From Fleet to Think Tank: Navy Veteran Sanjay Jasjit Singh to Head Premier Defence Institution USI

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is an important gesture, an effort to underline the importance of "jointness," or closer cooperation between the Army, Navy and the Air Force, as is necessary for 21st century military operations. Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh (Retd.) has been appointed as the director-general of the United Service Institution (USI), a premier think tank in India. Vice Admiral Singh (Retd.), who recently retired as the Western Naval commander, an important operational post, and was, before that, vice chief of the Navy, primarily involved in the acquisitions of weaponry and the move towards atmanirbharata or self-reliance, is the first naval officer to be appointed as DG.

In fact, since independence, there have been five DSs (or directors)-- the post having been created in 1986-- and all five including the current DG, Major General B. K. Sharma (Retd.) have been Army officers. "Jointness" is today hugely important, with the government having appointed General Bipin Rawat and then, General Anil Chauhan, as chiefs of defence staff. A primary objective is to bring the three services closer, increasing levels of joint training, operations and day to day coordination. The creation of theatre commands is an option before the government. So, Vice Admiral Singh (Retd.) is, importantly enough, the first non-Army officer to be appointed as DG or Director. Before independence, the Delhi-based institution had a "Secretary and Editor" instead of a Director, and all the appointees, since 1870, were officers of the British armed forces. Vice Admiral Singh, a highly decorated officer, who will take over on January 1, is known for his "cerebral approach" and during his time in the Navy, worked on its maritime doctrine and headed its War College in Goa.

Besides being a think tank, the USI also helps armed forces officers who are readying for examinations to important institutions like the Defence Services Staff College. Several thousand officers have benefitted from these courses. The USI's vice patrons are the three armed forces chiefs, the President is the chief of integrated defence staff and the three vice chiefs are vice presidents. The USI, which moved to New Delhi from Shimla in 1953, has served as a centre for intellectual discourse and it is known for its library and high-quality publications.