From Uniform to Circus

"How Some Retired Officers Are Tarnishing the Dignity of the Armed Forces "

There was a time when the uniform symbolised discipline, silence in the face of noise, and dignity in the face of chaos.

Today, some of its former wearers are turning prime-time television into a theatre of the absurd. From loud, theatrical monologues to revealing sensitive military strategies, a group of retired Indian armed forces officers have taken to the screen in a manner that not only belittles their own legacy but also erodes the image of the Indian Armed Forces on national and global platforms.

The Hunger for Limelight:

A growing number of retired officers have become household names—not because of their operational brilliance, but because of their over-the-top, jingoistic, and often crass performances on television debates.

Screaming matches, misplaced analogies, and war cries have replaced thoughtful analysis.

What drives this? A clear hunger to stay relevant, to be seen, to be heard—at any cost.

In this pursuit of celebrity, they behave less like veterans of disciplined institutions and more like out-of-work film extras auditioning for the next jingoistic drama.

Uniforms for Ratings:

Many of these officers shamelessly flout the military’s laid-down guidelines, appearing on news channels wearing parts of their uniform—berets, medals, badges—despite explicit regulations prohibiting such behaviour post-retirement.

These props are used not as reminders of duty or sacrifice, but as tools of branding—meant to lend an air of legitimacy to their otherwise shallow, performative rhetoric.

This is not just undignified. It’s a breach of ethos. The uniform is not a costume.

Op Sindoor and the Misuse of Legacy:

Take the recent debates around Operation Sindoor—a sensitive and classified operation, now suddenly the subject of reckless speculation on television panels.

Retired officers have taken to public platforms, “explaining” strategies, possible troop movements, weapon systems, and even policy rationale.

They forget that this isn’t a war game in a studio. These are real operations, with real lives and national interests at stake.

Such commentary not only compromises operational secrecy, but also sets a dangerous precedent where service veterans become liabilities instead of upholders of institutional sanctity.

No Longer the Voice of the Forces:

Let this be clear: These individuals no longer speak for the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force.

They are chasing relevance, not acting as emissaries of service ethos.

The armed forces speak through their actions, not through expletive-laden rants on news channels.

The constant need to posture, perform, and provoke has made some of these once-respected figures objects of ridicule even within military circles.

Ask any serving officer or veteran quietly watching from the sidelines—the respect is gone.

A New Breed of Media Mercenaries:

Some of these officers now view themselves as public figures, influencers even—commenting on politics, film stars, and foreign policy with the confidence of someone who’s never been contradicted.

They crave the adulation, the reposts, the speaking engagements.

But with every shout and every insult, they are not raising the stature of the armed forces—they are dragging it into the gutters of television theatrics.

Silence is Sometimes the Loudest Honour:

As a former officer myself, it pains me to write this. But it needs to be said.

Dignity is not in decibels. Credibility is not in costume. And the military legacy cannot be auctioned for television ratings.

It is time the Ministry of Defence, service headquarters, and even the media took a stand.

The uniform deserves silence, not spectacle.

And veterans must remember that fading from the spotlight with dignity is far more honourable than remaining in it through disgrace.

I had originally written the names of these officers in this article, but I chose to remove them before posting—as I feel that by naming them, I would, in some way, be placing myself in the same category I am criticising.

Author :

Capt (IN) Navtej Singh is from the 76th course NDA . He has been a Divisional Officer at NDA and has 12 years experience of being GTO of SSB . He is now a TEDx speaker, traveler, and photographer who documents vanishing communities and tribes through powerful visual storytelling.