WITH due respect to all, bullying and ragging in military institutions is a universal concern.
Generally speaking, military colleges worldwide would never admit that ragging exists in their institutions for fear of recrimination.
At the same time, bullying is common in all societies. It happens in homes, schools, offices and workplaces. I am informed that it is also common in prisons and even the underworld.
I do not condone extreme ragging like what had reportedly happened at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia's (UPNM) Military Training Academy (ALK) recently.
Whether recent or in the past, such behaviour is uncalled for. But this also calls for a thorough public investigation into its root causes and how to remedy them.
I would recommend setting up an independent board of inquiry, comprising senior representatives from the Defence Ministry, police, ALK, UPNM and military veterans, to resolve this issue.
Involving military veterans makes sense as many of us survived ragging during training, but without resorting to sadistic behaviour. Veterans can share their wisdom and instil military values.
For reasons of transparency and public confidence, whenever a bullying incident happens in a barracks under military jurisdiction, the proposed board should not be headed by a serving military officer or someone with an axe to grind.
Military institutions have a responsibility to train disciplined, cohesive and resilient forces, but relying on hard bullying to foster bonding and camaraderie, as suggested by some, is outdated.
Employing such a tactic will not foster bonding and camaraderie. Instead, it may result in resentment against the system.
True bonds are built on shared purpose, not through fear or humiliation.
We must also have a clear line of what is beyond accepted ragging. It is so that we can point out that an action is sadistic and inhuman, even without intent or malice. In fact, it should never have happened.
This also calls into question how a person with suspect behaviour can be recruited.
Could it be a failure in the recruitment system by military psychologists, who overlook an applicant's temperament?
In this area, the Defence Ministry should plug the gap by insisting that all cadet applicants be assessed for their psychological well-being, besides physical fitness and academic performance.
Let's be clear: Only psychopaths would resort to sadistic and inhuman behaviour. A person with such extreme inclinations has no place in the military, let alone in civilised society. Instead, a person with such a trait should be sent for treatment.
In addition, military training institutions should reflect on their values of professionalism, inclusivity and respect.
They should uphold military values which emphasise toughness and camaraderie, loyalty and mutually supporting each other, for example, which is a big help on the battlefield.
However, in the aspect of resilience and loyalty, these values must be built without crossing ethical lines.
Training must prepare recruits to be a productive, friendly and helpful member of society during and after they leave the service.
While their relationship with society is complex, soldiers are trained to defend the core interests of society with their life.
As a product of the socialisation process, some cadets might have absorbed negative traits.
Therefore, guiding them through the military's physical, mental and emotional challenges is a real test of military leadership.
Finally, mitigating bullying and reinforcing discipline in any military institution is a shared responsibility that involves all stakeholders that goes beyond the chain of command.
*The writer is a former soldier who underwent two years military training in Cadet Wing, Federation Military College, in the mid-1960s
*The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times