In the human resources domain, the challenge for the Indian Air Force (IAF) lies in shaping individuals from disparate socio-economic backgrounds into effective air warriors and then mould them into teams to accomplish laid down air force objectives. In the current context, where attractive incentives are being offered to its personnel from the external environment, the IAF has to also think up and implement strategies to retain these trained air warriors. The IAF comprises of four distinct categories of personnel: the officers, the airmen, the non-combatant enrolees [NCs(E)] and the civilian cadre. Officers and airmen will be the focus of this article.

Recruiting & training

Of the 1,60,000 personnel, 10,000 are officers and 1,10,000 airmen. About 10,000 NCs(E) and 30,000 civilians constitute the remainder. The selection system for officers is very stringent and varies in procedure depending on the branch of the IAF the aspirant opts for. Officers of the flying branch, in most cases, route through National Defence Academy aged 16-andhalf to 19 years, after their 10+2. Thereafter, they proceed to the Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad. Graduates/NCC C certificate holders can join the AFA directly, having cleared the Combined Defence Services examination. Airmen are also eligible to compete for a career in the flying branch provided they have the necessary qualifications. In all cases, it is essential to have a background of mathematics and physics. It is mandatory for all applicants to meet the stipulated medical/physical requirements to become a pilot.

Technical graduates and post-graduates are eligible to join as Aeronautical Engineers in the sub-streams of electronics and mechanical after passing an engineering knowledge test and the medical. The intake age varies from 19 to 28. Officers joining the support branches of administration, accounts, logistics, education and meteorology need to be graduates or post-graduates aged between 20 and 25.

An unique aspect of ab initio officer training in the IAF is that all branches train together at the AFA for the first six months. Such bonding pays rich dividends later when, as commissioned officers, they work in field and other units. After six months, specialised training is imparted for flying and support branches in AFA itself, while technical training is at Air Force Technical College Bangalore.

As many as 14 Airmen Selection Centres are spread across the country where airmen candidates are tested for aptitude and physical attributes followed by medical examination. A central merit list is prepared and the required numbers are called to ATS Belgaum for three months of basic training. For selection, one requires to be an intermediate/10+2 or equivalent. The QRs vary for technical/non-technical/musician and education trades. After three months, they are sent to the Airmen Training Institutes at Bangalore and Chennai for trade training which lasts nine months for technical trades and three months for non-technical airmen. The non-tech airmen proceed directly to the field units while the tech lot route through technical type training (TETTRA) schools before embarking on their journey in the combat units of the IAF. These airmen return to ATIs after a gap of two to two-and-half years, having gained some hands-on experience in their trades, for Module 2 training. Similarly, after another two to three years, a Module 3 capsule is carried out to impart advanced training to the now competent tradesmen.