Image credit – “The Camouflaged Door” by Jocey K is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
A significant talent pool in India is almost hidden in plain sight. Just like the door in this image from Christchurch, New Zealand.
Each year, we work with several veterans from the Indian Armed Forces and adjacent service organizations (Coast Guard, Intelligence, Border Roads Organization) when they decide to apply to top business schools globally.
After a decade or two of dedicated service, many of them are ready to take on leadership roles in the corporate world in India. With their wealth of experience in combat and diplomacy—from dramatic counter-terrorism operations to UN peacekeeping missions—they have demonstrated resilience and the ability to deliver under pressure. One would expect these skills to be in high demand, but their transition tells a different story.
Despite their ranks (often Lt Colonel or Colonel), strategic acumen, and proven leadership abilities, veterans are frequently steered toward specific roles in corporate India—administration, facilities management, or security operations —positions where their broader potential remains untapped.
Now, don’t get us wrong. These positions add as much value to an organization as some of the more business-facing roles. But to pigeonhole armed forces talent solely for such roles feels akin to using a surface-to-surface missile when only a gun could suffice. It leaves them frustrated and looking for greener pastures abroad. At the same time, the recruiting companies don’t get the best bang for their buck.
So, what can we do to redress this? We can start by moving beyond words. Zell Miller, a decorated Marine Corps veteran and former U.S. Senator, once said, “It is the soldier and not the poet who has given us freedom of speech.” In India’s context, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that our soldiers have given us a stable foundation on which our economic progress has been built. So how can we pay back?
Maybe Virat Kohli has the answer. After India’s World Cup win in 2011, in the moment of victory he said of Sachin Tendulkar: “He has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years, so it’s time we carried him on our shoulders.”
The armed forces carried the political (and economic) sovereignty of the country on their shoulders after independence. Now, it’s time for the corporate world to carry these veterans on its shoulders, lifting them into roles that fully capitalize on their skills and leadership.
The second part of this article will highlight vivid stories showcasing the unique skills of the veterans. And how corporate India can leverage these skills.