John Aguiar
In a landmark moment for Goa since its liberation in 1961, Colonel Jesus Benino Furtado has made history as the first Goan NCC cadet to assume command of the 1 Goa Battalion, National Cadet Corps,
in Panaji.
A true son of the soil, Furtado’s roots lie in Margao. He studied at Loyola High School before graduating from Chowgule College, where his association with the NCC began in 1993. What started as a college activity soon became a calling. In 1995, driven by a desire to serve the nation, he joined the Indian Army, embarking on a career that would take him across 15 states and into some of the country’s most challenging
operational environments.
His service record reflects a life spent at the frontlines of India’s modern military history. During Operation Vijay in 1999, he served in the Kargil War. Two years later, he was part of Operation Parakram during the tense military mobilisation following the attacks on the Red Fort and the Indian Parliament. He also served extensively in Jammu and Kashmir at the height of insurgency operations, gaining first-hand experience of counter-terrorism duties. Furtado’s courage and leadership were recognised during Operation Raghu Prahar, where he was awarded the Army Chief Commendation Card for his role in trans-Line of Control operations targeting terrorist launch pads. His commitment to peacekeeping was further acknowledged when he received the Assam Government Citation for his efforts during the 2012 Kokrajhar riots.
Beyond combat roles, Furtado has made significant technical contributions to the Army. He spent six years with the IIT Division, specialising in long-range weapon systems, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and satellite imaging. A firm believer in lifelong learning, he transitioned from his BA in Economics to advanced sciences, completing an MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing from Goa University in 2021 at the age of 50.
His leadership credentials extend to institution building as well. Before returning to Goa, he was instrumental in raising the 42 Meghalaya Battalion NCC from scratch. He has also led Army adventure expeditions across the frozen Himalayas and the salt deserts of the Rann of Kutch, experiences that shaped both character and command. Furtado consistently credits the NCC as the ideal foundation for a career in the armed forces. He describes it as a preview of military life that instils discipline and confidence, while offering C Certificate holders valuable entry advantages into the Army, Navy and Air Force. Addressing Goan youth, he urges them not to fear postings away from home and to view the military as a path of service, adventure and growth.
According to him, the Services Selection Board looks beyond intelligence to resilience, integrity and leadership under pressure. His own journey stands as living proof that Goans have always had the ability to rise to the highest ranks of the Indian military, when given the chance and the
courage to serve.
