SECOND LIEUTENANT (2Lt)

2/Lt in army was a unique creature. Fresh from academy, in his early twenties, he thought no end of himself in terms of military knowledge and wisdom of the world. It is a different matter that he was not consulted and neither his advice or suggestions sought by any one in the battalion from a JCO to the Commanding Officer on any issue military or non military and that hurt his ego in a big way. And if 2/Lt was appointment holder in the academy the hurt was more. The only way to assuage the ego was when he passed by the troops and was saluted by the rank and file. That is the only time he had realization that he continued to remain an officer and 'all is well' a la three idiots. 

There is another problem with rifle regiments. The metal badges of rank are black and invisible from a distance.The epaulettes are also black and rank invisible. So it becomes insulting when other ranks from distance can not see the rank and don't salute. There are rare blue blooded officers who look officers from their very faces from any distance and are always saluted in or out of the uniform. Most are not and can pass for a sepoy if not in uniform. One has to wait for gruelling two years in field and three years in peace station to become acting Capt.

 It is only when a 2/Lt becomes Capt that he feels like an officer with  weight of three stars on each shoulder visible from hundreds of yards. By that rime little bit of military knowledge too finds its way into his head. He is then, on adorning three stars on each shoulder, also becomes part of decision making process and is consulted by Sr JCO of his company about weekly menu of the company cook house and may even become food member in officer's mess to be consulted by mess havildar on menu. He may also attend few tactical discussions at brigade level with a proviso that he will not speak a word. By that time he may also get one or two more 2/ Lts in the unit to boss around and give them his pearls of wisdom to 'know all and already wise'  2/ Lts. Those not from army please know that all ranks in army including General Officers are very careful of 2/ Lt because he is considered dangerous. 

He can make any mistake unheard of and unseen until then and still commits no offence as he is not supposed to know anything. So he is to be handled with care like a baby. In fact, he is considered baby of the battalion and loved by all. it is better to avoid him if possible and humour him if necessary but never involve him in matters of importance nacuse he is not accountable.  I felt enormously sad when army did away with 2/Lt rank. The solo star on shoulder for two years was a beacon of light for dashing young officer who had countless stars twinkling in his eyes the whole time. There is no one comparable to him in any stream.

ब्रिगेडियर_नरेन्द्र_ढंड

BRIG NK DHAND
Founder & Convener
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