The Indian Army has recently decided to implement a policy of common uniform items for all officers of the rank of Brigadier and above, regardless of their cadre or appointment. This decision is aimed at promoting and strengthening a shared identity and approach within the ranks of the military. The changes will take effect from August 1st, 2023.
Current Uniform Accouterments
At present, officers in different branches of the Indian Army wear distinct uniform accouterments based on their regimental or corps affiliation. These include berets, lanyards, and badges of rank. For instance, Infantry officers and Military Intelligence officers sport dark green berets, armored corps officers carry black berets, while other corps officers don blue berets. Members of the Corps of Military Police are distinguished by red berets.
Uniform accouterments are additional items of clothing or equipment that complete a military uniform. Presently, these items are worn by all officers from the rank of Lieutenant to General according to their respective regiment or corps affiliation.
New Uniform Standardization
Under the new changes, officers who are Brigadiers, Major Generals, Lt. Generals, and Generals will wear uniform berets of the same color, badges of rank, belt buckles, and shoes that follow a common pattern. All shoulder rank badges will be golden for senior officers, replacing the previously individualized badges.
However, no changes will be made to the uniforms worn by Colonels and those of lower ranks. These officers will no longer wear regimental lanyards or shoulder flashes that indicate specific affiliations such as ‘Special Forces’, ‘Arunachal Scouts’, and ‘Dogra Scouts’. Consequently, there will be no elements of their uniform that identify them as belonging to a particular Regiment or Corps.
Significance of the Decision
This decision is considered a significant step towards fostering a more cohesive and integrated organizational culture within the Indian Army. The new standard uniform reinforces a shared identity for all senior-rank officers, embodying the true ethos of the Indian Army.
By eliminating regimental parochialism, the Army hopes to advance the sense of shared identity and purpose among senior officers. This could potentially enhance the organization’s capability to adapt to evolving strategic circumstances and challenges in modern warfare.
Comparison with Other Armies
The precedent for this change can be seen in the practices of other armies. For instance, the British army, where the Indian Army derives its uniform pattern and associated heraldry, has a Staff uniform for officers of Colonel rank and above, which is distinct from the Regimental uniform. The wearing of any item of Regimental uniform with the Staff uniform is not permitted.
Similarly, in neighboring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, all regimental uniform items are discarded beyond the rank of Lt Colonel. Officers of the rank of Brigadier and above wear the same patterned uniform, following the pattern set by the British army.