Reasons for Joining Part-Time Military: A Historical Prospective

" They had joined because they liked riding and racing. Military activities were limited to an evening parade once a week - and often drinks at the bar constituted this parade. These civilians were asked to volunteer for a task no-one else could undertake - at their own risk and expense. If they failed, then the whole episode could be written off as a regrettable drunken prank that misfired."  

James Leaser while explaining about Operation Creek  undertaken by the part-time units of Indian army during World war II. This operation went on to become one of the finest operations of war in the entire eastern theater which completely changed the battle outcome for allied forces.

Prior to independence, many of the members of part-time military units believed that military activities should take second place to social and sporting interests. Everyone was expected to attend fortnight's annual summer camp, and a certain number of evening parades throughout the year. These were loosely defined. An evening in the clubhouse bar could often be dignified in the Regimental ledger as parade.

Young British civilians arriving in India joined for several reasons. One of them was to have a cheap entry into clubhouses and more importantly to get introduced to far more congenial people of their age and outlook than they could usually hope to meet in as many years back home. A reason for this the Victorian system of calling to leave cards which was more in fashion among Europeans living in India than in England. A new entry into India would have visiting cards engraved with his name and address and his company. This to be used as an introduction for interacting within the social circuit and also for possible marriage alliances.

Another inducement was the offer of subsidized riding. Take for example the case of Calcutta where riders would race across the countryside in the early morning. Gymkhanas where riders rode race horses which appeared solemnly in the regimental records as "Charger, Military, Trooper for the use of". Many races were run at Tollygunge, a private course, near the golf course of the Tollygunge Club. This club was so exclusive that at one time it had a waiting list of more than five years for membership. Also to encourage good riders for army enrollment before the war was not fully mechanized - the Government of India allowed each Light Horse member 32 Rupees a month towards the upkeep of his horse. This money provided for the animal's fodder and to some extend towards paying the wages of its groom.

Perhaps the greatest attractions of the part-time military were friendship and fun. The Auxiliary Force (India) units were totally democratic. There was no direct Officer entry, in fact everyone joined as a Trooper and all promotions were from this rank only, by popular vote. An extremely rich merchant might remain a Trooper for years, while a more enthusiastic but less successful accountant could be promoted Sergeant or even Officer within a matter of months.

(Published by the team of TERRITORIALS)

Territorial Army: Disaster Management Units (Departmental)

India is one of the most disaster prone countries in the world. Its unique geo-physical characteristics make it more vulnerable to various disasters. It is worth mentioning that almost 65 per cent of the land in India is estimated to be Earthquake prone and vulnerable. Similarly above 70 per cent of land under cultivation is estimated to be drought prone, 12 per cent to floods and eight per cent to Cyclone. Our government, aid agencies and other non-government and voluntary organizations spend lot of resources, time, energy and money which may amount to huge or colossal amounts.

Disasters which fall in the area of manmade disasters are on the increase in a big way like accidents, violence, epidemics, pollution and explosions. They require priority attention. Deaths, injury and other problems are more serious as the situation of India is complicated and the country lacks an effective administrative apparatus to handle disasters. Disaster responses are required right from the time a warning commences. Immediate action at all levels as planned earlier should be taken after the disaster has taken place.

Essential services to function in national emergencies cannot be ruled out. Civilian employees may absent themselves, either due to strike or perhaps due to fear of any subversive action. Maintenance of these essential services therefore, is of paramount importance, if at all we want our national objectives to be fulfilled.

The civilian disaster management system in India appears to be unprofessional and completely dependent on the armed forces which was evidently visible in all recent disasters. In fact, it wont be incorrect to say that our disaster management machinery in fully dependent on armed forces which in a way burdens the forces and diverts their attention from the prime role of defending India against external aggression. However, a middle way can be achieved by raising departmental part-time units on the concept of territorial army. A pool of specialists disaster management units comprising our government machinery should be raised in this regard.

