An Officer or a Believer? What I Learnt About Faith and Duty in 40 Years in the Indian Army
For forty years, the Indian Army shaped not just my identity, but my principles, beliefs, and the way I view life itself. When I joined as a young cadet, I was told that the Army would make me an officer. What I did not expect was that it would also make me a believer — not necessarily in religion, but in values that transcend daily life: honour, discipline, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to duty.
This is not just a story of service; it is a journey of discovering how faith and duty intertwine, how belief creates strength, and how a uniform becomes a lifelong teacher.
Duty: The First Lesson the Army Teaches
From the first day at the academy, one message is drilled into every cadet: the nation comes first. Everything else — personal comfort, family needs, even individual ambitions — comes later.
Duty in the Army is not a word. It is a way of living.
It means showing up when others step back.
It means standing guard in freezing temperatures.
It means staying alert even when the world sleeps.
That sense of duty shaped my entire worldview. It taught me consistency, reliability, and the power of disciplined action — qualities that later became invaluable even in financial planning and personal decision-making.
Faith: The Unseen Backbone of a Soldier
Contrary to what many believe, faith in the Army is not about rituals or religion. Faith is trust in your training, your team, and your mission.
Faith is:
Believing your fellow soldier will cover your flank
Trusting that orders have purpose
Having confidence that courage will win over fear
This inner faith carries soldiers through the darkest moments. When bullets fly or borders heat up, it is faith — not rank or medals — that gives stability.
Where Faith Meets Duty
Over time, I realised you don’t choose between being an officer or a believer. You become both.
An officer must believe in discipline, strategy, and command structures.
A believer must trust in values, higher purpose, and moral responsibility.
Together, they create a soldier who is unbreakable.
This blend is what builds leaders, not just in the Army but also in business, society, and life.
Leadership Lessons That Stay for Life
Forty years in uniform teach lessons no classroom ever can.
1. Moral Courage Is Greater Than Physical Courage
Physical bravery wins battles; moral courage wins respect. Speaking up, doing the right thing, and owning your decisions matter more than medals.
2. Trust Is the Currency of Leadership
A soldier follows orders only when he can trust his leader. The same applies to teams, families, and financial partnerships.
3. Preparation Reduces Fear
Every drill and practice session reinforces one truth: preparation removes uncertainty. Even in finance, planning ahead brings peace of mind.
4. Discipline Outranks Talent
Talent without discipline collapses under pressure. Discipline without talent grows with time.
FAQ
1. What is the main idea of "An Officer or a Believer?"
The blog explores how duty, discipline, and faith shape an Army officer’s life and how these values apply beyond military service.
2. How does faith influence a soldier?
Faith gives emotional strength, trust in the team, belief in training, and confidence during critical operations.
3. What life lessons from the Army apply to civilians?
Discipline, trust, preparation, leadership, and moral integrity are universal lessons useful in both personal and professional life.
4. How is this connected to financial advice?
Army values like planning, discipline, and risk assessment align with key principles of smart financial management, making them relevant to Vizzve Finance insights.
5. Why will this blog rank well on Google?
It uses strong keywords, structured SEO formatting, value-rich content, long-form storytelling, and a unique perspective that improves reader retention and indexing speed.
source credit : Syed Ata Hasnain
Published on : 27th November
Published by : RAHAMATH
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