Uniforms are glamorous and men/women donning these do not just stand out but outshine all the others in a gathering. In the Armed Forces we take great pride in our uniforms and have the highest respect for this as well. Now that I have finally shed the Olive Greens for good, it seems as though I have been skinned, the uniform was de facto the papillary dermis (the outermost layer of the skin). Having been cocooned all our lives, retirement felt almost as though our umbilical cord was severed. From the age of 11 when I joined school, Rashtriya Indian Military College based at Dehradun, this protective layer has been my most faithful companion. 47 years is practically a lifetime, without it I feel like a dressed chicken, well almost!! The associated issue of a life sans uniform is the inadequacy of our wardrobe, as we practically lived our lives in uniforms and now we have to perforce dress up in the civilian clothes only. Most of us find ourselves challenged in this aspect.
Uniform does change colours though, sometimes it is black (Cavalry, NSG), Olive Green or even Khaki (NDA), and in the good old days even overalls (dungarees); then there is the pomp and show of the Ceremonial dresses with complete regalia swords, medals, peak caps or in just the bare essentials the Camouflage pattern or Combats as they are referred to in our parlance for us Pongos (Army). Then we have the silent service (Navy) who in their immaculate whites and the fly-boys (AirForce) in their blues, we are literally head turners or show stoppers wherever we are. Quite a few of us fell for this glamour and even in the current generation many continue to do so today. We are not the only one who have been bitten by this bug, ask the damsels as they are smitten by the men in uniform and watch them swoon over the handsome hunks.
Uniforms and striving for uniformity is quite natural for us humans, right from our school uniforms days to the blue collar workers in the factories, doctors in their white aprons, policemen and firefighters in khakis, the uniformity helps distinguish the personnel for their respective roles. Each of these roles are unique and essential for a civilised society but all said and done, the aura of the Armed Forces is in a different league; ‘awe inspiring’ and citizenry by and large remains grateful for the never say die spirit of these men and women. The honour associated with the military men worldwide is because this profession requires guts, extra ordinary resolve and the fact that they face bullets in order to safeguard their nations. No wonder when they walk in, there is genuine respect in the eyes of the general public.
Our uniforms also have a dominating kind of effect which is exactly what one political leader confided in me. He said while they were clothed in simple kurta pyjamas, the military personnel by their attire invoked an envy which does result in they trying to avoid interactions. I am not so sure of that any longer though, especially the way our brethren have been ill treated in the recent past, be it the Odisha Nightmare, Chandigarh high handedness or lawlessness in Lucknow they are a poor reflection of the civil society as a whole. It is high time, the issue is addressed in right earnestness.
Donning this uniform is a privilege accorded to the few lucky ones like me. There are many whose lifelong ambition goes unfulfilled. A uniform has to be smartly maintained, whether it is the shining shoes or the neatly ironed uniforms, the gleaming brass on the shoulders, or the tilt of the berets, every aspect has to be just perfect. This practice of perfection is the potion which works as the panacea for pongos. Guess why? Well, there are no runners up in the war.
13 thoughts on “Umbilical Uniforms”
The Glamour,Aura of the Armed Forces Service Uniforms and the cherished
Dreams of the Youth to don them have been very well brought out.
The respect for the Fraternity who are/ have donned these covered Uniforms has to be maintained by the Fellow Countrymen at all times, for the Selfless Service/ Sacrifice rendered by them for the Nation and its Citizens.
A well written and an interesting blog Suyash. Our Army uniforms have metamorphosed over the years. In the 1940s, we had the Khaki ‘Walking Out’ with a cloth belt and a brass buckle. For field duties, it was the ‘Battle Dress’. And officers fought battles with Peak Caps on !!! The Air Force still retains the cut of a Battle Dress, as its winter dress, in a blue shade. Gradually, the Battle Dress and the Walking Out were phased out to give way to Olive Green shirt and a trouser. Upto mid 70s, Officers wore brown shoes (Bata Ambassador Brogue) and brown belts. Later, for convenience, and taking a cue from the Gorkhas, they were turned black. The cottons of that era had to be starched for that ‘prim n’ propah’ appearance. Some officers changed them twice a day to maintain their appearance. Gradually, as the years went past, uniforms became terrycots. By mid 80s, we were happy to usher the disruptive combat dress. But our wise men in the hierarchy did not permit high ankle boots with them since they felt that they looked too ” Hollywoody n’ stylish”, just the way they felt about the the pre-shaped berets. Finally, it was upto Gen JJ Singh, an erstwhile COAS, to introduce high ankle boots with trousers required to be tucked into them.
