HAPPY INFANTRY DAY

Anybody who has ever donned a green beret would know how difficult it is to explain the Infantry as an arm. Although, ‘The Ultimate’ requires no illustrations, here is a kaleidoscope of myriad snippets which would, to certain extent, conjure up the vista of the soul and spirit of Infantry. *You never chose Infantry, rather Infantry is when destiny chose ‘you’ over the rest.* * Infantry is:-* - When a cold and shivering jawan gets you a cup of hot tea on a patrol break at 13,000 feet. - When your sixth sense tells you there is something wrong with a guy at 50 meters. - When you meet with an accident and the first thing you check is the serviceability of your legs. - When you speak the language of your boys. - When you sit from dusk to dawn in an ambush on Valentine’s Day, you know infantry is giving you the red rose. - When you are a master at pump stove, lanterns, solar lights, bukharis and travelling in trains without reservations. - When you know more about cramps and cold injuries than your average doctor. - When a girl in the pub is indicated by clock-ray method. - When only your Sahayak can dig out the thing you want from your rucksack. - When your pain submits to your will. - When you find it funny when your relative says he’s going on a holiday to a hill station. - When your Arm ie Infantry, is a matter of discussion during marriage proposals. - When you do not believe in ghosts but do believe in Peer Baba and other high altitude babas. - When you know the real meaning of camouflage, in field, in parties, in unit routine and in your own house. - When you can live, anywhere, with anybody, on anything that nature can offer. - When you know this LMG will be resited by everybody up the ladder, till it comes back to where you had sited it initially. - When somebody asks, “Do you play Golf?” and you look at the brass on your shoulder and say “Not yet!” - When you are the biggest consumer of foot powder, DMP oil, water sterilization kit, ORS packets and Meals Ready to Eat in the Army. - When you gave it all that you have got, and some more. - When you are the only one to get trained in bayonet fighting. And expect it to happen. - When your girlfriend thinks you are Rambo, Commando, Gladiator and Braveheart, all rolled into one. Your Commanding Officer, by the way, thinks you are none. - When you get lost in a multiplex with signboards but are at ease in a jungle with a compass. - When you can die for, what you have lived for. Doff my hat to my Infantry brethrens. Warm Regards