Ladies and gentlemen. I am Rittik Kumar Jana, from Barrackpore, WB. I finally got recommended in my 9th attempt by NCC Special entry flying from 2 AFSB Mysore and got into the merit too. It’s a long journey of failures. i ‘ll talk about my AFSB’s after a small introduction. (well AFSB because i never got the motivation to even get screened in, in the army and the naval SSB boards.)

Here it began: Being an army brat. I saw my father serve with dedication, in the uniform. He was respected by all. He inspired me, from a tender age to adorn the uniform. He retired as a Hav. and passed away leaving me with a bag full of experiences and teachings of various aspects of life and places across India, and a responsibility to stand back for my mother and sibling.

I Did my +2 from APS Barrackpore and Btech from HIT, Haldia. The passion towards the uniform drove me to NCC and I joined up with the NCC junior division and later, senior division in Air wing (2 Bengal air sqn NCC). My NCC unit wasn’t in my college. I had to manage with a far located college and keep up the josh high for my training in NCC on weekends. I got selected for the Prestigious Republic day Camp representing not only the Air wing but the whole directorate as a best cadet competitor.

I participated in all the activities like singing, dance, drill, interview, shooting etc. and got selected for GOH (Guard of honor) and adjudged the Best Cadet Air Wing 2017 by the Prime minister, Mr. Narendra Modi. Later, i got selected and went for the Youth exchange program, Russia and got a lot of other achievements too. All these achievements made me think that I am an officer material but I failed. I failed again and again and again, even after taking coaching twice, I failed. With 3 conferences in AFSB, 2 at Dehradun and 1 at Varanasi and 5 screen outs Twice in Allahabad, 1 Varanasi,1 Bangalore,1 Coimbatore, I started questioning my achievements.

What went wrong in previous attempts? (read next line slow, relate, its deep)

Combining all the loopholes, i would say it was lack of self-awareness and preparation. I wasn’t aware of myself, yet, overestimated myself. I also thought that I am wasting my time in dreaming of joining the forces. Rather, I should just take up the job that I got during college placements. Yes, I thought it all just the way like people amongst you, who haven’t made it yet. “Paar dil hai ke manta nahi”. I kept going, kept working on myself, kept pushing myself, kept a progressive attitude, faced every challenge head on and yeah, here I am. My only advice to you, yes you, is that, give it, “WHATEVER IT TAKES”

The 9th Attempt, summation of all previous attempts.

What happened finally in this successful attempt?

2 AFSB MYSORE

I reached Mysore, a day prior, and jumped into the Sainik rest house located nearby. Reported the board the next morning with friends already known from previous SSB’s.

Day 1

After the document check and chest number distribution, OIR Test is done. Then in PPDT, the Hazy picture seemed like a village scene. I made a story and narrated in flow. Entered the discussion second, directing the group towards deriving a theme rather than focusing age, mood, sex. Group story was different from mine but constructive and relative to the picture, so I supported it with the points from my story. I linked my story with the group story and gave some common points. Nominated the guy who gave good points and listened to others too.  2 guys got in, me and one more. After the documentation and rest, the Psych test was briefed and conducted. The stories I made were related directly to my real-life situations. It was simple as i just wrote what i did when i faced that situation but with detailed actions without any justification. WAT came up without factual data and only practical thoughts, making me finish off by 10-12 seconds for each word. SRT, I could only manage to complete 45, but with effective detailed actions. SD was pre- prepared and hence it was completed with comfort. We wrote our PIQ’s then and the day ends with a briefing for the next few days.

Day 2

That’s the day 1 of GT. The previous night I kept on saying in my mind not to think about the previous performance to be in the present. I went through the notes of Cdr. Rajan sir. The morning we began with GD, having lack of knowledge about the topic I just managed to give my view points and kept the talk simple. The group too was very friendly and cooperative and hence had a beautiful discussion eventually making me understand the topic. In GPE my motive was to keep an overall practical approach considering all the factors like resources, priorities, time, men, distance etc. in every solution making it a crisp solution. This helped in clarity of thought hence allowing me to put better logical points during discussion. The PGT went good as my thoughts were acceptable and theirs too from my side. I helped my friends whenever required keeping in mind the ease of movement for them and the load. GOR, though i stood at the middle of the line. I was easily able to make my way forward but I also kept up with the ease of movement for my friends. I helped them whenever required and got back holding the snake while proceeding to next. The war cry was funny “ Aam ka achar, Aja mere yaar” we made that during dinner while having the achar literally. The next HGT,we treated each other’s idea with patience but quickly, but ended up having no clue.the GTO then pointed out with a hint and all three of us got it and proceeded to finish it off. We had our lecturette then, having got the topic Himalayan ranges in 1, i started with a motive to explain the topic like its done to a small kid. I finished off in 2 – 2.15 mins and went back. The day ended. I noted down the places I made mistakes just in case I’m not selected. It will help in correction for the next attempt.

