“Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.” -Winston Churchill.
I remember last year at this time, I had written a similar article for SSBCrack about my experience at 14 SSB Allahabad, for the 100th NonTech course OTA. However, this time it is a bit different. I achieved success. This is the story of how I got recommended in my third attempt from the very SSB board that had rejected me last year. The key to success is based on doing things differently, not doing different things. In the month of December, I had decided to go to Olive Green Institute, Chandigarh as I was massively confused about SSB and my personality. The mentors at OG were instrumental I making me realise that I was just another confused boy of 21 who needed to get his act together. Hence, my journey had started. Aspirants, it is important for us to understand the meaning of those 15 OLQs and apply it to our lives rather than using them for a week and forgetting them. Col DJS Chahal had said, “Be a good human being, SSB will become the simplest thing to clear in life.” In February 23rd, I went to 1AFSB Dehradun where I was conference out again. It is when I realised, there was one puzzle that was missing. It was that I worried too much about the outcome of the SSB, as if, what will happen to me if I don’t clear it? Life is bigger than that, this was the major realization that I had. When the time to appear for the CDS 2 SSB came for SSC NT 102, I let myself relax, forget the past. God works in weird ways, I got into the same board as before- 14SSB. Reaching the railway station, I found around 67-68 odd candidates waiting (it was the primary batch).
Day 1:Nothing major happened, just the documents were verified. We retired to our barracks chatting with each other. We were divided into two batches of around 32 and 36 into 14SSB and 34SSB.
Day 2: The screening test was held on this day. The OIR was simple as usual. PPDT was also pretty simple as the picture was clear. I wrote a nice story about a photography expedition and narrated it confidently. During the discussion, I was controlling the crowd, helping others speak and also add relevant points. I was screened in and given chest number 15. We had to fill in the PIQ form and other documents. Please fill in the PIQ form cautiously and honestly as this would highlight the person you are and will be assessed on the basis of this sheet of paper.
Day 3: The Psychological test is administered on this day. It is no doubt an important test as the psychologist is the only assessor who won’t meet you in person (except in the conference). Out of the two PIQs you will, one will go to the psychologist and hence it is important to write these tests in accordance to your PIQ form. Now for those who will write an honest PIQ form, their first response naturally becomes in sync with the form (if he/she is not confused about himself/herself). The blank story in TAT should be something that you have done in your life, that way it remains a natural story. The SRTs should again contain very natural reactions that you would do in that situation. E.g. if a band of robbers attack you, you just give them what they want instead of being Rajnikant and kick their ass, sorry, you won’t be able to do that. In short, to ace the Psych test, you really need to know the person you are, it is very much highlighted in the self description test. The TAT portion should contain stories highlighting work where your qualities emerge out, but in a natural manner.
Some of you might be asked to go for your PI on the same day, the rest can have the time off, enjoy a movie at PVR or just chill at the canteen.
Day 4 and Day 5: GTO!!! The best thing about SSB is the Group Task! The first event is GD. Again, the same policy had been applied by me as the PPDT discussion part. Listen, help, talk. It does not matter how much you speak, the quality of the matter is important. Hence if you speak 10 useless points, it can be overlooked by 3 smart and useful points.
The GPE or group planning exercise is again very interesting. For this, I would only say, you are coming for a job as an Army officer, always remember, MISSION COMES FIRST. Use this principle to score points in GPE.
The PGT, HGT, FGT, Snake Race depends on the same factor as GD- Listen to ideas, apply your ideas and help others implementing their ideas. You cannot bear to be overbearing. The group will reject you instantly. Individual obstacles are important in bringing out your qualities of courage, stamina, self confidence, tact, planning. Lecturette is an important device to test your speaking skills and also the way you organise your thoughts. The Command Task is important as the GTO is assessing your ideas individually. I had the best GT experience this time and it was all due to loosening up a bit and enjoying every moment. Confidence is vital, team spirit is essential.
I had my PI right after the first day of GTO hence I went in my PT uniform. The President of the board welcomed me and asked me to sit. We hit it off immediately as he asked me to narrate my lecturette topic. He asked “How was your GT?” I replied immediately “Sir, excellent!” He went on to chat with me for an hour and 15 minutes asking me about my life from 10th Standard till date, asking a lot of GK questions and putting me through various situations based on the work I claimed to do in my PIQ. After the best interview of my life, I left, for the first time thinking that I might have a shot.
Conference Day (Day 6):
The most nervous day of my life, all of us reluctantly packed our bags and left for the waiting area. I looked at my bed and said “I will come back today.” All of us went to the conference waiting room and waited for our turn. As I was called in, I stepped inside a room full of officers, smartly dressed. The President of the board asked me which tasks I did well and did not do well, what preparations had I taken (when I did mention about Olive Green). He asked if I had any suggestions and then asked me to leave the room. It could not have been more than 2 minutes.
Finally, an officer came with a file to declare the results. When he said Chest number 15, I could not believe my ears. I was recommended. All these months of hardships finally began to make sense.
Dear friends, it is determination and the zest to live life king size that makes us leaders, because it makes us different. That is what will help to clear SSB- Determination, Introspection and leading a very tension-free life.
I have cleared my medicals and shall join OTA in October. I hope this will help you all. Be happy, be helpful, be brave.
JAI HIND!
Angshuman Chakraborty
