Passing Out Parade (POP)

“And the day came when the risk to remain a tight bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” Ultimately the day came which was the most awaited day of our lives; our Passing Out Parade. We were to be commissioned into the Indian Army as officers. GCs had given their choice of arms a few weeks before and depending upon their overall performance and thus position in the final Order of Merit as well as their preference and vacancies available in various branches, they were allotted arms and services. Those who got their preferred choice were ecstatic while those who got the opposite were heart broken. Nonetheless, each one of us was happy. Happy we were on two accounts: first and foremost, we were leaving the jail called OTS and secondly, on becoming officers.

The parade was reviewed by Lt Gen Krishnaswamy Sundarji (later General Krishnaswamy Sundarji (28 April 1930 - 8 February 1999), was India's Chief of Army Staff from 1986 to 1988.

1 - POP SS 34 26 Aug 82

2 - POP SS 34 26 Aug 82

Glenn Commanding the Parade

N 6 in Slow March

Award Winners Lined Up

SUO Glenn Awarded Sword of Honour

Gold Medal to Boban Kurian

Championship Banner to Kohima Coy

Soldiers' ability to sustain themselves and their fellow soldiers during periods of high stress is built upon rock hard confidence in themselves and their leadership chain beginning with fire team leaders or the non commissioned officer of their section. What we have learned and relearned in our Army is that unit cohesion and teamwork are what give individual soldiers the confidence to use initiative, to be resourceful, and to be all they can be. A soldier always wants the best to be at his front, rear, right and left, trained to stay there regardless of what may happen. A special bond develops when leaders live their lives following the fundamentals of leadership.

SMA Glen E Morrell