The National Identity XXXIII: The Next Chief of Army Staff

Three years on from doing away with the seniority principle, where does the Army stand?

The Biennial Infantry Commanders’ Conference, 27 November 2019. Is our next Army Chief present here? And the next, and the next? But of course he, and he, and he, will be from the infantry? (Image: ADGPI)

Nearly three years ago I wrote The National Identity XII: The Games Generals Play, in the aftermath of General Bipin Rawat’s appointment as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) — the first time in a generation seniority was given the short shrift and the third ‘in line’ was appointed Chief. It is now time for his successor to be appointed.

I have always maintained that the best person for the job must be appointed— irrespective of seniority and regimental affiliations. National security is the responsibility of the government, we the people, help choose. It is not only their prerogative, but their duty, to install the Chiefs of all services. The Chief or Operational Commanders should never emerge from a game of matching date of births to vacancies.

In April 2016 the promotion board for Major Generals of the 1981 batch was held and I made a bold prediction. Well, only till you see the logic. Then it enters the “anyone could have said that territory”. There were 14 two star generals who were approved to pick up their third star. 13 were from the infantry — 5 being from Gorkha Rifles, the same(ish) regiment as the past two Army Chiefs and only 1 was from the…