An Archaeological Task Force should also be raised out of the existing infrastructure and the expertise of the Archeological Survey of India. It should be tasked to preserve and maintain the selected monuments assigned by the Government of India. The force will have great relevance in our country as many of our important monuments with great heritage value are in ruins. Most of them have a military history behind. These historic structures are spread out all over the country and some even in inhospitable terrain. At places, few of these are still occupied by the army like the Allahabad Fort (built by the great Akbar; an Ashoka Pillar dating back to the Maurya Dynasty also stands within its walls as a testimony to India’s greatest historical turnarounds) and the Chingas Fort (Where Mughal Emperor Jahangir died while returning from Kashmir with his beautiful wife Noor Jahan) at Rajouri. Some other great monuments like those of the war memorials and cemeteries are located in close proximity with and within the military cantonments. Therefore, there are many reasons for the army to step in.

Raising of these departmental units out of the existing government machinery would be aptly cost effective and would not put much of a burden on the exchequer. The specialist manpower including both men and women can be drawn from the concerned organizations, whereas, the nucleus for command and control from the territorial army. The National Disaster Management Authority can also become partner in this endeavor of territorial army.


(Published by the team of TERRITORIALS)

Rules of FIRST BENGAL VOLUNTEER RIFLES (VOLUNTEER FORCE OF INDIA)

Immediately after the famous mutiny of 1857 part-time forces in India were completely reorganized and renamed as the Volunteer Force of India. Apart from the existing units, many more new units were raised. The objective of the new force was primarily to give strength to the British and European society living in India and also reinforce the regular forces.

Decisions regarding these new units were taken at the military department meetings on various occasions. An insight into the proceedings of military department will reflect how part-time forces operated and how they were so relevant to the overall schemes of Indian armed forces.

Following are the excerpts from the Proceedings of  March 1862, Military Department, Government of India regarding the Rules of First Bengal Volunteer Rifles (Volunteer Force of India):-

1. The Corps be called the Ist Bengal Volunteer Rifles, and consist of the main body a Howrah, with Sections at any Stations situated on the Railway below Rajmehal and Raneegunge that may wish to join.
2. A Captain, Lieutenant, and the Ensign to be appointed for every Company of fifty men, with one Serjeant and one Corporal for each Section of twenty men. The Commanding Officers to be selected by their Companies, the Non-Commissioned by their Captains.
3. A general parade of the entire strength of the Corps to take place every three months at one of the stations furnishing I Volunteers - due notice be given to each Member thereof.
4. Admission and expulsion of Members to be managed by a Committee of all the Commissioned Officers, to any of whom, subject to the future approval of the Committee, an application for enrolment may be made.
5. No Member to retire without giving one month's previous notice, except in special cases of sickness and change of residence, nor until he has made over his Arms, &c., to his immediate superior Officer.
6. All Members to attend parade at least twice a week.
7. Absence from parade and other breaches of discipline to be punishable by fine determined by Court composed of the Non-Commissioned Officers, presided over by a Commissioned Officer.
8. The Proceedings of this Court to be laid before the Commanding Officer for his award.
9. No Member of the Corps to appear on parade except in uniform.
10. Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates, when on parade or duty, to salute their Officers.
11. Each individual Member to be responsible for the good state and thorough repair of the Arms, &c., committed to his charge.
12. Members leaving the Corps, or the neighbourhood of any Section of the Corps, to make over their arms, &c., to their immediate superior Officer.
13. The senior Officer at any station to be responsible to the Commandant for observance of these rules.
14. For ordinary expenses each Member to pay a monthly subscription of one Rupee, which may be raised, subject to the expressed approval of the majority of the Corps.
15. Copy of the foregoing rules to be forwarded to each Member.

Note: Copyright material; with permission from the National Archives of India, Government of India.

(Published by the team of TERRITORIALS)

Value of Part-Time Forces

Ever since the inception of volunteer system all over the world, there is a feeling that the part-time forces have been commonly misunderstood and many a times badly ignored. Their overall structures have always been controlled by the regular armies and the situation has always been anomalous.

