THE INDIAN AIR FORCE RANKS (PBORs) - A RE-LOOK AT OXFORD DICTIONARY MEANINGS

"Look into the Depths of Another's Soul and Listen, Not only with our Ears, but with Our Hearts and Imagination and our Silent Love" - Joye Kanelakos

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• AIRCRAFTSMAN - Lowest rank in Royal Air Force (Brit)
• LEADING AIRCRAFTSMAN - One rank just below Non Commissioned Offr rank in RAF. (Leading = Chief, most important.)
• CORPORAL - Army or Air Force NCO next below Sergeant.
• SERGEANT - Non Commissioned Army/Airforce Officer next below Warrant Officer.
• JUNIOR WARRANT OFFICER - ----
• WARRANT OFFICER - Officer ranking between Commissioned and NCOs.
• MASTER WARRANT OFFICER - -----
• (WARRANT = (noun) Thing that authorises an action, Written authorisation allowing police to carryout search or arrest, Money, Voucher, Certificate of service rank held by Warrant Officer, Justify, (vb), Authorisation, Certification, Document, Licence, Permit, Sanction, Warranty, entitlement.
• JUNIOR (WO) = Junior in age, standing or position (to WO)
• MASTER (WO) = (Noun) Person having control over, Ship's Captain, Commanding/ controlling officer, Main, Principal, Overcome, Conquer, Acquire complete knowledge of)

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• SOME GENERAL TERMS
• AIRMAN - Pilot or Member of Aircraft Crew, Aviator, Flier.
• AIRWOMAN -Woman Pilot or Member of Aircraft Crew.
• RECRUITMENT - Replenishment, Re-invigoration, new enlistment of servicemen for Army.
• ENLIST - Enrol in Army Service.
• ACTIVE SERVICE - Marked by Action, Energetic, Diligent, Military Service in Wartime.
• COMMISSION - Authority to perform task, Persons given such authority, Warrant conferring Officer rank in Armed Forces, Empower, Give authority to, Ready for Active Service.

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INTERESTINGLY, the following meanings could be found with regard to Police Dept.

• CONSTABLE - Police officer of lowest rank.
• INSPECTOR (OF POLICE) - Police officer next above Sergeant.
• SUPERINTENDENT (OF POLICE) - Police officer above the rank of Chief Inspector.

....AND all other ranks prefixing or suffixing with above as Head Constable, ASI, Sub Insp. CI, Dy SP, Sr SP, etc. as per their convenience.

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After enlightening ourselves with the meanings stated above, it can safely be surmised that neither the Pay Commission Cells of our Armed Forces (Army/Navy/Air Force) have properly projected the case of PBORs to the 6 th CPC thro' GOI MOD nor the 6th CPC themselves seem to have perceived the peculiarity /speciality of the Armed Forces in proper perspective in recommending the pay scales to AF Personnel (PBORs), resulting in the present fiasco.

A JOURNEY MAY BE SHORT OR LONG, BUT IT MUST START AT THE VERY SPOT ONE FINDS ONESELF.