The SC has backed the Army & approved the Command Exit Policy 2009 lowering the age of senior army officials in combat & combat support cadres, thereby creating more than 1600 vacancies in the rank of Colonel. The SC also gave directions to the Defence Ministry to create 141 additional posts of Colonel to be allocated to ‘Combat Support’ stream.

The Command Exit model states that the age of Colonels who command a battalion comprising of 800 odd soldiers should not be over 40 years. Later a Committee was set up which amended the model that Colonels would serve as battalion commanders for 2-3 years & exit to a non- command post by the time they reach the age of 40.

View: Creating more vacancies for other entries in the rank of Colonel would render the Indian Army more efficient & better equipped for Combat situations.