SSB Experience Series: Journey From failure to Recommendation for Indian Army

Hello everyone, here I am sharing my experience of success after failure, hope after despair and happiness after sad times, a brief history of last 3 years. It’s true that SSB is a lifetime experience and one who is lucky enough to enjoy those 5 days, looks back in time and feels delighted. Well, I was one of those who was not that lucky enough to even qualify the first round (screening).

It all began when I was in the first year of college, I had one attempt of NDA left, I studied diligently, but was unsuccessful, it was a big blow to my head as I was very confident of clearing it. As time went along, so did I,  hence from the second year onward I began preparing for the CDS written, which was to be held in 2014 end, with God's grace and hard work I cleared the written exam. This preparation time made me realize that had I worked upon my basic concepts earlier, NDA exam would have been a piece of cake.

Click here to read: All you need to know about psychology round of SSB
Also read: Other ways to serve the nation - CAPF

My SSB was in June2015, at Bhopal, I went confidently, made friends at the station, had a good sleep in the SSB dorms and next day got screened out. I was baffled as to what went wrong, my parents were disappointed and so were my friends, it was a time when nothing seemed right. I gathered courage, went back to Delhi, started thinking about what went wrong, I did not know where to start, I began browsing through the internet for help, where I saw the SSB vision blog and immediately contacted Jayendra sir, he guided me about the course and i decided to go for it.

The next SSB was in Nov and i started preparing for it before hand from July, I got fit, lost a lot of weight and prepared thoroughly for the interview with Jayendra sir, who helped me in self-introspection through mentorship program. Confidently, yet again, I approached the 14SSB at Allahabad and got screened out. I started to think maybe I am not good enough for the forces, it was a time of despair, I got back and contacted Jayendra sir, he said that there was a problem with my PPDT and suggested not to give up and get back with the same rigor. I accepted my failure once again and got back to preparation, I cleared CDS 1 2016 and went for my SSB in May, at Allahabad (11SSB),finally I got screened in, my chest number was the last to be called out in the screening result, I could not be happier and my journey to success began.

Click here to read : All you need to know about SSB?
Also read: SSB Lecturette series - ISIS

They made us fill out the PIQ forms, and the next day was Psych, I performed very well in all the tests, did all SRT's, all WAT's and my TAT stories were original and observational. I was very happy about the Psychology test. Next was GTO 1 where we had the snake race, I was very cooperative and helpful, I kept on motivating the group and took initiative and responsibility wherever possible, for example(GTO said "I want 2 of you to do the last task again", I ran immediately and did it, even though others were far better than me).The GD's were very productive and I gave a lot of original points and mediated the group, I listened to other's points carefully, I even controlled a fish market like situation. All this was well practiced during the introspection exercise that I had done under the guidance.

Plus sign speaks all the happiness that everyone wants

In the GPE I performed average as my solution was only partially workable, but I had written the plan in an organised manner, specifying time, place speed and distance, at every point. The PGT and HGT were very easy and I gave most of the solutions, but also gave everybody a chance to speak and try, cooperation was the key in both these tasks. The GTO 2 day started with the lecturrettes, I chose the topic, job reservation for women, even though i knew very little about it, I kept on speaking something or the other and kept the group attentive, and I remained calm and confident. I got a difficult command task, but was able to complete it within the stipulated time, I was not only commanding but also taking part in the task myself. I did 7 individual obstacles, which is not a lot; I would advise to increase one's stamina in order to perform well.

Click here to read: SSB GD Series - INDO US nuclear deal
Also read: Role of IT in Indian Army

The most interesting of all was the Interview, the IO was a very strict one, whoever had an interview with him, always gave negative remarks about his performance, as I entered his room, I greeted him and he asked me to sit, the first question was a rapid fire, I started to answer and he said " I will throw you out, who do you think you are", it shocked me at first, but i stayed composed and kept smiling. He tried to put me under stress, but i kept on smiling confidently, if I did not know something, I said I am sorry, and if I knew something he never let me finish my answer. Overall I was happy about my interview.

The conference day was very tense as everyone was eagerly waiting, I was confident that I had performed well, my chest number was the first to be called out, I was at first shocked but my friend gave me a push and I said my name out aloud, I was in a state of extreme happiness.

What I realized in the process was, one always needs to keep at the back of his head that, he is leader, if you don’t think you are a leader, no one else will either, and of course never giving up is the key, we all have the OLQ's, just need to show them there. Keep working for your goals and I am sure you will achieve them one day.

Click here to see how Rishabh prepared for SSB through self introspection for recommendation
Click here to join SSB VISION

Keep reading for more tips and tricks to perform in life and to revolutionize ones self to explore and get success. Make your vision clear for SSB and SSB Vision your friend.Follow us for more updates and get email notification for recent updates. Out facebook group is a family of defense aspirants and selected officers which provides a platform to discover more for SSB. Join and get the benefit. Do write to me personally at jayendrapsingh@gmail.com for any queries you face related to SSB.

About the Author: Rishabh Raj Singh is currently a student at Delhi University and is whole heartedly dedicated to join Indian Army .It’s his dream too to serve the country like every other aspirant. He loves music (Guitar) and art (Pencil Sketching), sports (Boxing) and games (Table Tennis) and is a state level Swimmer.