Some unknown facts about Bangladesh Army | Halek Hossain

 

1. How many types of divisions (corps) are there in the army?

The names of the divisions or corps of the army are given very briefly and simply below

A. Armored - Tanks or armored forces

B. Artillery - Cannon or artillery force

C. Signals - They communicate and protect through wireless, telephone, radar, etc.

D. Engineers - They are capable of doing all the engineering work as well as infantry work

E. Infantry

F. Army Service Corps - They provide fresh and dry rations to the army, vehicles, fuel, etc.

G. AMC (Army Medical Corps) - Ensures medical care for Army members and their families

H. Ordnance - Provides various equipment, clothing, and everyday items for use in war and peacetime.

J. EME (Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Core) - deals with the manufacture of various types of machinery and maintenance of various machinery and equipment including automobiles.

J. Military police- They are engaged in policing, traffic control etc. inside the cantonment

T. AEC (Army Education Corps) - Teaches in various schools and institutions of the Army

There are also other minor cores or divisions like Army Dental Core, Remound Veterinary and Farm Core, Clerical Core etc.

2. What are the titles of the army?

There are basically three categories in the army.

A. Officer

B. Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO)

C. Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) and other designations

3. What are the qualifications required to join as a soldier and what are the tests required?

After passing SSC, one can join the army as a soldier through the recruitment process. This type of recruitment is often seen in different stadiums. Those who have passed the written, oral and medical examinations within one day are invited to join this post. They can only get a job as a soldier if they successfully complete six months of training. Their training is done in different places depending on the core, arms or service.

4. How far can you get promotion if you are admitted as a soldier? What are the steps?

If a soldier successfully completes his service, he may become an honorary captain. The steps are:

A. Soldier

B. Lance Corporal

C. Corporal

D. Sergeant

E. Warrant Officer

F. Senior Warrant Officer

G. Master Warrant Officer

H. Honorary Lieutenant

J. Honorary Captain

5. Who are NCO and JCO?

NCOs are non-commissioned officers and JCOs or junior commissioned officers, where they are promoted step by step from among the soldiers. The above para corporal and sergeant ranks are two NCOs and the next posts of warrant officer are considered as JCO. Note that JCOs are second class government employees. In addition, if a soldier is able to show extraordinary skill, he is also given GL commission as an officer subject to fulfilling certain qualifications.

6. What are the titles of officers in the army?

There are a total of 10 posts in the army from second lieutenant to general.

1. Second Lieutenant

2. Lieutenant

3. Captain

4. Major

5. Lieutenant Colonel

6. Colonel

7. Brigadier General

8. Major General

9. Lieutenant General

10. General

Useful post on this link - Find out the comparative rank of all military and civilian officers in the country according to the Warrant of Presidency.

7. What are the qualifications to be an officer ??

A second lieutenant is an officer of the rank of junior in the army. For this he had to successfully complete two years of training at the Military Academy as well as successfully complete his graduation from Bangladesh University of Professional. That is why his name was gazetted as a commissioned officer.

It usually takes one year from second lieutenant to lieutenant. After completion of three years of service subject to passing the qualification and promotion examination, promotion to the post of Captain takes place. In the same way, promotion to the rank of Major is usually done after completing eight years of service subject to passing the qualification and promotion examination. Lieutenant Colonel and subsequent ranks are approved by the Promotion Board consisting of Major General and adjoining officers. In other words, in case of promotion from Major to Lieutenant Colonel and beyond, approval of the said board is required in addition to acquiring certain qualifications.

8. Who are the army officers? What are their educational qualifications? What other qualifications do you need ???

Basically after passing HSC one can apply to become an army officer subject to having certain qualifications. It is to be noted here that an average of 70-75 percent of the army officers in Bangladesh come from cadet colleges. But this does not mean that cadets can become army officers only if they go to college. If approximately 600 (out of 12 cadet colleges 50 students in each batch) pass out from the cadet colleges of Bangladesh every year, they get a chance in the army but on average only 80-100 students. Because the remaining 500 are going to other professions as officers in each batch. As far as I know, it is compulsory for all cadets to take the test of joining the army, although it cannot be said that 100% of the cadets want to become army officers at once.

