SSB Experience series : From failure and over confidence to Recommendation - Part 2

In Part 1 of this series we saw how I faltered in previous attempts and how the journey started with failures, but then I learned the mantra of SSB and improved consistently across attempts. Life was not easy but the guidance I received and my hardwork worked and gave me success. SSB is like a battle where we fight from ourself. Lets take this journey forward and see how a warrior was born.

Now I was called for Interview

INTERVIEW:

I was called for interview soon after the GTO tasks so i went inside in the same dirty dress. The interviewer came to door and then hand shaked with me. Interview started with rapid fire round. I started replying, he stopped me and asked me about name of two of my friends in college i told ROCKY AND JEET and then asked me to continue with the rapid round. After 40 minutes he again asked me about the name of two college friends, I told ROCKY AND JEET. He cross checked me like i told you above 2 or 3 times. 

Click here for : SSB Experience series : From failure and over confidence to Recommendation - Part1
Also read: Current Affair series for SSB and written exams

When you go for interview, be honest with the interviewer or else he will put you in pressure and you will start giving the answer which the interviewer is looking for. He/she will cross check you many times to check your honesty so fill the PIQ form honestly and remember what you have written in the PIQ. Sometimes interviewer might ask you about your parents, your friends and your teachers thinking about you to cross check you with your SELF DESCRIPTION part which he has with him. The only way to perform well is to be honest from the starting i.e., PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS. I was satisfied with my interview as i was honest with him, after which i came to room, changed my dress and went outside with friends. When you go inside the interviewing room, stay calm and don’t panic. The interviewer wants to know you that’s all. Give answers to his questions honestly and you will go through it. For performing well in the interview, note questions from books, apps etc , write their answers and sit in front of a mirror ask those questions to yourself and then reply. This will help you to control your facial expressions along with better fluency.

4^th day (25^th july) : GTO DAY 2

Individual obstacles: GTO 2 started and 1^st task was individual obstacle task and i was very excited about it. As it rained that day we were advised to do carefully as the obstacles were slippery. I started my task from commando walk and made a route which helped me to cover all the obstacles. I fell down from tarzan swing as the ropes were wet and again i did it the next time. I could do only 10 as the obstacles and planks were wet. The obstacles are very simple anybody who plays outdoor games can easily do it and there is no practice required for this task.

Click here to read: SSB Motivational series
Also read: SSB Lecturette series - Connecting the unconnected

Command task: GTO started calling each candidate one by one. Out of 7 members, 5 members of my group called me during their turn. My turn came; GTO started asking about myself and then asked me to call two members and then briefed me about the obstacle and told me to start. I gave instructions to my subordinates about the task and asked them not to speak until i asked them to do so. I started the task, gave 1 idea, GTO asked me how you would cross this if you don’t have rope, I answered and showed him how to do it. Within no time i completed my task and was asked to leave. It shows your influence within the group when most of the group members are asking your help during their tasks. After getting screened in, i got to know every candidate who was screened in and i became friendly with them. This is what helped me in the GTO tasks specially THE COMMAND TASK where i was called 5 times. Socialising with others help you in many tasks so be prepared to get mingled with your fellow mates. I have seen guys reading their books during their stay in SSB whole time, which doesn’t help you because you came for SSB so you should prepare before reaching the SSB centre and not after reaching the centre. A little revision is good, but too much of it will put pressure on you. So stay calm, enjoy with friends and behave normally as you behave outside the SSB centre and this will help you to show your original self.

Final group task: This was the final task. We were given very less time to cross the obstacle once the GTO briefed us and then i saw my members going for helping materials, i again took the opportunity and briefed my team to cross the obstacle. But, then one member of my group gave 1 perfect idea to cross over and everyone started fighting to cross the obstacle the way they want. I pacified everyone explained the importance of time and made them cross the obstacle through the shortest way shown by my group member. We reached the 2^nd obstacle, i gave the idea to cross over to the 3^rd obstacle and final idea was given by chest no 11 to complete the task. 3 obstacles, 3 ideas and the task was completed within the given time. Listen carefully to the briefing and find out ideas to do the task and don’t fight for helping materials as i told you before.

