It is possible and perfectly normal to have certain fears regarding something you really want or love. For aspirants of the Armed Forces, getting recommended is one such thing, and thus it is perfectly normal to have fears related to SSB. Here we’ll be talking about the most common fears that every candidate has during SSB, we’ll also provide tips to overcome them.
1. Coaching: Many candidates have a fear of coaching. They feel that if they’ll tell that they took coaching it’ll have a negative impact on their selection chances. Hence they are confused whether or not they should tell about taking a coaching.
– How to overcome: If you are telling about taking a coaching, go ahead and tell them. It’ll never go against your selection. In fact it shows that you are serious and sincere enough to prepare well for your goal. Therefore do not have this fear of coaching.
2. Rejection: Most common fear amongst all of us. Not only for SSB but for a lot of aspects in our life. We fear rejection, as a human being which is a very common feeling. Candidates fear that they’ll not get selected.
– How to overcome: Even if you don’t get selected it is not the end of the world. You can try again with better preparation. However to not get rejected go with good preparation and have confidence in yourself, rest all leave it to time. Remember everything happens for a good reason.
3. Honesty: There can be two types of fears related to honesty. One is when a candidate is too honest to show his/her personality and one when he/she hides a considerable amount of information related to his/her own true behavior and shows himself/herself like someone else, commonly known as faking.
– How to overcome: Being honest is the one thing you should have as an officer. Though not on the OLQ’s yet honesty is very important, both for them and for you. However a little abstraction does no harm. Do not give out pointless details, speak and show only as much is required.
4. Stumped in interview: No matter how well prepared you are, you’ll most of the time have nightmare’s before the interview, just with a thought that you might be stumped in the interview. A very common situation in SSB, however has no connection with your selection.
– How to overcome: Prepare well for the interview, following the guidelines of the sources you trust. Remember one thing nobody has ever came out answering everything in a viva, or an interview. The technique of interview is such that they will check your level, and once you can’t answer that is your level. In SSB they are not checking your GK, hence be thorough with your personal stuff to answer. Also they see how you can answer the questions you don’t know.
5. GD/public speaking: Candidates might be shy in nature and thus feel that they’ll not be able to attend the GD properly or give the lecturette well.
– How to overcome: Practice is the only key. Have faith in yourself. Read a lot so that you have substantial points to speak. Stand in front of the mirror and practice.
6. Group: Candidates fear that they may not get a good group in SSB. This fear is specially with those who are a little introvert side.
– How to overcome: Having confidence on yourself is the way out. Talk to people in your group. Be nice to them. Everybody will like you.
7. Wrong answers: Psychology is not something all can understand. Yet candidates fear that the answers they gave in psychology are wrong. Or they have not attempted enough in psychology.
– How to overcome: There is nothing wrong or right in psychology. You just have answer keeping in mind your personality. Remember every answer represents you. Answer such that it has some depiction some OLQ related to you. Quality matters not quantity.
8. Being under surveillance all the time: Some candidates feel, and I find it funny that they are being monitored evey second. The way they walk, talk or do anything causes rejection or selection. Some even fear taking medicines and going to MI room fearing that this will be a cause of rejection. Some feel even outside there are agents who come and tell about them.
– How to overcome: Your results are decided based on your performance in the tests conducted. Maintain the decorum and have fun.
were low on essential supplies including water. Flt Lt Jagan realized that in the absence of water and other daily necessities the Indian troops might have to retreat thereby losing vital posturing in the Chumar Valley. He decided to start lifting water in any available vessel like jerry cans, plastic bottles and various other means. The initiative and resolve shown by him ensured that the troops received water and food thereby making it possible for them to hold their position. The approach and take off had to be carried out in an unconventional manner requiring both skill and courage from the pilot. Undeterred and unfazed by the difficult ground conditions, Flt Lt Jagan remained resolute in his mission and flew 32 sorties relentlessly in two days to supply two tonnes of water and essential supplies. The mission demanded exceptional courage, flying skills of a high order, and an undying commitment towards the cause.
Sandeep Singh received a mission from Anti Naxal Task Force Commander to evacuate casualties from a forest area in Sukma district of Chattisgarh on November 21, 2014. The CRPF troops came under heavy fire from Naxals resulting and five serious troop casualties had to be evacuated immediately. He got airborne with medical team within 20 minutes of receiving the SOS call. Based on intelligence inputs and coordinates of exact location of casualties, he landed the helicopter with rotors just clear of the tree line in the jungle. The landing area had the limitation of a sloping surface and was prone to dust. With causalities and sensing the threat all around, he carried out a “Vertical out of Ground Take Off” in the only available direction. The helicopter came under a burst of fire from automatic weapons. Undeterred and unfazed, he maintained his composure and courageously carried out evasive manoeuvres to minimize the exposure. Due to his deft handling of the situation the causalities were minimized and only one crew and one person onboard sustained bullet hits with the aircraft remaining fly worthy.