Certainly no one disagrees that only a few lucky and extraordinarily gifted boys who survive the competition with millions of meritorious teenagers in class seven get the chance to study in cadet colleges (only 50 in each college). Among them, only one-sixth of the average gets the opportunity to become an army officer through competition.

Besides, the remaining 25-30 percent officers come from other non-government educational institutions of the country, among which Notre Dame College, Dhaka College, RAJUK College, BAF Shaheen College, Adamjee Cantt College and other government and private colleges. Notre Dame College probably has the most officers after Cadet College. He also got the opportunity to join the Military Academy as an Army officer from other colleges in the country. So to become an army officer you have to compete with all these talented boys and girls. The difference between BUET, medical or other admission test here is that army officers are not selected only on merit. Talent is certainly a big factor but there are many more things to consider.

9. If you want to get a chance to be a cadet in BMA to be an army officer, what are the exams to be given ???

To become an officer in the Bangladesh Military Academy, the number of examinations required to join as a cadet are:

A. Primary Medical

B. Early Viva

C. Written test

D. ISSB or four-day examination on IQ, Psychological, Viva, Leadership Qualities, Communication Skills, Planning, Physical Fitness etc.

E. Final medical and swimming test

F. The ultimate viva

9. What are the tests on? Which test is followed by which test ??

The first is the initial medical and viva examination. If you don't have a very long idea, you can't become an army officer. But the truth is that the minimum height for officers is 5 feet four inches. Age 18 to 21. Also in Viva exam the examinee is seen to have skills and communication skills especially in English.

Candidates who have passed these primary medical and viva are called for written examination which is held within one to two months of field specific examination. Much of the written test is similar to the university entrance test. Although there are an average of twenty to thirty thousand candidates for each long course, no more than one and a half thousand pass the written test. From one to one and a half thousand, an average of 80-90 people were finally selected through a four-day examination of the ISS Bir (Inter-Force Selection Board).

10. How many times a year does this admission process take place? How many are admitted in total ??

This admission process is completed twice a year. There is no specific quota for how many people will be admitted here. Just as 160 people have been selected in a batch subject to eligibility, there is also a history of selecting only 40 people due to not getting any qualified person. Quality is never compromised when it comes to completing numbers. And I know that the selectors here can work without any influence. There are many cases where the son of a general has failed the test. I have never heard of any controversy over this selection method as the father's identity, political influence, uncle's telephone are ignoring everything. 

11. In addition to merit, what other issues are emphasized in the election?

Understand that in order to pass so many tests, you have to have patience as well as qualifications. Like all other admission tests (BUET, Medical, University), one can apply for the post of Officer in the Army only after the Intermediate Examination. In almost all other admission tests, the selection is based on merit only, but the army is an exception. Apart from merit, emphasis is laid on his mentality, leadership qualities, communication skills, proficiency in English, family background etc. The son of a poor but honest schoolmaster is preferred to the son of a corrupt bureaucrat by family background. Besides, there is the issue of physical fitness.

12. What do army officers have to study ?? Or just do a PT parade ???

Although he joined the army after passing HSC, the prerequisite for becoming an officer is to successfully complete two years of training at the Military Academy and successfully graduate from the National University (now Bangladesh University of Professional). His name will not be published in the official gazette before graduation.

After that he has to complete higher studies and post graduation. In addition to the four compulsory courses on their professional subjects, Army officers have to pursue higher studies at home and abroad, including Staff College, National Defense College, MIST, Bangladesh University of Professional. Engineering officers are compulsorily required to take higher degrees in Civil, Electrical and Mechanical, Computer Engineering.