This situation can be solved by giving the part-time forces full control of their internal command and control systems and also providing them with full autonomy. This not only would lead to the betterment of the morale of the amateur soldiers but on a larger prospective would also improve their efficiency. By giving full autonomy to the part-time forces, the regular armies to a great extent would also be in a position to reduce the acute shortage of officers who otherwise are required for manning the part-time forces. These officers so relieved could focus on their prime role of defending  nations against foreign aggression. The classic example of this is the British Armed forces, where part-time officers also command regular formations and where competence and the ability to do a job is the sole criteria for any appointment instead of petty service concerns. There is no doubt this cannot be practiced in India.    

The famous United States General Douglas MacArthur, in his article titled, ‘The Citizen Soldier and His Role in Our National Military Policy’ in the American Legion Magazine, January 1952 had stated that:

“In all our wars, from the Revolutions to Korea, the citizen soldier has met the full shock of battle, has contributed all but a fraction of the dead and maimed and has accepted the responsibility for victory.

Yet despite all this, he has never received either from our political or military leadership full credit for his role in safeguarding the security of the nation, nor the support in peace which would better prepare him to carry his responsibilities in war.

The tendency has existed, as it still now exists to regard him as an auxiliary rather than the main pillar supporting our national military strength.  Only in rare instances have his views been sought or considered in the shaping of high policy governing the conduct of war or plans to secure the peace. Indeed, only in most exceptional cases he has been called to share the authority of higher command or staff administration……

……..A military state…….historically under the control of professional military thinking……….has found in freedom possibly its greatest single impediment…… To avoid this historic pitfall, it is essential that civilian control over the citizen army be extended and intensified. Particularly is this true in the administration of the program of Universal Military Training, if the youth of our land is to avoid being corrupted into a legion of subservience to the so called military mind.

This calls for a reassessment of the role of the citizen soldier now to become the major element of our military establishment during peace as well during war. It calls for a realistic appreciation of the potential in professional competence which the citizen soldier can bring to the fulfillment of our military policy and aims. It calls for the elimination of arbitrary restrictions upon the advance of the citizen soldier in the ranks of military leadership, for which he may be trained or is already reasonably qualified. It calls for a much broadened opportunity for the professional preparation of the citizen soldier to permit his integration into the higher staff duties and planning designed to avert war if possible, to prosecute it to early victory if not.

This requires a basic change in attitudes. It requires recognition of the fact long understood but covertly denied that our Army, as befits a republic, is a citizen army. It requires that leadership from the top down be selected upon merit, carefully avoiding arbitrary class discrimination. It requires that the citizen soldier, if otherwise professionally qualified, have the opportunity to voice his views in the formulation of military and related political policy – recognition that none have any monopoly upon the attributes to military leadership. It requires that we carefully avoid yielding to professional ambition at the expense of the primacy of the national interest

Unless these principles are recognized and adhered to, we shall find that our citizen army lacks the spirit essential to the building of invincible force – that its officers lack the incentive to advance their professional competence – that the people lack faith in the integrity of their military arm.” 

(Published by the team of Territorials)

Part-Time Soldiers During World War I

The performance of Australian non professional officers and generals during  World War I was given high praise by David Lloyd George in his War Memoirs (London 1933-36).  He stated:

“Ought we to have interfered in the realm of strategy? This is one of the most perplexing anxieties of the Government of a nation at war. Civilians have had no instruction, training or experience in the principle of war, and to that extent are complete amateurs in the methods of waging war. It is idle, however, to pretend that intelligent men whose minds are concentrated for years on one task learn nothing about it by daily contact with its difficulties and way to overcome them………But strategy is not entirely a military problem. There is in it a considerable element of high politics….. Generally speaking, the argument of the high commands in the war for their claim to be the sole judges of military policy was put far too high by them and their partisans. War is not an exact science like chemistry or mathematics where it would be presumption on the part of anyone ignorant of its first rudiments to express an opinion contrary to those who had thoroughly mastered its principles. War is an art, proficiency in which depends more on experience than on study, and more on natural aptitude and judgment than on either……”