November 21 2014, Sergeant Mukesh Kumar Tiwari detailed to fly as a Flight Gunner in No 1 aircraft in a two aircraft mission to evacuate casualties from a forest area in Sukma district of Chattisgarh. He prepared the aircraft for the mission in a record time thereby ensuring safe and timely launch. He effectively briefed the medevac teams and the Garud commando forces on the prevailing life threatening conditions on the ground and the importance of the mission. To save on time, he optimized the cargo space for casualty evacuation, while in flight, using innovative ideas. As the helicopter approached the evacuation zone, he effectively scanned the area and readied the cargo hold for landing and quick evacuation. Displaying professionalism of a high order he assisted the medical team in giving first aid to the injured personnel and transfer of casualties and their setting down inside the cargo compartment. His actions resulted in a very quick loading and exit of the aircraft from the evacuation zone. However, on the takeoff leg the Helicopter came under a burst of hostile fire. The first bullet pierced through the door and splinters tore though his leg chest and arm. At the same time another splinter hit CRPF personnel. Despite grave injuries to himself, he kept his calm and composure and continued with his duties. He displayed a high degree of courage and determination in keeping the environment in the cargo compartment calm and under control despite being injured. He comforted the other injured CRPF personnel while underplaying the grave injuries sustained by him. His resolute spirit and assurance encouraged the Captain to focus on the other aspects of extrication from the area and safely leading the two helicopters missions back. Both the helicopters later landed safely at Jagdalpur.
an ITBP patrol vehicle containing 12 personnel, carrying out patrolling along the Indo-Chinese border near Hot Spring, fell into a dry river bed. On receiving the distress call, Sqn Ldr Selvakumar gathered quickly planned his mission. The valley to the Hot Spring is sparingly narrow, hostile, inhospitable and without any habitation. There are no force landing fields to put down the aircraft in distress. In addition, inclement weather left the pilots with no margin for error, making the assigned casualty evacuation task very demanding and challenging. He got airborne for the accident site in marginal weather and short of the accident spot, he encountered extremely bad weather with heavy snow fall forcing him to carry out a precautionary landing at Tsogtsalu. Under constant threat of border fire and impending deteriorating weather, he landed near the casualties in the first attempt on a very restricted landing zone. On landing it emerged that all the six personnel were lying casualties requiring more helicopters. He called and guided the other aircraft while acting as the de-facto coordinator under the uncertain circumstances. Being the last to take off he once encountered bad weather. He promptly diverted to Tangtse and ensured that the casualties were administered first aid thus enhancing the chances of their survival. Once the weather improved marginally, he took off for Leh, once again dodging weather while ensuring the safety of the aircraft.
Commanding Officer INS Sumitra, while carrying out anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, March 31, this year received a directive to proceed for ‘Operation Rahat’ to evacuate thousands of Indian and foreign nationals, from the war-ravaged Yemen. While entering Aden Harbour on the night of March 31, he observed heavily armed Houthi rebels patrolling harbour in boats and also stationed on jetty. Additionally, he also observed occurrence of fierce fighting and air strikes by Saudi-led coalition. To ensure safety of hundreds of innocent Indian evacuees comprising ladies, children and elderly persons, the officer immediately deployed armed boats manned by sailors in close proximity of the ship and also created a cordon of the ship’s Quick Reaction Team (MARCOS) around the evacuees, to neutralise any incoming threat. Braving the heavy firing and shelling, the officer took charge of the situation and ensured safe embarkation of Indian and Foreign evacuees amid heavy cross firing. The officer also ensured that during the entire operation the ship remained in the highest state of readiness with ship’s weapon systems manned to counter any eventuality. His brave efforts resulted in successful evacuation of 1621 evacuees, during five different operations, which he undertook from the Port of Aden, Port Ash Shihr and Port Al Hodeidah.
Rajesh Dhankhar, Commanding Officer INS Mumbai, was tasked to undertake mass evacuation of Indian nationals from war-torn Yemen as part of ‘Ops Rahat’, on March 30, this year. The officer in the face of hostility, violence, fierce fighting in the Port of Aden, undertook most daring execution of operations, leading to the safe evacuation of 441 Indians and foreign nationals. On arriving off Aden, Captain Rajesh Dhankhar received reports of heavy shelling in the Port area, with warships also coming under fire. On receiving this specific input, the officer positioned the ship’s Force Protection Team in boats and on jetty to provide necessary fire cover to the evacuees. He ensured that all exit and entry routes to the evacuee enclosure on the jetty were strategically plugged so as to ensure their safety from any threat. Undeterred by the prevailing security scenario ashore, amidst heavy bombing, shelling and small arms fire, the officer led his team from the front and continued his efforts to evacuate stranded personnel even during dark hours. He showed utter disregard to his personal safety and displayed raw courage during entire evacuation operation which was fraught with danger and risk due to continuous bombarding and firing. His brave effort resulted in successful evacuation of 262 Indians and 179 foreign nationals under extreme hostile conditions.
Rahat on April 15 this year, Captain Pradeep Singh commanding INS Tarkash, played a sheet anchor role in meticulous planning of one of the most daring operations. His efforts lead to the safe evacuation of around 600 civilians of 18 different nationalities from AI Hodeidah and Aden harbours in the face of hostility and the back drop of violence and fighting ashore, in the port and on the jetty. Mindful of the poor security situation and always wanting to be in a position to exit the combat zone, the officer decided neither to go alongside, nor anchor the ship and instead remained underway and maintained constant movement, stopping only to embark civilians from boats. Apart from evacuating the above mentioned people, the officer improvised the available information and resources and evacuated the body of the first Indian casualty in Yemen conflict in a make shift coffin.