DAY 3

The day 2 of GT. (i was weighing 96 i.e. 20 kgs overweight) We got ready for the IO. I started off with rope climbing and did 8 tasks in total, leaving the wall jump and tyre jump as I was heavy. CT, I was called just once as subordinate and GTO called me the 2nd last. He changed some colors twice and wanted me to plan without a rope too once. I took small pauses of 5-10 seconds and came up with ideas. I made sure the tasks were executed by me as I am the commander and also kept my friends at ease while crossing, I just used them to pass on the helping materials. before CT the GTO asked for my introduction and some cross questions. One of which i wasn’t able to answer. I replied with a note to get back to him  after I got that info. Then happened the FGT, with same efforts like PGT i performed here too, focused on helping and understanding each other’s idea’s and proceeding. The GT was over. We were routed back to dorms, we enjoyed the evening and I gathered info which I didn’t answer. My GTO was my DSO. hence while evening fell in he pointed me indirectly and then asked the same question. I was surprised, I replied with the answer and felt very happy.

DAY 4

I had the interview so the previous night I got back with the notes I made and brushed up my life literally. I made my formals ready and reached the location on time. He took my folder 5 mins before and I had to wait till then. The interview started straight away grilling me on my obesity. Initial 3-4 mins, weight was just the topic of talk. I had my replies. He enquired about my performance in other tasks, to which I replied that I was quite satisfied. He mixed up the CIQs and the way I prepared was not happening practically. I listened to the questions properly and replied one by one . He asked my loopholes and strengths and verified the same in different ways. As I had them with deep introspection a number of times, it went on with my personality. There were questions on family and friends, work profile, hostel life in college, co-curriculars and achievements. He also asked me some basics of air force and principles of flight and some latest news. The interview lasted around 20-25 mins and I was asked to leave with a smile. After going back I again noted down points of correction and possible places of improvement for the next SSB if not this time. I found something suspicious,” i did not mention my two biggest achievements even when i was given an opportunity to say”. I noted it down. Later With team we went out and enjoyed the evening then played basketball for some time and the day ended.

DAY 5 & 6

The D-day. “Conference”. Everyone dressed up well back in formals waiting for their name to be called. they went in and out it went on till 29 and then a wait of 15-20 mins… then a wait after 31 for 5-10 mins and a wait for 10 mins after 32. I was 33. I entered 10 mins after 32 left and was welcomed with a smile by all the assessors. They asked me one question,” What are your two biggest achievements?” I thought “OMG, I missed those things in the interview”. I replied “ sir i was the best cadet air wing of 2017 and another will be the Selection to represent India at Russia”. They said ok. I left. They made us all sit in the hall and the DSO Called up chest no 30, 32 and 33 are recommended. That is the moment which every aspirant can visualize. Finally. The DSO Told me to reduce my weight soon and the day ends. On 6th we had CPSS and I cleared it.

How did I prepare for this attempt?

I used to jot down possible mistakes done in previous attempts. Got into a coaching academy and had my interview done by a retired assessor Maj Gen VPS Bhakuni and got some correction tips. I joined as a video editor and worked there as an instructor for various adventure activities. My NCC Air wing knowledge helped me keep my Air force related knowledge strong. I Prepared with my friends, all of the same mind-set and practiced daily. I had my GT concepts cleared by Cdr Rajan sir and that worked as a strong catalyst for this success. So, I got an environment to make my mindset focused in a unified direction. This made me introspect, and find my actual loop holes to work upon. After 3 months came the AFSB and the bull’s eye was hit.

But there was another challenge. My sitting height was 1cm excess for flying and I was overweight by 25Kg. I got a TR. The reduction of height was directly linked to reduction of weight and I had to reduce that within a span of two months. I gave it my everything and was declared fit in the remedials. I got merit in and soon, will be joining the prestigious Indian Airforce Academy.

My advice for aspirants would be to Create a similar constructive environment for yourselves, you’ll make it, surely. It would require a good friend circle and positive dedicated mindset to achieve.

That’s All about my journey of AFSBs. A daunting, new journey awaits and I am eagerly waiting for that.

“BE YOURSELF”

The seed of achievement lies in the human mind, But when the realization comes up,

There’s no looking back. Jai hind.

“When a girl protects the country , she doesn’t  needs any protector !”. Hello Everyone! This is Sagarika Singh hailing from Prayagraj  , presently working as Azure Cloud Engineer and got recently recommended from 4 AFSB Varanasi , making the attempt even more special as it was my LAST attempt amidst the global pandemic! When the word LAST strikes, you naturally view the whole event with a different angle and the subsequent emotions aren’t the same, trust me!

My biggest lesson from my last attempt is to train your mind to take every attempt as last one not only to give your best and avoid any small chance of carelessness but also to enjoy the process as whole .Till date you would have read numerous stories about recommendation through SSBCrack, but in mine I will not focus only upon what I did, but also what I DID NOT.

