SSB Experience series: My recommendation story for success

My name is Hrithik Dwivedi, and I'm currently living in Bhopal (just about 800 metres from SCC Bhopal). I cleared NDA 138th written and got call letter to attend SSB at Allahabad, and was given 19 SSB Board. SSB date was 7th Februray 2017 till 12th February 2017 (7th was rest day, and SSB was to begin the following day). I had been preparing for SSB since I was in class 9th (Indeed). I knew what to do in the first day and everything that followed since my arrival in Selection Centre.

A point I'll like to add, that my father (currently Subedar AK Dwivedi (11 Para SF)) attempted SSB in April 1994, but couldn't make it due to lack of guidance and knowledge. I was given the same board so I was more determined! So now allow me to share my experience.

Click here to read: How to do self introspection at home and prepare for SSB

Also read: All you need to know about Psychology round of SSB

ARRIVAL DAY: I knew that it's necessary to be confident during narration and GD in screening, so I talked a lot with as many guys as possible to know them better, as it's true that one is more confident to speak in front of his friends as compared to speaking in front of strangers, so I made a lot of friends, talked to them confidently, and gave them a pinch of my Aura. I became easy and comfortable with them. Then I engaged a few of them with me in preparing for next day narration part. I practised for PPDT for an hour and went to sleep at around 11:30 PM and woke up quickly next day, and revised "TIPS" given by mentor to keep in mind.

 DAY ONE:  I gave OIR, two sets (as usual) and made a small mistake, i.e. wasted time in two questions in each set which killed the time that I could use to solve rest of questions, so my suggestion is, to move to next question if you're stuck in one question. after OIR, PPDT began, and I made a wonderful story on 'Education' (though the picture showed a man and a boy carrying luggage on their heads moving in a drought hit area). My story was good, and I already knew that we will be given less than 2 mins. to write the story so I couldn't complete entire story in detail. After that, we were given approximately 20 minutes for tea break, and I was focusing ONLY on my narration part, forgot entire world and kept on narrating it to myself. Keep in mind that you shouldn't tell your story to anyone; just tell them your topic, that's it. TIP is to keep narration short (appx. 30-45 secs) and LOOK AT ALL THE GROUPMATES while narration. So, I narrated VERY CONFIDENTLY, and in GD, I spoke about 3-4  times. DON'T CUT ANYONE'S POINT AND DON'T SPEAK TOO LOUDLY. YOU CAN SAY THINGS LIKE "okay gentlemen, I think we should talk about the characters action and lets decide their objective, like they are travelling to somewhere (put your topic and theme there) and then start talking about their actions. Don't keep promoting your story and SUPPORT OTHERS' GOOD POINTS! YOu'll clear.

 DAY TWO:   Psychology. well, (I spent DAILY PRACTICE FOR ONE MONTH BEFORE THE SSB 1 hour for TAT, and 30 mins each for SRT, WAT, 15 mins for SD).Now, during the psych, It was cold, so my writing wasn't impressive and speed was slow, yet I did all WAT, and only 36 SRT, but TAT (most important part before SD) was completely perfect. TIP is to include OLQ words in stories, like "Organise, Tactfully handle, wisely control, bravely, lively, confidently, cheerfully, using practical intelligence" etc. and fill your story with positivity and give it a good ending. On SD part, Preapare it very well. "Ratta maar ke jaana bhai" (TIP: show that you are a social person, lively, brave, good organiser, motivator, patient, obedient etc. but before that do proper self introspection as that will provide you with the SD)

Click here to read: Time management tips for defense aspirants

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 DAY THREE: During GD, in each topic, three subtopics are given (perfect thing) just remember this tip "Speak on each subtopic twice. Once to show how it’s good/bad and second time on how make it even better" 3x2 = 6 times on each topic. Just speak six times CONFIDENTLY. In GPE, give your ideas and plan it very well. DON'T forget to mention Distance and time taken. Remember the sequence of priorities "Saving human life, prevent mass destruction, prevent abduction/loot, minor problem"

DAY FOUR: GTO is very easy. Just know the tricks to use plank, rope, log in workable manner (TIP : use rope wherever possible PLEASE) so, FGT, HGT, etc mein sirf apni skills dikhana, BUT DONT BE DOMINANT! Show your ideas, but don’t Snatch things from other's hands. Ask for it. I was a bit dominant on GTO day one, but next day I did all work patiently. (TIP: be sure your ideas should work, else don't come to front unnecessarily.) In Command task, DON'T ASK FOR IDEAS FROM SUBORDINATES, AND DONT DO ALL LABOR YOURSELF.

 INTERVIEW: OMG. I literally won't forget this thing in life. Most difficult 40 minutes. The IO was..... A para commando. A colonel (Deputy President). I'll share the important things surely.

             So, it was like this... (I.O. was too fast to take interview. didn't even give enough time to speak anything fully!!!)

I.O. - So, Mr. Hrithik Dwivedi, What does Dwivedi means?

Me- Sir, I'm not too religious, but it is about having knowledge about vedas.

I.O. - so, please explain further...

Me - Sir, It may be like 'Dwivedi' means beholder of knowledge of two Vedas...

I.O. - And trivedi and Chaturvedi means knowledge of 3,4 vedas ? (Makes mood light and environment to make me feel easy)

Me - (with a small smile) yes, maybe sir.

I.O. - so, according to you, give me two chest numbers whom I shall Recommend, and to whom I shouldn't. Assume yourself as a GTO. You have to decide.

