Territorial Army (TA) takes over the oil set-up of the nation

The elite citizens’ army has once again responded to the call of the nation.

The oil sector TA units have been mobilised in light of the oil crisis facing the country. These units comprise of personnel from the ONGC, IOC, BPCL & HPCL and are affiliated with the Army Service Corps (Oil Marketing TA unit) and the Corps of Engineers. While Engineers help in the process of oil production and refineries, the ASC unit helps in supply and marketing of fuel. TA volunteers of these units who are basically civil employees of their respective oil sector companies, perform their functions in OG in such situations and while doing so they are amenable to the Army Act and outside the purview of their respective service associations, unions and organisations. These units have been mobilised in the past also to render service in such emergencies. Similar units exist in our Railway set-up to cater for rail strikes and emergent situations. These units are manned by volunteers serving with the Railways. TA Commissioned Officers in the Infantry TA units are volunteers from civil life who are gainfully / self employed in their respective vocations and professions who serve in a military environment for a few days every year in their spare time and volunteer to bear arms for the defence of the nation in national emergencies and wars. Ex-service officers can also join TA and their seniority and rank remain protected.

Incidentally, this morning an advertisement was published in national newspapers seeking volunteers to join at the Commissioned Officer level in the Infantry TA. The age limit is pretty vast : 18 till 42 years.

So once again, Olive Green to the rescue…