The Best Commanding Officer

The most admired position for an Army officer is, no doubt, that of a commanding officer (CO). 10 COs in all, in 5 units; I’ve compared my COs on different aspects, but most importantly on the ability and performance as a leader.  More specifically, on how effective he was in the role of a CO. That said, it wasn’t that simple an exercise; if I were to ask myself, whom did I like most, the answer would have been different. If the achievements over the entire military career were to be factored, the choice might be different. Well, I’ve picked up one as the best CO from among the 10 I served from 1971 to 1987 until I got promoted and became a CO. During the first 16 years of service, I had two tenures, one in MCTE and another in OTA, altogether for about 6 years. I’ve left out that period; therefore in a span of 10 years I had 10 COs (7 lieutenant colonels and 3 colonels). Two out of them became major generals and three, brigadiers. The best CO among them, in my assessment, is Lt Col GK Bhagat!

When I joined my first unit, 1 Corps Signal Regiment, in 1971, the CO was Lt Col R K Gupte (RKG) and the 2IC, Maj G K Bhagat (GKB). It was a big unit, bigger than any unit I served later in life. We were more than thirty officers when I reported on posting. The number swelled during the War thanks to termination or suspension of several courses at MCTE, to reach an impressive and difficult to manage figure, above 50. RKG, a diminutive figure, who looked more like a professor, told me in the first interview on posting that he had more service than my age and I could count on him like a son. It touched my heart. I found him compassionate, well read, cerebral, knowledgeable and above all unshakable in the face of adversity. He never passed the buck. He became a role model for me!

 GKB was very different from RKG in his looks, style, attitude and demeanor. Stout, well-built and somewhat beefy, he looked impressive in the combat uniform. He was loud, gregarious, warm and omnipresent. Together they made a great team, the CO and 2IC, complementing each other so well! We were privileged to have this combination to lead us during the testing times in the 1971War. I don’t hesitate to say, what I learned in the first year of my military service in 1 Corps Signal Regiment is far more than what I could learn anytime later. The fact of the matter is, the training and the experience of war got in 1 Corps Signal Regiment came handy during my future career in the Army and later in the Corporate Sector!

GKB replaced RKG as CO in 1972 after the War as both of them were promoted and RKG moved out on posting. I was close to RKG and revered him as my mentor. Notwithstanding the same, I felt happy since the versatile GKB was to take over as the CO. He could step into the shoes of the CO smoothly and effortlessly. GKB was flamboyant, lively and highly visible to one and all in the Regiment; he knew each one of us too well! Of course he had the advantage of seeing and knowing us for some time. He had a genuine interest in people and coupled with a phenomenal ability to memorize, he could call almost anyone in the Unit by his name! It was instant rapport with GKB for an officer, JCO, NCO and OR alike!

I once faced a ticklish problem with a GSO2 Ops of a division under 1 Corps. He was a senior major of the Corps of Signals. He tried to bully me, the OC Exchange for a favor; threats and abuses that I felt I couldn’t take. The right person to tackle such issues, I thought was the 2IC. I rang up GKB and explained to him the problem. He asked me to immediately ring up the GSO2 Ops and tell him to put his finger up his**** and start whistling. He further said, “Unni, never accept nonsense, react then and there! I called the GSO2 Ops and spoke to him; he was too shocked to hear me! GKB had the apt quick fix for any problem! Two days later I saw the GSO2 Ops in our Officers Mess in the company of the CO and 2IC. GKB introduced me to the visitor and asked me to get a call for him to his residence, a civil telephone number of Bangalore. The GSO2 Ops was taken aback, wondering how GKB could remember his residential telephone number! GKB impressed everyone saying that he used to see the exchange call records every day and not only made a mental note of important telephone numbers, but also of call history; it was three days since the GSO2 Ops spoke to his wife! I got the call put through and the GSO2 Ops thanked me!

GKB had an amazing ability to remember numbers and he was adept at putting it to effective use! He was very popular among the staff, Corps HQ and commanders and staff at lower formations of the Corps thanks to his attitude to help and display of genuine interest in a person to the extent of remembering his first name and telephone number by heart! 

GKB spent a lot of time with the officers when the Unit was deployed at Samba. I learned from him how to play bridge. He was fond of party games; Mrs Bhagat and he introduced us to an exciting card game “whist drive”! He was a good sportsman. He used to join us for badminton. He made a difference in parties by making us sing and dance and joining us with his dholak (folk drum). He was very popular among the ladies and kids as well.

