Military Brats: A Class Apart

I had a rather heated discussion with my roommate (who happens to be from an army background) the other day about who were more successful - someone from an Army background or someone from an Air Force background.

After quiet a bit of discussion, what I realised was - military brats are indeed special. Wikipedia lists some of the well known military brats from India - Preity Zinta, Celina Jaitley, Neha Dhupia, Vinod Dham, Lara Dutta, Sushmita Sen and Gul Panag. The complete list of Indian as well as foreign military brats can be found here.

Some of those who didn't make it to the list were Lt. Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore and Major Dhyan Chand simply because they weren't military brats. They were serving personnel.

What makes them tick?

This makes it all the more convincing. There is every reason to believe those from a Military background are indeed special. So, what is it that makes them tick? That makes them a class apart from the rest. A breed in themselves.

As a starting point, we might take a look back at the list. What do we notice? Most of those on the list are actors/actresses or sports persons. What can that indicate?

1. Military brats are outgoing? (I'll assume that actors/actresses are!)
2. They are disciplined? (How else do you expect them to get to the top in the sporting world?)
3. They had a lot of opportunity. (That I guess is a must - no matter how talented you are)

Those in the military are frequently transferred from place to place. It is at times quiet inconvenient for the family. But on hindsight, it exposes one to such myriad and varied cultures that one is bound to be outgoing. One has to make new friends every time the family relocates. You cannot stick with your 'best friend' forever.

The social fabric of military life is quiet strong. There are frequent get-togethers, bounce ins, potlucks and what not! One gets to interact with people on a regular basis. Talking to people isn't a choice - it is the only option.

I pondered upon the second point for quiet some time. Actually, all military brats aren't disciplined. It is a choice. But, the thing can easily get into you. Looking at people around you leading a really disciplined life can inspire you. Nothing runs in military without discipline. And that thing is bound to get into you if you are connected with the military in some fashion.

And opportunities? Loads of them. One doesn't have to go looking for them. They just keep coming to you. Like I discussed in my posts on A Typical Air Force Station and 5 Reasons to Join Air Force, the opportunities to make it big are aplenty. It is just a matter of grabbing them!

Just Actors?

So what is the military brat authoring Jazzonomics going to be? An actor or a sports person? Chances of either look pretty slim.

Dig a bit deeper and one can find technocrats from military backgrounds. Arun Sarin, a graduate of IIT Kharagpur and CEO of Vodafone group was a military brat. (He though was well known for being good at boxing and hockey!). Vinod Khosla, a graduate of IIT Delhi and a very influential person in the Silicon Valley is a military brat. He was one of the co-founders of Sun Microsystems and became the first CEO and Chairman of Sun Microsystems.

Military brats are a class apart and I have every reason to believe so. What do you think?

IAF: A Typical AF Station

In Thiruvananthapuram, I live outside the AF campus. And somehow, I feel out of place. It isn't the same as before. But the moment I enter the campus, I feel at home.

Why? How? These are difficult questions. As I sat pondering over such questions, I decided to jot down what constitutes a typical AF station - and this is what I came up with.

Block structure

Unlike in the civil, where most people live in either apartments or bungalows, in the AF, houses are built in blocks.

Generally, 4 families are allotted a block. The families on the ground floor get gardens (to maintain!) while the first floor families get terraces.

On the rear, quarters for the domestic helpers is built. So, a single block will have 4 quarters of one kind and 4 of another.

The Institute/Mess

Every AF Station has a mess/institute which is the nerve centre of all social activities. The mess has a TV room, a library, an ante room, a bar, a dining hall and a very well maintained lawn.

All social gatherings of importance such as farewells, welcome parties and unit anniversaries are held in the mess lawn/ante room.

Sports Facilities

The gymnasium, billiards room and the golf course all come under the tutelage of the mess.

Almost every AF station has an indoor badminton court, table tennis tables and a squash court.

Golf courses are present subject to availability of space. Individuals in the armed forces get a rock solid sporting culture imbibed in them.

Other amenities

Every AF station has a well equipped SMC (Station Medicare Centre). The SMC has very well trained doctors and a dispensary for the medicines. 

A Shopping Complex caters to the daily requirements of the AF station.

Most AF stations have a Children's Park and a school inside the campus. The station is, in short, self sufficient.

Security

Security is a major concern of any defence establishment. An AF station is (supposed to be) well protected with the entrance being manned 24x7. 

This gives a sense of security to those residing within the campus and binds them into a very well knit unit.

The structure of most AF stations are more or less similar. There may, however be differences based on the location and the strategic importance of the station. 

AF stations have always given me a sense of belongingness. I presume even you would be very attached to the locality you are living in. What is it like? In what ways is it different from an AF campus? Do let me know.

5 reasons to join the IAF

You might ask why am I writing about the Indian Air Force??

Firstly, I have spent 18 years of my life watching this wonderful organisation function

Secondly, I saw 'Rang de Basanti' & 'Lakshya' yesterday - that too - back to back!! ;)

Thirdly, I guess I owe it a lot!

5. Travel

With frequent postings in the Indian Air Force, one has to travel a little, whether you like it or not. Those having an inclination towards travel & wanting to see different places, I guess the IAF is the best place to be in.

Accomodation is not a problem with an Air Force Station wherever you go.

The Mess offers good quality food at a very cheap rate - & the best part is - the cleanliness.

I guess very few in Kgp have travelled as much as I have - from Kaziranga National Park to Kanyakumari in the far south, travelling to places gives a broader perspective of life. One gets to know the culture of various places - all in all - it is real fun.

4. Fitness

Well!! Firstly, only fit people are taken in the IAF. And then with Gymnasiums & Sports Complexes in all the Stations, one doesn't have to struggle to remain fit. Remaining fit is a way of life in the IAF.

3. Campus Life

Social gatherings for new years, farewells etc. etc. is very common. It is actually one of the best parts of life in IAF. किसी प्रकार का कोई टेंशन नही है - पीस ही पीस है [No tension whatsoever - all peaceful].

Although you are supposed to be ready for anything anytime, the job is generally quiet peaceful with a fixed 0730 to 1400 hrs or so & then PT thrice a week or so. It is much like life in a University Campus with protocols of course.

2. Free Medical Treatment

I don't think anybody knows this better than me. Having been hospitalised twice and getting free medical treatment for my acne + regular eye & dental checkups, I don't think such good & selfless service one can get anywhere else. No issues - nothing. Hats off to the doctors in the Indian Military!!

1. Pride

The glamour of the IAF has faded a bit with globalisation and all. But I guess, with the revised Pay & Promotion structure & global recession, the IAF is back in the reckoning.

In my opinion, this has to be the No. 1 reason!