Career Opportunities in the Indian Armed Forces was an event jointly organized by the School of Engineering, DSU and Centre for Executive Education for engineering graduates on September 24, 2019. Group Captain Anoop Sood, an Indian Airforce veteran was welcomed by Dr. Vaibhav Meshram, Professor, ECE, DSU and spoke extremely eloquently on the opportunities that the Indian Armed Forces afford as career opportunities for young engineers particularly young women engineers. He also clearly delineated the entry formalities and preparation required in overcoming the tough entry requirements and assessment centers which are called Service Selection Boards. Group Captain Sood has served on many such boards over a career spanning close to forty years. Anoop Sood spoke on the possible remuneration, quality of life and other opportunities in the Armed Forces and exhorted young men and women to seriously pursue these brilliant career opportunities.

The Indian Armed Forces are one of the largest professional armies in the world and boasts of a highly sophisticated Army, Navy and Air force. These forces defend India against external threats and assist in internal emergencies. The armed forces have over the years been modernizing and in doing so have brought in technological innovation in strategy, tactics and operations.

Like all officers, military engineers are expected to strictly adhere to military codes of conduct, but duties can vary by location, specialty and branch of the Armed Forces. For example, engineers working in research and development may never set foot on a battlefield, while combat engineers may be part of a team of soldiers in hostile territory. Whether they are maintaining and rebuilding military or civilian infrastructures at home or abroad, engineers must be able to plan efficiently, communicate effectively and adapt quickly.

At home, military engineers are mostly responding to man-made and natural disasters, which often involve maintaining Indian water systems and contributing to sustainable, environmental efforts. In war zones, engineering duties take on both defensive and offensive purposes. Defensive duties can include constructing fortifications, building bridges, planting landmines and clearing transportation routes for armored vehicles. Offensive tasks can include strategically demolishing enemy bridges, clearing improvised explosives and deconstructing enemy structures.

Close to one hundred and fifty students and professors attended the event and were highly motivated by the two-hour engagement. Students who are due to attend an SSB in the near future found inputs from Anoop Sood extremely helpful. The event was concluded by Dr. Rajashree Narendra, Professor-ECE, School of Engineering with a vote of thanks for the brilliant talk delivered by Group Captain Sood.