Lt Gen BS Raju named new Vice Chief of Army Staff
India Today
Lieutenant General Baggavalli Somashekar Raju was appointed as the new Vice Chief of the Army Staff. He will take over on May 1, 2022.
Lieutenant General Baggavalli Somashekar Raju will take over as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff on May 1, 2022. An alumnus of Sainik School Bijapur and National Defence Academy, he was commissioned in the Jat Regiment on December 15, 1984.
Prior to taking over as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, the Lieutenant General was tenanting the appointment of Director General Military Operations during the standoff on the LAC.
He commanded his Battalion during 'Operation Parakram' in the Western Theatre and in Jammu & Kashmir. He also holds the distinction of commanding the Uri brigade along the Line of Control, a Counter Insurgency Force and the Chinar Corps in the Kashmir Valley. The officer also served as the Commandant, Indian Military Training Team in Bhutan.
During his illustrious career spanning 38 years, he has tenanted many important regimental, staff and instructional appointments in the Army Head Quarters and in field formations, including, Colonel Military Secretary Legal in the Military Secretary branch, Brigadier General Staff of the operationally active White Knight Corps, Deputy Director General Military Operations & Director General Staff Duties.
Lt Gen Raju is a qualified helicopter pilot and has carried out operational flying in Somalia, as part of UNOSOM II. He is is also the Colonel of the JAT Regiment.
He has attended all important career courses in India and completed his NDC at the Royal College of Defence Studies, in the United Kingdom. He also holds a distinguished Master's programme degree in Counter Terrorism at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, United States.
For his illustrious contribution to the service, he has been awarded Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Yudh Seva Medal.
