Dehradun: As the Indian Military Academy’s (IMA) first batch of female cadets marched out at the Passing Out Parade (POP) on Saturday, the moment marked the culmination of months of training for the instructors who put them through their paces. The instructors said that the women were held to the same standards and expectations as their male counterparts throughout the course.
Instructors Commend Female Cadets
Speaking to TOI on the sidelines of the parade, the instructors said they saw little difference between the female and male cadets in terms of commitment and performance. “We felt no difference in energy and dedication between the female and male cadets. The women performed at par with their male counterparts across various aspects of training,” said an instructor who requested anonymity.
The instructors also commended the cadets’ endurance during the physically demanding aspects of the course. According to them, the women participated in all activities and did not seek special concessions. “None of them sought any relaxation even during their menstrual cycles,” one of the instructors said.
Leadership Roles and Performance
The women, the instructor added, also took on leadership roles during training activities. “In several instances, they led their platoons and units during drill events.” According to the instructor, the female cadets met the standards laid down by the Army Training Command (ATC) across drill events, physical training, games and weapons training. “There seemed to be no difference in the physical strengths as well. All of them gave their best to prove their mettle,” the instructor said.
Training Regimen and Relaxations
The instructors further said the training regimen remained largely uniform, with only limited relaxations available under ATC guidelines. “There were no relaxations on the basis of gender from our side, except those prescribed by the ATC. Even those were minimal. For instance, if a physical task had to be completed in 30 minutes, female cadets were allowed 35 minutes. However, many of them completed the tasks within the same time limits as their male counterparts,” an instructor said.
A Milestone for the Academy
While this year’s parade will be remembered as a milestone for the academy, for the instructors who trained its first batch of female cadets, the occasion was deeply personal. “It was a special moment for all of us to train the first batch of female cadets. The academy is proud of what they have achieved and the example they have set for future generations,” an instructor said.
