It will lower morale

Servicemen are different in many ways. They are taught and trained for the D-day. They have to be in the prime of their health. And that is the reason why they retire early, at a relatively younger age compared to their civilian counterparts. It is said that military’ runs better on time-tested principles and traditions. To win a war, in addition to the fighting material, a nation needs both brains and brawn. Now leaders have to be men with intelligence, learning, experience and maturity which often comes with age. Thus the top-brass can be older and an increase in their retirement age would be helpful to defence forces in particular and the nation in general.

They need to be young, fit and adventurous. Increasing their retirement age would mean lowering the efficiency of fighting forces. During the first three decades of our independence, when we fought three wars, our commanding officers too were young. Today they are in their late 30s. Increasing the retiring age would mean delayed promotions, thus further pushing the age of commanding officers. And the same goes with troops. The nation cannot afford to have amongst its defence forces older people, who in military parlance, are deadwood. Therefore, as far as increasing the retirement age is concerned, it would benefit the Generals. For others, it would only lower their morale and decrease the efficiency, efficacy and fighting capability of troops.