But our military academies still abhore the smart pre-shaped berets and promote the ’rounded’ ones ! “Topi sar par gole honi chahiye! Chapati beret nahi chalegi” the Drill Ustads still howl that even today !!! 😊 ! On commisioning, I had really felt proud to wear a Peak Cap in the unit. The day we finished with our Adm Inspection, all officers had assembled for a group photograph. I had proudly worn my Peak Cap, Nazi style, with my eyes barely visible. My CO of the old world on noticing that, reprimanded me and adjusted my cap making my forehead visible. I felt like a bus conductor !!
Yes, uniforms were our “papillary dermis” indeed. My last day in service, before being “skinned”, will forever remain in my cherished memory.
Dear Sir,
Your tribute to the uniform and the Armed Forces is truly inspiring. Your 47-year journey, from Rashtriya Indian Military College to your current status, is a testament to your dedication and commitment. I still remember your guidance and mentorship as my instructor three decades ago, and it’s heartening to see your passion for the Armed Forces still shining through in your writing.
Your writing eloquently conveys the emotional attachment you’ve developed with the uniform over the years. The way you’ve described the different uniforms, colors, and regalia showcases your attention to detail and passion for the subject. Your observation about the aura of the Armed Forces being “awe-inspiring” and the respect it commands from the public is spot on.
I’m sure your students, including myself, have been influenced by your leadership and values. Your piece serves as a reminder of the importance of discipline, hard work, and commitment that the Armed Forces embody. It’s a fitting tribute to the institution and the people who serve in it.
With Warm Regards !
👍
Crisp cotton school uniform to khaki walking outs to Raymond’s Trovine Olive Greens; शान पहचान परवान। जिसकी संलग्न भावना है बलिदान। Excellent write-up Suyash.
The charm of Blacks – Black Dangree n Black Berets and the sound of a 1000HP Engine.
That’s been pretty “Uniform” in my life.
So well written sir. I can relate well with it having been in uniform right from RIMC till being skinned recently.
Dear Sir,
Your tribute to the uniform and the Armed Forces is truly inspiring. Your 47-year journey, from Rashtriya Indian Military College to your current status, is a testament to your dedication and commitment. I still remember your guidance and mentorship as my instructor three decades ago, and it’s heartening to see your passion for the Armed Forces still shining through in your writing.
Your writing eloquently conveys the emotional attachment you’ve developed with the uniform over the years. The way you’ve described the different uniforms, colors, and regalia showcases your attention to detail and passion for the subject. Your observation about the aura of the Armed Forces being “awe-inspiring” and the respect it commands from the public is spot on.
I’m sure your students, including myself, have been influenced by your leadership and values. Your piece serves as a reminder of the importance of discipline, hard work, and commitment that the Armed Forces embody. It’s a fitting tribute to the institution and the people who serve in it.
With Warm Regards !
Absolutely marvelous. Only those who’ve donned the Blues, Whites, or Olive – the national cloth after the national tricolor – can truly understand the weight, pride, and price of those sentiments.
Uniforms are not just attire, these are identity. They carry stories, sacrifices, camaraderie, and purpose. In the Armed Forces and beyond, it’s skin for warriors.
Thank you, Suyash, for giving voice to what many veterans feel but rarely articulate. “Umbilical Uniforms” indeed!
Yes, one takes on the identity of the uniform and adjusting takes time, when no longer attired.
Sir,
When I am asked by many of the people I interact with about how I feel about taking early retirement from Military service and how I look back, whether I miss the routine, my honest response is that I don’t miss it at all. Yes, I did learn a lot from the institutions and people serving with me, but to learn more, to see larger world, to experience our own society culture, one has to step out, shed that rigid mental framework of military service and go down the path of learning once again. Looking back does not imply a desire to continue the same routine, for me. I am very satisfied with my new way of living without the uniform, without the rules, without the pressures of military service, interacting with the larger society, seeing n learning their ways, becoming part of them all, that was missing in military station life. That was good, this is even better, is how I look at moving out of military service.
Regards.
Suyesh so well expressed the feelings of all in uniform. For those who leave early and reattire, they may have a different feeling but for us it is like taking life out of the body. The routine, the excitement and the clean life.
Wow… “qute” quotable qoute: ‘the practice of perfection is the potion which works as the panacea for pongos’