DEHRADUN: The Indian Military Academy (IMA) achieved a historic milestone on Saturday as its first batch of female cadets marched out at the Passing Out Parade (POP). This moment signified the successful conclusion of months of rigorous training, not only for the cadets but also for the instructors who trained them. The instructors emphasized that the women were held to identical standards and expectations as their male counterparts throughout the course.
Equal Standards and Performance
Speaking to The Times of India on the sidelines of the parade, the instructors highlighted that they observed minimal differences 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.
Endurance and Resilience
The instructors also praised the cadets’ endurance during physically demanding training activities. According to them, the women participated in all activities without seeking any special concessions. “None of them sought any relaxation even during their menstrual cycles,” one instructor noted. The female cadets also took on leadership roles during training. “In several instances, they led their platoons and units during drill events,” the instructor added. The cadets met all standards set 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.
Uniform Training Regimen
The instructors further explained that 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 Personal Milestone for Instructors
While this year’s parade will be remembered as a milestone for the academy, for the instructors who trained the 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 concluded.