(Published by the team of TERRITORIALS)

INDIAN ARMY OF BRITISH RAJ

Indian army was primarily used as a tool of Imperialistic aspirations by the United Kingdom until 1947 and even up to 1950 after independence. At no point of time it was separated from political interferences. All actions were directed  towards the Crown's own interest and record suggests that the Indian army units were also tasked to spy on their respective areas of responsibilities. A monthly or quarterly Intelligence Report used to be submitted by the units giving the complete picture of the area in terms of military, political, economical, social, religious, cultural, etc. activities. All these reports were classified as SECRET and were to submitted to the army headquarters. The army headquarters in tern used to analyse these reports and forward them to the Viceroy's office; they were to be finally used as a reference point in formulating future British policies in India.

I was quite fortunate to see some of the reports while researching for my book at the archives and became more curious as some of them originated from the Auxiliary Force (India) units; India's part-time military organization during the British Raj.

I am reproducing one such report which was originated by the Allahabad Contingent, Auxiliary Force (India). 

SECRET

No. 36 / 109

Headquarters Allahabad Contingent A.F.(I).

10 Hastings Road, Allahabad 10th July 1942.

To,

Chief General Staff

Army Headquarters.

Subject: Intelligence Report

Military.  There has been a certain amount of comment about the failure to find any role for the A.F.(I). to play in Civil Defence. The powers given to District Magistrates under the Defence of India Rules have certainly made the task of A.F.(I). commanders more difficult. Mechanised units find themselves threatened by District Magistrate's power of commandeering the cars of members - or by the refusal of all petrol - thus immobilising them. There seems no plan for the use of the A.F.(I). during internal disturbances which are likely if Mr. Gandhi launches another campaign - and there appears to be every chance of disorganisation if the Civil authorities are allowed to interfere with the A.F.(I). by commandeering cars - refusing petrol supplies for training purposes and claiming A.F.(I). members as A.R.P. Wardens etc. There is very strong held feeling in A.F.(I). circles that they are not wanted and not taken seriously and there is a definite feeling of frustration. Most A.F.(I). members cannot understand why all Europeans and Anglo Indians are not compelled to belong to the A.F.(I). It is not too late yet to do this and train these very useful recruits. The example of the 'Khaki Risala' of the Mutiny in restoring order in the districts should not be forgotten and value of mechanised light motor patrols should not be lost sight of. It is more than likely there will be a need for them in view of the spirit of Congress or part of Congress to pull down the roof on top of us all and in view of the loss of prestige which our defeats in Malay, Burma and now Libya have undoubtedly caused. The attack on the Shimla Kalka mail motor was a portent. We should certainly reorganise our A.F.(I). and make service in it compulsory. The  numbers in this unit are now reduced to 38 in the U.P. Horse and 18 in the Allahabad Rifles. Larger numbers have left to join regular units or have been embodied to serve as telephone orderlies in brigade and area offices. It is question whether it is any longer worthwhile keeping up so small unit and especially after the issue of Defence Department letter no. 6700-A/D6 of June 2. It is little use training men to take their place in a unit if when wanted they are not available. Unless all fit European and Anglo Indians are compelled to join the A.F.(I).- It would be wiser to disband them - before they disband themselves by the natural process of enlistment in other units or forces. There is always a disposition for A.R.P. services to be regarded as superior and more important. Civil officers do not consider the A.F.(I). of any value and do not take it into consideration. The Director General, Civil Defence of the Province told me the other day that the A.F.(I). was no use and A.R.P. was much more important; yet it could be made into a most useful force if all were made to belong as they should be.

