The Hindu EducationPlus Career Counselling Fair 2025 | Can pursue a wide range of careers in the Armed Forces, says retired Colonel

Colonel (retd.) Vembu Shankar shares insights on diverse career opportunities in the Indian Armed Forces at a career counselling fair.

“From medical practitioner and engineer to chef, teacher, and more, you can pursue a range of careers in the Indian Armed Forces,” said Colonel (retd.) Vembu Shankar, a Shaurya Chakra awardee, at The Hindu EducationPlus Career Counselling Fair 2025 on Sunday.

At the session, ‘Marching Ahead: A Career in the Indian Armed Forces’, he said his aspiration to join the army started in school when he was part of the Scouts team. “After school, while I was at the National Defence Academy as a 17-year-old boy, I learned camaraderie, discipline, and time management. Time is the only resource nobody can give you. Once it is lost, it is lost,” he said.

Another lesson he stressed the students to learn was teamwork. “Don’t leave anybody behind,” Col (retd.). Shankar said.

Reflecting on his experiences, he spoke on how the Armed Forces had taken him from Kashmir to Kanniyakumari, and other parts of the world, helping him learn about different cultures and meeting eminent personalities.

For students preparing for competitive exams, Col (retd.). Shankar offered a piece of advice based on his experiences at the Indian Armed Forces. “The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war,” he said.

He added that competition should not discourage students, and preparing thoroughly was the key. “There are about 500 to 600 vacancies in the army, over 300 each in the Navy and the Air Force every year,” he said, while also reassuring commerce students that they also have a fair chance if they prepare diligently.