/squadron/ship for the accomplishment of a task/mission. In the military, discipline has different connotations and meanings. It encompasses an individual code of conduct in one's public and private life.

One of the basic ingredients of discipline is obedience of orders and it is inculcated in us right from our childhood days. A child learns his first lessons of obedience from his parents at home. Later a student imbibes obedience from the teacher at school/college level which helps in the development of his personality. During this formative phase a student is encouraged to develop self-confidence, which in turn, helps in further strengthening his sense of honour and self-pride. The ultimate object of discipline is the training of the students for self-governance. In the words of Swami Vivekananda, 'We must have life-building, character-making, man-making assimilation of ideas.' In fact, we may be able to achieve some of these lofty ideals if a student understands that beyond the discipline of home and school/college all have to meet the stern discipline of life. Due to its nature of work discipline in the Armed Forces is strictly enforced and the officers in this respect are supposed to be role models. Military discipline is considered vital to the success of every fighting force and without it the Armed Forces are merely reduced to a rubble.

During the initial training before induction into the Armed forces, a tough physical training is imparted to the officer cadets and the recruits at their respective training institutions/regimental centres. They are made to undergo battle inoculation (under live firing) and pass the various battle and physical efficiency tests. For the officer cadets this basic training is much tougher and for a longer duration. Sustained training is imparted under difficult situations to withstand various kinds of stress and strain of the battle in various operations of war. Systematic training in drill is given and trainees are made to follow various words of command. In this way the officers and men in the Armed Forces are gradually shaped into a body of disciplined force.

Being the guardian of military discipline, an officer in the Armed Forces occupies an important place. From the earliest days of the organized armies, the officer has been regarded as a gentleman. He is expected to manifest his moral standards, his conduct (on and off parade), manners, appearance and professional standards. Regarding his high moral standard and deep bond with the Regiment, the example of late Lt. Col. Jerry Jhirad, a Jew from Kerala and the Commanding Officer of 8 GARH RIF in the 1965 war is given. He lay grievously wounded in battle, he kissed the red Royal rassi (the Garhwal Regiment lanyard) and whispered before his death, 'I am proud to die for the honour of this.' Good manners mean, for example, that the gentleman does not remain seated in the presence of ladies who are standing. The officer must be loyal to his men and ensure that they get a fair deal. Loyalty works both ways. A commander demanding loyalty from those whom he commands must himself be loyal to his men. A sense of duty is the most important quality in an officer.

Duty calls for self sacrifice. Regarding sense of duty and comradeship, the example of Sir Philip Sidney is classic, 'Thy need is greater than mine', were the last words of his, when he passed his water bottle to a wounded soldier lying next to him in the battle field. It is required of the officer to place the interests of his unit, the service and the nation always above his own. In this respect the words of Field Marshal Sir Phillip Chetwode is worth recounting. 'The safety, honour, welfare of your country comes first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command comes next. Your own ease, comfort and safety comes last, always and every time.' The relationship between the officer and the men in the ranks is based upon firm and friendly foundation without any familiarity. The officers and the men enjoy the utmost confidence in each other. Accessibility, openness, frankness without fear and moral uprightness are the key qualities.

It is from a soldier's strong conviction in his religious faith that he gets the inner strength and avoids doing anything wrong which is against discipline. Such soldiers are God fearing. As such, religious institutions like Gurudwara, Mandir, Masjid, Church, etc. are carefully preserved in the Armed Forces. It is generally seen that a soldier with a strong religious faith is more disciplined and every little thing that he does is done with great devotion and shraddha.

Traditions and customs in a society regulate life. These are deep rooted with long-lasting implications to public life. 'Parampara' is built over a long period. In the military the society is the unit/battalion, and traditions are built around it. The maintenance of tradition is a tremendous unifying and driving force; and the more experienced the soldier, the more he realizes its value. It helps in promoting discipline in the Armed Forces.

While dress maketh a man, it also remains the class distinction amongst the people. Badges of ranks are to identify the hierarchy in a family. It restrains individuals from doing wrong things. In the Armed Forces great stress is laid on the enforcement of dress code/regulations, the violation of which will tantamount to an act of indiscipline. The insignia he wears on his uniform indicates his rank, arm of service and the formation to which he belongs. However, its relevance may not be so much in public life.

