Deep selection is an accepted practice in the United States. Gen Colin Powell became Chairman J C S in 1989, at the age of 52. In India, military supersessions have been rare. Lt Gen S K Sinha was overlooked by Mrs Gandhi – always a trail blazer in these things – and lionised all his life thereafter by the BJP. Then came Gen Rawat. Fortunately, the two very competent officers he overtook served till retirement. In the army – there may be a similar convention in the navy and the air force – once an officer is appointed Army Commander, his ACR is no longer written. It is assumed that all the outstanding officers who have reached that level – after intense sieving processes – are fit to be Chief, subject to age, residual service, etc. The senior most officer is invariably promoted. No politicking, no heartburn. If deep selection becomes the norm in India, given our cultural milieu, expect many ambitious Caesars to plan every step of their career. Not necessarily as per the Chetwood creed.
Deep selection is an accepted practice in the United States. Gen Colin Powell became Chairman J C S in 1989, at the age of 52. In India, military supersessions have been rare. Lt Gen S K Sinha was overlooked by Mrs Gandhi – always a trail blazer in these things – and lionised all his life thereafter by the BJP. Then came Gen Rawat. Fortunately, the two very competent officers he overtook served till retirement. In the army – there may be a similar convention in the navy and the air force – once an officer is appointed Army Commander, his ACR is no longer written. It is assumed that all the outstanding officers who have reached that level – after intense sieving processes – are fit to be Chief, subject to age, residual service, etc. The senior most officer is invariably promoted. No politicking, no heartburn. If deep selection becomes the norm in India, given our cultural milieu, expect many ambitious Caesars to plan every step of their career. Not necessarily as per the Chetwood creed.
… Chetwode creed .