Major Simon P Thomas Karickal was born as the 4th out of 8 children of late PC Thomas and Aleykutty Karickal, Neendoor, Kottayam on 07 July 1957. As a police officer’s son his initial schooling was in Government LPS, Veilukana- pera, Erattupetta, St. Margetts LPS Kaipuzha, St. George’s HS Kaipuzha and Government HS Pala. Thereafter he completed Pre-Degree course from St. Thomas College Pala 1972-1974. Then he joined the Indian Army as an Apprentice at Ap- prentice Training School, Electrical and Mechan- ical Engineering (ATS EME) Bhopal where he completed the 3 years diploma course in Auto- mobile Engineering in 1977 and posted to advance base workshop as craftsman in Jammu & Kash- mir. During the tenure in the corps at EME, he was selected to Army Cadet College, Indian Mil- itary Academy, Dehradun. While at ACC he ob- tained BA Degree in Humanities from Jawahar- lal Nehru University, Delhi. He passed out from IMA as a Second Lieutenant into 17th Battalion, The Madras Regiment (Cochin). The Nair Bri- gade of Cochin Maharaja which was amalgamat- ed into the Indian Army. As a young officer he was inducted to Punjab as part of Operation Blue Star. During the Young Officers Course besides tactical and weapons training 2 Lt Simon success- fully completed Commando Training, which does more than enhance tactical and technical skills, it forges resilience, discipline and ability to operate effectively in high-pressure situations.
The training pushes individuals to their limits, fostering both physical and mental toughness. In 1986 2 Lt Simon completed Amphib- ious Warfare with Indian Navy at Kochi. Major Simon was trained at various type of warfare and participated in Anti- Terrorist & Insurgency Operations in Jammu & Kashmir, Assam and Nagaland. During “Operation Vijay” (Kargil War) his battalion 17 MADRAS (COCHIN) was moved from Thiruvananthapuram to Western Desserts. Prior to his voluntary retire- ment Major Simon was adjutant of 110 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) in Jammu & Kashmir.
On retiring from Indian Army Major Simon with family immigrated to Houston, Texas, U.S.A. Major Simon married Mini Thomas Kudakasseril, Kuttoor and blessed with two sons, both are engineers and settled in U.S.A. Major Simon is an active member of Knanaya Catholic Society and Church, Houston. Now he is working as a correctional officer in Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Major Simon believes in God and his motto is “Do your work sincerely and take rest, do not seek for rewards”.