Me - Sir, I'll choose c.n. 39, 46 and though they aren't bad performers, but c.n. 38 and 44 could't put their points and Ideas during GD, GPE, and FGT etc. So...

I.O. - So you'll not select yourself among selected? Don’t you want to get selected?

Me - Sir, I'm giving my best, and I am hoping positive, but I can't be 100% sure that I'll get selected.

I.O. - what makes you think that you aren’t sure?

Me - Probabilities, Sir. (I.O. seemed impressed)

Click here to read: All you need to know about Officer like Qualities

Also read: All you need to know about SSB 

(<<<MAIN PART STARTS>>>)

I.O. - OKay, give me two of your good qualities for which I shall select you. And give two examples.

Me- Sir, Sacrifice and motivator.

I.O. - (surprised) Sacrifice? Give me two examples...

Me - sir during 12th boards, just a day before physics exam, I gave my time to my friend Rahul Yadav, who despite being the topper, wasn’t prepared in a chapter i knew, so I taught him in a couple of hours. I sacrificed my important time even knowing that he will pass with good marks, whereas I had to struggle to score good.

I.O. - Ok ok second example...

*** I thought I was going to get rejected for my mistake here***

Me - Sir, on 28th of January, I was returning from Delhi, when I saw an old woman shivering. I gave my Grey pullover to her (I literally did it). I shivered all way to home, but I was still warmer than her cuz I was wearing an inner.

I.O. - (highly impressed) Okay so didn’t your PARENTS TOLD YOU ANYTHING?????

**** I was dumbstuck, cuz It was my father only who told me to give that pullover to any poor(some reasons of him), and if I was going to tell the IO about it, then it would be no sacrificing... I was asked frequently, and I got nervous, but I controlled the situation. ****

Me - No, Sir (I began a lie). Actually I didn’t went to Bhopal directly from Delhi, I went to lucknow to give him ideas for his TES SSB entry, and resided there for 5-6- days and then came to allahabad. (I NEVER WENT TO LUCKNOW, AS I DIDNT HAD ANY FRIEND THERE. The friend I gave tips to, was from Lucknow (hometown), but lived in Bhopal with me..... I COULD DIE, BUT I PLANNED A WAY AND MANAGED TO COME OUT OF IT. REMEMBER, I'M RECOMMENDED EVEN AFTER THIS.)

I.O.- (Shocked and surprised) LUCKOW? and then?

Me - (Remembering that my Ticket was from bhopal to allahabad (as for TA)) Sir, actually I was in bhopal for a couple of days, an then I came to Allahabad.

I.O. - Fair enough Fair Enough...  So, why you took a drop? didnt scored well in 12th? Explain all.

Me - Sir, I couldn't score good in JEE mains and I wanted a govt. college. I decided to take drop to join a good coaching quite far from my home, plus I wanted to give my best in Written, so I took drop and travel every day to reach coaching. I couldn’t join coaching during 12th because of time management, as coaching is far from home, and I couldn't reach on time, so thats why.

I.O. - but youre in Bhopal, and even in the most rural areas, transport facilities are there, how can you say you got to be late?

Me - Sure, sir, but the auto rickshaws come in large intervals, and I have to hurry, so even now, I travel about 2-3 kms by foot, where my friend who lives there takes me on his scooty to coaching with him...

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***After a few questions, he asked me again something that was to check my level. TIP : "Its best if you link your answers together, and make the IO realise that you are honestly telling him everything, Like I tried)

I.O. - So tell me about something that you wanna improve in yourself except "Language, writing, speaking, (and included everything possible thing that i could think of.)"

Me - Sir, (looking at dumbbells at a corner!) I would like to improve my physique, and stamina.

I.O.- okay, and how do you keep yourself fit at this moment? You seem to be all fit!

Me - Sir, I told you about me walking 2-3 kms for coaching... thats how I keep myself fit.(I.O. smiles, as he tried to mess me up, but I came with clean Idea)

I.O. - Okay Hrithik, all the best for tomorrow...

Me - Thank you sir. (I stood up, wished him, and left the room). 

 TIP : Please be calm, honest and if you don’t know something, politely accept it. It took a great big attempt from my side to manage the situation, that even after telling him half truth (about going to Lucknow), I managed to convince him. I suggest everyone to be 100% honest, especially for questions like "Do you have a girlfriend? , "Are you socially adaptable to everyone? How your friends have been" etc.

CONFERENCE DAY: I was nervous that maybe My lucknow trip may fail me, but I made it. I was selected, which means I managed to convince him that I actually went there. Please don’t do what I did, because everyone can't hide lies, like I managed (was difficult for me too).

Results declared, and a lady officer (a Major) declared results, and I was the 4th last guy to get his chest number announced. I was on cloud nine. My parents are proud of me. I'm glad I did what my father couldn't do. I fulfilled his dream.

Click here to read: What is needed for getting selected at SSB

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Okay so, if anyone wants to know ANYTHING (including medicals) about the 5 days, and how to prepare, how to correct weak points, how to get strong at a particular task, then ask me.Hope you like our efforts to help defense aspirants. share it with your friends and other defense aspirants. If you have any other queries, write to me personally at jayendrapsingh@gmail.com and We would ensure that it gets attended and personally resolved at the earliest.

About the Author: Hrithik from Bhopal is recommended from 19SSB Allahabad in his first attempt. He feels really proud of getting recommended from the same board from where his father could not. He wants to help the defense aspirants in achieving their goals.