Many complete post graduation on two or more subjects. The number of PhD officers in the army is also significant. So I hope you understand the common misconception that the only way to become an officer is to pass HSC. Besides, it is compulsory to participate in all the courses

A. Basic Course - Depending on the core, the course usually lasts from 4 months to 10 months, usually as a second lieutenant / lieutenant. The purpose of this course is to impart professional knowledge to each officer.

B. Courses on Weapons - All officers have to undergo two years of intensive practice and study at BMA to become highly skilled sharpshooters in handling weapons. Can It is generally said that as a result of this training each officer acquired a detailed theoretical knowledge of all types of weapons, became a skilled Marxist man and became very self-confident in handling all types of weapons. There are also many snipers among the army officers.

C. Commando Course - This course, which lasts for about three months, is a very difficult course which is compulsory for every army officer. In this course every officer is put in inhuman hardship. That is why BM's training is very difficult. This commando course has to be done within one to two years of becoming an officer. These three months of hardships, even the inhuman hardships of two years of BMA life are worth it.

Almost every day from 6 km to 40 km running, assault course (overcoming various obstacles), continuous running, crossing 6 high mountains, unarmed combat training (military version of martial arts), trekking, day march in inaccessible area following the map. Or night march, following the commando tactics, entering the enemy's area, conducting various operations, survival training in survival without food, survival adventure training, flying helicopter, including many adventurous training, as well as training on tactics.

The selected officers also undergo 6 more months of commando training where in addition to the above mentioned training many more adventurous trainings are conducted. Free fall with parachute, jump master, rigger etc. are part of the commando practice. There is a huge demand in the UN for those trained in this type of training. The motto of the commandos is do or die. Deaths have also occurred during this training. Casualty happens every day. Every army officer is a basic commando.

D. Junior Staff Course - This course is compulsory for all officers of Captain rank. It is a four-month course and a complete course of study. Here is a detailed idea about tactics or tactics.

All the above courses are world class in terms of quality and each course is attended by a significant number of foreign officers. Not only officers of subcontinent, but also officers of Captain and Major rank from different countries of the world including Middle East, Africa, Europe continent come to Bangladesh for this military training and highly appreciate the quality of our training.

Even the US Army and Marine officers and soldiers, known as the superpowers in the modern world, take part in this type of training as well as conduct joint military operations with the Bangladesh Army every year in what is known as the 'Balance Buffalo' Exercise. For those who are skeptical about the training standards of Bangladesh Army officers, I hope the above information will be helpful.

There are also many other courses that need to be completed according to the seniority of the job. Many of these courses are conducted over a long period of time and upon successful completion, post graduation certificate from Bangladesh University of Professional is awarded separately for each of them. The most important course for PSC majors is the Defense Service Command and Staff Course.

This course is held at NDC-National Defense College. Here, some elected joint secretaries of the civil administration, including officers of the rank of colonel of the army, DI Zira of the police conducted this course together.

NDU- This is also a course for Colonel and Tadhuradh titles.

AFWC - Armed forces war course, for lieutenant colonel and higher rank officers. Curry completed the above four courses Officers mention course names at the end of their names. These four courses are attended by a significant number of foreign senior officers.

There are numerous other courses for the officers of different corps of the army to be trained as experts in that corps. Corps officers such as Infantry, Artillery, Armored etc. are brought to the country and later from China, Pakistan, Turkey, India etc. for one year course. Engineers, EMEs, Ordnance Officers complete their studies in Engineering from various universities in the country and abroad including BUET, MIST. This means that every corps officer has to go to different courses in the country and abroad regularly to enhance his / her professional skills and to become an expert in his / her profession.

