Armed forces of many countries around the world have had a positive experience with tour of duty scheme. "Tour of Duty" (ToD) or "3-year short service scheme" aims to attract those individuals who seek to join the Indian Armed Forces for short tenure, in order to gain the experience and discipline from the defence services. The objective of armed forces is to reduce its expenses, use its resources in modernisation of the defence forces and convert India’s big demography into skilled force.
Advantages of tour of duty (ToD) scheme:
Cost of ToD scheme is just a fraction of cost incurred through Short Service Commission (SSC) i.e Rs. 85 Lakh in place of Rs. 6 crore per personnel. The amount saved can be used for the modernisation of India Forces in terms of training, arms and equipments. It'a lucrative option for the youth to experience the military life in the short span of 3 years. It can also help in providing life skills so that the youth can be more productive when they enter public life.
Rigorous military training and habits inculcate confidence and will help the candidate to lead a more healthy and disciplined life.
The demand for India’s trained youth can be higher in the private sector, both locally and globally. It can help India in converting the demographic liability into demographic dividend.
Disadvantages of tour of duty (ToD) scheme:
Specialisation- Specialisation of workforce has become a new norm in the past 2 decades. Enrolment of workforce in the military might deprive them of specialisation and affect their skills further.
Professionalism in the military- Selected candidates are likely to consider themselves as temporary recruits and may remain preoccupied on their post military employment prospects. This might affect professionalism in the military in the long run.
Before implementing a reformative policy like ToD, it is imperative that international experience, failures and successes of different countries is studied so that the same mistakes are not repeated by Indian defence forces.