I attended the Senior Command (SC) Course from September to November 1998, and it proved to be an incredibly educative experience. Here are some important memories that shaped my journey during the course:

Brig, Squash Player

Just a week into the course, I went to play squash and had an encounter with a Brigadier instructor. He proudly mentioned that, having been posted at the College of Combat for two years, no officer had ever managed to beat him at squash. I told him I’d be ready to play but needed a week to warm up. We played that day, and to his surprise, I won!

War Game: Artillery Brigade Commander (Arty Cdr)

Most of the officers in the course were Lieutenant Colonels, but in the first war game, I was appointed as the Artillery Commander (Arty Cdr) for a defensive battle. One senior officer, a Lieutenant Colonel of the Artillery, asked for my help in setting up the Operations Room and planning the artillery strategy. I did my part, but when it was my turn for help, he became dismissive. I told him I didn’t need his help and would handle the plan on my own. Not only did I complete the plan, but when the assessments came through, my approach was backed by the other artillery instructors, and his suggestions were dismissed.

Serious Argument with a Para Regiment Brigadier

In another war game, a Para Regiment Brigadier disagreed with an Infantry officer’s defensive plan. Having commanded a brigade in Jammu & Kashmir and been decorated for his service, he assumed I would agree with his assessment. However, I stood firm and disagreed, explaining that the officer’s plan was sound, and his counter-infiltration focus was misplaced. The Brigadier, quite agitated, challenged my tactical understanding, telling me I would never rise beyond the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Despite this, I maintained my stance, and later, two instructors advised me to be more diplomatic—advice I’ve received repeatedly but rarely followed.

Gen Madhok

Col Madhok, later Army Commander ARTRAC, was on the Higher Command (HC) course with us. A renowned tennis player, he was undefeated in our matches. I, however, managed to win 6-0, 6-0 in our game. He asked me how I pulled it off, to which I responded, “Ho jaata hai, sir, chance ki baat hai.”

All Foreigners Brigade

In one memorable war game, I commanded a brigade composed entirely of foreign officers, all of whom were senior to me in service. We had a Sri Lankan Colonel leading supporting arms, a Namibian Lt Colonel handling administration and logistics, and a Nepalese Lt Colonel as my staff officer. While working with this diverse team, I had to take on additional responsibilities when others weren’t pulling their weight. It was a learning experience, and I developed a great friendship with the Namibian officer, a national-level marathoner and shooter.

Playing Tennis with Tara

On Sundays, I enjoyed playing tennis with Tara, the daughter of Brig SS Kanbargimath, an instructor at the College of Combat. She was among India’s top 5-6 female tennis players at the time. Our matches were well-matched, and we enjoyed the camaraderie. Her father and I became close friends, catching up years later in Bangalore.

Outlast and Not Outsmart

Gen M Shergill, the Commander of the SC Wing, gave a final class on how to command a battalion. A common question from aspiring Commanding Officers was about dealing with other COs trying to outsmart them. I shared my perspective: “I realized early on that my competitors were smarter than me, so my only chance was to outlast them. This meant maintaining my mental peace, staying physically fit, and focusing on doing my job well without trying to outsmart anyone.” The course laughed at my approach, but Gen Shergill acknowledged the seriousness behind it.

Just a Good Salute

During the final interview with the General, he asked for my feedback about the course. I simply replied, “No feedback, Sir, just a good salute in your office,” and did so. That moment remains one of the most memorable of my career. Gen Shergill was a true leader, and I have few other role models in the Indian Army, like Gen M Thomas, our IMA Commandant, and Gen J Mehmood, who I worked with during his tenure as the Commander of Ganganagar Brigade.

Post-SC Course, I briefly touched 20 Punjab in the Kandi-Budhal areas of Jammu on Counter-Terrorism (CT) operations before being posted to 23 Punjab, where I was slated to become the Commanding Officer in due course. Gen Bindra, the GOC of the Sikkim Division, had architected this move. In my next blog, I will share my experiences upon joining 23 Punjab.