‘Ego Downside, My or Freeway Method’: Prime Military Commander’s Evaluation Of Girls COs, Pitches For ‘Gender Neutrality’

New Delhi: A prime Indian Military commander expressed his considerations over the conduct of some ladies Commanding Officers (COs) and in addition known as for coverage on “gender neutrality” within the Military. In his assessment, he raised “ego points”, “lack of empathy” and their “my manner or freeway” method of some ladies COs. Earlier this month, Lt Basic Rajeev Puri accomplished his tenure because the commander of the China-specific 17 ‘Brahmastra’ Mountain Strike Corps at Panagarh.

Lt Gen Puri talked about all his considerations relating to ladies COs in his suggestions letter to the Basic Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Japanese Command Lt Gen RC Tiwari. His letter has sparked a debate inside prime navy ranks. Some defence consultants are of the opinion that Lt. Gen. Puri’s considerations might be his personnel views.

Within the letter, dated October 1, he careworn on the necessity of gender neutrality in COs’ postings. “Gender equality and gender neutrality are two related but numerous features of human useful resource administration. Whereas gender equality primarily interprets to offering equal alternative for all genders, gender neutrality lays emphasis on equality in dealing and development regardless of gender,” Lt Gen Puri acknowledged.

Notably, after a Supreme Court docket’s order final 12 months, 108 ladies officers got command roles exterior the medical stream within the Indian Military.

Key Observations In The Letter:

Interpersonal Relations: The highest Military commander mentioned that there was a rise in interpersonal relations within the models commanded by ladies COs. “Over the last one yr, there was a rise within the No of offr administration points in models commanded by Girls offrs. These are indicative of great considerations relating to interpersonal relations. Most circumstances pertains to lack of tact and understanding of private requirement of unit personnel, particularly offrs. The emphasis is extra on battle termination by way of may, somewhat than battle decision by way of mutual respect,” he acknowledged.

An Exaggerated Tendency to Complain: Lt Gen Puri mentioned that girls COs had exhibited an “exaggerated tendency to complain” to senior commanders somewhat than exercising their very own authority. He termed these points “ego issues” of ladies COs. “Alternatively, when enquired, the subordinates have pointed in direction of HR mgt points. These points begin with mundane ego issues and spiral uncontrolled most often. Such mundane circumstances are seldom reported by male counterparts when commanding models. That is indicative of a predisposition to lean on the hierarchy as quickly as an antagonistic sit develops,” he acknowledged.

Misplaced Sense of Entitlement: Lt Gen Puri’s letter talked about an occasion the place a ladies CO “insisted” a Junior commissioned officer to open door of her car on her arrival within the unit, “opposite to orders on the topic”. ” In one other incident, a girl CO particularly directed that a person be despatched to open the gate of her home at 0600 hrs when she would exit for a stroll,” he talked about within the letter.

Lack of Empathy: Lt Gen Puri highlighted that there’s a “lack of empathy” in ladies officers. “The shortage of empathy could also be attributable to a have to overcompensate since they understand that any signal of compassion could also be indicative of a gender trait c being gentle of their dealings,” he acknowledged.

Over Exerting Command and Centralised Determination Making: Girls COs have been discovered to centralise resolution making thereby not adhering to directive fashion of Command. There’s a lack of consultative method in day after day affairs of the models. There appears to be an incapability or lack of concern for efficient communication and institution of belief. The method, as indicated in some circumstances is a ‘my manner or freeway’ type of method.

Low Tolerance to Ambiguity: “On the degree of Coy Cdrs/ Pl cdrs orders are express and have to be adopted in letter and spirit. Nonetheless, as a CO, orders obtained from greater HQ (straight from GOC of a Div or Corps) are extra by way of gen directions whose essence and logic is required to be understood and CO’s discretion is important whereas implementing them. All orders usually are not uniformly relevant to all models in all circumstances. Nonetheless, a gen inclination to ruthlessly implement these directions neglecting the distinctive necessities of personnel of their models, results in an imbalance in exec of orders,” the letter learn.

Not Skilled to be Commanders: Lt Gen Puri acknowledged that girls officers weren’t educated or groomed to be COs.