Recommended for Indian Navy in 9th Attempt

In few months, Placements started and I got placed in TCS. I gave the CDSE examination and was called for the SSB. To my Bad Luck, SSB date and TCS joining date clashed and I joined TCS. Finally I got my first chance to attend SSB for NAVY in Bangalore for SSC (PILOT). I did my preparations but those were not enough and I got conference out. Then it was SSC (LOG) entry for Navy in BHOPAL, to my surprise I got screened out. Frustration started building up. I went to Bangalore for SSC (GS{X}). I was fully prepared and did lot of practice. My conference went well and I was very sure that I will be recommended. Again, results were shocking. Only 1 candidate was selected. The results shattered me completely. Only good thing about that SSB was I made some good friends (Sheel, Vikrant, Amarendra, Karthik,). I was disappointed, but gathered all my courage and went to Allahabad for SSC T -41. Result was again conferenced out. I came back to Pune and concentrated on my job. Within few months I got call from Air force to attend AFSB at Mysore. Results were the same, I was Conferenced Out.

I thought that nothing can be worse and frustrating than this. I started feeling that “Do I have it in me”? Let me tell you, till now it was my best part. Worse was yet to come. My three SSB were lined up in Bhopal. PC (LOG) for Navy, SSC NT (99) and SSC T-42 for Army. I got screened out in all three SSB’s. I was deeply disheartened with my performance and I started questioning myself “Will I ever make it into the armed forces”? I started facing problems in my job. My manager’s were very unhappy and they asked me to leave the project.  I was feeling helpless and frustrated.

I got mail from Navy to attend SSB for SSC (GS{X}) on 12th February, 2014. The SSB was again in

BHOPAL. I said to myself” Fhirse BHOPAL hi kyun Yaar”. May be my destiny was written here only. 182 people came to attend the SSB. Screening test took place and I finally got Screened-In in BHOPAL. I was very happy. Along with me 46 other candidates also made in to the Phase 2 of the testing. My Psychological tests went good. I was scheduled for interview the next day after the GTO tasks. I gave my ideas to the group and most of them worked. GTO performance raised my moral and I went for the Interview. This was the first interview where I faced 8-9 Rapid fire questions. I memorized the sequence and gave correct answers confidently. Interviewer asked me questions on various topics apart from PIQ form, such as questions related to Indian Navy, National and International News, Syria Crisis, Things happening in Egypt, Somalia, Thailand and Ukraine. I gave confident answers in all the topics except for the Ukraine issue. With my experience, I can tell, you should never frame answers there. If you know, speak out; otherwise politely say “Sorry Sir, I don’t know about this. I will definitely search about this topic”. So, the interview was good and I was filled with positive vibes. The GTO Day 2 was full of excitement. I was called second last for the command task and was given a medium level obstacle. Luckily ideas clicked and I did the task within minutes. Finally the Big day came, The Conference Day. We wished each other good luck and went for the conference. I was made to wait outside the conference room at least 10 minutes. Several thoughts came in my mind and I was pretty sure that I will face SRT inside. Same thing happened, apart from the usual questions, 5 SRT’s were asked. I answered them confidently. President of the selection board kept on removing resources and I kept on utilizing the resources which I still have. I was very happy with my performance. My conference was about 25 minutes.

Finally the officer came in with the results and he announced “Chest number 27”. I got up and everyone clapped. This was the happiest moment of my life. I was the only one recommended out of the 182 candidates. Tears rolled down and I felt like, I conquered the world. This is what I dreamt off, had many sleepless nights thinking what I was doing wrong in previous attempts. And today I can proudly say “YES, I have it in me.”

My only suggestion to all defense aspirants is, NEVER EVER GIVE UP. Try to explore yourself, try to find out the shortcomings in you and Practice the TAT’s, WAT’s and SRT’s to match your timings. Frustration comes when expectations doesn’t meet, but don’t let this frustration hamper your performance. Go with the same enthusiasm as you went for the first SSB. For Fresher’s, prepare well and come for the SSB because it’s your golden chance ( Aisa Mauka Fhir Nahi Milega – IPL Tadka). For Repeater’s (my loved brothers), don’t lose hope, keep trying. I have seen many aspirants saying” Ab nahi aaunga SSB dene kabhi”. If you really want to join the forces, introspect yourself, practice the tests at home and come with full confidence to attend the SSB interview and I am sure the results will turn out in your favour.

I wish you all Good Luck and may you all join the Indian Armed Forces and serve the country with Dignity and Honour. You can always reach me on arpit19online@gmail.com for any questions and queries regarding SSB.

Best of luck everyone. GOD BLESS

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