Life At National Defence Academy

Life at NDA: Battalions & Squadrons

Battalion & Squadron Cadet's cabin - Home Away From Home

     On reporting to the Academy a cadet is allotted to one of the 18 Squadrons which then becomes his home away from home for the next three years. The Squadrons are named as Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hunter, India, Juliet, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Panther, Quebec and Romeo. No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 Battalions have four squadrons each and No. 5 Battalion has two squadrons. Each squadron has approximately 100 to 120 cadets drawn from senior as well as junior courses under training in the Academy.

A Squadron Buidling

     Squadron, comprising a healthy and eclectic mixture of cadets from diverse backgrounds and varying abilities, is a veritable melting pot where the bonds of camaraderie are forged. The squadron spirit is inculcated and nurtured through out the cadet's stay. The prestigious Inter Squadron Championship Trophy awarded to the best squadron epitomizes the pinnacle of teamwork and team spirit. The champion squadron has the proud tradition of possession of the Champion banner for one term which is carried during the parade and other sports meets.

Inside view of a Squadron Building

     Each squadron has its own nickname, an individual identity with a richly textured history and mascot. The rudimentary import of the NDA's motto "Service before Self" is first taught in the environs of the squadron, where a cadet learns the importance of putting the squadron's requirements well above his own.

Life at NDA: Clubs & Activities

Training at the National Defence Academy encompasses a large gamut of activities considered necessary to mould the personality of a future military leader. Over the span of its existence, the Academy has continued to evolve methods of training in harmony with the demands of time and has produced "men of substance", men who vindicated these methods, in the cauldron of conflict and in the constant yearning for excellence in every field. The aim of training at the Academy recognizes the need to develop an interest in extracurricular activities amongst the cadets to mould the overall personality of a cadet emerging from the portals of this hallowed institution.

With this tacit recognition of the relevance of extracurricular activities or what is more commonly referred to as the 'club activities' in the Academy parlance, in the overall scheme of training, it is easy to comprehend the functioning of such clubs at the Academy. It is further pertinent to appreciate, that while the primary objective remains ensuring effective utilisation of 'leisure time', excellence in any such extracurricular activity is allowed adequate exposure at national and international fora and a natural progression from a beginner to an amateur to a treasured individual skill. In keeping with this objective, a number of clubs of both the outdoor and the indoor variety are functional at the Academy.

The role of these clubs goes beyond the generation of interest in extracurricular activities as this is the singular domain which provides opportunities for self-expression through the creative use of leisure. Clubs at the Academy aid organising ability and development of a disciplined, inquisitive mind by stimulating a lasting interest in hobbies and pursuits of choice. These varied skills acquired during the most important learning phase of their career in the Armed forces, stand our cadets in good stead throughout their service.

A total of thirty clubs function at the Academy to ensure that the laid down objectives meet their logical conclusion during the training regimen of a cadet at the academy. Out of these thirty clubs, twelve are indoor and the balance eighteen are outdoor clubs. The club section of the training branch is responsible for ensuring that all clubs are provided such training aids as are essential for the fulfilment of the laid down objectives. Each club has an officer advisor (OA) and a joint officer advisor (JOA) who is responsible for the routine functioning of the club. Additionally, clubs requiring professional instructional support are provided with the same with a view to ensure that cadets achieve the requisite skill level. The list of all the clubs are appended below:-

Life at NDA: know Cadet's Commandments & Pledge

The training entails equipping the cadets with mental, moral and physical attributes required to cope with the challenges of the future battlefield with the aim of leading troops to victory in conventional, non-conventional and asymmetrical conflicts.

The Three formative years at the academy instil in the cadets a sense of intense belonging, bonding and feelings of oneness with the alma-mater. Breaking bread and training together engender the spirit of camaraderie which in the ultimate analysis forms the bedrock of inter-services co-operation in times to come. Herein are sown the seeds of 'Jointmanship', the new mantra of coordinated inter-services strategy.

The cadet during his sojourn at the NDA holds many a thing close to his heart. By merging his identity with others, he gains the solace of a herd, the power of a team and the leverage of a group. This attribute of solidarity stands him in good stead during testing times and crunch situations.

The Cadet's Pledge

• I dedicate myself to the task of upholding the ideals that have gone into the making of this great institution of which I am a proud member.
• I reiterate my firm commitment to the values and virtues that form the very basis of the corps of cadets and also the Armed Forces of India.
• I promise to be fully dedicated to all aspects of my training here and also to adhere, at all times, to a code of conduct, befitting my future role as an officer and a gentleman in the service of the Nation. To that end, I shall not lie, cheat or steal and it will be my earnest endeavour to be sincere, hardworking and scrupulously fair.
• I earnestly pray that I may not falter in the pursuit of my goal and, in moments of doubt, be guided by my illustrious predecessors whose example shall be my beacon.

The Cadet's Commandments

The Nation:

     The Nation's honour and interest come first, always and every time.

The Services:

     We pledge to maintain the traditions of the three services and keep the 'TRISHUL' always bright and strong.

The Academy:

     We are proud of the Academy. We will at all times endeavour to uphold its reputation by our conduct, bearing and manner both within and outside the campus.

The Corps of Cadets:

     We are a family. We are loyal to each other. We act as one man.

NDA Cadet Carrying his fainted coursemate during cross country. Representation of true team spirit.

Truth:

     We will always follow the harder right rather than the easier wrong.

Discipline:

     We will obey all orders at once. We will never leave a task unless permitted to do so by a superior.

Punctuality:

     We will make punctuality our second nature.

Supervision:

     We will work without any supervision. Supervision is unnecessary when duty is performed conscientiously.

Work and Play:

     We will work hard and play hard. We will keep ourselves physically fit, mentally alert and morally upright.

Gentlemen:

     As future officers of the Armed Forces, we will learn to conduct ourselves as gentlemen.

Academy Honour Code

"I believe that a cadet must be loyal,

truthful, trustworthy, honest and

forthright under all circumstances.

I will not lie, cheat or steal, nor will I

mislead or deceive anyone.

I undertake to faithfully live up to this

code and to continuously encourage

my comrades to do so".

Jai Hind!

Life at NDA: Passing Out Parade

The Passing Out Parade is the most spectacular among the end-of-term events at the NDA. It is also the culminating event of another successful term. The unique parade held at the Khetarpal Parade Ground comprises over one thousand participating cadets bidding farewell to their senior colleagues. A masterly display of drill movements, synchronised with the accompanying band ingrains long-lasting memories in participants as well as viewers. The haunting strains of 'Auld Lang Syne' and the Adjutant on his charger accompany the passing out cadets to The Final Steps.

     In the closing moments, the mast at the Quarter Deck is manned by the cadets of the junior-most course to cheer on the passing out course as they go past the Quarter Deck in a slow march. At the final step, engulfed by a flood of nostalgia spanning three eventful years, each cadet can feel justifiably proud of his achievement. Three years ago, he had entered the portals of this hallowed institution with a little trepidation perhaps; he leaves now a young man strong in body and mind, confident and assured and proud of values imbibed here. He is well on his way to achieving the ideals of an officer and a gentleman.