Hello Everyone! I am Kapil Salimath from Pune, Maharashtra recommended by 24 SSB Bangalore through AEC entry in my 2nd attempt. Before venturing into the field of defence, I was preparing for competitive exams like Civil Services, SSC- CGL, SBI PO, etc. I spent some 3 years in total preparing for these exams and cleared a few as well but then I got to know about Defence entries as one of my friend (Thanks Rutuja!) told me about the AFCAT 1 2015 form (Seriously! At the age of 24 I got to know how to get into the armed forces and what it really means!).
So I cleared AFCAT and started preparing for the SSB which was in Gandhinagar on 15/06/2015 (I chose this date as 6 is my luck number, luck was not on my side though!).The SSB testing procedure was completely new to me, hence, I took advice from a friend who has been to the SSB before (Thank you Ganesh!) and joined Col. Sinha’s Gurudeva’s Academy in Pune.
Coaching was extremely helpful as the knowledge that I had gained in my competitive exams’ preparation was not much relevant in this type of testing process. I got to learn a lot and was quite confident to compete in an arena which was much different than what I am used to. Unfortunately, I was conferenced out in the AFSB but it was surely a great learning experience and it also created a desire in me that now I have to clear the SSB interviews.
I was searching for opportunities to appear for SSB again as I was running out of attempts because of my late self-actualization. And thus I learnt about AEC entry in army and got a chance to appear for the SSB on 21st Sept 2015. This time I was a calmer and composed than before as I had learnt from my previous mistake that over enthusiasm ruins your performance. I was taking every test one at a time and was not thinking at all about what had happened or what will happen ahead.
Also, one huge mistake which I previously did was to write pre-conceived stories in TAT. This time I wrote whatever came to my mind first after seeing the picture and made sure that I stick to the theme which is clearly seen in the image.
In GTO, I just made sure that I enjoy all the activities. I was quite lucky to get a fantastic group where no one created any chaos and everyone was giving the other person a good opportunity to speak. I always kept a smiling face, welcomed everyone’s ideas in the GD, GPE and PGT, and focused more on building common opinion that forcing people to implement my ideas.
At no point I was thinking about getting recommended, I was only trying to give my best in whatever I was doing there then.
Then on 26th Sept 2015 came the conference! As the popular myth goes, if there is gap before or after your conference or if your conference lasts for longer than usual, it is only then you have a chance of getting recommended. But in my case, there was no gap before the conference, it lasted for only 30seconds and there was no gap after it as well. So for I while I thought to myself, Better luck next time!
But when the results were declared and I heard, “Chest Number 17, Salimath Kapil Sharnayya” it was a feeling which was completely out of this world! I thought I would cry but instead I was smiling a lot because of that Euphoria.
I spent more 6 Days in the selection centre for the medicals. Thankfully, I was medically fit so had no problems at all there.
Made it through the merit list and now eagerly waiting to join the academy and explore my true potential.
For best SSB preparation you can get this awesome book “Let’s Crack SSB Interview”
Best of luck to all the Defence aspirants and I wish you success in all your endeavours.
