The Indian Air Force (IAF) has taken a great step by allowing women officers to join its special forces unit, the Garud commando force, to promote gender equality within its ranks provided they meet the criteria for selection, officials familiar with the development said on Monday, asking not to be named. The decision to allow women into the elite force was taken last year, said one of the officials, although the development has come to light only now. The Indian Navy has also allowed women to serve in elite special forces, a move that will allow them to serve as marine commandos (Marcos) provided they clear the criteria for selection. While the air force and navy have allowed women to volunteer for their special forces, there will be no compromises in the selection or training standards, officials from the two services said.
The special forces of the army, navy and air force consisting of some of the toughest soldiers who undergo rigorous training to withstand odd circumstances and are capable of fighting in the most upsetting terrains and conditions. Soldiers are not directly assigned to special forces units and have to volunteer for them. The IAF introduced the Garud commando force in 2004. The move came three years after four terrorists, armed with AK-47s and grenades, attempted to invade the IAF’s Awantipora fighter base near Srinagar in broad daylight. They were all killed.
IAF has now taken a great initiative that will surely motivate many women with the spirit to protect their homeland. Women in uniform are no longer backstage but are being assigned central roles on a par with their male counterparts – they are flying fighter planes, serving on board warships, being inducted in the personnel below officer (PBOR) cadre, eligible for permanent commission, and, the first batch of women candidates is currently undergoing training at the National Defence Academy. NDA also allowed women to write the National Defence Academy entrance last year. These moves are very promising. Now that women can participate in the coveted defense services that were once reserved for males is a great sign that our country is advancing. It is indeed a proud and prestigious moment that will be marked in the history of our nation.
© Vygr Media Private Limited 2022. All Rights Reserved.
