At the She Shakti 2025 conclave, the spotlight turned to women redefining leadership in the armed forces. Among them was Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, the Director General of the Armed Forces Medical Services (DG AFMS), who holds the rare distinction of serving in all three branches of the Indian armed forces.
In conversation with Firstpost’s Managing Editor Palki Sharma, Surgeon VAdm Sarin — also the first woman ever to head AFMS — reflected on her journey from the Indian Army to the Navy and the Air Force, and the lessons each service imparted.
Early lessons in the Army
Beginning her career as a young officer in the Indian Army, Sarin recalled how responsibility came early. “The Armed Forces confer leadership on their officers very early. You start with a small medical inspection room — taking care of patients and managing the space administratively. That’s where my leadership journey began,” she said.
Building resilience in the Navy
Sarin went on to serve 36 years in the Indian Navy, where she rose through the ranks from Surgeon Lieutenant to Surgeon Vice Admiral. She emphasised that remote postings taught her resourcefulness and communication. “In the Navy, I learnt how to survive with fewer resources, how to communicate, and how to lead in difficult conditions,” she noted.
Precision from the Air Force
Her stint with the Indian Air Force, though brief, left an indelible mark. “I learnt a lot from aviators — to be very precise, very quick, very professional,” she remarked.
A tri-service journey
Sarin highlighted that the AFMS’s tri-service nature allowed her to move seamlessly between the Army, Navy, and Air Force. “I’ve served in Army hospitals in naval uniform for 12 years,” she said, adding that over time her leadership in medicine naturally evolved into leadership in administration.
As the DG AFMS, she continues to set benchmarks in military medicine and leadership, her journey standing as an inspiration not only to women in uniform but to officers across the armed forces.
