I came across a website through LinkedIn a little while ago. There is a US based company (Alliance International) which specializes in the recruitment of US JMOs (Junior Military Officers) for American companies.
US JMOs have recently been judged as one of the best leaders America has in a Nov 2008 selection with names like Indra Nooyi (PepsiCo), Lance Armstrong (Cyclist & Advocate), Jeff Bezos (Amazon.com), Robert Gates (US Secy of Defence), et al. Check out the links below:
http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/best-leaders/2008/11/19/how-americas-best-leaders-were-picked.html
http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/best-leaders/2008/11/19/americas-best-leaders-us-junior-officers-military.html
Young officers leaving the Armed Forces and taking up corporate employment are a potentially huge HR goldmine who are not being given adequate attention by large Indian corporates. American corporations realized the potential of this group a very long time ago and former military personnel have done exceedingly well in the US government and corporate positions. Indian armed forces officers are judged as amongst the best globally... then why is corporate India lagging?
Another point to be made here is that while Indian Army YOs make great junior leaders and managers, they should be given adequate training / orientation before their complete induction into a profile in a company. The GMPs run in management institutes are not achieving this objective fully. They reinforce general management education / skills into officers who are already generalists not leading to adequate knowledge / skills to prepare them for the task ahead. These 6 month courses need to be specialized ones in functions like HR, Operations, Logistics, Marketing, Sales, etc. Further, on getting placed in a company, the company should have a 30-90 day orientation/training/induction capsule to prepare them fully for the role. Given a medium to long term view, these managers can contribute immensely to an organization.
I had also asked this question in LinkedIn to serving and retired/released (working in companies) armed forces personnel, HR managers and recruitment consultants. All the answers I received were in glowing reference to this group.
Where do Indian Army Officers stand if they were compared globally against officers of other armies on key parameters like leadership experience, communication and interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities and the ability to perform under pressure. The question is in reference to an article in US News. If JMOs of the US Army can be judged as such and suitably absorbed & rewarded by corporate America, why hasn't corporate India discovered/recognized this HR goldmine?
US JMOs have recently been judged as one of the best leaders America has in a Nov 2008 selection with names like Indra Nooyi (PepsiCo), Lance Armstrong (Cyclist & Advocate), Jeff Bezos (Amazon.com), Robert Gates (US Secy of Defence), et al. Check out the links below:
http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/best-leaders/2008/11/19/how-americas-best-leaders-were-picked.html
http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/best-leaders/2008/11/19/americas-best-leaders-us-junior-officers-military.html
Young officers leaving the Armed Forces and taking up corporate employment are a potentially huge HR goldmine who are not being given adequate attention by large Indian corporates. American corporations realized the potential of this group a very long time ago and former military personnel have done exceedingly well in the US government and corporate positions. Indian armed forces officers are judged as amongst the best globally... then why is corporate India lagging?
Another point to be made here is that while Indian Army YOs make great junior leaders and managers, they should be given adequate training / orientation before their complete induction into a profile in a company. The GMPs run in management institutes are not achieving this objective fully. They reinforce general management education / skills into officers who are already generalists not leading to adequate knowledge / skills to prepare them for the task ahead. These 6 month courses need to be specialized ones in functions like HR, Operations, Logistics, Marketing, Sales, etc. Further, on getting placed in a company, the company should have a 30-90 day orientation/training/induction capsule to prepare them fully for the role. Given a medium to long term view, these managers can contribute immensely to an organization.
I had also asked this question in LinkedIn to serving and retired/released (working in companies) armed forces personnel, HR managers and recruitment consultants. All the answers I received were in glowing reference to this group.
Where do Indian Army Officers stand if they were compared globally against officers of other armies on key parameters like leadership experience, communication and interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities and the ability to perform under pressure. The question is in reference to an article in US News. If JMOs of the US Army can be judged as such and suitably absorbed & rewarded by corporate America, why hasn't corporate India discovered/recognized this HR goldmine?
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Sameer I wish to compliment you on a highly professional blog. I am sure this will be of great value to the scores of defense officers looking to reinvent their careers.
ReplyDeleteYour advice to do short professional courses is spot-on. Another option that Officers fit beautifully into is that of as trainers. It could be soft skills related to personality development, leadership and change and so on. As you know these skills are part of the Army training and culture. Some views on this theme are presented in my blog at http://dilipnaidu.wordpress.com/2009/01/06/what-can-corporate-learn-from-the-defense-services/.
Will visit again and learn more. Thanks.
Thank you for your inputs and advice Sir.
ReplyDeleteDear Sameer, please throw some light on the second career of retired Army Officers abroad? Thanks & Regards.
ReplyDeleteNice One. Real value. Thanks.
ReplyDelete