The technique of command of a unit or infantry battalion follows norms, but is often tinged by the personal traits of the commanding officer. An infantry battalion performs any task assigned irrespective of its nature—be it in war or peace. The buck stops at the level of the commanding officer, who cannot pass it down and what his subordinates report has to be solved by him. That is the reason why every commanding officer resorts to his own style of command within the parameters laid down to perform tasks. I have seen various techniques deployed by commanding officers during my service in the army.
There was one who ran the battalion by fear. It worked. If anybody revolted or was arrogant, the officer would call the subordinate and say, “Don’t be timid. Move with the tide,” although he himself would be timid at that point.
During my service every commanding officer worked in the interest and honour of the battalion and his subordinates. That is the reason they were looked up to as a father figure by all officers and 800-odd troops. Some officers solved quarrels amongst subordinates and women ranks like a father does in a family.
There was one commanding officer who would call all officers and junior commanding officers for a conference and give a dressing down if anyone did not perform a task well or committed a blunder. It would look like pulling up officers and subordinates in general, but we could make out who was affected by studying the body language of everyone present. Some commanding officers refer to the brigade commander or general officer commanding to get their work or order through.
An officer’s predecessor had successfully commanded a battalion by eliminating or capturing hundreds of terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. The successor’s command was unique.
He made umpteen terrorists surrender by interacting with them by proxy through his sources. Then the battalion moved to a peace station after a good work in an operational area.
If any task was to be assigned, he would call Major X, who would say, “Sir, I have got this work, that work and so on”. Then he would speak to Major “Y” and ask him to perform the task and get a reply such as, “Sir my, wife/child is not well. I will undertake the next task.”
The commanding officer was meek and couldn’t be assertive. He would then discuss with his wife (the first lady of the battalion, as it is termed in infantry) and get back to Major X with an apologetic nasal twang, “Aannn! Major X my wife says you should only go to do that work.”
Fed up, Major X would say, “Ok sir! I will go.” With a sigh of relief, the commanding officer would say, “Good boy! I know you will never disobey my wife!”
They say there is a woman behind every successful man; but I say there is a woman ahead of a timid successful man to run the show.