Katradhu Vaan Alavu - 6

EG

In the evening on 08 Jan 88, when we were dropped at the Domestic Area - We could see a Mini India. Later, in the same evening, I could see a girl in the lot and how come, I was wondering !!!. Subsequently, it was learnt that the individual was a Sardarji. We were allotted with the Billets (Barracks) for the stay. We had bath and then we were taken to the Mess for the Dinner. Rice, Chapati, 02 - Veg Curries and milk were provided. In the case of a Non-Vegetarian, Mutton and 01 Veg Curry were given. There was a very long queue, why because after the dinner, we were to go for the Evening Classes.

As a general rule, there will not be vuppu and sappu in the Armed Forces Food. Why because the excess Salt, Chilli and other Masalas would not only be harmful but also affect the personnel in many ways. Excess of turmeric powder was used and the usage of onion was made lesser. We could see the grease of Vanaspathi in the plates of the Trainees. The chapati was without salt, I had like that for the first time in the life. The same was the case with other dishes (I mean that the salt was very very less but in Chapati absolutely no salt at all and it is the North Indian style of making Chapatis without adding salt to the Atta).

After having the dinner we were heading for the Classes in Flights (I mean whenever we were to go out, we must go in group and that we called it and ofcourse now also we need to call it a Flight). Like in "Velaikaaran (I talk English, Walk English, run English ...), We also went in flights, came back in flights, talked of flights but never flew or flew in Flights. I could not have even a Quarter stomach full of food, as we were not accustomed to the taste of food (How many times I must had commented Mom and Sister about their food preparations and I really had it) and I was very sure that rat would run in my stomach on that fateful day (I mean vaithla irundhu sound idhyaadhi idhyaadhi dhaanunga ......). In the class room, the attendance was taken. We had 10 Flights and we were allotted with the Flight with the last digit of the Service Numbers. That means, in case of an individual, if his number ends with 6, he would be in the Sixth Flight. Accordingly, I was in the Fourth flight, I mean my number ends with 4.

On our back from the class, we were to fall in for the Night Roll Call. It is basically in order to check the availability of the trainees. It is a standard practice. Every day there was a Health Run in the morning, then we could have B' Fast and after which there was a Parade. After the parade, there was a Tea Break and after that Morning Classes were conducted. The morning class timing was from 1000 hrs to 1330 hrs.

Contradictory and unlike the practice in the Civil of

"Eat Break Fast Like a King

Eat Lunch Like a Prince

Eat Dinner Like a Pauper" concept,

We were given a very very limited Break Fast (even when a Trainee Passes Out from the Training Centre, I mean even after he became a Permanent Staff - the same Quantity only would be given as B'Fast) in order to avoid laziness and sleepiness in the Class Room or at work. When it comes to lunch and the dinner, there is no such limitation. When we came after the classes, we were provided with the lunch (Potatoes occupied a major place in all the three times of the food). After the lunch, we could have a nap from say 1400 hrs to 1600 hrs. At 1630 hrs, there used to be P T. After PT we took bath and to be ready for the dinner, night classes and night roll call.

After 2230 hrs, all lights were to be put off. This was to be strictly adhered to. Ground Training Instructors (GTIs) were on the move to check this. In case of non-adherence, the individual concerned had to go in for the punishment. During evening, full sleeves were to be used in order to safeguard from the mosquitoes. A Trainee should make use of the Mosquito net at night. In one Charpoy (cot), only one trainee at a time can sit. If two were found, then the same story, the punishment was given.

If we see very deeply these things, we would understand one thing that all these were for the safety and precaution of an individual. One day due to over heat, I could not sleep in the cot and I thought I would sleep in the Floor. I was noticed by the GTI during his Raathiri Round Up and I was asked to report to him the next day. I got a punishment of pouring 20 big and full buckets of water to the garden which was maintained in front and backside of each and every Billet.

Hoping to see you soon .........

Katradhu Vaan Alavu - 5

This Episode is dedicated to Mr Shyam


We have seen the different Branches in the ranks of IAF officers. Now let us see the different ranks of the IAF.

(a) Pilot Officer (Plt Offr) - Now this rank is abolished.

