The Pakistan Army is the principal land warfare branch of
the Pakistan Armed Forces. It is responsible for the defense of Pakistan, as
well as the maintenance of internal security. The Pakistan Army is a volunteer
force and comprises of approximately 617,000 active personnel as of 2021. The
army is led by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), who is a four-star general. The
Pakistan Army has played a major role in several conflicts and wars, including
the 1947 and 1965 wars with India, the 1971 war with India that resulted in the
formation of Bangladesh, and the ongoing conflict in the western border
regions. It also has a strong presence in the country's politics and has
intervened in government several times in the past.
In addition to its role in defense and internal security,
the Pakistan Army is also involved in various other activities such as disaster
relief, humanitarian aid, and counter-terrorism operations. The army also plays
a significant role in the country's economy through its control of large
businesses and industries.
The Pakistan Army is equipped with a mix of weapons and
equipment from various countries, including China, the United States, and the
United Kingdom. It has a significant number of tanks, artillery, and combat
aircraft. The army also operates a number of special forces units such as the
Special Services Group (SSG) and the Special Forces (SF).
The Pakistan Army has a strong tradition of professionalism
and has a well-established training and education system. The Pakistan Military
Academy at Kakul is the premier training institution for the army and produces
commissioned officers for the army and other branches of the armed forces.
The Pakistan Army has been involved in several controversies over the years, including allegations of human rights violations and political interference. However, the army remains a highly respected institution in the country and is considered a symbol of national pride by many Pakistanis.
C areers in the Pakistan Army:
There are several career options available in the Pakistan
Army for individuals interested in serving their country. Some of the main
career paths in the army include:
- Commissioned
Officer: This is the most common career path in the army and involves
completing the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) at Kakul, passing the ISSB
and then being commissioned as an officer. Commissioned officers hold
ranks from 2nd Lieutenant to General and lead the enlisted personnel.
- Non-Commissioned
Officer (NCO): NCOs are enlisted personnel who hold ranks from Naik (Corporal)
to Subedar Major (Master Sergeant). They are responsible for the training,
welfare and discipline of soldiers under their command.
- Junior
Commissioned Officer (JCO): JCOs are enlisted personnel who hold ranks
from Havildar (Sergeant) to Naib Subedar (Warrant Officer). They act as a
link between the officers and the enlisted personnel and have greater
responsibilities than NCOs.
- Soldier:
Soldiers are the backbone of the army and are responsible for performing
the various tasks as assigned by their superiors. They hold ranks from
Sepoy (Private) to Lance Naik (Lance Corporal)
- Special
Services Group (SSG): SSG is the premier special force unit of the army,
which conducts various operations such as counter-terrorism,
reconnaissance, and special reconnaissance.
- Medical
Corps: The Medical Corps is responsible for providing medical care to the
soldiers and their families.
- Engineers
Corps: Engineers Corps is responsible for construction of roads, bridges,
and buildings, as well as providing combat engineering support during
operations.
- Signals
Corps: Signals Corps responsible for providing communication and
information systems support to the army.
- Artillery
Corps: Artillery Corps responsible for providing artillery support to the
army during operations.
- Education
Corps: Education Corps is responsible for providing education and training
to soldiers and officers.
These are some of the main career options available in the Pakistan Army. Individuals interested in joining the army should have a strong sense of duty, physical fitness, and the ability to work well under pressure.
Qualifications and Criteria for Joining the Pakistan Army:
The qualifications and criteria for joining the Pakistan
Army vary depending on the job or career path that an individual is interested
in. However, here are some of the general requirements for joining the army:
- Age:
Candidates must be between the ages of 17 and 24 for the commissioned
officers and 17 to 30 for the Non-Commissioned Officer and Junior
Commissioned Officer.
- Educational
Qualifications: Candidates must have completed their Matriculation (10th
grade) or equivalent for soldiers, FSc (12th grade) or equivalent for
Non-Commissioned Officer and Junior Commissioned Officer. For commissioned
officers, a Bachelor's degree or equivalent is required.
- Physical
Fitness: Candidates must be physically fit and meet the army's
requirements for height, weight, and vision.
- Medical
Fitness: Candidates must pass the army's medical examination, which
includes tests for various health conditions such as blood pressure,
vision, and hearing.
- Citizenship:
Candidates must be citizens of Pakistan and possess a valid National
Identity Card (NIC).
- Background
Check: Candidates must pass a background check and security clearance,
which includes an investigation of their criminal and financial records.
- ISSB
Test: Candidates for commissioned officers have to clear the ISSB test,
which is a psychological and intelligence test.
- Interview:
Candidates for commissioned officers have to appear for an interview with
a board of army officers.
In addition to these requirements, candidates for certain jobs or career paths may also need to meet additional qualifications or criteria. For example, candidates for the Special Services Group (SSG) must meet additional physical fitness and skill requirements, while candidates for the Medical Corps must have a relevant medical qualification.
The qualifications and criteria for joining different branches of the Pakistan Army vary depending on the specific branch. Here is an overview of the qualifications and criteria for some of the main branches of the army:
- Infantry:
The infantry is the main fighting force of the army and is responsible for
ground combat operations. Candidates for the infantry must have completed
their Matriculation (10th grade) or equivalent, be physically fit, and
meet the army's requirements for height, weight, and vision.
