[Resolved]  Indian Air Force — Behaviour

I served the Indian Air Force from April 1971 to April 1986 in the trade of Weapon Fitter and I am drawing my Air Force Pension.

At the time of discharge from IAF in 1986, I was working in the EDP wing of AFRO as a Programmer ( ICL machines) in the rank of Corporal. As no Officer such as AOC, AFRO, Adjutant AFRO were willing to sign the pre-printed Trade Proficiency Certificate of Weapon Fitter, I approached the Director-Engineering at Air HQ who was a Group Captain then I had the privilege of working under this outstanding, highly competent engineer -Officer of IAF from[protected]
( Hunter aircraft conversion Squadron, OCU ) who was then a Squadron Leader. Even today, I hold him in very high esteem ( Just to mention, I am a Professor of Engineering now with a Masters and a PhD in Engineering. I was also Vice Principal of an Engineering College till recently. My journey from that of an aircraft technician to an engineering Professor was not an easy one!). I worked under him in the Maintenance Control Centre (MCC) at OCU, Kalaikunda. I would proudly say that it was he who taught me practical Maintenance Engineering of Hunter and Gnat aircrafts. The saying amongst us, airmen technicians then, was that if you dismantle a Hunter aircraft and ask this engineering officer to assemble it, he would assemble it and make it airworthy with out even referring to a single aircraft manual. Such were the engineer-Officers of IAF then.

However, this Trade Proficiency Certificate of Weapon Fitter and the " Diploma in Mechanical Engineering" issued on the basis of this Trade Proficiency Certificate is not recognised by any state Directorate of Technical Education as equivalent to a 3 year Diploma from of a state polytechnic, either for employment or for higher education I had applied for "Lateral entry" to BE degree course with this Diploma but was rejected ( Any Diploma holder from a state polytechnic under the Director of Technical Education could apply for lateral entry into a BE degree course ie. direct 2nd year of a 4 year degree course).

An aggrieved ex-Airman approached the Honorable High Court of Punjab and Haryana and the honorable judge ( who is an Honorable Judge of the Honorable Supreme Court of India now ) directed Air HQ to issue a proper Diploma to all technical tradesmen whose trades are equated with a Diploma in Engineering. In order to comply with the court order, Air HQ issued a wishy-washy "Diploma in Mechanical Engineering" ( and corresponding Diploma to other technical tradesmen) which also stated that 10 years experience in the same trade is considered equivalent to a "Degree in Engineering" ( based upon a letter of Govt of India in 1977) for appointment to Gazetted posts under state and central Govts. This certificate is issued by PD Air Veterans, an Officer of the rank of Air commodore.

Any academic qualification should have the proper details such as the nomenclature of the academic award, its duration, mode of study, curriculum and Syllabus Method of testing/ Evaluation, Examining authority, year of award etc. Unfortunately, this Diploma issued by PD, Air Veterans does not mention any of these things.

It can not be said that this omission was a mistake or just an accident ; rather it is a misconceived, improperly implemented court order to deny the benefits of technical qualifications to Ex Airmen. But at the same time it seems to have complied with the honorable high court order.

Those NDA cadets passing -out as officers are given a proper BA degree by Jawaharlal Nehru University at New Delhi. Naval Cadets who passes-out of Naval Academy as officers at Ezhimala in Kannur district of Kerala are issued with an engineering degree.

Then, why this discrimination against Ex Airmen?

During my service in IAF ( 1971 to 1986), I have come across a few officers, especially from accounts, Admin and other non technical and Flying branches, who are quite abusive and uses rotten language while communicating with airmen. But many Flying Pilots were a jolly good lot, though there were exceptions. Airmen were not treated with dignity and self respect by many officers ; they got a very shabby treatment at the hands of few officers which was also one of the reasons for many discharges after the initial term of engagement ( Not forgetting that there were awesome officers as well. I still fondly remember my OC, Unit OCU[protected] a sikh Squadron Leader, a Flying Pilot, who was a dare devil as a Pilot but a thorough gentleman ). I also know now that the adult behaviour of a person is the sum total of his/her socio-economic- cultural and educational background and the family atmosphere in which he/she was brought up.

The Indian Air Force should meticulously implement the benefits which the Central Govt has offered to serving /retired Air Force Officers and Men. Many Airmen retire at the prime of their youth ( 32-33 yrs) and for a meaningful career in the second innings, these qualifications such as Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, if issued properly and with the recognition of civil authorities, would go a very long way.

Will the concerned authorities such as AOC, Personnel at Air HQ; Directorate of Air Veterans, ; AOC, AFRO etc take steps for recognition of these technical qualifications issued by IAF to its retiring personnel at the time of their retirement by civil authorities such as State Directorate of Technical Education/ AICTE/UGC/Association of Indian Universities etc? This would l also help reduce the number of court cases against IAF, which undoubtedly is one of the finest Air Forces in the world.

Rajagopal K, Ex- CPl ( Wpn/Fit), AFRO Unit.

I don't think that anybody will understand the pathetic condition of other rank.Nobody going to support them even their colleagues.So keep bearing do not expect to anyone.Officers are kings any of service. Jai Hind

These are the things which keep moral of other rank low

Sir,
My complaint date 04 january 2021 has outlived its utility, therefore you are requested to delete my complaint from your portal.

it is quite embarasing to see it in public domain even after 2 years.

kindly remove/delete it at the earliest.

Regards,
RG Karare