{"id":311,"date":"2011-10-17T05:37:54","date_gmt":"2011-10-17T05:37:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/goodnewz.in\/Blog2\/?p=311"},"modified":"2011-10-17T05:37:54","modified_gmt":"2011-10-17T05:37:54","slug":"the-jointmanship-chimera","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rohitagarwal.in\/swordarm\/2011\/10\/17\/the-jointmanship-chimera\/","title":{"rendered":"The Jointmanship Chimera"},"content":{"rendered":"

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According to F. Scott Fitzgerald, novelist and short story writer, “the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” Reports emanating from the recently concluded Joint Commander\u2019s conference shows proof of such first rate intelligence. One report talked about moves for setting up theatre based commands, wherein all the war fighting and sustenance resources would function jointly under a single theatre commander. It is presumed that this refers to not only rehashing the combat and logistics elements of the army, but orchestration of joint services resources. The other report talked about the Defence Minister being irked by the inter service rivalry, particularly on the issue of army aviation.<\/p>\n

Not being of \u2018first rate intelligence\u2019, the contradictions somehow did not gel with me. Appears to me to be attempts to run before we can walk. Theatre based commands are certainly a necessity in certain operational conditions, and are essential for coordinated operations in a modern battlefield. For such organizations to function, inter services cooperation is of essence. The question is, how can such cooperation be made integral to the organizational culture, wherein the decision makers rise above turf issues and focus on what is operationally necessary?<\/p>\n

Jointmanship is a word that one first hears at DSSC (In NDA you actually practice it without even knowing what the hell it is \u2013 but by then you have not really been initiated into your service), and I presume a lot in subsequent courses. But it is practiced more on personal levels for booking accommodations, than on an organizational level. When it comes to the service HQs, the preservation of individual service turf takes precedence over jointmanship – whether it is for the sub-allocation of the defence budget, providing manpower for joint services organizations, or institutional imperatives like the appointment of CDS. Marching to the beats of different drummers, each service is busy in pushing its own agenda.<\/p>\n

Setting up of HQ IDS and Joint Services Commands like the ANC have been milestones in moving towards desired level of inter services cooperation. To make such organizations more meaningful, it is necessary to inculcate a culture of jointness within the services too, as barely a handful of officers get exposed to such joint services organizations. It is also necessary to ensure inter-operability through compatible equipment, communications and procedures. Some suggested measures are:-<\/p>\n