Commander-in-Chiefs' are Important 'People'

Commander-in-Chiefs' are Important 'People'

If you are like me, who joined the Services, with zero exposure to defence Services and only 'Commando' art books and Alistair MacLean to go by, then you would understand that why I thought CinC's were very important 'persons'.

After actually joining the Services, it became I was convinced, that the CinC was personally monitoring my performance and progress as a Cadet in the Naval Academy. By the time the Passing-out-Parade was announced, it was evident to me that the CinC, other than me, was 'personally' monitoring the progress and performance of my drill instructor, Divisional officer, Canteen officer and the Librarian too! My respect for the CinC was greatly enhanced. 

Being academically below par, I had missed the 'Duties and Responsibilities' of the CinC in Service subjects. It is only during the Sea Cadets' time and and as a Midshipman (two times), and a few Annual Inspections thrown in between, I finally figured out that the CinC was INDEED an important 'person'. But much to my relief I also figured out that he wasn't really (like by God) not monitoring my progress or performance (yet).

I won't drag ths further. Time flew.

I was once the Board President of a SNC Inter-Galley Cooking Competition! The Board visited selected SNC units, far and wide. 'Tasting' food and following guidelines of a Navy Order. As expected, all units put their best 'food' forward during our inspection. 

The challenge was in units which had multiple galleys!

It was a Friday. Fishy friday in the Navy!

Galley 1 : Fish Fry

Galley 2 : Fish fry

Galley 3 : You guessed it right!

Galley 4 : Now you get it.

There were whispers : 'Officer cook' आया था galley में 😆. 

You're guessed it right, again : Cooks (Officers') were not to participate in the competition. Only the Ship's Galley(s).

The Board consisted of officers who were both pioneers in software development for the Indian Navy. But in those days they were seen as cry babies, forever demanding high end servers and the works. 

The result of the competition was all that the Board was required to submit. We did. I got fired, terribly, by my CO for not championing the cause of my own unit 😁

I, as the Board President, had also submitted an unsolicited but comprehensive report on the futility of the 'competition'. A report that POTUS Donald Trump's DOGE would be proud of today!

And then, as I went back to my 'duties', I forgot all about it.

Mind you! By now I KNEW CinC's don't bother with the stuff their Staff handle🤣 and especially know nothing about what I do or how I perform. SRO. Oops!!

Then one fine day, quite day, a couple of months later, a flutter. Flutter in the corridors. CO साब ने बुलाया. Flutter in my solar plexus. 

CO : "Did you submit a report alongwith results of Inter Galley Competition?"

Me : 🤔. Yes Sir.

CO : Who told you?

Me : 😲. Sir!

CO : What did you write?

Me : 😌. Sir, the futility of the whole exercise. 

CO : I got a call from the CSO(P&A).

Me : 😑 Sir.

CO : Someone put up your your report to the CinC 😡

Me : 😲Sir.

Me (Within) : Gulp.

Me (Within) : Do CinCs even READ such mundane reports? 😲

CO : CinC has directed to stop this wonderful competition based on your report 😡

Me (forever) : CinCs know everything, read everything, the minutest details. CinC knows every single person, activity, event,  individually. To the last detail.

About your unit and you. Hence, he is an important 'person'.

_As reminisced by Captain Rajshekhar Banerjee_.