Hanging up the Olive Greens - The Way Ahead

(1. In a few places in this post my views are candid and blunt. The intension is not to offend anyone or to be rude. The subject requires thorough soul searching, and complex thought & planning before taking a decision this big.

2. There are no standard templates that can be applied to this issue. Thus this is a generic article for officers retiring/leaving or wanting to leave the Armed Forces. For specific or personal advice, please write to me on my mail id given on the blog).

The biggest apprehensions echoing in an officer’s mind who is thinking about or is about to hang-up the OGs are:

1. What next?
   
2. Should I take up a job (for officer’s superannuating)?
   
3. What profile, sector or industry will I fit in?
   
4. What is the pertinence of the qualifications and experience I have gained in the Armed Forces to the private sector?
   
5. Should I upgrade my qualifications?
   
6. Where can I get my resume made?
   
7. I did my engineering ages ago, the world has changed several times over since then.
   
8. Is there anything beyond Administration and Security for me?
   
9. I have done HR all my life, is that where I will fit best?
   

There are three manners in which an officer leaves the Armed Forces:

1. Superannuation: This is after completing his service and retiring at the age prescribed by the government.
   
2. PMR (Pre-mature release): When an officer at any point during his career decides to put in his papers.
   
3. Short Service Commissioned officers leaving after their contractual period of service or at anytime during extension or after having taken permanent commission.
   

Thus the age of an officer retiring from the Army can range from 26-58. There are no simple solutions or standardized answers. The key to success in the private sector will be a function of several factors like age, qualifications, service profile, interests, aptitude, priorities, special considerations, etc.

For an officer falling in category 2 & 3, you need to be very clear about why you want to leave. In my opinion, a simple yardstick applies. An average officer in the Armed Forces will be average in the corporate sector as well. So wishing away your problems or leaving out of frustration is certainly not reason enough. Leaving should under no circumstances be an escape mechanism. There is politics everywhere, good and bad bosses everywhere. You need to analyze in detail the core values/benefits that you are looking for in your life and profession and apply them to the armed forces and to the corporate sector to get a realistic idea of what your next action plan should be.

Some of the biggest reasons for officers wanting to leave are listed below:

1. Salary: The sixth pay commission will address this issue to a large extent. Salaries in the Armed Forces can never be equated with the private sector and should not be since these are completely different worlds. The parity will never emerge.
   
2. Promotion/Growth: Leaving the army is not a solution to lack of personal growth/promotion. There is no guarantee of growth or promotion in the private sector.
   
3. Bad boss: “Individuals leave bosses and not companies” holds true everywhere. In the private sector, you could be in the best company with a bad boss and vice versa.
   
4. Politics: Politics is everywhere and is part and parcel of any organizational culture. It cannot be wished away.
   

Advantages of the Armed Forces:

1. Job Security
   
2. Organizational Support
   
3. Administrative Support
   
4. Lifestyle, Perks and Facilities
   
5. Safe, healthy environs for children to grow up
   
6. No rat race for materialistic wants and desires
   
7. Quality time with family
   

Benefits of the Private Sector:

1. Relatively higher pay scales
   
2. Freedom to choose
   
3. Easier work conditions
   
4. Stability for family and children
   
5. Children's education
   
6. Freedom for spouse to pick up a career of her choice
   

Please be very clear about your abilities and caliber. The private sector is not an easy place to thrive and succeed in. Having said that, if you do plan to move on from the Armed Forces for the right reasons, and have the right attitude, abilities and confidence; then there is no stopping you. You can be as successful as you want to be in almost any profile you decide to take up, in any industry or even if you decide to start your own business/venture.

Additional Qualifications

When you leave or are about to do so, it may be a good idea for you to upgrade your qualifications. This can be done while in service through distance learning programs or after you leave through the Armed Forces Management Development Programs or a regular one/two year MBA. You may even decide to upgrade your qualifications at a later stage after gaining some experience in the corporate sector.

Resume

This is one of the most important documents you will need to make a start in the private sector. Please ensure you invest in making a professional resume (Basic Principles of a Good Resume).

Profile/Industry

This will again be a function of factors like age, qualifications, service profile, interests, aptitude, priorities, special considerations, etc. However, please keep your mind open to all profiles across industry. There are innumerable opportunities on offer. Explore as many as possible.