Senior officer lists shortcomings of girls Commanding Officers, requires coverage on gender neutrality

 Lt. Gen Rajeev Puri. Picture: X/@easterncomd

Calling for a “complete coverage” on “gender neutrality” in addition to gender-neutral assessments in fact efficiency, a senior Military officer listed out findings from a efficiency overview of girls Commanding Officers (CO) underneath his command within the Jap sector and flagged a number of shortcomings which embody poor interpersonal expertise, over assertion of command, misplaced sense of entitlement, lack of empathy, exaggerated tendency to complain and over ambition to an absence of ambition.

In a letter to the Jap Military Commander Lt. Gen R. C. Tiwari dated October 1, 2024, the identical which has additionally been despatched to the Military’s Navy Secretary (MS) and the Adjutant Basic’s (AG) branches, Lt. Gen Rajeev Puri who commanded the Panagarh-based 17 mountain strike Corps referred to as for the necessity to institute sure long run measures on this regard. He accomplished his tenure in November 2024.

Following a Supreme Court docket judgement, the Military has opened Command positions for girls officers besides in preventing arms – infantry, armoured and mechanised infantry.

There are eight girls COs underneath Lt. Gen Puri’s command, and an in-house overview was carried out primarily based on demonstrated efficiency of those officers, he acknowledged and main points have been recognized – critical issues relating to interpersonal relations, an exaggerated tendency to complain, over exerting command and centralized resolution making, misplaced sense of entitlement, lack of empathy, low tolerance to ambiguity and over or lack of ambition.

Analysing the possible causes for the problems that have been seen as a development, Lt. Gen Puri mentioned girls officers haven’t been skilled to be commanders; preferential job allotment and resultant lack of compassion; need to show oneself in a predominantly male dominant ahead; and perceived gender bias.

Noting that the problems highlighted above and the attributes contributing to those are however a small a part of the entire gender puzzle, the officer additionally listed out some remedial measures. “It will be significant that sure course corrections are carried out to enhance the general high quality of wire in models sooner or later. Just a few different long-term measures can be required to be instituted for impact on a long run,” Lt. Gen Puri wrote.

A complete coverage on gender neutrality be issued by AG’s Department and additional neutrality in posting and choice profiles be carried out by the MS department, he urged.

Coverage on partner coordinated postings be reviewed and case for partner coordinated posting be handled at par with posting on compassionate grounds, he additional urged whereas additionally suggesting gender impartial evaluation in fact efficiency at coaching institutes. “Ladies officers are an empowered lot. Therefore, showcasing/involver girls officers in girls empowerment roles like girls solely bike journey actions must be minimized,” Lt. Gen Puri noticed.

“The final yr plus has given an perception into the fashion of command of Ladies males COs. Informal discussions with officers at numerous echs have additionally offered inputs. a few of that are additionally encouraging. Nevertheless, a lot of inputs have introduced out widespread traits and traits which must be studied, analysed and mentioned for the good thing about future ors in addition to the general curiosity of the org. I’ve taken this chance to spotlight however a couple of of those,” he added.