Falling Standard of Values in the Army: Dilution of Norms is the Root Cause

Mrinal Suman

Major General (Retd.) Mrinal Suman retired from the Indian Army in 2003 and currently heads the Defence Technical Assessment and Adivsory Service of Confederation of Indian Industry. read more

As human beings are a product of their environment and society, their interpretation of morals, ethics and value system differ. In a traditional culture like ours, attitudes are moulded by long-established practices, rituals and conventions. Group cohesion is a battle winning factor for a military. The Indian Army recruits officers and men from all parts of the country with diverse value systems and attitudes. It is well nigh impossible to weave them into a cohesive group without bringing them on to a common grid of conduct. Instead of attempting to supplant their concepts of morality, ethics and righteousness, it is considered wiser to steer their conduct through a set of organizational norms. Norms are well-evolved and time-tested rules that act as rational and judicious guiding principles. They must be followed diligently for the continued good health of a military.