Army Service Corps

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ARMY SERVICE CORPS

The Army Service Corps (ASC) form an important component of the administrative services and is senior most to them all. Prior to India becoming a republic on 26 January 1950, the unit were known as the Royal Indian Army Service Corps (RIASC). The Corps has expanded from a simple supply & transport organisation of the Madras, Bengal and Bombay presidencies of the East India Company and within this transformation, lies more than 200 years of history and legacy. The courageous mule handlers, the good-humoured truck drivers and the diligent supply personnel, serve as the three pillars on whom the foundations of the Corps have been built.

The ASC performs the essential functions of feeding & transporting so as to ensure that the Army maintains its efficiency. It is organised into three main branches; supplies, transport (includes animal & motor transport), and POL (the Army term for Petroleum, Oil & Lubricant), used in motor transport. In forward areas, inaccessible by the Army Postal Service (APS), the Army Service Corps handles the postal services for the Army. All requirements of the soldiers are carried by the personnel of the Corps through various channels. Starting from the base depot they are first carried to the railhead. Heavy trucks then transport these supplies to the next depot or on to lighter vehicles to the depot nearest the fighting lines. At the field supply depots, these bulk stores are broken up according to the requirements and sent to still smaller depots or supply points. At this place, ammunition points are also organised for the issue of ammunition. Then unit representatives come and collect their requirements from here. To far off places, like Ladakh all supplies were airlifted, until recently.

During winter the Corps arranges, in co-operation with the Air Force, to drop fresh supplies at places which are cut off due to heavy snow or adverse climate conditions. To places where motor vehicles cannot reach, the Army mule completes the circle. The Corps is now responsible for the supervision of the catering arrangements, postal services and the provision of clerks for staff appointments. Reorganisation of the Corps is underway and some units are being disbanded, while others are undergoing restructuring - even at Army HQ. The Corps have toiled so hard, in their dedicated efforts, to provide regular logistic support to the troops deployed in COIN operations in Jammu & Kashmir and the North-East.