Uniform? In the Army there are so many types of uniform. You have different sets of uniforms for different occasions. We were told by Capt (later Brig) SKS Malik that whenever you are in doubt as to what to wear, just get into olives, even if you are going to attend a party or any other social get together. That is the safest bet and no one can tick you off for wearing your OG Uniform. Anyway, we had the following sets of uniforms:

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(a) OG. OG shorts/trousers and shirt full sleeves. All cotton, good, porous stuff. Good for absorbing sweat which was the most common thing to be seen in the OTS. There were two kinds of belts: belt web and belt leather. Those days the leather belt was dark brown in colour.

(b) PT Kit. White shorts and white shirt half sleeves. Pure white dress for sweating and thereafter lying and rolling in the mud and soil. Very thoughtful indeed!

(c)  Overalls OG. For weapon training and outdoor exercises. Trousers and shirt intricately joined for life!

(d) Blue Patrol to eat food in the Cadets’ Mess.

(e) White Patrol, again to eat food in the cadets’ Mess but in summers!

(f) Mufti. Ah, Mufti was the dress which we all wore when we were let out of the jail for a few hours every weekend. Grey colour trousers, sky blue, full sleeves shirt with OTS necktie which as red and grey alternately striped. We wore Mufti for going to the auditorium where we could catch up on much deserved and needed sleep as also for going to see films in the Open Air Theatre. By far, Mufti was the dress cadets liked the most, next to wearing nothing! Yes, there were a good No. of GCs who preferred to stay clear of all clothes including undergarments while off parade at night.

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"When you put on a uniform, there are certain inhibitions that you accept."​

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Dwight D Eisenhower

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