Starting this week, I am going to write about different training establishment of the three armed forces that I visit throughout the year for guest lectures. They have glorious traditions, major accomplishments nd a vital role to play in shaping the top future military leadership. I start with the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC).
The Staff College, since its inception, has undoubtedly
been the fountainhead
of learning and military scholastic excellence in India. In my nearly
decade-long association with DSSC as a visiting faculty—sharing my thoughts on
military and media—the sharpest queries and most critical comments have come
from the best and the brightest of the three services who get into this
prestigious course through a competitive exam.
I have witnessed the College providing an invigorating
environment for developing the ability for analytical thinking, creative and
intellectual ability, ingenuity and innovative methids. In doing so, DSSC has
reaffirmed its commitment to the noble traditions of the Services, while advancing
the core values of ‘Duty, Honour and Country’in the leadership of
Indian Armed Forces. These aspects are well summed up in College motto
‘Yuddham Pragyaya’, meaning ‘To War with Wisdom’.
It was therefore fitting to hear President Pranab
Mukherjee presenting the colours last week in a glittering
function. Presentation of colours is by one of the
greatest honours bestowed upon an institution in recognition of exceptional
service rendered to the nation. Speaking on
the occasion, he said the college provides a stimulating environment for
“analytical thinking towards creativity and intellectualism”. Founded in 1905
as the Army Staff college in Deolali near Mumbai, it was relocated to Quetta
(now in Pakistan). “Post its relocation from
Quetta to Wellington in 1948, the Defence Services Staff College has emerged as
the premier Tri-Service Institution in the country, and today it epitomises
‘Military Academic Excellence’,” the President said. “The Staff College,
founded on the pillars of ‘jointmanship and military leadership’, has played an
instrumental role in enhancing the professional capabilities of the officers of
the three Services to face the future challenges,” Mukherjee said. He said most
critical and sensitive leadership in all the wars has been provided by the
alumni of this very “fountainhead of military learning.”
Historically, excellence in command and staff functions has
always been the cornerstone of success on the battlefield. The aim of the 45 week
long annual Staff Course conducted at the DSSC is to train and educate selected officers of the
three Services for command and staff functions in peace and war, in their own Service
and inter-Service environment. Whilst numerous institutions of each
Service such as Army, Navy and Air Force
exist worldwide to fulfil this role, DSSC is a unique institution in India and among
the very few in the world which is truly ‘joint’ in nature and provides professional
military education for officers of all three Services together.
The curriculum of the Staff Course caters to needs of
the Indian Armed Forces and those across the globe to face the challenges in
the unique security calculus that exists today. The course curriculum, balanced
and comprehensive in terms of content as well as methods of conduct, comprises
the subjects
of National Security, Strategy, International Relations, Theories of Warfare,
Leadership, Communication Skills and Research Methodology. Most of the academic
education is conducted through seminar system in the form of discussions
moderated by the faculty. Exercises and war games assist students to validate operational
concepts learnt during the Course through practical application. These war games and exercises
extensively utilise computer based packages for versatility and
objectivity. The students also devote a significant amount of time
to individual
and group research as well as Study tours. In addition to the
faculty driven education, eminent experts in diverse disciplines from across the globe
provide students with their perspectives on contemporary and relevant issues
through guest
lectures.
The scholarly
accomplishments of the College are also demonstrated through ‘Trishul’, a tri-Service professional journal, which provides a
discussion forum for thought-provoking ideas and matters ‘au courant’ dealing
with military issues, international relations, strategic affairs and progressive precepts of joint
war fighting.
Demonstrated professionalism of the Indian Armed Forces,
comprehensive course content, world-class facilities and well qualified faculty make the Staff Course conducted at DSSC one of the most
sought after courses in the world. DSSC has educated over 1700 students
from 75 foreign countries to date and produced not only iconic military leaders but
also the Heads
of State in many a country. During my visits to DSSC, I have had the
opportunity to interact with students from 25-30 countries at any time. Apart from professional
training of the highest quality, these students are well nurtured during the
intensive training into informal ambassadors of DSSC, contributing significantly
to military diplomacy and soft power of the country.
Conforming to the modern needs, the College functions
in a network
enabled environment with a Wide Area Network connecting entire academic and
residential
areas. These enable host services such as e-mail and cloud, delivery of training content, interactive
forums, conduct of online exercises, dissemination of critical information,
administrative services. Software applications such as Geo-graphical
Information System, War Gaming Systems and Combat Decision & Resolution Package
are leveraged extensively to enhance
the value of qualitative training imparted. The recently commissioned Air Wing War gaming
Centre, is a futuristic operational Command & Control Centre in the armed
forces, which aptly demonstrates the juxtaposition of infrastructure development
and exploitation of information technology to fulfil academic needs.
As the
current Commandant Lt Gen SK Gadeock, AVSM, says his Vision of DSSC strives not
only to produce future military leaders and commanders, but also to achieve holistic persona development
of their families, thus contributing to society and nation building in the long
run. An important factor in accomplishing this objective is in providing
robust infrastructure and a conducive, stress free environment.
The most remarkable feature of the College is the
availability of all the facilities within one campus, in proximity of the centre
of academic activity. In
recognition of the quality management system and environmental management
system employed and the standards achieved, the College was accorded ISO
9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 certification on 25 Jun 2015- an unprecedented
distinction. DSSC now stands apart as the only Armed Forces Institution in India to be
certified for compliance with both ISO standards. The Presentation of
colours by the President only confirmed the pre-eminent status that DSSC has
come to enjoy among Category A Training Establishments of the three services.
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