Question: What is an ADC to the President or the Governor? Would you like to be an ADC?
Answer: Sir, an aides-de-camp (ADC) to the President and to the Governor of a State is sent on deputation for two to three years. He primarily functions as a protocol officer, who looks after implementation of the protocols, and as an executive assistant. An ADC is also responsible for carrying out liaison with the local civil & military authorities and looks after the professional requirements of the President/Governor he is attached to. The ADC officer (police or military) also ensures a smooth tour programme for the President/Governor.
The system of ADC has its roots in pre-independence legacy when a ceremonial head at the Centre or a State was accompanied by a defence personnel in uniform giving security, legitimacy, and authority to the Governor. Now a days, a Governor deals with mostly the civil authorities. Therefore, the roles performed by a military ADC attached to a governor can also be performed by a police officer or a junior IAS officer.
In my opinion, the ADC from the Armed Forces should spend his time in operational units and sharpen his professional skills so that he can contribute much more in his core job. Therefore, sir, as a Captain or a Major in Army, I will prefer to be professionally engaged in my unit.
Note:
- ADC is pronounced as “Aye-d-com”. A protocol officer is the person who plans and orchestrates V.I.P. visits, ceremonies, meetings, and special events. Each event they plan is driven with the expectation of diplomacy between the President/Governor and invited guests.
- ADC is selected from amongst officers with a smart bearing and very good service record. He has five to seven years of experience in the Armed Forces. He is chosen after due vetting by the headquarters for high level of general knowledge and local sensitivities in his work as Personal Assistant of the President/Governor/Senior Officer of Army so that he becomes an asset.