AFVOA Newletters of Year 2007

Page 38 of 68 to lead the quality of life similar to the one in which they lived while in service. In brief, their money seems to have lesser purchasing power; hence the need for earning additional income which may come from a job or business. Options Preferred option seems to be a job. For it is easier to join an on-going organisation and contribute to its profit making. In order to contribute, one must have suitable skills and dedication. The job market is competitive. Hence there is a need to sell one's 'potential to profit making' in a convincing manner. Having joined an organisation, one must prove their 'profit making capability'. In an industrial environment, one can expect approximately one-third of one's 'profit making' as their salary and perks put together. By way of example, if you make Rs.3000/- for an employer per month, you can expect approximately Rs.1000/- as monthly emoluments. The job may take him anywhere away from his chosen place of settlement. Less preferred option is joining an on-going enterprise as a partner or starting something afresh. It has higher risks, requires consistent hard work and application of due diligence. When successful, the entire earning after depreciation and taxes will be that of the owner. This, in most of the cases, for the same amount of work in a job, the net income will be double if not more. Factors Many factors contribute in the decision-making. Family background is most important. Member of a joint family enjoys far more flexibility than a member of a single unit family. Availability of a dwelling place is another deciding factor. The status of children, the skill-sets of the individual, physical health conditions and the desire for leading a good quality retired life are other factors. Besides motivating the serving personnel, the Armed Forces are keen to facilitate the resettlement of its retiring fraternity for an important reason. If the militarily trained and experienced manpower is not harnessed properly, it can become a great cause for concern to the society. Armed Forces veterans in the Western countries get lucrative job offers as mercenaries and terrorists. Such offers do exist even in India today. Frictions Directorate of Resettlement will be far more effective in their endeavor to help resettle the retiring fraternity if their efforts are refocused to the modern environment. They should help to enhance the job-oriented potentials in the retiring fraternity rather than training them for generic purposes. It is unfair to expect the employers to make concession based on sentimental approaches such as the 'Armed Forces personnel defend the nation' or 'they give their life for the nation' and words to that effect. These old time sentimental approaches do not impress the captains of the industries today because they cannot survive with inefficient and unproductive work force. At best, we can beseech them to consider an ex-service person over an equally productive civilian. Higher age bracket (in the case of officers and JCOs), lack of exposure(civil working environment) and inadequacy of skill-sets and the expectation of landing a lucrative job closer to their place of settlement are some of the frictions that impede the employment opportunity of the retiring fraternity. The Armed Forces should consider facilitating volunteer retirement