Tag: defence services

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86: Q & A Series (Part 2): International Exercises

In various interactions questions are asked during the Q & A session. Starting a new series on compiling these valid and interesting questions with comments.

 

RECENT QUERRY  AND MY TAKE ON IT

 

Question. What are various facets related to joint exercises with friendly foreign  countries? What advantages accrue out of these exercises?

 

Comments. IAF conducts regular exercises with friendly foreign  countries. These exercises involve lot of detailed planning and preparation. The preparations start almost six months prior or earlier.

These exercises are bilateral or multilateral, single service or multi service. The trend is changing from bilateral single service exercises earlier to multilateral multi service exercises now.

IAF has carried out exercises with Air Forces of many countries including USA, Russia, UK, France, Australia, South Africa, UAE, Singapore, Oman and Thailand etc.

The level of exercise (i.e. number of aerial assets,  duration of exercise  and type of  air combat missions) depends from country to country. These vary from short duration exercises with few assets on themes like HADR to full fledged combat exercises with large number and variety of platforms carrying out complex LFE (large scale engagement) missions.

The frequency of carrying out exercises also varies from country to country. With some countries it is regular once every two or three years. With others it is less often, once in 3 to 5 years. Generally during transit for bigger exercises, some smaller exercises are carried out during the stop overs en route (Out bound or inbound leg).  These are called hop exercises.

There are many advantages of these exercises. These exercises are part of defence diplomacy and political signaling in the larger scheme of international relations and engagements. At operating level, the participants learn about the best practices from each other and It broadens their horizon and prepares them for their future assignments. Further it improves interoperability between the participating forces. The advantages accrued out of these exercises far outweigh the effort and money spent on them.

 

Please leave your Queries or questions if any

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84: Defence Forces Joint Structures: Priority List

With cooling down of situation with both our western and northern neighbors, the debate about formation of Joint commands (AD, Logistics and Theatres) is again heating up.

My take

  • Should not make changes in a haste. 

 

  • Should not impose the time pressure of completion within specified time.

 

  • Prevailing conditions and circumstances should be considered.

 

  • Any change should be gradual – so that medium can absorb the changes and stay stable.

 

Recommended Priority List  –

 

1. Enhance capability of Andaman and Nicobar Command.

 

2. Create similar joint structure on western sea board.

 

3. Create joint Cyber command.

 

4. Create joint Space command.

 

5. Create joint Special Forces Command.

 

6. Integrate functions like:

a.  Communications and network centricity.

b. Logistics.

c. Training.

d. Maintenance & Repair.

 

7. Consider a joint structure for Surface to Surface Missile Force.

 

8. Consider a joint structure to look into aspects related to:

a. Harnessing of new technology.

b. Electronic warfare.

c. ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance)

d. Communications & Networks.

 

9. Last comes theatre command depending upon availability of resources and favourable situation.

 

Value additions, views and comments are most welcome

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81: MENTAL TOUGHNESS

“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”

– Sir Edmund Hillary

 

Information age has its own peculiarities. On top of it the pandemic has imposed a new kind of working culture and lifestyle. These are affecting people in many ways. The most prominent is the adverse effect on mental health of people. In these times being mentally tough is invaluable.

Mentally tough people shake off life’s adversity with confidence and determination. 

 

Mental toughness is the ability to resist, manage and overcome doubts, worries, concerns and circumstances that prevent one from succeeding, or excelling at a task or towards an objective or a performance outcome that one has set out to achieve.

 

Some Suggestions to Become Mentally Tough

 

Free Entitlement. Do not feel entitled to anything. There are no free lunches. There is no short cut to hard work.

 

Deal with Change. Change is inevitable. Do not try to avoid it, accept it, and learn to adapt to it. Embrace the opportunity and take on the challenge.  

 

Retain Control. Do not complain about situations you can’t control. Be optimistic and deal with it with a positive attitude.

 

Learn from Mistakes. Mistakes are part of life. Learn quickly the first time and do not make the same mistakes again and again. 

“Men’s best successes come after their disappointments.”

– Henry Ward Beecher

 

Calculated Risk. Risky decisions are vastly different than calculated risks. Do not be reckless, but embrace new opportunities after carefully examining their efficacy. This requires critical thinking and confidence. 

 

Think Long Term. Go for long term commitments rather than short term solutions or immediate gratification. They are no short cuts for extraordinary results.

 

Let go. Do not live in the past or wish for things to be different. Let go of past mistakes and focus on work at hand and creating a promising future. Let go of bitterness and learn to forgive. 

 

Learn to Say No. One can’t please everyone. Learn to say no and speak up when necessary. Be respectful but set firm boundaries.

 

Blame Game. Do not blame society, others or boss for personal failures. Take full responsibility for personal decisions / choices made. Learn, amend and move on.

“Strong minds suffer without complaining; weak minds complain without suffering.”

– Lettie Cowman

 

Self-pity. Do not waste time on self-pity feeling sorry for yourself. Accept that life isn’t always fair and concentrate on personal improvement.

 

LAST TWO ARE MOST IMPORTANT

 

Me Time. Understand the difference between loneliness and being alone. Spend some time alone to recalibrate.

“You cannot be lonely if you like the person you’re alone with.”

– Wayne Dyer

 

Celebrate Other’s Success. Do not resent someone else’s success. Do not make comparisons and feel jealous about someone else’s accomplishments.  Instead celebrate other people’s success and strive to become better every day.

 

Value additions are always welcome.

Please share what you have learnt in life.

 It may benefit someone else.

References:

  1. https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/7-habits-of-people-with-remarkable-mental-toughness.html
  2. https://jamesclear.com/mental-toughness
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_toughness
  4. https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/how-to-develop-mental-toughness.html
  5. 62 Years of Life Experience
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