In a major development, the Indian Army on Tuesday decided to adopt a common uniform for Brigadier and above rank officers irrespective of the parent cadre and appointment. Adopting a common uniform for Army officials will also reinforce the Indian Army’s character to be a fair and equitable organisation. According to sources, the decision came after comprehensive deliberations during the Army Commanders' Conference held recently.
The headgear, shoulder rank badges, gorget patches, belts, and shoes of senior officers of flag rank (Brigadier and above) will now be common and these changes will be implemented from August 1 this year, reported news agency ANI while citing sources.
ANI took to Twitter while writing about this development. The tweet read, "The headgear, shoulder rank badges, gorget patches, belt and shoes of senior officers of flag rank (Brigadier and above) will now be standardised and common. The flag-rank officers will now not wear any lanyards. The changes will be implemented from August 1 this year. There is no change to the uniform worn by Colonels and below-rank officers of the Indian Army."
Reason For Change?
Asianet Newsable reported while citing sources that the reason behind this change is, "Different types of uniform and accoutrements have a specific association to respective Arms, Regiments, and Services in the Indian Army. This recognition with distinct identity within the Arms or Regiment or Services is essential for junior leadership and the rank and file to further strengthen camaraderie, esprit de corps, and regimental ethos which is the bedrock of soldiering. At the unit and battalion level, a distinct sense of identity reflects a strong bond among officers and men in the same regiment."
Last year, the Indian Army had adopted a digital pattern combat uniform which was similar to the US Army. It has an informal look compared to the older one as the shirt is not tucked in which hides the belt on the waist. The soldiers also wear the round-neck T-shirt worn under the shirt.