Political.  The statement of Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru published on the expansion of the Viceroys Council has been attributed by a well informed Muslim to a worsening of relations between the so called 'Moderates' and Government. He had noticed this in Cawnpore among the commercial element who seemed to be more inclined to carp. Part of this attitude is due to the defeat in Libya as these commercial circles are very sensitive to suggestions that they may be backing the wrong horse. On the other hand the statement is believed by some to be coloured by the views of his son Mr. P.N. Sapru M.L.C. , a somewhat cantankerous and disgruntled critic of everything British. He himself has no following and is disappointed. There is a feeling in educational circles that something should be done to harness the enthusiasm of youth which at present has little outlet. A scheme to improve physical training in schools has been greatly extended by the setting up of up to date gymnasia in high schools and the training of masters to teach agility exercise. This is having a good effect but more is wanted. A scheme on the lines of the A.T.S. in England would have a great influence - and undoubtedly if the organisation could be got up a cadet corps in the larger institutions would help a lot to canalise activities which undirected tend to undesirable ends.

Much speculation exist as to Mr. Gandhi's next move. On the whole it does not seem that the Congress organisation in the United Provinces is as strong as it was and doubts are expressed as to whether many would follow him in an aggressive policy - but local discontents would certainly be exploited. There is still a fairly general feeling that the Japanese would not be so bad as masters. This needs to be remembered. Indian evacuees from Burma are stated to be of a distinctly defeatist frame of mind and their influence has not been good.

Signed

Lt. Col.

Commanding The Allahabad Contingent A.F.(I).

Copy to :- Headquarters Allahabad Area.

Copyright Material: Reproduced with permission from the National Archives of India, Government of India, New Delhi

(Published by the team of TERRITORIALS)

The Greatest Ever Soldier of Modern Indian Army Was an Amateur One

Robert Clive can truly be hailed as the greatest ever soldier of the modern Indian army which primarily inherits the legacy of the British. First raised as a part-time military outfit called the Companie of Trained Band in 1645 at Fort St George, Madras, the modern Indian army has evolved  to a complete full-time status. But, this journey can never told without a glorified mention of Robert Clive who initially volunteered himself as a part-time soldier to release his martial dispositions but gradually went on to become the prime architect of the British Raj in India.

Battle of Arcot and the famous Battle of Plassey are the prominent feats where the amateurish approach of Clive in pure military terms can no doubt be hailed as the military genius. It was only on this day on 9 June 1752 that the professional army of French East Indian Company surrendered to the amateur army of British East India Company led by Clive. To get a full account of the battle, please refer this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Arcot

Profile of Robert Clive

Major General Robert Clive (29 September 1725 - 22 November 1774), 1^st Baron Clive, K.B also known as the Clive of Plassey began his career as a Writer in the East India Company in 1744. The period was of great turbulences for British dominance over India as the French, the Dutch, the Portuguese and the native Princely states were all fighting for it. He volunteered himself as a part-time soldier to release his martial dispositions at Fort St George, Madras and was greatly responsible for the defeat of French and later Siraj-ud-Daula, the young Nawab of Bengal at the battle of Plassey on 23 June 1757. This battle in fact, laid the foundations of complete British rule over India. He also assisted Captain Stringer Lawrence (a superannuated British army officer hired by the East India Company who is also called as the father of modern Indian army) in raising India’s Regular Army before becoming the Governor General at Calcutta. In the year 1759, he raised a battalion of European volunteers to keep the Dutch at bay in Calcutta which was later called as the Calcutta Light Horse.

(Published by the team of TERRITORIALS)

