A Reminiscence of Army Life and Leadership
“Olive Green” — to the civilian eye, it may just be a shade on the colour chart. But to a soldier of the Indian Army, it is the hue of honour, of grit, of everything we stand for. OG isn’t simply a uniform—it’s a way of life, a code, and in many ways, a second skin.
To say “I am OG” is not a boast. It’s an identity earned through discipline, service, sacrifice, and a relentless commitment to the ethos of the Indian Army. It is a badge of integrity, exactness, and honourable leadership—one that leaves its imprint long after the uniform is folded away.
1. OG is a Code, Not a Costume
The OG uniform doesn’t merely cover the body; it envelopes the soul in a strict but dignified code. “Service Before Self” is not a slogan—it is oxygen. It means waking before your men, walking with them, eating after them, and standing firm when the storm rages.
Being OG means living by discipline—punctuality is not optional; integrity is not negotiable. It means honouring duty with precision, leading with character, and never shirking from commitment.
2. OG Means Leadership With Heart
OG leadership is not about the stars on your shoulders, but the weight you carry for others. Imagine returning from a gruelling march on an exercise. You’re exhausted, your legs ache, and sleep calls. But first, your men must be settled. Tents pitched. Cookhouse up. Men fed. Only when they are secure do you retire.
That’s OG. Not because it’s written somewhere. But because it’s lived, generation after generation. OG means servant-leadership—where your authority is rooted in care, not command.
3. OG is Precision, Not Rigidity
There are those who mockingly say, “He’s too OG”—a stickler, too by-the-book, too stiff. But let me ask—what do you want from a soldier in war?
Should the artillery fire plan arrive a minute late? Should the radio operator doze off and miss a vital transmission? Should the infantry assault pause to “adjust” timing mid-attack?
No. In battle, even seconds matter. Precision saves lives. “Being OG” is not rigidity—it is responsibility. It is the honourable burden of knowing that mistakes are measured in lives, not minutes.
4. OG Has Limits—Even in Celebration
In the OG world, even joy has its decorum. Be it an Officers’ Mess Night or a Bara Khana with the troops, conduct matters. Humour, camaraderie, and a drink or two are welcome—but excess is not.
Getting drunk, making a spectacle, or crossing decorum in front of troops is not harmless fun—it’s a leadership failure. Because in OG culture, even entertainment reflects character.
5. OG is Character When No One is Watching
True OG is what you are when no one’s watching.
No unnecessary affairs, no favouritism, no manipulation, no backdoor politics. A man in Olive Green must walk the talk, even when the parade ground is empty. He must remain fair, just, and honourable—not for reward, but because it is right.
An officer’s conduct, especially in private, sets the invisible tone of the regiment. You are OG not when you wear the uniform—but when you embody it.
6. OG is a Lifetime Habit—In War, Training, or Peace
Being OG doesn’t switch off when you’re off-duty or between postings. Whether during war, peacetime deployments, or training exercises, the ethos remains the same.
Laxity during peacetime breeds fatal errors in war. Every drill, every decision, every “routine” day is a rehearsal for the day it truly matters. The OG spirit does not retire—it only evolves.
7. OG Has Lessons for the Corporate World
The corporate world would benefit immensely by adopting the OG mindset. Imagine CEOs who lead from the front, who eat last, who look after their team before seeking personal gain. Managers who are precise, punctual, and accountable. Employees who internalize the organization’s ethos not because they have to—but because they want to.
OG culture—if translated to corporate environments—would foster integrity, efficiency, and long-term success.
8. OG is Not Just Indian—It is Universal
Though this piece is rooted in the Indian Army’s Olive Green, the sentiment is universal. Every soldier, whether clad in camouflage, navy blue, desert tan, or air force blue, knows what it means to wear a uniform with pride.
The values of honour, discipline, and sacrifice transcend national borders. Whether it’s an American Marine, a British Para, a Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force officer, or an Indian soldier—the spirit is the same.
OG, in its broadest sense, is about living up to the uniform. And every soldier in the world knows what that takes.
In Conclusion: OG is Not a Colour, It’s a Covenant
When I say “I am OG”, I am not just referring to my past—I’m declaring my present and my future.
Even in retirement, I stand when the anthem plays. I check my watch out of habit. I pick up trash instinctively. I still write with brevity, shake hands with firmness, and lead with clarity.
Because OG is not a phase—it’s a frame of mind.
It’s not stitched into cloth—it’s etched into character.
It does not fade—it deepens with time.
I am OG. And proud to remain so.
Guchi.
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