Indian Territorial Army

History

The Territorial Army was raised by the Britishers in 1920 through Indian Territorial Act of 1920 and it was org into two wings namely - 'The Auxiliary Force' for Europeans & Anglo-Indians, and 'The Indian Territorial Force' for Indian Volunteers. After Independence Territorial Army Act was passed in 1948 and the Territorial Army was formally inaugurated by the first Indian Governor General Shri C Rajagopalachari on 09 Oct 1949. This date is being celebrated as Prime Minister's TA Day Parade every year. [ [-http://indianarmy.nic.in/territorial_army.html->] ] .

The Territorial Army initially had various types of units such as Armed Regt (TA), Infantry Battalion (TA), Air Defence (TA), Med Regt (TA), Engineers Field Park Coy (TA), Signal Regiment (TA), EME Workshop (TA), Coast Battery (TA), ASC GT Coy (TA), ASC Compo Pl (TA), AMC Field Ambulance (TA), by 1972 these units have either been disbanded or converted to Regular Army except Inf Bn (TA).

The TA units were actively involved in 1962, 1965 and 1971 operations. The "Terriers" have also taken part in OP-PAWAN in Srilanka, OP RAKSHAK in Punjab & J&K, OP RHINO and OP BAJRANG in North East in a most active manner. Departmental units came to the aid of the civil authorities during Industrial unrest and natural calamities, most famous being earthquake in Latoor (Maharastra), Uttarkashi in Garhwal Himalaya and the Super Cyclone in Orissa. The Ecological units have arrested man made environmental degradation by planting 2.5 crore trees over 20,000 hectare of land in Mussoori Hills & Pithoragarh (UP), Bikaner & Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) and ravines of Chambal in Madhya Pradesh.

Decorations

The officer and men of the Territorial Army have been decorated for their gallantry and distinguished services. So for they have earned 02 Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), 15 VSM, 05 Vir Chakra, 13 Sena Medal, 25 Mentioned-in-Despatches and 43 COAS commendation card.

Many industrialists, politicians and eminent personalities have been members of the TA. The force also has the honour to appoint 11 officers as Hony ADC to the President of India.

It is an organization of volunteers who receive military training for a few days in a year so that in case of an emergency they can be mobilized for the defence of the country.

The force

The Territorial Army is part of Regular Army and its present role is to relieve the Regular Army from static duties and assist civil administration in dealing with natural calamities and maintenance of essential services in situations where life of the communities is affected or the Security of the Country is threatened and to provide units for Regulars Army as and when required. Presently the Territorial Army has a strength of approx. 40000 first line troops (and 160,000 second line troops) comprising of Departmental TA units such as Railway, IOC, ONGC, Telecommunication and General Hospital and the non Departmental TA units of Infantry Bn (TA) and Ecological Bn (TA) affiliated to various Infantry Regiments.

Training

Training in Infantry TA is carried out on Urban and provincial systems.

A. "Urban systems of training" : Training is carried out on weekends and holidays. Four hours training is counted as one day.

Recruit Training : 32 days in the first year only including a camp of not less than 4 days if the trainee volunteers with the written consent of his employer, if any.

Annual Training : A minimum of 30 days extendable upto a maximum of 60 days including a camp for 14 days. Post Commission Training: All Officers are required to undergo 10 weeks of Post commission Training within two years of their commissioning.

Voluntary Training to gain additional military training, provided the trainee Volunteers with the written consent of the employer, if any.

B. "Provincial systems of training" comprises of:

Recruit Training : For a continuous period of 30 days in the first year only.

Annual Training : For a continuous period of two calendar months in the first and subsequent years.

Post commission Training: 10 weeks post commission training is compulsory within two years of commissioning.

Voluntary Training to gain additional military training, provided the trainee volunteers with the written consent of his employer, if any.

Service Embodiement

All personnel of infantry and Departmental TA are called out for service embodiment by the Central Government of India or the authority empowered by it to do so, on the eve of national Emergency or for Internal Security duties and training exercises. Failure to report for service on such occasions is punishable under the Territorial Army Act 1948.

Famous Indians as part of TA

Many famous Indians have been members of this unique force, including Brigadier K P Singh Deo, former Cabinet Minister, Captain Rao Birendra Singh, former Chief Minister of the State of Haryana, and various present Ministers, Legislators and serving senior civil officers and professionals. Kapil Dev joined the Territorial Army on September 24, 2008 and was commissioned as a Lieutenant Colonel [http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2008/sep/24kapil.htm] [http://www.dailypioneer.com/indexn12.asp?main_variable=front%5Fpage&file_name=story6%2Etxt&counter_
] .

References

ee also

* National Cadet Corps (India)

External links

* http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=22&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26&vmcchk=1&Itemid=26
* http://indianarmy.nic.in/territorial_army.html The official website of the Territorial Army in India
* http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/ta.htm
* http://mod.nic.in/samachar/17/html/ch11.htm An article in Sainik samachar about Territorial Army evolution
* http://indianarmy.nic.in/ethos/ta.html
* http://india.gov.in/sectors/defence/territorial_army.php