US NATIONAL GUARD TRAINING PROVIDES SOLDIERS WITH THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO SURVIVE

US National Guards is a part-time military component of the US armed forces which along with the US Reserves accounts up to 58 percent of the overall military strength. This article is interesting in a sense that how much emphasis is given to part-time concept in the United States and how effectively they are trained to have been deployed all over the world for international commitments.
"This man is playing the part of an Iraqi sniper, pretending to shoot at National Guard troops who are learning how to protect themselves while on a convoy. As they travel down a road at Camp Shelby in Mississippi, canisters burst with smoke representing mock roadside bombs. For many of these soldiers, it's all new. Lieutenant Anderson, a National Guard platoon leader from Wisconsin says, 'Once the booms start happening, and bullets start flying, the confusion sets in. So this is one of those things that needs to be constantly rehearsed. Army Captain Kevin O'Connell, who trained police in Iraq, knows the danger of roadside bombs first-hand. He's showing these troops how to avoid the bombs, also known as improvised explosive devices or IEDs. 'Now if you stopped anywhere, and you didn't plan on stopping there, something made you stop, whether it's an IED, a truck in the road, anything. That's because that's where the bad guys want you to stop.'
Remote triggering devices such as cell phones and radios are being used to detonate IEDs. In Iraq, they can explode several bombs almost simultaneously. National Guardsman Wayne Winstead says the telltale wires connected to the roadside bombs are well hidden, in garbage, straw, or even animal carcasses. 'Things that are not obvious anymore are the wires hanging off the road, or antennas and things like that.'
Most of the men and women in the National Guard are part-time, and range in age from 17 to 60. They hold a variety of jobs or are students. The National Guard provides help with natural disasters and other emergencies in the U.S., but also serves as a military backup during war.
Currently, the National Guard and other military reserve units make up about 40 percent of the forces in Iraq. At Camp Shelby, National Guard soldiers spend up to six months learning the skills they need to survive.
Army Major Art Sharpe is a public affairs officer at the 70-kilometer square camp. He says of the training, 'We try to create as close as possible, to replicate, the conditions they're likely to face as they go down range.
This also includes searching for insurgents in Iraqi villages, and protecting themselves from snipers hidden in fields. The soldiers also learn how to maintain checkpoints, and handle hostile villagers, which in one training exercise ends with smoke, representing tear gas, which is used to disperse the crowd.
Major Sharpe, who is 47 and a judge in civilian life, spent six months in Iraq, training people for the new Iraqi army. He says this training is meant to make soldiers think before they act. 'For example, there were times when I could have shot someone myself in Iraq. And if I had been a nervous 18-year-old, I probably would have shot the individual. As it were, I paused, I waited, I gave the guy the benefit of the doubt. I analyzed the situation as it developed and I chose not to shoot the person. And it turned out to be the right decision.'
Twenty-year-old Guardsman William Johnson, a jazz musician, is being deployed to Iraq in the next few weeks and thinks the training will help him, 'We learned a lot today. This is very valuable training that we need to do, and I'm glad we made a lot of mistakes.'

Like other soldiers, he says he'd rather make them now, than in life-and-death situations in Iraq."

Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/a-13-2005-08-10-voa30-67539412.html

(Published by the team of TERRITORIALS)

PART-TIME FORCES AFTER 1857

India's part-time forces were completely reorganized after the Great Indian Mutiny of 1857. This was primarily with an objective of avoiding any future conflict of similar nature with a better response mechanism. The idea was two fold; to train and arm all British civilians in the art of soldiering so that they are able to respond to any contingency and also to provide standing reserves to reinforce the regular forces.

The British Crown now in power, was ruthlessly expanding its area of influence in the Indian subcontinent and wanted a strong professional military force rather than an amateurish one. But also, it was equally concerned on the cost factor and the strength of British civil society which could only be ensured with the concept of part-time soldiering. A new force therefore, was reconstituted from amongst the existing part-time units and renamed as the Volunteer Force of India (VFI).  This eventually was headed by an Inspector General at the army headquarters. Madras Volunteer Guards was the senior most unit  being raised on the 2nd July 1857 and perhaps was kept together till 1862 with a success hitherto attained by no other Volunteer Corps or Company in India. It was stationed at the garrison of Fort Saint George, Madras. On the 18th July 1857, Act XXIII of 1857 was passed to provide for the good order and discipline of certain Volunteer Corps.

A similar force was already existing in other British colonies which perhaps were constituted with a prime objective of giving strength to the empire. Matching well on the battlefield, the VFI also performed splendidly in various quarters of war both in India and abroad and the testimony can be found in various British notifications. On such account of gallantry was performed by the part-time soldiers of Lumsdon’s Horse at South Africa during the famous Anglo-Boer War in 1899. This was also the time when Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (later known as the father of nation) served as Sergeant Major M K Gandhi with one of the part-time units there.

(Published by the team of TERRITORIALS)