Besides dignity, defence services offer unparalleled opportunity to command troops and handle hi-tech equipment at a relatively young age.

However, for many at present, an employment in the armed forces is to earn livelihood. Every profession has its own constraints, the difference lies in how you react to them.

“Risk to life” is one of the prominent reasons people give not to join the armed forces. But security to life is in a way more insecure outside the army. Everyday newspaper headlines highlight crime and uncertainty. Safety these days is more in army than civil. Army premises are enclosed and well-guarded, securing you and your family.

And then a soldier is well-trained and equipped to handle military operations. In field also, medical support reaches faster to a soldier than to a roadside accident victim.

The other reason given by today’s youngsters is that there are better career options in civil than defence — it is a myth. Army offers a career which begins after 10+2.

Another feeling is that army people have an isolated family life due to field postings. But then in case of MNC jobs, don’t couples willingly live in different cities for lucrative salary packages? And even if they are in the same house, they seldom have time for each other. Children hardly get see their father: “Sunday wale papa” is a joke in the MNC circle.

A defence personnel is entitled to casual and sick leave, besides sixty days annual leave, which he can devote completely to his family. In private sector, asking for a sixty-day leave means submitting the resignation letter.

Some people feel there is not much scope of employment of well-educated wives of defence personnel. But qualified spouse do get employment at the place of posting of the husband. And for children there are around 900 Kendriya Vidyalayas and many professional institutes like the AFMC, AIT, AIL, and AIM.

Due to exigencies of service defence personnel are posted in field locations and during this period the wife and children live in separate family accommodation in cantonment boards, where the families are attached to local units for logistics and administrative support.

During this time, the families learn to sustain themselves independently — children learn to be self-reliant and ladies involve themselves in various welfare activities.

Working in MNC’s sound pleasant, but “pink slip” remains the nightmare of every employee. After the age of 50, to sustain in the private sector is an Herculean task, and then there is the shadow of recession.

Apart from attractive pay and perks, army offers you unmatched lifestyle. Finest clubs spread thought the country, sports facilities and ample opportunities to indulge in adventure. Army is a profession where you are paid to lead a healthy life in a healthy environment.

Defence is a career where discipline is inculcated and bravery becomes a habit. It polishes your personality and gives you the edge in personnel and professional life. Be an army man, be a winner for life.