Thus, from the second lieutenant to the general, an officer has to be in constant study. If one is not serious about one's studies, one's career will be severely damaged and one's promotion will be completely uncertain. Thus, as a result of continuous training and education, the efficiency of an officer increases and professional excellence is achieved along with his seniority. Those who want to join the army as officers with the intention of cheating in studies, but they will be caught for sure. : P

13. Do army officers have to exercise regularly with soldiers?

It is mandatory for all Army officers (up to Lieutenant Colonel) working in the unit, except for a few officers at Headquarters, to participate in all types of training, including PT in the morning and games in the afternoon. That is why there is more comradeship between soldiers and officers in the army than any other force, because they suffer together.

(Although somewhat irrelevant here, among the countless examples of comrade ship, Lieutenant Mushfiqur, who was martyred in a confrontation with the peace forces in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, who is said to be the only hero of Bangladesh after the liberation war, fought to the death to save his soldiers.) Even today, many soldiers shed tears when they talk about him).

Not only that, an officer has to take physical fitness test twice a year. Of the many items in this test, only two are mentioned. Running 3 km and 16 km in the allotted time. Understand that without fitness you can't do these things for me. They are also weighed every year. If the physical fitness and weight are not kept under control, various disciplinary measures are taken including permanent suspension of promotion. So no officer usually compromises with fitness for their own needs.

14. What are the subjects taught in Bangladesh Military Academy?

A. Academic - Everyone has to complete compulsory graduation under the National University or Bangladesh University of Professional. It is also necessary to acquire detailed knowledge on other military matters including tactics or war tactics. Although the training is two years, it takes three years to graduate. Following this, after commission, he has to participate in this test as a second lieutenant. In addition to science and arts subjects, some additional subjects are taught here. Here are some of the ones I found to be interesting:

Bengali, English, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, (Economics, Political Science etc. for Arts students) Military subjects such as map reading, tactics, military history, military science, national and international studies, military law, administration and morals, command and leadership, etc. Military matters are compulsory for all cadets to study

B. Physical training is very important, in which case physical excellence is gradually taken to such a level that in two years everyone's fitness becomes extraordinary.

C. Weapons Training - From point-to-bore rifles to pistols, rifles, sub-machine guns, light machine guns, rocket launchers, grenades, various types of explosives, etc., almost all types of conventional weapons are made highly proficient. Generally, every army officer is considered as a skilled or sharp shooter.

D. Character Training - “A gentleman or gentlewoman should lead a life of HONESTY and INTEGRITY. He or she shall not LIE, CHEAT or STEAL ”. This is known as the HONOR CODE of the Military Academy which every cadet has to accept not only. BMA is given the highest importance in terms of character. I have also heard of people who, after almost two years of training, have been expelled from the academy for various reasons, just before they became officers.

Everyone is also trained as a skilled commander through training on command and leadership. Apart from these, the cadets are given various trainings on religious subjects, regular drills, horse riding, vehicle driving, rappelling or helicopter rappelling, para jumping, scuba diving etc.

All cadets are given training in correct Bengali and English pronunciation in a language laboratory with adequate practice of public speaking to enhance communication skills (such language laboratory is probably only available in British Council except BMA). For this reason, almost all army officers usually have good communication skills in Bengali and English.

But honesty or character is always of paramount importance. If the authorities think that someone has a lack of integrity or a problem of character, then he is expelled from the academy at any stage. In addition, many have to go home after being injured during training. Many left BMA voluntarily as they could not bear the pain again. An average of 10-15 people per batch or course are admitted to such expulsions.

15. Why is there so much demand for Bangladesh army in UN mission? What do the soldiers do in the mission ??

There are several reasons behind the demand for Bangladesh Army in the UK. Many people have an idea that our army has become such that there is so much demand all over the world. What is the armament equipment of the army of this poor country. Why is Bangladesh sending the highest number of troops to the UK when it has the army and equipment of such a developed country in the world.

In fact, they need it so much that no other army can get such a good performance at such a low price like Bangladesh Army. Other fosses, including NATO, are smart but very expensive. At the same time, there is the issue of discipline, especially in African countries where members of the military who are accustomed to having free sex are more likely to be infected with AIDS. From there, our country's army is much safer.

