Today on the New Year, we have with us Lieutenant Monisha V.V, Judge Advocate General, Indian Army to tell us her inspiring story about her journey from a lawyer to an Indian Army Officer in our short interview segment!
1. After all the tedious processes, you are now commissioned as Lieutenant with the Indian Army. Congratulations! How do you feel about the feat?
It's a surreal experience, donning the stars. It definitely feels like all the World's jubilation has somehow filled up inside me the day I was pipped as an officer in the Indian Army. More than happiness, I should say pride is filling my heart and mind. It's an honour to be a part of the forces and living a life less ordinary.
2. Tell us about your background, both personal and professional.
I'm from a civilian background with my dad, an engineer, now a senior general manager of an automobile manufacturing company and my mom an astrologer. I did my primary education in Singapore and secondary schooling in SBOA School & Junior College located in Chennai of which I was the head girl. After this, I continued to pursue law [B. Com., LLB.,(hons.)] in the School of excellence in law, Chennai.
3. Is your entry into the Indian Army a well-prepared plan or you had moments in life that led you to this place?
My entry into the Indian Army was anything but a well prepared plan. I should actually say that somehow life led me to this path but I couldn't be happier and I would never have fit in better anywhere else. Sometimes it's always better to leave some things to fate (laughs).
4. Why Indian Army? And particularly, why JAG? What inspired you to take up JAG in the Indian Army?
I should be completely candid here and accept the fact that I never knew that there was a JAG branch in the Indian Army. To be honest I have never even thought about such a career path. What started out as a binge googling session led me to this and intrigued me immediately. I was fascinated with the forces, the dedication, the uniform and the sheer courage of the men in uniform. I have always wanted to be a strong woman and perform feats that the society thought I couldn't do and this musing put me on this path. JAG is a specialised branch of the Indian Army wherein lawyers are trained to meet the legal requirements of the forces. Just as there are vacancies for engineers and doctors in the Army, JAG branch is ONLY for candidates who have completed their legal education.
5. What processes did you face to reach your current designation? Before getting into the army and even after.
SSB is the interview that one has to crack to get into the forces. I would very confidently say that it is the toughest one to crack. It's a process that goes on for 5 days with an individual tested emotionally, mentally, physically, intellectually along with testing his/her communication skills, ability to work in a team and much more. I would say the best of the nation are handpicked for the forces by an extremely qualified selection panel. Lakhs of applications pour in and 3 get through, pan India.
The first stage is the screening, only those who clear this get to the next stage. Then a series of tests are conducted and those who ace that get recommended and have to clear their medical tests. Once this is done, all the candidates in all the centres are evaluated and a merit list is put up. If you come within the top three, you have been endowed with the privilege of getting trained in the Officer's Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.
The OTA is the only academy that trains women officers in the Indian Army and the training duration is 49 weeks (approximately 11 months). Women cadets should come out of their comfort zone, physically and mentally, cut their hair (women cadets training in the Navy and Air force academies don't have to) and train on par with their male counterparts.
6. Was there a struggle?
(Laughs)
My journey into the Army started with a tragedy. I lost my younger brother the day I got the merit list, getting into the Army. A million thoughts ran before the decision to leave my parents behind, cope with my emotions and do this for the happiness of amma, appa and of course my beloved little brother, Praveen.
I could never have completed this without the love and support of my mother, Mrs. Vennila. Even at a time when she had just lost a son, she bravely fought with everyone who opposed her and sent me to the forces only because that was what I wanted. Her courage and bravery shadows whatever I have done. Her constant motivation throughout my arduous training gave me the courage to pick myself up from every fall and to keep me going. Behind every successful man there is a woman they say, but behind every successful daughter, there is her mother.
My father, Mr. Vincent has also always been the protective father, who has boosted me with his words. In short, I should say that to succeed in this training, wholesome support from everyone is MANDATORY.
7. What exactly is your work profile as a JAG?
JAG is the abbreviated form of Judge Advocate General. We are the legal support for the Indian Army.
We provide legal advice and carry out proceedings for and of the various ranks of the Indian Army. Civilian advocates do not have the clearance to handle millitary matters and JAG officers are trained specifically for the same.
8. How is your everyday life in the army?
I would say that its something that should be felt rather than explained. It is a way of life.
Each day is different from the other, that's why the men and women in uniform live a life less ordinary, expecting the unexpected.
9. We see many law students willing to become a JAG without actually knowing what it offers or what they would contribute to the institution/society/people as a JAG. Can you throw some light on these aspects so that the aspirants can get to know whether they fit into the framework?
There is no prerequisite for the same. For instance, I have never been in NCC, I have not been a sportsperson, not a gym goer, ….things people would have said is necessary to become an Army Officer. These are things that you can learn and things that you can practice with time. What is necessary to become an officer in the Army is to be a good human first. A brave, courageous leader. A person who would puts others' needs before his/her's. Also, don't bother of what you will get being in the Army, only think of the nation that you are serving, and as JAG Officers, how you will be protecting the men and women protecting the borders.
10. Your advice to JAG aspirants would be?
Be yourself.
Never give up.
Never doubt yourself, there are enough people to do that.
11. What next in your career from here?
I would want to reach heights in my profession and be an inspiration to other budding women officers and women in general.
Before all that, I want to serve the nation in the best possible way with all that I have.
Jai Hind!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. THIS SHOULD BE RESOURCEFUL TO A LOT OF YOUNGSTERS! THANKS FOR INSPIRING US ALL! AND OUR BEST WISHES TO ALL YOUR ENDEAVOURS!
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