Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, AVSM, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army’s Southern Command, visited the Junior Leaders Wing (JLW) at Belagavi Military Station, reaffirming the Army’s focus on enhancing junior leadership in a rapidly evolving security environment.
During the visit, Lt Gen Seth was given a detailed briefing by the Commandant of JLW on the institution’s rigorous training programmes. These modules are designed to sharpen combat skills, develop leadership qualities and build stress endurance among young officers. He reviewed the training infrastructure, which includes high-tech simulators and realistic battlefield scenarios tailored to address hybrid and asymmetric threats.
Commending the efforts of the instructors and staff, the Army Commander acknowledged the critical role JLW plays in preparing soldiers for future battlefields and in building confidence and tactical proficiency among the Indian Army’s junior leadership.
Established in 1971, the Junior Leaders Wing is one of India’s premier military training institutions. It trains personnel from the Indian Army, paramilitary forces, central armed police units and even friendly foreign militaries. In recognition of its excellence, JLW was awarded a Unit Citation in 2016 for its outstanding contribution to officer and commando training.
Lieutenant General Seth assumed command of the Southern Command on July 1, 2024, after previously leading the South Western Command. His visit to JLW not only reflects the importance of junior leadership in modern combat but also highlights the historical legacy of the Southern Command, which played a crucial role in the 1961 liberation of Goa and the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
The visit also aligns with recent trends in military training. A study by the Journal of Defense Studies stressed the need for armed forces to evolve rapidly to meet emerging security challenges. Lt Gen Seth’s visit reinforces the Army’s commitment to building a forward-looking, adaptive and combat-ready force through institutions like JLW.