Now let's talk about the work of our troops in the mission area. The mission goes to war-torn or war-torn countries. In most of these countries, there are anti-government rebel groups who, whenever given the opportunity, attack UN troops. Stopping them and ensuring the security of a war-torn country is not an easy task.

Especially those countries when Africa (in some cases warring, in some cases semi-civilized or barbaric) is full of people. But our troops are carrying out this arduous task very successfully and are brightening the image of the country all over the world as well as giving huge remittances to the country. One of the reasons why the people of the outside world know the name of Bangladesh is that it is the country that sent the highest peacekeepers to the UN mission.

One often hears the question of whether our army is fit to fight. In UN peacekeeping missions, however, our troops often have to work in combat situations. When the war broke out in C I. te d'Ivoire last year, but our country's soldiers have been praised around the world for their strong role in maintaining peace. Earlier, there were several casualties in the war with the revolutionaries while trying to maintain peace in the Congo.

The equipment needed to fight the mission cannot be rented unless it is in accordance with UN rules. The rules have been enacted by the United Nations to ensure the safety of peacekeepers through better equipment. But our troops come to the mission with old and risky equipment at the risk of their lives. Otherwise the government would have spent a lot of money to buy all these equipments. They take the old equipment with the motivation that our country is poor, there is no money to buy new equipment. The pain is not what we do.

When it comes to inspections from the United Nations, they do everything they can to certify those old things as "warlike." Because, if it is not suitable for war, reimbursement money will not be available. This money of reimbursement but the soldiers themselves do not get it. . The government gets. The mission is to get a house for the soldiers to stay. The UN pays for the house if it cannot afford it. Our troops stay in tents most of the time. The entire amount of money received due to staying in the tent is deposited in the government treasury.

We are aware of revenue generation through many other industries including garments. At the same time, it is true that in this country workers have to take to the streets for the meager wages they deserve. Similarly, this form of army, which pays huge amount of revenue, remains invisible to us. The cruelty of olive color just floats in front of our eyes. We are unfortunate. Have you ever thought that if you work with so much dedication, you can bring such a rare honor to the country by making Bengali the second language of an African country?

16. It is often said that if our neighbors attack us, our defenses will not survive. How true or false is this fear?

This is a very common topic of discussion. The true military power of a country is never revealed. This is the top secret thing. And military power alone is not the only controller to win the war. There are many more issues involved. I will not do any military analysis here. One day I talked to a freedom fighter about this. I liked his speech very much. That's what I put here "First of all, the land nature of Bangladesh is such that those who come here to attack will face serious problems in terms of movement and occupation. This is why Bangladesh is called “DEFENDERS PARADISE”.

There is a division. According to military sources, at least twenty-one divisions must be attacked here. To do so, even India would have to bring in troops from cantonments along the border with Pakistan and China, leaving the border almost unprotected. Which they would never want to do.

Then if we can't get through the conventional war system, then we will start guerrilla warfare. As we did in 1971. We did not have a regular army then. Only a few of us officers and soldiers of the Bengal Regiment and Artillery Regiment fought with the people of the country and defeated the Pakistanis. Failure to do so would result in a Total People's War, in which Vietnam defeated a superpower like the US.

In other words, the country is like a mother. Some mothers have offspring or illegitimate children, just as mothers have offspring. Razakar Albadar Rao was like the freedom fighters in the great liberation war in 1971. The mother's honor is the greatest for the child. If the worthy children of the mother cannot protect the honor of the mother, at least they will give up their lives to protect the honor of the mother by fighting the enemy rather than looking at the disgrace of the mother. The only consolation is that the enemy has gone over my body. And the illegitimate children will stand and watch the fun. If I can't protect the independence of the country, at least I can fight for the country and give my life. Better a poor horse than no horse at all. "

My heart was full that day because I felt good with a strange respect. We are independent today because they were. We are still convinced that they exist.