Away from the limelight, the instructors of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) conveyed their best wishes to the young officers they had trained over the past twelve months. They justly prided themselves on the fact that they have succeeded in the tough task of transforming the boys into invincible military professionals and leaders.
A veteran who had trained over 3000 youngsters during his stints in National Defence Academy (NDA) Khadakwasla, Pune and IMA Dehradun, Subedar Major (SM) Sultan Singh Shekhawat said that an instructor must be supremely fit and motivated to justify their monumental role. “ We are like mothers who love, care and scold her children when they grow up,’’ he said.
The young officers too appreciate the role played by the instructors in new-making them in the desired mould. “The instructors of the IMA are doubtless the best men in the field. They are really hard task masters. We learn a lot from them,’’ said a GC.
The instructors are selected by an elaborate process. The IMA has a drill course for the instructors and the three to four selected candidates from each regiment are sent for this course.
After the completion of the course, the instructors are placed for a period of three years in the prestigious training academy.
After they are transferred from IMA they are taken back in their respective regiments at regimental training centres. The IMA has Drill Instructors (DI), Physical Instructors (PI), Weapon Instructors (WI) and Field Instructors (FI).