This book is about my experiences about why and how I set about soldiering and what life was like in the Indian Army. I have included a lot of my experiences/anecdotes/happenings related to the Assam Regiment, the North-Eastern region of India, Jammu & Kashmir (particularly during the latter part of the Kargil War and its aftermath) and the Chinese. I end this book with my thoughts on what in the Indian Army was good and what was flawed and some of my experiences on trying to fit into the retired life. It is important that you as the reader recognise and appreciate that this book is written after much thought, analysis and reflection by a man who had made the Indian Army his career and life. The perspectives, thoughts, analyses, and interpretations I have penned down here are both personal and professional, based on the 44 years I have spent in uniform in a profession that I enjoyed, loved and sometimes found extremely frustrating. Contents Foreword Preface Part I: Early Life till becoming a General Officer Part II: Jammu & Kashmir- Background of Problem, Pakistan’s Proxy War and Commanding 15 Corps Part III: The China Factor Part IV: Perceptions on North East Part V: Issues Related to India’s Neighbouring Countries Part VI: My Perceptions and Random Thoughts Bibliography