Female Cadets
in PMA
By Col. Riaz Jafri
(Retd.)
Rawalpindi, Pakistan
The daily ‘Jang’ 14
November 2006 carried a picture of the recently
inducted female cadets in the PMA which looked
to be quite odd to an old soldier.
Firstly, I do not know as to how these female
cadets are addressed in the Academy as the term
GC stands for the Gentleman Cadet. Shall they
be called LC (Lady Cadet) or what? Anyway, what
was highly noticeable (objectionable from my point
of view) was their dress.
In the picture, they were supposed to be marching
in threes and as such sort of ‘on parade,’
but marching should not be misconstrued for their
marching smartly, far from it. As if the spectacle
was not enough, surprisingly, they were clad in
all colours of dresses – red, blue, black,
pink, yellow- you name it, making them look a
rainbow platoon parading for some fashion dress
show.
Some had their heads covered with dupatta while
others were bare headed. A buxom of an overfed
lady instructor in khaki sari and maroon beret
cap with drooping shoulders marching slovenly
in a most unmilitary like bearing is seen accompanying
them. What a standard of a drill instructor for
the PMA! RSM Duffield – the first Regimental
Sergeant Major of the PMA (1947 -1953) –
must be turning in his grave.
I know it takes a few weeks for the PMA tailor
to ‘outfit’ the newly arrived cadets
with their uniforms and other dresses. But, then,
in our days we were asked in our ‘Joining
Instructions” to bring three full sleeve
white shirts and three pairs of grey militia trousers
which we wore on parade till the tailor made our
uniforms. Why could these girls be not asked to
bring some white qameez shalwar and green dupatta
for uniformity sake?
Next, I hope these girls are not allowed to wear
any cosmetics – rouge, foundations, lipsticks
and nail polish etc. – and any jewellery
also – bangles, rings, ear rings, hair clips
etc. – while in training in the academy.
Remember, this is the pioneer batch in the academy
and traditions set by them will go a long way
for all those following them. Let not the good
name of the Pakistan Military Academy with its
martial traditions be soiled by the few.
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