General Manoj Naravane has taken over as the Chief of Army Staff from General Bipin Rawat. Appointed Vice Chief of Army Staff in September, General Naravane has also served as the head of the Eastern Command. Commissioned into the 7th battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment in 1980, he is a recipient of the 'Sena Medal' for commanding a battalion in Jammu & Kashmir and 'Vishisht Seva Medal' for his services as the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North) in Nagaland. He has also been awarded the 'Ati Vishisht Seva Medal'.