When someone asked on Quora “What are the most memorable SSB interview moments candidates had?” then Vikram Raj Singh has posted his SSB interview experience and his journey of joining IMA and resigning from it, but this is not the end, read the full experience of Vikram Raj Singh which is surely going to motivate all the aspirants and repeaters who are trying hard to get into forces.
I got recommended by 34 SSB Allahabad for Indian Military Academy. I went to IMA, Dehradun in July 2012. I was a proud person with arrogance having cleared SSB in the first attempt. But life is greatest leveller. All of my arrogance vanished when I was injured during training and prescribed one year bed rest. I had two options either be there for 6 months and start training after that. In this case if injury recurs, there were chances of being kicked out of the academy. Another choice was to resign and again try to get in once fit.
I chose to resign. I was insecure and confused. I did not know what to do because if I would have been in the academy and kicked out after 6 months, it would have been almost impossible to get a job outside.
I came out, got a job in IT industry. As soon I was fit, I started to go to SSBs. I was rejected 4 times by Air Force, once by the army and once by Indian Coast Guard. A major flaw in me was my decision to quit Indian Military Academy. Assessors were not convinced by my justifications. I lost all hopes of getting recommended. I started to prepare for civil services. But there is something about these SSBs, or will to join the forces, you just think let us try one more time.
I waited for next AFCAT notification after being conferenced out in August 2014. To my horror, EKT was included for technical entry and it was the only entry I was eligible for. I took AFCAT test and EKT. AFCAT test was pretty good, but I was sure that I will not clear EKT. Whole EKT paper was calculated guess. In a month, results were announced. I was drinking that night. My friend told me that results are out. I was sure that I will not clear EKT to such an extent that I did not bother to check the result for next two hours. After two hours and quite a few drinks, I decided to just confirm my failure in EKT. I logged in and my AFCAT marks was 191/300 and EKT was 5/150. Cut off was 123/300 and 45/150. I left the browser open and had some drinks. I informed my friends of the result. They were consoling a drunk person who was abusing everything for the ordeal he went through. Suddenly I heard a shout of my friend. He told,” its 55/150 not 5/150 you asshole”. We confirmed and reconfirmed. I was through for next AFSB on 24th November.
I went to 2AFSB Mysore in November 2014 for July 2015 course. There was a footfall of around 200. Around 50 were screened in. I was screened in and getting ready for next 4 days. My psychological test was same as earlier attempts. I find it ridiculous when someone asks “How was your Psych test/PI?”. It’s not good or bad, it’s just as it is. GTO test was a bad experience, especially in PGT. We were not able to complete the task. Officer shouted at us. Command task was pretty good. I was waiting for the interview and the same devilish question again, ” Why you left IMA?”.
The day came. I was called in the room.
IO(Interviewing Officer) — Tell me about yourself, family, studies etc..
Me — Told
IO- What are you doing?
Me- I work in IT.
IO– Asks about my work ??
Me- Explained him Data warehousing concepts. Explained him the business.
IO– What is your routine?
Me– wake up at 9 am. Go to the office. Be there till 6.
6:30 pm- 7:30 pm — GYM
8 – 10 pm — Sleep
10-11 pm — Dinner
11 pm -3 am — study for civil services
3 am -9 am — sleep.
IO– What is your social life??
Me– No or little social life because of routine.
IO– Do you have a girlfriend?
Me– Yes. But she lives in another city from past 5 months.
IO– Are you virgin?
Me– NO.
IO– What do you think about pre-marital sex?
Me- It is fine if it is consensual and protection is used.
IO– (laughs) So are you loyal to your girl?
Me- yes sir. I will marry her.
IO- What if parents object?
Me- I will convince them.
IO– Ok. If they will not be convinced?
Me- I will still marry her if she would be ready.
IO- (laughs) You are preparing for Civil Services. Tell me 3 international news and 3 national news.
Me– Tells him about Ebola, Falling Crude oil Prices, South China conflict, Make in India, Swachh Bharat and RBI in detail for next half an hour. Counter questioning done. Answered.
He was quite versed with happenings.
IO– What was the cause of the recession?
Me– Explained in detail.
IO- (stops me in between) then came the big question. Why did you leave IMA?
Me– Explains. Sighs at last and for the first time tells him(or anyone) ” It was a bad decision”.
IO– What if injury recur and you leave Air Force Academy again?
Me- Not if I am alive.
IO– What if you are not recommended this time?
Me– Indian Air Force loss would be Indian Police services gain.
IO– Any Questions??
Me– No
The interview got over.
In conference, I was asked normal questions.
Everybody in my batch changed to formal for results. I changed to casuals. I was nearly sure that I will not get in and next time I will go to Varanasi AFSB.
Results were announced after initial address. The officer announced 3 chest numbers. Suddenly he says Chest number 41. I was shell shocked. I did not even had photos and xerox of mark sheet. I went to the podium. I have thought of that moment several times in my head. I use to think I will celebrate like Kohli or I would break down, but nothing happened. I was as still as a statue with gratefulness towards almighty.
The date was 29th November 2014.