(b) Flying Officer (Fg Offr)

(c) Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt)

(d) Squadron Leader (Sqn Ldr)

(e) Wing Commander (Wg Cdr)

(f) Group Captain (Gp Capt)

(g) Air Commodore (Air Cmde)

(h) Air Vice Marshal (A V M)

(j) Air Marshal (Air Mshl)

(k) Air Chief Marshal (A C M)

(l) Marshal of the Indian Air Force (MIAF)*

(* - The IAF have had only one MIAF till now and now also he serves)

Though the terms 'Pilot', 'Flying', 'Flight' are used in the ranks but these Plt Offrs, Fg Offrs and Flt Lts need not be the officers of the Flying Branch. They can be from any of the Branches.

When I joined, the uniformed lady officers you can find only in the Medical Branch and that also hardly any. It was only in Mid 90s, the lady officers were inducted in the Armed Forces in different Branches. The Lady Medical Officer (LMO) can and should wear a Saree but other branch officers must wear only the Pant and Shirt like that of their male counterpart. It is only at the time of pregnancy and upto three or four months after the delivery, a lady officer can wear a saree.

As far as the IAF is concerned, No. 13 is an unlucky one. That is why the No. 13 was avoided but in the recent past, we could see the usage of the No. 13. In the same way, in the Service Writing (in the writings of the Defence), the alphabet 'i' is avoided (in order to avoid the confusion with the numberal '1' and that is the reason why I had written 'j' immediately after 'h' (against the Air Mshl rank).

Now I want to say something - First of all - as usual I could not include Lord Ganesh on the Top.
In the last Episode, I wrote about the entry into IAF. One is through NDA and another one is through IAF - I mean it should be through CDS (Combined Defence Services) Examination and on qualifying - one can opt for the Service and subsequently it will be allotted based on the merit.

Hoping to c u all at the earliest.

May God Bless.

Katradhu Vaan Alavu - 4

Katradhu Vaan Alavu - 4

Dedicated to Mr Shyam

My beloved Mum was not ready to leave me to join the IAF. As it was very difficult to get a job in the late 80s, every one other than her was convinced. However, as a last ditch effort in trying to convince me, my Mum assured that she would not compel me to study. She used to tell me to study the text books as I did not have the habit of studying except during the time of examination and one thing, ofcourse, I regularly did read the magazines, novels and other periodicals ?!?

From my childhood, I used to say "On the very first day, I get a job, I would start smoking". The call letter to the IAF (Where smoking and Drinking were quite common then and ofcourse now-a-days, it has declined to a great extent) also added worries to her. On 08 Jan 88, I was to report to Air Force Station (AF Stn) Tambaram for my induction into the IAF. All out efforts were made by Mom to convince me but to no avail. I had planned to start on 07 Jan 88 in the morning and finally that day also had come. My Dad had accompanied me to Namakkal to see me off.

On 08 Jan 88, I reported to AF Stn Tambaram. It took almost solid, the whole day to complete different forms, documents and other formalities. Like an Employee Number in every Department, we are given and allotted with Service Numer which was allotted earlier in the morning while filling up the forms. During the lunch break, we were allowed to have lunch outside, for which we were given money. Later, it was learnt that on entry into the Defence, the DP (Defence Personnel) are provided with Free Food and Accommodation (Mani Adichaa Soru, Maamiyaaru Veedu - Right ?!). In the evening, we were dropped at the Domestic Area by the Air Force Vehicle (Service Transport).

Now one thing, I want to make you understand that in Defence, there are mainly two categories of personnel, one is Service Personnel (Uniformed) and the other is Civilian Personnel (Plain Cloths). Service Personnel are again categorised into Officers and Airmen (PBORs - Personnel Below Officer Ranks). Civilians are categorised into Group 'A', 'B', 'C' and 'D'. These civilians would be deployed only in the Armed Forces Establishment. In order to have better results, NCs(E) - (Non Combatants Enrolled) were inducted subsequently and these are of Group 'D' category but uniformed. The only difference is that these NCs (E) they don't take oath like that of Service Personnel.

By the time we reached the Domestic area in the evening by the Air Force Vehicle (Service Transport), the evening drill was going on. When they all came back, we could see a 'Mini India', as the trainees were from all over India. Training for our batch started on 01 Jan 88 itself, even then we could get accommodated from 08 Jan 88. Being the one from Men Category, I mean Airmen Category, I was an AC (U/T) - Aircraftsman (Under Training) and put in the Mechanical Stream.

