First Salute: The Command of Men

The Indian Army officer, selected and groomed to command some of the finest soldiers of the world, is given the responsibility of commanding men and leading them in life-threatening situations. The book highlights the feelings and experiences of an officer when he first joins his outfit by following Melvin, a protagonist based on the author and his comrades, on his first assignment as part of the Indian peace-keeping operations in Sri Lanka. The author uses Melvin's experiences to inform readers about the life of an officer in the Indian Army—the sacrifices they make, the hardships they endure, their courage and strength when facing the enemy and their devotion to the nation. These officers are trained to lead men under fire and this Army has seen high casualties of young officers in the wars it has fought.

This book revolves around the unique bond— a relationship of trust, companionship, esprit de corps, emotions and authority—between an officer and his men in the Army. Some of the qualities required of these men are courage, determination, discipline, intelligence and selflessness, and by giving examples from the lives of actual soldiers, this book aims to motivate today's youth to follow their lead.