In the army where there are female COs, there are more officer management issues, the corps commander gave feedback.

New Delhi: After the instructions of the Supreme Court, for the first time women officers in the Indian Army got the opportunity to command units. But now a senior army officer has written in his/her feedback that where women officers are commanding units, officer management issues are increasing. he/she also suggested to review the policy.

Corps Commander gave feedback

Lieutenant General Rajiv Puri, GOC of the Army’s 17th Corps, in a feedback sent to the Army’s MS (Military Secretary) and AG (Adjutant General) including the Army’s Eastern Army Commander, has said that women officers commanding an Army unit have a It has been more than a year. It is important that their performance is evaluated in a practical manner. In the letter sent by Lieutenant General Puri, it has been said that in the last one year, issues of officer management have increased in the units commanded by women officers, this is a matter of serious concern. he/she wrote that mistrust and prejudice were clearly visible in the female commanding officer (CO).

Female CO is ahead in complaining

It has been said in the letter that complaints were continuously received from the woman CO that her authority was disregarded. There was a greater tendency among women COs to complain about their subordinates to the senior commander instead of using their authority. In many cases, during interrogation, the subordinate of the female CO raised the issue of HR management and these cases started from ego problem. The letter said that where male officers were commanding, such issues were less visible. It is also written in the letter that in the units where there are women COs, there was less consultative approach in the day-to-day work of the units and an attitude of centralized decision making was seen in them. It is written in the letter that at some places the approach of the female CO appeared like ‘My way or Highway’. The spirit of taking everyone along in taking decisions was not seen in the female CO.

misuse of entitlements

It has been said in the letter that the female CO had a tendency to misuse the entitlements given to her. It is written that a woman CO gave instructions that whenever she reached the unit, the Subedar Major should open the door of her car. In another case, the female CO instructed that when she went out for a walk at six in the morning, someone should be sent to open the gate of her house.

Lack of empathy in female CO

It was said in the letter that there was a lack of empathy in the female CO. Because of this, the level of tension in the unit was high. It is written in the letter that at some places the woman CO appeared to be very ambitious, at others there was a complete lack of ambition.

Women officers are not trained to become COs

It has been said in the letter that the women officers were recruited in the army as SP cadre (support cadre) and they were neither groomed nor trained for important roles like CO. his/her postings till now did not give him/her any exposure to prepare for a command role. It is also written in the letter that the role of CO is important and at this level hand holding can neither be taught nor expected. It is written in it that women officers have less understanding of the hardships in the tasks they have been getting earlier.

Perception of gender discrimination

It is written in the letter that there is a perception among women officers that there is gender discrimination against them, hence whenever there is a disagreement, they see it as male supremacy and then give a very sharp reaction. It is also written in it that when even small achievements of women officers are celebrated, undue ambition develops in them. It has been suggested in the letter that the AG branch should make a comprehensive policy of gender neutrality. Also, MS branch should take care of gender neutrality in posting and selection profile. It has been said in the letter that gender equality and gender neutrality are different. It has been suggested in the letter that the Spouse Coordinated Posting Policy (effort of posting of husband and wife at one place) should also be reviewed. It is written in the letter that women officers are empowered, hence showing women empowerment through all-women bike rally or other adventure activities should be minimized.