Customs, courtesy, manpower management and sound administration also go a long way in strengthening discipline. Customs of the Defence Forces are traditional which have been handed down from the senior to the junior. Courtesy implies polite and considerate behaviour towards others, i.e., all of those common acts of civility and good manners which are observed by a gentleman in all his activities. The methods of expressing military courtesy are distinctive and precise. Saluting in the Armed Forces is a sign of recognition between men of an honorable profession. In the Himalayas monks are seen greeting each other with the word Om when they meet. The courtesy which marks military ceremonies has a profound meaning. A salute to the national flag is a declaration of loyalty to the Nation and to the principles of liberty and justice. In Defence Forces men are compelled to live in an environment where cooperative efforts and courtesy are of paramount importance. They contribute towards an orderly life and when continued for a longperiod they tend to become common law; hence, its relevance in civil life.

Discipline does not merely mean physical toughness/exercises. It basically signifies part of a goal/mission which infuses discipline in all its departments. It is about Captain Sumeet Roy of the 18th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles (18 GARH RIF) who made the supreme sacrifice for the capture of Point 4700 in Kargil War (OP VIJAY) and was honoured with the gallantry award of VIR CHAKRA posthumously. An alumnus of National Defence Academy (NDA) he was commissioned into the 18 GARH RIF on 12 December 1998. His rigorous training at NDA and IMA (Indian Military Academy) not only made him physically and mentally tough, it shaped him into an dedicated officer. He was loved by one and all in the Battalion. Military physical discipline was distinctly visible in all his actions. He was a go-getter who always led from the front. Any task assigned to him was like a mission for him and formed part of his goal. His relation with his seniors as also juniors was cordial. He believed in human values and maintaining good human relations. He knew that war is not only a battlefield but also a testing ground of human relationship. As part of 'C' Company 18 GARH RIF he was given the task to capture Point 4700 in the Drass Sector during Kargil war. The terrain was rocky, hazardous, stiff climb, the heights around this feature ranging between 12,000 to 16,000 ft. with adverse weather conditions. The going was tough and time consuming. He led his boys from the front and undeterred by stiff enemy resistance his boys captured Point 4700 on 1st July 1999. He and his boys held on to this position for 72 hours in spite of repeated enemy counter attacks. In the process he made the supreme sacrifice at Point 4700 on 3rd July 1999 in the highest traditions of the Indian Army. He displayed an indomitable spirit, camaraderie and extraordinary courage. It was a remarkable feat of valour and he was awarded VIR CHAKRA posthumously. A careful study of the above action by Late Captain Sumeet Roy will reveal that he possessed all aspects of military physical discipline.

Similarly, the actions of 18 GARH RIF in Kargil War is a reflection of military discipline on a group of people in moulding them into a well-knit effective force. This Battalion carried out dare devil operations and captured areas known as 'Do pathar' and 'Teen pathar' and secured the Eastern and Northern flanks of formidable Pt.5140. They pressed on the operations regardless of hostilities and captured Pt.4700; and other features commonly known in the military parlance as Saddle, Tommy, Rockey, Sangar and Junction Point. The capture of these in succession was a rare display of raw courage, grit, determination and perseverance in the face of stiff enemy resistance. Actually it is a curious mixture of military discipline in all its departments and other related factors that went into all these brave missions. 18 GARH RIF lost quite a few precious lives in this operation and they were valiant in death. It was an outstanding feat by any standard and the Battalion was awarded seven Vir Chakras, one Bar to Sena Medal and seven Sena Medals. Incidentally, 18 GARH RIF has earned the distinction of being one of the five Battalions of the Indian Army in operation Vijay to have been conferred the COAS Unit Citation.

Taking a cue from these, inculcating a sense of discipline and national pride amongst our youth and the students community in particular is the need of the hour. Every one of us should seriously carry out his/her own soul searching exercises. We ourselves have got to be disciplined first. It is never too late, the earlier we realise its importance, the better it is. We must therefore act fast to inculcate discipline in every sphere of our lives and endeavour to build a nation of disciplined citizens.

We must remember that the defense personnel lead a strenuous life whether in war or peace, away from the comforts of their homes. It is this culture of discipline governing their life that enables them to give their best in extremely adverse conditions. Again, it is this life-style of discipline which makes even ex-servicemen conduct themselves as enlightened citizens serving their fellowmen and lending helping hands in natural calamities.