My First Day in Army (By VM Rajan)

The train was approaching Jammu .. there was a knot of fear and nervousness in the guts .. I checked my uniform in the mirror .. felt pride , despite the lone star on the shoulders ..like an island in a sea of Olive green..

.. smartly turned out in my officer cap.. and regimental cane tucked under my left arm.. I stepped on the paltform ..to be received by the orderly..

.. He led me to the vehicle ..to proceed to the battalion.

.. after standing five minutes next to a 1 Ton water truck .. I asked the orderly " Hamara Jonga Kidhar Hai"

.. . by this time , the driver of the truck ,had taken my luggage .. and placed them on the co drivers seat..

..feeling morose at the type of transport being provided for Officer conveyance.. I was about to step into the co drivers seat .. when the driver told me ..I was to travel in the body of the truck..

... I stared at him and barked " Bewakoof ..How can anyone travel ..standind neckdeep in water "

.. he told me with soldierly finality .." Saab ..hukm hai "

..cars slowed down ..and locals on both sides of the rosd , stared in puzzlement at the sight of a man ..getting sloshed by water .. standing in a speeding military water truck..

.. at the mess ..I quickly changed into drier clothes and presented myself in front of the Adjutant..

... He welcomed me to the battalion.. and told me to report to ALPHA COMPANY ..

..as i walked away .. I had a sneaking suspicion , that the adjutant had too much of a resemblane , to the driver of water truck..

.. the alpha company commander ..had a moustache very similar to the orderly..spoke in the same voice ..except now it was in english..

.. at the mess.. we all had a hearty laugh at the brilliant impersonation of orderly and driver..

.. the C.O asked me if I could do a hand stand..eager to impress..I held the upside down position with ease..

.. until I felt something like ..extremely cold ice cubes.. moving down my trousers .. and collecting dangerously near the family jewels..and then wetting my shirt.. I looked through a film of water at the upside down faces of grinning officers..

..A fine welcoming speech.. and I was part ..of an honourable profession...a tradition ... a way of life..

Happy Army Days

This article is written by my school mate. Mr. Vishwanath Madhav Rajan, he can be contacted at rajan154@rediffmail.com