'Men and women in uniform are not brave, their families are’

Wing Commander Joy Chandra, 38, has been awarded India’s third-highest wartime gallantry medal for his role in a key mission. In this exclusive interview, the fighter pilot traces his journey from Meerut to the National Defence Academy and, ultimately, to the Indian Air Force 

From a first-generation military officer to a recipient of a wartime gallantry medal, Wing Commander Joy Chandra’s journey is one of grit and inspiration. The 38-year-old fighter pilot’s career offers a rare insight into the discipline, sacrifice, and intense training required to safeguard the nation’s skies.

“I feel very proud to have been part of an important mission, and I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive the Vir Chakra,” the Indian Air Force (IAF) officer told TOI+ in an exclusive interview.

IAF, which had played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in May last year, was the “lead service for conduct of all ceremonial events related to the Republic Day celebrations” this year, according to a government statement.

Chandra emphasised that the award — India’s third-highest wartime gallantry medal — was not a personal achievement, but a recognition of the collective effort of the entire military ecosystem.

A native of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Chandra’s resilience was shaped early in life after the loss of his father, an engineer, when he was in the ninth grade. Raised in a close-knit joint family, he initially prepared for multiple competitive examinations before deciding to appear for the National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance test.

Although he did not initially have a specific service branch in mind, his resolve to join the armed forces strengthened once he understood the responsibility and purpose of an officer’s role. Over time, the blend of advanced technology, precision, and the dynamic nature of flight drew him to the IAF’s flying branch.

Acknowledging the inherent risks of military service, including the possibility of dying in the line of duty, Chandra credits his family as his greatest source of strength. While his mother and sister initially experienced a mix of pride and concern, they — along with his wife and five-year-old son — have remained steadfast in their support. “Actually, we are not brave,” Chandra said. “It is our families who are brave.”

Edited excerpts from the interview:

If you could please tell us about yourself. Where are you from, a little about your family, school, childhood?

I belong to Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. My father was an engineer at the Meerut Development Authority (MDA). He passed away in 2002 when I was in the 9th grade. Thereafter my mother had taken a similar profile in MDA… I have a sister, who is married. My wife is a homemaker and we have a five-year-old son.

I did my schooling from Meerut itself. My childhood has been very beautiful. We have been staying in a joint family with all the brothers and sisters. And definitely this experience is very enriching and satisfying.

At what stage in your life did you decide that you wanted to join the armed forces?

So during the class 12th examination I was preparing for many competitive examinations like any other student. And with my friends I ended up giving the examination for NDA [National Defence Academy]. Until then, I had not so much inclination to join the defence forces. 

But once I had cleared the examination, I started reading about the defence forces and their role, their responsibilities and how the life of an officer looks like. 

So once I understood the relevance and contribution of armed forces to serve the nation in a very meaningful way, I decided that yes, this is the path that I'll go on and the defence forces is what my career would be.

For the flying branch, a Pilot Aptitude Test is conducted to assess psychomotor skills such as reflexes and coordination. This is followed by a physical assessment to evaluate endurance, stamina, and decision-making in challenging situations.

Candidates who meet all these criteria are recommended for medical examinations. While baseline fitness is assessed for all, the medical standards for the IAF’s flying branch are especially stringent, involving detailed checks of vision, hearing, heart, lungs, and overall body measurements. 

Overall, the process is designed to select individuals who are not only academically sound, but also mentally and physically fit, and fully committed to serving.

How rigorous is the training and how long does it take to become a fighter pilot?

The training is extremely rigorous, both physically and mentally, with the primary objective of testing and refining one’s skills, decision-making abilities, and overall discipline. Following basic training, flying instruction is conducted in stages, encompassing foundational engineering and advanced flying training, a process that typically spans nearly two years.

Once this phase is complete, a pilot is posted to an operational squadron. Depending on the squadron’s role and specialisation, pilots begin acquiring specific operational qualifications. Training remains a continuous journey, involving regular exercises, simulations, and complex mission scenarios. There is no such thing as a “perfect” fighter pilot — learning never stops. Over time, this constant training becomes not just a requirement, but a way of life.

