After the training

When the training day ends at lunchtime, the officers rush to their living quarters in Chhamb Block where two officers share a two bedroom flat.

They quickly change out of their fatigues into olive green uniforms and troop into the Officers Mess for lunch.

Twelve cooks and 16 to 18 bearers look after the meal arrangements. The Officers Mess is situated on a hill and offers a beautiful view of the Bay of Bengal.

After lunch the officers retire to their block and meet for games in the evening between 4 pm and 5.30 pm. They study or spend time catching up with the rest in the time before and after dinner. Wednesday and Saturday is their evening off, the latter usually being dedicated to a social event.

The college has a shopping complex, movie theatre, a stunning beach which is out of bounds for civilians and has an enclosure for hosting parties on the beachfront. There are days when the young officers are given the responsibility of hosting a cultural evening, which is all part of their overall grooming.

“We encourage them to participate in public speaking, debates, lectures, writing military book reviews,” says Major Baveja.

“An officer cannot be an introvert because a leader has to have communicative skills to lead her/his men effectively. With more and more officers joining us from smaller towns, at this level this is the last time they get training on an organised basis. After this they don’t need it,” adds Major Baveja.

Reportage: Archana Masih. Photographs: Jewella C Miranda