INDIA. Mumbai: As part of the standardisation of uniforms of the top-ranking Indian Army personnel and bringing in a common approach, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has decided to introduce a common uniform for the Brigadier rank and above officers from August 1.
This decision was taken after deliberations during the recent Army Commanders Conference held in a hybrid format last month. The Army is in the process of standardising the uniform and will come out with more details, according to Defence officials.
The Brigadier and above officers are posted at headquarters and establishments after commanding units/battalions for a fairly long time. Now these officers will not wear the uniform of their parent battalion. The standardised uniform will ensure a common identity while working at headquarters. There will not be any change to the uniform worn by Colonels and below-rank officers, the statement said.
Under the standardised uniform, the headgear, gorget patches, shoulder rank badges, belts and shoes of senior officers of flag rank (Brigadier and above) will be common. They will not wear any lanyards.
The existing different insignias include:
- Field Marshal (National emblem over a crossed sword and baton in a lotus blossom wreath).
- General (Crossed sword and baton with star and national emblem).
- Lieutenant general (Crossed sword and baton with national emblem above).
- Major general (Crossed sword and baton with the star above).
- Brigadier (Three stars in a triangle and National Emblem above).
It is to be seen how the uniforms are standardised under the new plan. A sense of identification among officers and soldiers in the same regiment implies a close tie at the unit or battalion level. In the Indian Army, certain uniforms and accoutrements are specifically associated with their corresponding Arms, Regiments, and Services.
The different regiments have different battle cries
- The Brigades of Guards, Kamptee, Maharashtra [Garud Ka Hun Bol Pyare (I am the son of Garuda, Say O My Friend)].
- Rajputana Rifles [Bol Bajrang Bali Ki Jai ( Say Victory to Lord Hanuman)].
- Sikh Regiment [Jo Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal (He who cries ‘God is the truth’ is ever happy)].
- Maratha Light Infantry [Bola Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jai (Say Victory To King Shivaji)].
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