Earn the Right to ‘Imitate’ the Military!

I was on Facebook recently, when I saw a video of the ‘Last Post’ being played and some senior officers of a paramilitary organization taking the salute. I grimaced, as I always thought that this was a Military tradition. According to Wikipedia, “the Last Post is a military tradition consisting of a bugle call that signifies the end of the day's activities. It is also sounded at military funerals.” Hence, I could not understand why a civil volunteer organization, would be carrying out this practice as part of their formal parade. My question is, are they aware of the significance of the last post as a military tradition?

This is however not the only time that I have heard or read about non-military organizations adopting military rituals. It seems as if many organizations want to embrace military practices in order to achieve the spirit and glory of the Military. Hence, they imitate in terms of military paraphernalia, uniform, medals, rituals etc. but without undergoing what all servicemen undergo in terms of training, hardship and adversity. All they want is to simply bask in the glory of the Military, without enduring the sacrifices. Using a metaphor, it is like a child wearing a spider-man suit, and upon doing so, think that he has the skills, talents and abilities of Spider-man. Sadly, it does not work that way, as it is just a short term way of getting some excitement and exhilaration. Hence, the personnel in these organizations may try to imitate us, but they will never, ever have the heart and soul of a soldier!

Being a soldier means selflessness, i.e. being always ready to sacrifice yourself for the security and comfort of others. Being a soldier means being prepared to sacrifice yourself to defend the sovereignty of the country. Being a soldier means being prepared to kill others, even though you do not enjoy doing it. Being a soldier means you have to engage in combat situations, even though the fear of death is there every time. And finally, being a soldier means “always putting the safety and honour of the country as the number one priority in your job, always and every time!”

My view is that should the personnel of any organization be able to willingly make the sacrifices above, only then will they have earned the right to practice military customs and traditions. Right now, no matter how hard they try, my view is that they do not even come close to the professionalism, expertise and capability of the Military. They may ape our uniform, copy our rank structure, practice our rituals, but all they are is that child desperately trying to be ‘Spiderman’.

My bewilderment does not end there. In recent times I have also noticed many high level dignitaries wearing military uniforms with medals, wings and other paraphernalia. Did these people earn their ranks; did they actually go for para training to earn their wings? I am not so sure. And to make matters worse, some of them do not even wear these military outfits in the correct way!!

Anybody can wear the military uniform and bask in its glory, but they will never, ever know what it is like to be a true soldier who has undergone many sacrifices to earn the right to put on the sacred military uniform. Even veterans cannot wear the uniform after they have retired. These civilians should not therefore desecrate military uniforms since it shows disrespect to the thousands of servicemen who have given up their lives and limbs for the country, but sadly have no glory nor fame to their names.

A final thought and that is, a soldier puts his life on the line for the country, twenty-four hours a day. Would any of the personnel in these organizations be willing to trade places? If they are not willing, then they have no right whatsoever to wear the uniform or imitate any of our military rituals and practices.

Author : Brig-Gen (Rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji