To Create Alternative Careers for Military Officers

 

_ by JORDBUR

If there are promising careers in domestic and overseas, ambitious young men from Burma will think twice before choosing armed forces as career.

In India, after economic reforms initiated by deceased PM Rajiv Gandhi, the Indian armed forces faced shortage of young men of high calibre who want to serve in the armed forces as there were competing choices for them.

Apparently Burma does not enjoy those opportunities. We have ambitious officers whose only interest is to rush their way to the top of the pyramid or lucrative exit to civilian sector in public sector without proper training.

If one could design  lucrative careers for officers of armed forces, then it will be an exit route for them and might be good for Burma too.

For example, serving in the UN peace keeping missions; India sends about 10 battalions of English speaking officers led corps. Bangladesh is enjoying that benefit too. Since the pay scale in those UN peace missions are lucrative by local standards, and since they have to conform to certain standards and respects of human rights, it will be good if Burma could send 10 battalions or one light division of officers and corps. That will give Burmese officers exposure as well as training and co-ordination with international forces. UN could use this as an incentive in dealing with Burma.

The second way is for letting Burmese officers and Special Forces to be hired as private contractors in Iraq. Some Nepalese (ex-soldiers from Gurkhar brigades) are enjoying pay scales as high as 30,000$ a month. Burmese are not as famous as Gurkhars for bravery and courage and Discipline but given that money, courage can be bought. And it will be good for Burma for now and future.

Those are just wild wishful thinkings for Burmese armed forces since a graceful, decent exit route with promising careers will be a way to reform Burmese armed forces.

If half of all ambitious and capable officers of Burma have been cross trained for private sector, it might be good for corporate Burma and it will solve conflict of interest in future.

Take Operation MBA Planner 2007 for armed forces officers as an example, which was created specifically for military personnel considering an MBA to propel their careers. This Planner will show you the profound effect an MBA can have on your future in the armed services or in the business world.