In the IAF, the Pilots come in the Officers Category (Flying Branch). The entry is feasible through NDA - National Defence Academy (After 10 Plus 2) or after a graduation in Maths or Physics through IAF Recruitment for training at AFA - Air Force Academy. The Branch does indicate, the nature of job allocatted and performed by an Officer in the IAF. In Transport aircraft (ac), there is a need for the Navigator as well. We have two fliers for the helicopters as well. But for a Fighter, Bomber ac, there will be only one Pilot. These fliers come under the Flying Branch. The other branches of the IAF are viz Adm (ATC - Air Traffic Controller), Adm (FC - Fighter Controller), Aeronauticl Engineering both Mechanical and Electrical (including Electronics), Meteorology, Accounts, Adm, Logistics, Education and Medical.

C U Soon..............

May God Bless.

Katradhu Vaan Alavu - 3

Hi Buddies,
I am back for the Episode - 3.
In the Medical Examination, about 60% got cleared. It was in Oct 1987, and we were told that by Nov/Dec 87, we would get an intimation for the induction into the IAF.
During my written and the medical examination, I stayed in my eldest brother's friend room, working for Bank of India. He was staying in a Mansion at Mambalam, Chennai. Though there had been an age difference, I could freely move with him, due to his jovial nature. Because of my stay he had to spend more than Rs. 300/-, which if I give he would not accept and I was very sure. Hence, I had left the amount in an envelope in the Pooja Room. Before my departure he could smell and he had returned that amount. I left for my native - Erampatti, Namakkal - Near Salem. Later, due to my brother's remarks to look out for other jobs as well, having seen another advertisement for the similar type of recruitment, I had applied for the same as well.
Nov 87 had gone and Dec 87 had just gone and there was no chance for an intimation. It was 01 Jan 88 (Vaikunda Egadasi), I had just come back from a Tuition Class (Reel, hi hi hi, sorry Real Analysis) and having the Brunch.
My elder brother called me stating that there was a telegram for me from the IAF. I said, "It will be a telegram for my induction into the IAF. Sign, collect and keep it with you, just I am coming, as I am having the Brunch". It was an amazing moment for my brother, as I coolly and casually told him to collect the telegram even without bothering to know the contents of the telegram.
My poor brother did the same, as I directed ?!? Yes, ofcourse, it was an intimation for the induction into the IAF. I was intimated to report to Airmen Selection Centre, Tambaram, Chennai on 08 Jan 88 with the qualifying certificates along with the consent certificate from the parents/guardian, if below 18. Ofcourse, I was above 18, so there was no need for the 'Consent Certificate', allowing the son to join the Force.
Every one except my mother was ready to leave me to join the IAF. My Mom was very much worried on two counts. Firstly, I was never away from my mother even for a single day. Secondly, there are so many misinterpretations on the Defence and the Defence Personnel (DP). Believe it or not, it is the general thinking of the people that a DP is a
(a) Smoker
(b) Drinker
(c) Non-Vegetarian
(d) person with rough behaviour
More over, being away from home, the individual may not have control and he is easily vulnerable to cultivate the bad habits.

C U Soon

Katradhu Vaan Alavu - 2

Hi Friends,

I am back for the Episode - 2.

In Oct 87, soon after the Written Test (and ofcourse after having the stomach full of Lunch only) in the afternoon, the result was declared and I was one among those who were cleared for the selection. Since, the selection was generalised into the Technical Stream, there was one more test to put us into the appropriate Stream (Mechanical/Electrical), another one aptitude test was conducted and ofcourse, this one was also an Objective Type one like the one for which we were qualified.

We were called for the Medical Examination on the next day. When we came for the Medical, we were sent in batches. Each batch was having an intake of 10 and 05 each would be sent to either side of the room facing each other. The Medical Officer ordered us to get into the 'Birth Day Dress ?' and had been asked to cough for the medical reasons, best known to the Physicians. We were checked for the flat foot, knocked knee, eye sight, weight, height, chest with the expansion, Sugar, BP and verbal querries.

A Questionnaire was circulated, the questions (which I remember) were -

(a) Why you want to join IAF ? - My Reply - To get a Job

(b) If you happen to come across a NV, What will you do ? - My Reply - I will change the Dining table.

(c) Do you drink ? - My Reply - No.

On my come back, when I told these things to my Brother, my Brother told me better be prepared for getting into another job (as my response to the questionnaire were not in the interest of the IAF). Then I realised, and ofcourse not at all worried.

We were told that an intimation would be given to us if selected, a regret letter, if not selected.

C U all soon............