CSS For Army Officers

[GreatExpectations]

Assalam o alaikum Everyone !!!
I wanted to ask that, 'Should serving Army Officers go for CSS or keep serving in the Army?'

Of course personal preference and interests do matter. But keeping them aside, which career would be better in terms of lifestyle, career progression e.t.c

All answers are valued but Any Members who were former Army Officers and are now CSP officers are requested to especially give their point of view.

[zaid ahmed]

I have two friends who got selected in civil services through armed forces quota. Both are very much satisfied with their decision. And apparently it seems a wiser decision..css is mainstream, has better exposure and better career prospects, not least power and social recognition at an early age ... You may retire as a major or a colonel in Army but an army officer in civil services has an assured career path till 21 grade.

AFs are allocated top three groups on the basis of interview alone.. They are placed above toppers in the seniority list... Atif ameer (2nd position holder) is 3rd in the seniority list of psp batch: two officers (one from army and airforce each) are placed above him. So both these AFs officers will retire as Addl. IG minimum. Same goes for PAS. It is the reason why we have so many IGs and CSs name starting with captain(r) or major(r).

Imagine thousands of civilian candidates burning midnight oil just to qualify written part and then compare it with AFs qualifying criteria ; just get shortlisted from your respective headquarter and appear in front of the panel and that too for Top 3 groups only.

However, it may not be as easy as it looks. Last year 48 candidates appeared from AFs. 16 each from Army, Airforce, and Navy. Only 15 qualified interview and 8 got allocation. Further breakdown of allocation was as follows:
Merit - 1
Punjab - 4
KPK - 1
Sindh Urban - 1
Sindh Rural - 1
AJK - 0
Balochistan - 0 (Balochistan gets one seat on alternate years).

So i would recommend that you should try your luck. Personal preferences aside, css and that too in top 3 groups is way better than being captain or flt/lt in AFs.