I’ve learnt ‘delegation’ in the true sense under GKB. He left the Signal Centre entirely to me. Only once a day I gave him a briefing, that too on the phone, after my meeting with the CSO. I remember one occasion when he took a chance! The CSO, Brig M S Sodhi, told me that he would like to visit the Signal Centre next day. I told GKB about the visit, and he asked whether I was ready. On my saying yes, he asked me to go ahead and to further coordinate the details with SO1 Signals. SO1 gave me the time of visit and added that I should give a visit folder to the CSO next day morning. In fact, the CSO  told me about the purpose of the visit and added that he didn’t want the normal bullshit. I got the Signal Centre ready and informed the CO in the evening about the preparation and readiness. He asked me about the folder. I had planned to write it next day early in the morning. The CO asked me to show the folder to SO1 before I gave it to the CSO. I went to the Corps HQ next day as usual and before meeting the CSO gave the folder to SO1 and requested to have a look. The SO1 looked at the file cover, opened it and I could see the change of expression! Normally a very pleasant and cool person, the SO1 was furious. He asked me whether the CO had approved the folder. I told him in reply, “Yes, he had approved, but not seen it”. The SO1 told me that it appeared a casual attitude and he was not to be party to it. He gave the folder back and wished good luck. I was shaken but since it was about time to meet the CSO, I walked into his office. I gave him the customary briefing and reminded about his visit to the Signal Centre, scheduled at 10 AM that day. I then gave him the folder and he thanked me saying that he would read it before coming to the Signal Centre. I went back to my office and called up GKB. He already knew about the folder; SO1 had briefed him. The folder had only 4 pages, ordinary file cover and hand written! GKB asked me about the contents. I told him that it contained the ideas of the CSO that he had told over a period since he arrived and a few ideas of the CO and mine as well; future plans, anticipation and action in advance or in time, motivation, priorities, gardening and so on. “Well done; let us see what happens. I’ll be there to receive the CSO”, was his response. The CSO came at 10 AM, the visit lasted 90 minutes and at the end he complimented all of us involved in managing the Signal Centre. And he had a special word of praise for the unorthodox folder! I felt relieved. GKB was lavish when it came to recognition and he, in turn, did express his appreciation,  making me feel proud!

GKB held a conference of company commanders and the Subedar Major (SM) on “Raising Day Celebration”. The Adjutant and OIC Signal Centre were also called for the conference. The Adjutant read out the tentative program and the tasks involved. Each task was discussed and company commanders, one after another, argued why that task should not be given to his company due to one reason or another. After all four of them finished their arguments, the SM volunteered to take on the task. This pattern continued and every time the SM came forward to take on the task and responsibility. GKB made a slight deviation when it came to a few tasks to be done by the Signal Centre staff and detailed me to take on without going for a discussion. The conference got over, but GKB asked the officers to stay back. Then he addressed us and I found him at his eloquent best! He asked me how I planned to get the tasks done while running the Signal Centre. I told him about changing from 3 shifts to 2 shifts and on the final day working with a special 1 day shift besides getting additional manpower from M Com Zone Sig Ret, a sister unit. Then he asked the company commanders one by one why they couldn’t accept responsibility gracefully and arrive at practical solutions. How the SM could accept so much? The few lessons of leadership and management that I learned that day are vivid in memory! GKB could drive a point home most effectively!

During the 71 War I observed one thing in the 1Corps Signal Regiment that was unique. It was a very large unit with abundant resources. The CO and the 2IC were magnanimous and forthcoming to help anyone in need; professional ethics of a high degree and at times disregarding of procedures for speedy and timely action! This attitude percolated down the line and we the young officers imbibed those values. I must say that I’ve tried to emulate such examples during my command of Units in war and peace; I’ve had the privilege to be the CO of 12 Field Sub Group, A Composite Signal Regiment (later 21 Corps Signal Regiment) and 6 Technical Regiment.

There are several achievements of GKB as CO 1 Corps Signal Regiment. One of them was the successful conduct of the first Plan AREN exercise, “Sanchar Pragati” paving the way for a revolution in Army communications. He had a few brilliant people in his team and it performed as a cohesive unit under him, each one of its members rising to his potential. One trait of GKB that I found rare and perhaps inimitable was an ability to deal with different people in different styles. GKB was an accomplished actor who could change the tone, the manner, the language, the choice of words and the modulation of his speech to deal with an individual or a group more effectively. Whenever he called me for any discussion, he made me comfortable and paid undivided attention to what I said making me feel an equal intellectually. I’ve seen him treating someone else very differently and yet commanding respect!

GKB had his way with JCOs and men; he knew their pulse instantly and they adored him. An enterprising NCO had requested me for a posting to his home station, Halwara, and added that forwarding his application was not enough; I should bring it to the notice of the CO informally while playing bridge! I mentioned this to GKB and he remembered telling this NCO, before the 71 War to apply for his choice posting on the return of the Unit to Mathura. GKB knew the details of the case and got the posting as requested for.

I can list several qualities of GKB and narrate events to highlight the demonstration of those qualities in ample measure during the1971 War and Peace that preceded and followed. I saw him as 2IC and CO. What is the most unique quality if I were to pick up one? To my mind, it is his ability to deal with people in different ways and styles! I’ve tried to emulate, but it is a candid admission I never succeeded. That is one of the reasons why he remains my hero, my best CO!