Jammu: In a major policy decision to promote and strengthen common identity and approach in service matters amongst senior leadership, Indian Army has asked its officers from the rank of Brigadier and above to don a common uniform from the month of August.
Military sources said that different types of uniform and accessories have specific association to respective arms, regiments and services in the Indian Army for recognition with distinct identity within the arms or regiment for junior leadership
“Different types of uniform and accoutrements have specific association to respective arms and regiments in the Army. This recognition with distinct identity within the Arms or Regiment or Services is essential for junior leadership and the rank and file to further strengthen friendship, esprit de corps and regimental ethos which is the bedrock of soldiering,” sources said.
They said, “In order to promote and strengthen common identity and approach in service matters amongst senior leadership, beyond the boundaries of regimentation, the Indian Army has decided to adopt a common uniform for Brigadier and above rank officers irrespective of the parent cadre and appointment.”
“This will also reinforce the Indian Army’s character to be a fair and equitable organisation,” they said adding, “The decision was taken after detailed deliberations during the recently concluded Army Commanders Conference and extensive consultations with all stake holders.”
At the unit or battalion level, sources said that a distinct sense of identity reflects a strong bond among officers and men in the same regiment.
“The headgear, shoulder rank badges, gorget patches, belt and shoes of senior officers of flag rank (Brigadier and above) will now be standardised and common,” they revealed.
“The flag-rank officers will now not wear any lanyard. The changes will be implemented from August 1, 2023,” said sources.
In the Indian Army, Brigadier and above officers are those who have already commanded units, battalions and are mostly posted at headquarters or establishments where officers from all arms and services work and function together, they said.
Sources said that a standard uniform will ensure a common identity for all senior-rank officers, while reflecting the true ethos of the Indian Army, adding, “there is no change to the uniform worn by Colonels and below-rank officers.”
