The ‘Tour Of Duty’ Scheme, younger recruit the force for three years

The ‘Tour of Duty’

The ‘Tour of Duty’ scheme for the Army means to allow civilians, including young working professionals, to join the force as officers for three years. As well as other positions in areas such as Logistics and Frontline formations can join. The main criteria for recruiting under Tour of Duty are age and fitness.

About the ‘Tour of Duty’ proposal

Anand Mahindra, the Chairman of Mahindra Group, accepted the proposal to open the army of young professionals.

The ‘Tour of Duty’ scheme for the Army allows civilians, including young working professionals, to join the army for three years. It also allows for other ranks in the field such as logistics and Frontline formations.

This program will give young and eligible citizens of India the opportunity to gain experience in the Army as soldiers and officers. Mahindra said in a letter to the Army. Also, He thinks the military training will be an added advantage when graduates enter the workplace.

In fact, the Mahindra Group will be happy to consider their candidacy, given the rigorous standards of selection and training in the Indian Army, he said also.

The Army is considering recruiting individuals from the paramilitary and central armed police forces for up to seven years. They will later be allowed to return to their parent organizations, according to military sources.

The top commanders are examining the “game-changing” proposal to allow civilians to work for three years.

Criteria of the recruitment process

“If approved, this proposal is voluntary engagement. There will be no dilution of selection criteria. At first, 100 officers and 1,000 men will be recruited,” Army spokesman Colonel Aman Anand said.

Sources said details of the proposal are being prepared. Age and fitness are the main criteria for recruiting under the “Tour of Duty” or “Three Year Short Service” scheme

This proposal seeks to tap the feelings of young people who refuse to join the Army as a profession. But sources say they would like to experience military life for a temporary period.

Sources said that the proposal would be discussed at a conference of the top commanders of the Army and the process would proceed later. Adding this scheme saves the Army the cost.

The Army is currently recruiting youths under the Short Service Commission for an initial period of 10 years and can be extended up to 14 years.

According to the proposal, the personnel who will recruit under the Tour of Duty are eligible to be deployed in the key forward positions and their roles will be off-limits.

Cost of the proposal

If an officer released within 10 to 14 years, the cumulative approximate cost of pre-commission training. The salary and other expenses will be between Rs.5.12 and Rs.6.83 crore.

However, the equivalent cost of those released after three years is around Rs 80 lakh to Rs 85 lakh each.

Benefits for government through the ‘Tour of Duty’

This scheme will provide a significant financial benefit to the Army, thus saving a large amount of money on gratuity, severance packages, leave encashment, and pension.

Benefits for youth through the ‘Tour of Duty’

I definitely think military training will be an added advantage for the Tour of Duty graduates, ”said Anand Mahindra.

They also said that, the Army will help young people to find employment in the corporate and government sectors.