The armed forces is the only job in the world where dying in the line of duty is a professional ask. How did your parents and people close to you react when you told them that you wanted to join the armed forces?

My late father had always wanted me to join the military, though my mother never shared this with me until I had already begun serving in the armed forces. When I made the decision, my mother and sister experienced mixed emotions—pride, along with a natural sense of concern. My eldest uncle, however, stood firmly by me, offering constant encouragement and fully supporting the path I had chosen.

Looking back after more than a decade of service, I can say with certainty that my family has stood by me at every step. My wife and child understand the challenges of this profession and continue to support me unwaveringly. 

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Can you give us some highlights from the missions that you have undertaken so far.You may have friends who are doctors, engineers or hold corporate jobs. In that group, you probably command a different level of respect. What kind of conversations happen when you guys meet?

Whether it is day-to-day training, routine flying, or an operational mission, especially for a pilot, the approach remains the same. Every sortie is undertaken with equal passion, preparation, and dedication. It is not a single moment that makes a mission memorable, but the entire process — the planning, the preparation, the execution, and ultimately, the satisfaction of a successful outcome — that makes it both thrilling and enduring.

One particularly memorable experience was being part of the planning team for a large-scale joint exercise involving multiple aircraft and different branches of the armed forces. The planning phase was extensive, requiring meticulous attention to detail and anticipation of the unknown.

During execution, dynamic decision-making in the air was crucial to ensuring mission success. The experience taught me invaluable lessons in joint operations and interoperability with the Indian Army and the Indian Navy, making it a mission I will remember throughout my career.

I believe the admiration and respect are for the uniform, not for me as an individual. While it is undoubtedly a privilege to receive such respect for the armed forces, I do not place this profession above any other. My friends are doctors and engineers, and in their own ways, they too serve the nation with equal commitment and purpose.

That said, public admiration carries a deep sense of responsibility. It serves as a constant reminder to remain truly professional and to live up to the trust and faith that the people of the country place in us.

IAF is the third best air force in the world after the US and Russia according to the 2025 Global Air Powers ranking. So how prepared are we to counter a two-front war threat?

I may not be the right person to comment on strategic decisions taken at the highest levels, but I can certainly speak about preparedness. The training within the armed forces is robust and comprehensive, encompassing a wide range of scenarios, multiple exercises, and large-scale operations. There is also close coordination with the Indian Army and the Indian Navy to ensure seamless joint operations.

In my view, our focus is very clear: be prepared and professional. We are trained thoroughly to handle pressure, adapt to challenges, and respond effectively to any situation that comes our way.

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A career in defence is essentially a 24x7 commitment. So how do you people unwind? Do you get to spend quality time with your family?

Yes, military life is demanding and challenging, but mentally we — and our families — have accepted it. In the Indian Air Force, in particular, there is a strong ethos of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. From the very beginning, seniors guide us on managing time effectively, balancing professional and personal commitments, and coping with stress.

I must also acknowledge the IAF gas excellent infrastructure, station environment, and support systems that bring families together and foster a strong sense of community. We function as a team in every sense. Unwinding is important, and whenever I have personal time, I make it a point to engage in physical exercise and spend quality time with my family.

Would you like to give any career advice to youngsters who tend to opt for professions other than the armed forces?

They are the future of our nation. So I must tell them that they have to be very honest first. They have to be fearless, and they must work with full integrity in whatever profession they are in. They must be very diligent and a true professional. If you are a true professional in your own domain, whatever is your capacity, your work, you will be giving justice to your work. And as a whole, it will be very beneficial.

What is your dream for yourself? And what is your dream for India?

My dream is to continue improving in all aspects — professionally, physically, and mentally. I want to be someone my seniors can rely on, and someone my juniors and team members can work with confidently, in service of the nation.

I also envision an India that is stronger, more developed, and more secure—one with robust defence, quality education, and a society built on mutual respect. If, in my capacity as an individual, a citizen, and an officer of the armed forces, I can contribute in even a small but meaningful way toward that vision, I would consider it a success.

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