Do you have what it takes to join the Army? So say the advertisements that stare at you from the TV screens, evoking the honour, glory and high social standing a career in the armed forces once had.

The Indian armed forces have long enjoyed the reputation of being one of the finest forces in the world, yet a career in the armed forces has lost its gleam amongst the youth in the country. No wonder the Army is stretching out to attract the bright, educated, and motivated youth of the country. But what does a life in the Army promise?

The three branches of the armed forces -- the Army, the Navy and the Air Force -- work in co-ordination to defend the country against external and internal threats. The armed forces render invaluable services to the country, in times of war and peace, protecting the security of the nation. They also contribute to the building of vital infrastructural facilities like roads and bridges in remote and war-torn areas, provide hope and succour to victims of natural calamities and help restore law and order, while at the same time, ensuring the safety of people in times of internal strife.

The nature of work in the armed forces is diverse, and brings together a wide range of disciplines that include medicine, electronics, law, economics, education, physics, and mathematics.

The Indian Army is the second largest force in the world and is divided into several corps, that are structured according to the duties assigned to each. The corps are further categorised into combat arms and non-combatant areas. The combat or the fighting arms include the infantry, artillery and armoured corps.

The infantry consists mainly of soldiers trained, armed, and equipped to fight on foot and capture territory. The mechanised infantry units are equipped with armoured personnel carriers that can keep pace with tanks during war.

The artillery plays a vital role in bringing down heavy fire on enemy positions with guns having a range of as much as 30 km. The armoured corps consists of tank units that spearhead battle formations, move rapidly and can fire main guns to destroy enemy tanks and fortifications.

The non-combatant areas include many different branches. There is the army service corps that handle the supply of all materials required by the Army; the ordinance corps handle the provisioning of equipment, spares, vehicles, ammunition, clothing, etc.; the army education corps conducts education courses for all troops and teaching staff. Engineers carry out all technical activities, including setting up bridges, building roads, providing water, as well as laying minefields and clearing mines; the signals corps provides communication during war and peace; electrical mechanical engineers are responsible for the maintenance and serviceability of all vehicles and equipment, including guns, radars, helicopters, etc. The intelligence corps provide battlefield intelligence from both domestic and external sources; army medical corps provide medical facilities to all army personnel through various hospitals and field ambulances; the remount veterinary corps is responsible for the breeding of horses, mules, dogs, etc. for the Army as also for handling the veterinary needs of animals; and the judge advocate general's branch consists of advocates and legal experts who are responsible for handling all matters related to law, court-martials, etc.

There are two main routes of entry into the Army. There is the common entrance examination for entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA) for those who have cleared the plus 2 with science subjects, and the direct entry route for the short service commission and technical and professional branches for those with a bachelor's degree.

The NDA examination is held twice a year in April and September, for a three-year training programme that commences in January and July. Young, unmarried males between 15-18 years of age with a pass in +2 with science can apply and sit for the exam. Those who qualify the written examination are called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview.

The SSB test includes a personal interview, outdoor physical tests, psychological assessment and group tests. The tests' procedures are spread over 3-4 days and are structured to select candidates who have the potential of becoming officers in the armed forces.

Candidates selected by the SSB undergo a medical examination and those declared fit are admitted to the Academy. At the time of filling in the application form, candidates must indicate the sequence of their preferences for the Army, Air Force and Navy. However, the allocation of the services will depend on the merit list.

There is also a combined services examination for recruitment after graduation. Those qualifying this examination, held twice every year in May and October, will gain admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, for an orientation training programme.

Minimum eligibility for admission to the IMA is a graduation in any subject. Those who qualify this examination are required to appear for the SSB interview.

Those with technical qualifications at the graduate level are recruited directly after selection by the SSB.

Although women have been traditionally recruited in the armed forces in the medical and nursing corps, today the Army offers several other openings for women. There are a greater number of women in non-combatant areas in the Army, such as the army service corps, ordinance corps, education corps, signals, electrical mechanical engineers, the judge advocate general's branch and the army intelligence corps. Women are selected after graduation and through the SSB and medical tests.

Those selected for the services through the NDA/Naval Academy examination are given a common preliminary training for two and a half years, after which specialised training is imparted to them. The training programme at the NDA also qualifies them for a BA or B Sc.

After this, the army cadets go to the IMA for a strenuous military training for one year, at the end of which they are granted a permanent commission of the rank of second lieutenant in the Indian Army.

An officer in the Army would need to have a strong constitution, good physical and mental health, and a willingness to work hard and spend long periods away from home, family and friends. A sense of idealism, emotional stability, and personal integrity are other virtues expected of a candidate joining the Army, along with the ability to handle power and authority without being swayed by it and willingness to work in a fairly rigid hierarchy.

Those joining the Army would additionally need to have a great sense of patriotism, dedication and commitment, the will to fight and face hardships, integrity, loyalty and a willingness to obey orders.

An officer of the Indian Army enjoys a privileged life in well-maintained residential complexes with facilities for sports and entertainment. There are also schools run by the Army for the education of children of defence personnel, and access to free rations, subsidised canteen facilities, travel subsidies and other allowances that make life comfortable and secure for those who opt for this career.

With the upward revision of the salaries of army officers after the Fifth Pay Commission recommendations, the Army can be an extremely rewarding career for those with the necessary drive and sense of adventure.Now do you have it in you to join the Army?

The writer is the author of Penguin India Career Guide Vol I&II, and producer-director of a TV programme on careers entitled Hum Honge Kamyaab.She is also a newsreader on Doordarshan.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.