Senior officer lists shortcomings of women Commanding Officers, calls for policy on gender neutrality

 Lt. Gen Rajeev Puri. Photo: X/@easterncomd

Calling for a “comprehensive policy” on “gender neutrality” as well as gender-neutral assessments of course performance, a senior Army officer listed out findings from a performance review of women Commanding Officers (CO) under his command in the Eastern sector and flagged several shortcomings which include poor interpersonal skills, over assertion of command, misplaced sense of entitlement, lack of empathy, exaggerated tendency to complain and over ambition to a lack of ambition.

In a letter to the Eastern Army Commander Lt. Gen R. C. Tiwari dated October 1, 2024, the same which has also been sent to the Army’s Military Secretary (MS) and the Adjutant General’s (AG) branches, Lt. Gen Rajeev Puri who commanded the Panagarh-based 17 mountain strike Corps called for the need to institute certain long term measures in this regard. He completed his tenure in November 2024.

Following a Supreme Court judgement, the Army has opened Command positions for women officers except in fighting arms – infantry, armoured and mechanised infantry.

There are eight women COs under Lt. Gen Puri’s command, and an in-house review was carried out based on demonstrated performance of these officers, he stated and major issues were identified – serious concerns regarding interpersonal relations, an exaggerated tendency to complain, over exerting command and centralized decision making, misplaced sense of entitlement, lack of empathy, low tolerance to ambiguity and over or lack of ambition.

Analysing the likely reasons for the issues that were seen as a trend, Lt. Gen Puri said women officers have not been trained to be commanders; preferential task allotment and resultant lack of compassion; desire to prove oneself in a predominantly male dominant forward; and perceived gender bias.

Noting that the issues highlighted above and the attributes contributing to these are but a small part of the whole gender puzzle, the officer also listed out some remedial measures. “It is important that certain course corrections are implemented to improve the overall quality of cord in units in the future. A few other long-term measures will be required to be instituted for effect on a long term,” Lt. Gen Puri wrote.

A comprehensive policy on gender neutrality be issued by AG’s Branch and further neutrality in posting and selection profiles be implemented by the MS branch, he suggested.

Policy on spouse coordinated postings be reviewed and case for spouse coordinated posting be treated at par with posting on compassionate grounds, he further suggested while also suggesting gender neutral assessment of course performance at training institutes. “Women officers are an empowered lot. Hence, showcasing/involver women officers in women empowerment roles like women only bike adventure activities need to be minimized,” Lt. Gen Puri observed.

“The last year plus has given an insight into the style of command of Women men COs. Casual discussions with officers at various echs have also provided inputs. some of which are also encouraging. However, a large number of inputs have brought out common traits and trends which need to be studied, analysed and discussed for the benefit of future ors as well as the overall interest of the org. I have taken this opportunity to highlight but a few of these,” he added.