- Armor:
The armor branch is responsible for the operation of tanks and armored
vehicles. Candidates for the armor branch must have completed their
Matriculation (10th grade) or equivalent, be physically fit, and meet the
army's requirements for height, weight, and vision.
- Artillery:
The artillery branch is responsible for providing artillery support during
operations. Candidates for the artillery branch must have completed their
Matriculation (10th grade) or equivalent, be physically fit, and meet the
army's requirements for height, weight, and vision.
- Engineers:
The engineers branch is responsible for construction and combat
engineering support during operations. Candidates for the engineers branch
must have completed their Matriculation (10th grade) or equivalent, be
physically fit, and meet the army's requirements for height, weight, and
vision. They also require to have background or education in science or
engineering.
- Signals:
The signals branch is responsible for providing communication and
information systems support to the army. Candidates for the signals branch
must have completed their Matriculation (10th grade) or equivalent, be
physically fit, and meet the army's requirements for height, weight, and
vision. They also require some background or education in engineering.
- Medical
Corps: The Medical Corps is responsible for providing medical care to the
soldiers and their families. Candidates for the Medical Corps must have a
relevant medical qualification, be physically fit, and meet the army's
requirements for height, weight, and vision.
- Education
Corps: The Education Corps is responsible for providing education and
training to soldiers and officers. Candidates for the Education Corps must
have a relevant educational qualification, be physically fit, and meet the
army's requirements for height, weight, and vision.
- Special
Services Group (SSG): SSG is the premier special force unit of the army,
which conducts various operations such as counter-terrorism,
reconnaissance, and special reconnaissance. Candidates for the SSG must have
completed their Matriculation (10th grade) or equivalent, be physically
fit, and meet the army's requirements for height, weight, and vision. They
also need to meet additional physical fitness and skill requirements, and
clear the selection process.
These are some of the main branches of the Pakistan Army and the qualifications and criteria for joining them. It's important to note that the requirements may change over time, so it's best to check with the army for the most up-to-date information.
Salary:
The salary for individuals serving in the Pakistan Army
varies depending on their rank and experience. However, here is a rough idea of
the average salary for some of the main ranks in the army:
- Commissioned
Officers: The starting salary for a 2nd Lieutenant is around Rs. 100,000
per annum, and it increases as they move up in rank, with a Lieutenant
Colonel earning around Rs. 400,000 to 500,000 per annum.
- Non-Commissioned
Officers (NCOs): The starting salary for a Naik (Corporal) is around Rs.
50,000 to 60,000 per annum, and it increases as they move up in rank, with
a Subedar Major (Master Sergeant) earning around Rs. 200,000 to 250,000
per annum.
- Junior
Commissioned Officer (JCOs): The starting salary for a Havildar (Sergeant)
is around Rs. 60,000 to 70,000 per annum, and it increases as they move up
in rank, with a Naib Subedar (Warrant Officer) earning around Rs. 250,000
to 300,000 per annum.
- Soldiers:
The starting salary for a Sepoy (Private) is around Rs. 25,000 to 30,000
per annum, and it increases as they move up in rank, with a Lance Naik
(Lance Corporal) earning around Rs. 40,000 to 50,000 per annum.
Please note that the salary figures are approximate and may
vary depending on various factors such as location, job responsibility, and
experience. The Pakistan army also provides other benefits such as free
accommodation, medical facilities, and pension plan for its employees.
It's also worth noting that military salary in Pakistan is
lower than civilian salary for the same job. However, serving in the military
is seen as a matter of pride and honor in Pakistan and many people join the
army to serve their country, not for the salary.
How to Apply:
The process for applying to join the Pakistan Army depends
on the specific career path or job that an individual is interested in.
However, here is a general overview of the steps involved in the application
process:
- Meet
the Eligibility Criteria: Make sure you meet the basic eligibility
criteria such as age, education, physical fitness, and medical fitness as
mentioned in previous answers.
- Register
online: Visit the official website of the Pakistan Army and register for
the recruitment process.
- Take
the Initial Test: Candidates will be required to take an initial test
which will include written and physical tests. The test will determine if
the candidate is fit for military training.
- ISSB
Test: Candidates for commissioned officers have to clear the ISSB test,
which is a psychological and intelligence test.
- Interview:
Candidates for commissioned officers have to appear for an interview with
a board of army officers.
- Medical
Examination: Candidates who pass the initial test will be required to take
a medical examination to determine their fitness for military service.
- Background
Check: Candidates must pass a background check and security clearance,
which includes an investigation of their criminal and financial records.
- Selection:
Candidates who pass all the tests and the background check will be
selected for training.
- Training:
Selected candidates will undergo basic training at the Pakistan Military
Academy (PMA) at Kakul or other training institutions.
It's important to note that the application process may vary
depending on the specific career path or job that an individual is interested
in. Additionally, the Pakistan Army also conduct recruitment drives across the
country and the schedule for the recruitment can be found on the official
website.
It's also worth noting that the selection process is highly
competitive and only a small percentage of applicants are accepted into the
army. The selection is based on merit, so having good grades and physical fitness
will increase your chances of being selected.
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