Territorial Army brings in women officers along Line of Control

In a significant move, women power will be added to the Territorial Army lines with the Union government deciding on bringing in women officers. The Department of Military Affairs, functioning under the Ministry of Defence, has given the nod for ushering in an amendment to the existing cadre management provisions for women officers of the Territorial Army.

It needs to be recalled that in year 2019, the department had allowed the Territorial Army to start commissioning of women officers in the Territorial Army. Though recruitments had been initiated on a fairly large scale, the appointed woman officers have so far been able to serve only in the Ecological Task Force Units, Territorial Army Oil sector units and Territorial Army Railway Engineer Regiment. The Territorial Army is based on a Citizen Soldiers’ army concept and officers undergo Annual Training on basic military skills while remaining gainfully employed in civilian life.

Women officers recruited since 2019

The realisation that these women officers recruited since year 2019 have learnt much and acquired immense experience during the period since then has prompted the Department of Military Affairs to propose the ushering in of these officers further still. The proposal was prepared to extend the employment scope further for women officers in Territorial Army, and it has now gained approval from the office of the Defence Minister. The approval had come about this year during the month of April.

This would mean that the women officers of the Territorial Army will now be posted with Engineer Regiments of the Territorial Army serving along the Line of Control and as staff officers at TA Group Headquarters/ Directorate General of Territorial Army at New Delhi, as per organizational requirement, said a communication from the Defence offices.

Territorial Army move progressive in nature

Clearly a policy that is progressive in nature, the new step will look at enhancing the scope of employment of women officers.

Further still, the decision also would help these women officers to meet their professional aspirations as they will serve and train under the same conditions as their male counterparts in a wider range of units and appointments. These will include their opportunity to serve in challenging field conditions and in important staff appointments.