Rather than starting from day of screening, I would like to take you all even one step behind, which is entrance examination . It’s normal human tendency to just pass the exam, that’s not correct approach I believe, rather give efforts to TOP it. Sounds weird since we find it simpler to accept the excuse that topping examination takes a lot of sweat and dedication.  Honesty , It does, but what comes easy never stays.  Remember that! If you will score good in written , it will enhance your chances to get merit in , since merit out is most common phenomena of SSB. Even if you will give your heart and soul to recommendation, but poor written score will always keep the clock of doubt in your mind going over merit in.

Now coming to screening, it’s very simple rule. As you are supposed to stand out of crowd that had reported, take every single things very seriously , every means every. OIR, PPDT story, Narration to count few. Ask a simple question to your self, you are part of crowd till then, nobody knows you, none of the assessors, the only point for you to hit is to make your presence feel by giving superb narration of your story, then  involving into constructive group discussion and making good score out of OIR. I would rate narration and GD more from my experience since the one minute allotted to you is actually the golden impact time to hit the chord right and you need not to be a great orator for that, not at all! But expressive :- YES! What you would say should have right pitch, impact and your subtle interest in your own content and story . How could you convince others  to trust your imagination, if you yourself can’t ?

 For psyche , I gave few instructions to myself.

1.Please do not always assume that a specific gender is victim. Struggle stories aren’t gender specific, boys and girls suffer equally and raise equally . It’s required out of you to treat all on fair ground  as an officer. Keep your horizon wide since your protagonist in story speaks volumes about you only.

2.It’s true that pain matures you, but that doesn’t mean every picture will have PROBLEM and solution, life is about enjoyment as well, so keep that thing in mind and try giving stories that celebrate life  too. After all , we all are human beings and feeling content is what we want.

3.For WAT, it’s not necessary that the word should come in sentence . They want to know where your mind goes when you see that word.

4.For SDT, my dreams and aspirations were  very practical , I didn’t write that I want to go to space holding an electrical engineering degree!

Coming to GTO, see always try to analyse beforehand what the process wants out of you? When you will get answer to this question, your  performance will get streamlined. I had a conversation with one of gentleman , he said that he is  seeing out gym for GTO! Really ? How come your GTO Task  has anything to do with  your gym regime? Your gym would give enough strength to your biceps to hold plank well, but where to place it needs training of your mind not arms! So, try to understand the need and feed it. GTO checks you as team player, solution provider, analytical thinker and logical person . And the PGT/Command task  specifically wherein a lot of people complain falling sort of ideas , they are as basic as see-saw, not letting plank go down , adjusting every space and gap and here you go ! I never accepted that I don’t  have any  idea left, I kept on changing angles, tied /untied rope but made sure materials are being utilised and completed  PGT, HGT, FGT  with group and then command task on basis of self decisions ! It’s plain simple science of angles, force , fulcrum etc .For Lecturette ,my basics were very clear :- Resonate with your audience, make eye contact with your teammates, speak as if you are talking to them and speak clear and tend to complete your sentences before jumping to next.

To cover Interview, as like all , I also had my story. Here, my suggestion is interview yourself, go for self talk, ask/answer facts about you . You need to have answers for every question that makes you different from rest and YES, Everyone is unique, so don’t  say your case is normal, it is NOT. For me, I always have attended Air Force SSBs. So my PIQ raised eyebrow there only and above that I was already merit out .IO and GTO asked the same question I was expecting  why only IAF? My answer was “since I am Navy brat and grand daughter to Army personnel, knew in and out of both of it . I wanted to go for unexplored territory”.   If you have convincing answer – fair enough but don’t say I like the uniform of IAF most, we honour the service more than anything. Another speciality of my case was single child under single parenting. Life pulls you down sometimes, but that what makes you strong too. Accept your truth whole heartedly , wear it as pride. When interviewer asked why you want to go for forces, I told him why actually ? “ Being single child I was always under my mom’s radar for security, she constantly kept an eye for protection, scared but when a girl protects the country , she doesn’t  needs any protector! I want to be one of those girls!” .

Out of 4 SSBs, two recommendations, 2 conferenced out managing it with job, mother and other professional and personal responsibilities opened  a great deal of questions for me. But all through I kept very calm and composed mindset ! Who does gets this golden chance to be interviewed by such fine gentlemen? Imagine you are point of discussion for an hour or so in the busy life where  no one is free enough to give a single minute! So, enjoy the process, feel relaxed , Keep smart posture, take interest , Do not lie! You are respected more for accepting your non awareness rather than giving false answers. This point is especially for GK related questions. Do not give near about answers and if you do, tell that your aren’t sure.

So here we came to end of my story! Hope those reading will pen down their own someday!

Carpe diem!