SOURCE: AFI
Admiral Arun Prakash, a retired Four-Star Admiral and former Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, has expressed his concerns regarding the practice of wearing shoulder rank badges, gorget collar tabs, and medal ribbons on camouflage fatigues. According to Admiral Prakash, this practice is “oxymoronic and tactically unsound” and should be reconsidered, especially in combat situations where camouflage is critical.
Admiral Prakash pointed out that elsewhere in the world, the use of traditional rank insignia on combat uniforms has been replaced by more discreet, monochrome badges. These are typically worn on the chest, making them less conspicuous in operational environments. His comments highlight the need for India’s armed forces to re-evaluate the current practice of displaying visible insignia on camouflage fatigues.
Camouflage fatigues are designed to provide concealment in combat situations, blending soldiers into their surroundings to reduce visibility. However, the inclusion of brightly colored shoulder badges, gorget tabs, and medal ribbons runs counter to the very purpose of these uniforms. In combat, visible insignia could inadvertently draw attention to the wearer, potentially compromising safety.
Admiral Prakash advocates that these elements be confined to working or ceremonial dress, where visibility is not a tactical disadvantage. His critique underscores the importance of aligning military dress codes with modern combat practices, particularly for soldiers engaged in active combat operations. Many militaries worldwide have adopted low-visibility or monochrome rank insignia to maintain uniformity in combat situations without sacrificing tactical advantages.
Admiral Prakash’s remarks come as many armed forces across the globe have transitioned to more practical, low-visibility uniforms for combat use. In the U.S. military, for example, rank insignia and name badges in subdued colors are worn on the chest in combat uniforms to minimize detection. The British Army and other NATO forces have also moved away from traditional brightly colored insignia when in combat gear.
India’s three services—the Army, Navy, and Air Force—could benefit from a similar shift. By adopting more discreet insignia on combat fatigues, the Indian military would not only follow global best practices but also enhance the safety and tactical effectiveness of its personnel.