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Soldiering: Where does Bangladesh Army stand in the 21 st century?

Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Al Mamun, psc, G
THE world is changing at a phenomenal speed, so is the change in perception, culture and life expectancy the people. Hazy concept of democracy poses threat to the decision making in 'military way'. Due to technology diffusion and the ubiquitous media, soldiers in democratic societies are changing their profiles sharply. Information domain is now more of perception than of reality. The cumulative effects of such realities vary depending on who are the leaders and what they preach and believe? The philosophical remarks of Leo Tolstoy who said, 'Error is the force that welds men together; truth is communicated to men only by deeds of truth' still holds well. Possibly we have missed the massege of enlightenment of Immanuel Kant where he rendered similar tune of 'knowledge is power'. Then, we may have overlooked the necessity of making a harmoneuos and cohesive organization. Finally, we may have seriously ignored Aristotle's first postulation, 'Man is a social animal'. The adjective 'social' is also used often in political discourse. The implied meaning of the above is that people are aware of anything that happens around them. In the small globalized society all are aware of the truth and keeping mum or pretending to do so is simply temporary. However, due to many reasons, the profile of Bangladesh Army is different and is much better on many counts.
Bangladesh Army has now attained a respectable height in UN missions. It may be one of the reasons that we ranked the top in troop contribution to UN. Therefore, if the UN evaluates by the records of HIV infections, dealing with women and children humanitarian activities etc, Bangladesh Army will be also be in the lead. On the contrary, profile of societies even of neighbouring countries is different. Many of the Indian writers wrote on immorality and the discarding of family values with frustration. Definitely, the spillover effect influences the military society too. Undoubtedly, ours is much better, specially the military society. Again, some corners may try to brand it 'too conservative' instead of looking through the 'ideal lens' as this side does. Therefore, saving our values during peace is another front to fight for which we need no weapon except good will.
Thus good character and sound ethical stance of our men help attain higher command. There tire differences in the values and ethos of Bangladesh Army and those of the western ones. Recent formulation of army values and
ethos circulated by Army Headquarters is another benchmark for the organisation to attain. Though, it may seem challenging, at the beginning, but it will make its way ahead soon. Possibly it is the time to challenge the statements of General Newman who said, 'If you are too nice to be true, everybody may love you, but you'll probably never be a general' because it is not true for our army where noble and lovable generals are many.
Soldiering and how to keep it 'always-the best'? Ideally, any military society is a big family. Bangladesh Army is no exception. As an organization, ours is one is the strongest bond. However, some of the aspects of western culture do not go with ours. In fact, Bangladesh Army does take care in making a noble, honest and disciplined organizational citizen who may in turn be assets in future-not the properties only. Therefore, role, respect and control of our hierarchy are different them that of other countries. However, succeeding paragraphs portrays the picture as to how soldiers require viewing the subject-soldiering.
As stated before, Huntington's hypothesis - religious people are more nationalistic' is true. The religious people, opposed to the western ones are against the money driven, materialistic and individualistic society and that is much closer to soldiering. Therefore, it is easy to infuse the soldierly attitude as stated by Field Marshall Earl Chetwode. He says, 'The Safety honour and welfare of your country comes first always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next. Your own ease, comfort and
safety comes last always and every time.'
Napoleon's belief- 'people work due to fear or self interest' is a reality. Immanuel Kant's battle cry of enlightenment or democratic outlook is another shift in society. Again Clausewitz's belief - 'successful military assignments are the product of free activities of soul' has been proved true. Of course, Leo Tolstoy's claim that aristocracy was a burden on the poor though may show light of hope to some people; it is far away from the reality and that must be remembered by the commanders. Therefore, let us be sure that every under command is convinced mentally before any assignment. If not a commander (leader) must face them to unearth the truth. However, if ignored, a greater disaster lies ahead as it happened before in the history, even that to our army also. Therefore, a commander must agree to the scholar's views on rank and right. 'Rank is
designed not to be used or abused recklessly, nor to make someone gain dominance over others. Truly, it is designed to assist someone to lead the way in getting the job done smoothly and in full co-operation of his/her fellow members. Rank is meant to give one the right of authority to lead but not to dominate others or set him/her apart as a superior being than his/her fellow men.'
The same author added that 'Rank does not matter; what matters most are the attitude and the willingness to accept responsibility.' Though Leo Tolstoy and US Harry S. Truman lived and rose to eminence in different times, both believed in simple living. To them living with honour do not really mean to live with pomp and show, as in many cases it diminished soldierly qualities.
General Douglas MacArthur, son of Lietenant General Arthur MacArthur, Jr. occupies a large area of US history. This professional general was also the Superintendent of the US Military Academy, West point. So long his father, was in command, US military officers enjoyed his 'fatherly decisions- both for welfare and hard training'. Such environment is true to all armies and Bangladesh Army has started to experience it. Because, similar situation prevails now in Bangladesh Army where the son of a Chief of Army Staff has followed his grandfather and father as weU. Possibly in neighboring military-India and Pakistan have more number of officers of third, fourth and even fifth generations.
The writer is a General Staff Officer, First Grade AHQ, Bangladesh