I have often heard certain civilian officers say that if a brigadier (for example) can become a joint secretary in the civil, why can't a joint secretary take over the post of a brigade? This argument is not only specious but is downright childish. Armed Forces Services being technical in every respect, no civilian can command any military outfit. It can never happen in today's world. Political guidance to the military from civilian high-ups is an altogether different matter. However, what has impelled me to write this letter as an old army officer and then a civil service officer, is to set the record straight about an unlikely statement by a very senior retired diplomat Dr. Maqbool Bhatti. In his write up (in The Nation of 30th April 2008) the worthy Dr. Bhatti under the caption "Foreign Policy and Development" says: "Owing to prolonged period of military rule, we have had more than a smattering of former Heads of Mission who may have been competent field commanders. A good general officer may not be ideal in the field of diplomacy just as the Armed Forces would question the competence of a good diplomat to command and control a military unit". Has any diplomat ever commanded a military unit in the context of Dr. Bhatti's statement? Never. Why is there a 60:40 (professional :non professional) quota for ambassadorial assignments in Pakistan as I knew it? I didn't expect Dr. Bhatti to make this naive statement which certain civilian officers usually make without thinking about the impracticality thereof. -BRIG A. RASHID, Lahore Cantt., via e-mail, May 4.