The Art of
Man Management at Jammu Army Camp - Col RD Singh (Retd.)
28 October, 2013
Pictures
and Videos: Amar Singh Jyani, GS Mann, Background Music: Murari Verma.
The Art of
Man Management at Jammu Army Camp - Colonel R D Singh presents
an inspiring article on Man Management, based on his own experience while
managing the Jammu Transit Camp
Tall challenge in managing a daily strength of over
5000 troops. Ensuring their total comfort and satisfaction was all in a day’s
job
How did Col. Singh manage the daunting task with a
very limited staff?
Take a
glimpse at a usual day in the Jammu Transit camp, as brought alive in words by
Col. Singh:
Through
this article I would like to share with you my memorable and personal
experience of man management in an area that required total dedication and
commitment beyond fulfillment of duties. Everything that you read here is
purely from my real life experience, the learnings from which, I would like to
share with as many friends and readers.
At the
helm of Jammu Transit Camp
In the
year 2005, I was commanding the Jammu Transit Camp – the largest army transit
camp of the country located at a place of prime military importance. It caters
to nearly 5000 troops daily, including 70 to 80 officers and families, who stay
here on their way to the Northern Command. At times when the Srinagar highway
closes due to rains and land slides, the occupancy of the camp goes up to even
as high as 8000!
The
Challenge of 100% satisfaction
Despite
limited staff, we were committed to ensure at least 90 percent satisfaction
level of troops, if not 100. But the larger challenge was that it had to be
achieved within 24 hours as troops normally stay here only for a day before
moving out to their units, or to their homes on leave. We had to make them
comfortable and provide a high quality of life, with facilities such as good
food, clean toilets, recreation facilities, and a place to worship.
How did we
achieve this?
I decided
to give – give every minute of the day, every ounce of my energy, and every
drop of sweat to my command. My wife contributed her bit wholeheartedly too by
taking care of the emotional side of the families, and their children. At all
times I approached the enormous task through meticulous planning.
Keeping
the team motivated
I began
with my permanent staff which includes about 80 people including two officers.
Together, we had to be a well knit team because nothing happens individually. I
gave them a motto – ‘We are the best’. Apart from the permanent staff, the team
had about 200 defence civilian staff too, mostly cooks, safaiwala, washermen,
and other tradesmen. I had to gel them with our team, to charge them up with
the same ethos and motivation.
I joined
my men to do exactly what they do – sweep the roads, help in the kitchen, run
the laundry. Being the commander of the camp, you may find this unbelievable.
However to be honest, I did it in total sincerity to impress upon dignity of
labour, and to assure my team that I was with them throughout. The result was
magical. They remained punctual, worked even late hours during visits by senior
officers, and best of all , felt a belonging to the Camp. I never missed a
chance to acknowledge their good work to give them a sense of achievement.
Fostering
a culture of service and giving
Beyond the
call of our duties, we ensured adequate activities that kept our morales and
commitment towards service high. We held blood donation camps, and at one time,
gave 205 units of blood to the Jammu Medical College. We participated in
multiple rescue operations, and donated in kind to orphanages. As a welfare
measure, every Sunday I coached our JCOs and Jawan’s children for a better future.
This made the camp well-knit like a family.
It was
only with my army and civilian teams integrated, that I could reliably and
satisfactorily serve our occupants –5000 transients who stayed the Camp at any
given point in time. Any slip-up in terms of our effort for the few hours they
stayed with us, would mean immediate dissatisfaction and a negative on the
reputation of my camp.
A Day’s
Work at Jammu Transit Camp
Guests are
received at the gate with a hot cup of tea and snacks. After quick documentation,
which is fully computerised, they are guided to their fully furnished barracks
totally equipped with beddings, TV set, desert coolers, water coolers, and back
up power supply. After a relaxing bath the Jawans proceed to the fly-proofed
dining halls (total of 8 dining halls) where they are served sumptuous hot food
at their tables, with purified drinking water, as they would enjoy watching
their favorite programmes on a large LCD TV over lunch.
After a
hearty meal, the central facilities offer many more worthwhile activities. The
facilities of the camp include a motivation hall with a corner for each
formation of Northern Command, rail reservation counter (PRS), central MI Room,
Shopping Complex for daily needs, ac barber shop, CSD Canteen, cyber café etc.
There is also an arrangement with Jammu railway station (Air Line Concept) by
which railway announcements are heard in the waiting hall, in real time. Hence,
the troops don’t have to wait at the railway platform for hours. They are taken
to the railway station just 30 minutes before departure of their trains.
In the
evenings, you find the sports complex humming with the troops. They play a
variety of sports including basket ball, volley ball, badminton. The gymnasium
is also abuzz with the guests enjoying its facilities. Time permitting, I
enjoyed playing basketball with them. In between the games we had informal
exchanges of news about their units and welfare of their families.
After
games, we would communicate directly with all the transients present in the
camp. During the central roll call, I would take the opportunity to directly
communicate and know their feedback and seek suggestions for further
improvements in the camp. I would also give prizes to my staff who have done an
excellent piece of work, as also to selected transients for innovative
suggestions. The session also includes a slot where a yoga teacher makes them
practice simple yoga asans and pranayam. The troops love this relaxing session,
and leave totally destressed. Thereafter, I hold a coordination conference with
the key appointments to take stock of the day and plan for the next day. This
keeps every one on the some grid.
After
early dinner, there is a movie of their choice in the Camp open air theatre,
where they have an entertaining time with their favorite bollywood stars.
After a
good night’s sleep, and a hearty breakfast the next morning, rejuvenated and
happy, it is time for the transients to depart in their respective convoys to
their units in the valley. As I wave bon voyage to them, the new day begins
with welcoming fresh set of 4000-5000 transients. We are again at their service
to meet their aspirations. After all, this is “Home away from home”
The Jammu
Transit Camp and its superior levels of service is a widely spoken benchmark
for excellence in man management and quality of life offered to troops and
their families. Among many dignitaries, The Governor of J & K, Lt Gen SK
Sinha (retd), visits the camp to see its transformation, recalling the time
since he visited it as a Captain. The sadbhavana teams, students, and even
journalists undergoing defence orientation courses visit the Camp, to see the
high quality of life of the troops, as also study how a handful of people can
manage 5000 guests so efficiently.
It is not
a matter of surprise that the Jammu Transit camp is the first in Asia to be
awarded the prestigious ISO 9001 certificate for achieving international
standards in administration and security.
I left the
Camp in February 2008 at its pinnacle. I am sure since then it has scaled new
heights.
I realize
that everything is possible it we totally focus towards our goal, with noble
intentions. There is no substitute for leading by personal example and thorough
communication. Once the job is well done, the reward is unique – the respectful
smile on the face of the Jawan.
“The purpose of life is a life of purpose”
Note: Colonel R D Singh, a prolific writer, and decorated
soldier, belongs to village Pilimandori (Fatehabad). He is a regular
contributuer to several National and Regional publications including www.SirsaNews.com
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