Imp. Point: GTO tasks are about cooperation within the group. If you want to show individually show it in individual obstacles, lecturrette, command tasks and rest other tasks are to be done with the cooperation of the group. Whenever group discussion reaches a tensed point, pacify others and let others also speak. Don’t try to dominate others in GD, GPE, GOR, etc. Cooperate well, gain support and show that either you are a team player or a leader.

Click here to read: SSB Experience series for Indian Army
Also read: SSB Lecturette series - Bihar elections

5^th day-D-DAY(26^th july)

CONFERENCE:

I woke up at 5.30 am took bath, had breakfast and was waiting for conference with others at the waiting point i.e., T-POINT, this is what we call the waiting point as in Bangalore. Conference started, i was called in and my conference was hardly 15 seconds. I went inside wished them, my interviewer asked about my stay and any suggestions i said no, then he asked me to leave that’s it. I was shocked my conference was only for 10-15 seconds whereas for others it was atleast 50 seconds – 1 minute. Anyway conference was over, we were asked to sit in a room for results. Psychologist came and motivated us to come again for the SSB for those who didn’t make it this time. He started announcing results, he called chest no.11 my buddy and then he called chest no. 12....it was me , i was shocked , he called again chest no. 12, then i realised and went near him and told him my full name. That is the best feeling for any aspirant. No words can describe that feeling. When they say you have to earn it, it means you work hard for it and earn that moment because hardwork for that moment is worth it. So warriors start working hard to earn that moment, and don’t lose hope and never ever doubt you. 

Click here to read: Qualities needed for being Leader at SSB
Also read: All you need to know what SSB is all about

The day you stop believing yourself, you shouldn’t even appear for SSB. That’s why work hard, believe yourself, have faith in GOD, definitely you will make it. I know what it feels when you prepare for SSB, there will be times when you will feel like giving up, but what you do next determines your future. Keep pushing hard no matter how much time it takes. It is you who has decided to join this honoured organisation, so atleast try your level best so that you won’t regret later that you didn’t give your best. It doesn’t matter you get screened out 5 times or conference out 6 times, what matters is your belief system. As i told you earlier, the day you stop believing yourself don’t even appear for SSB because when you don’t believe yourself , then how you expect others to believe you?!!!! It’s all about your personality, OLQS etc. If you want to become an officer, start behaving like an officer, it’s not that difficult. Consider yourself as an officer and be a responsible person, because if you behave as an officer in real life, then you don’t have to fake when you appear for SSB. First do your homework i.e., hardwork and then expect support from GOD. Don’t just keep blaming GOD and the SSB officials for not selecting you. 

There isn’t a pure selecting process than SSB, so first of all you got to believe that you are going through a pure process where they will test you for your quality. Your 5 days will decide the future of million people of the country. Whenever you feel depressed, talk to parents, friends because they really are angels. Lots of inspiring videos are there in YOUTUBE, ssbcrack watch them and get a boost and then start working towards your goal. The day you get recommended you will respect yourself for your hardwork because that’s the best feeling ever. Self-Introspection is a must, without which it’s not possible to show your real self. Start your preparation by knowing the whole SSB process and then INTROSPECTION. 

Regarding GK read newspaper daily that is more than enough. You can follow websites, watch TV debates on issues which you find confusing. Watching TV debates will help you learn the way to speak in a group discussion along with the knowledge. I would like to thank SSBCRACK, SSB Vision and JAYENDRA PRATAP SINGH SIR(DO FOLLOW HIS ARTICLES) for doing such a great work, without which it wouldn’t have been possible.

ALL THE BEST FOR YOUR BRIGHT FUTURE.

The OLQ’s are essential and these qualities make the real leader in you and that’s why it is said that YOU HAVE IT IN YOU!!! The OLQ list has been published separately in another article. Read it and start working.  Still If you have any confusion or feel to take individual assessment of personality for OLQ’s or prepare from your place itself through one to one interaction through my mentoring / counselling program drop me a mail at jayendrapsingh@gmail.comor add me on Fb and drop in a message. It would be a pleasure to help and resolve queries and clear doubts which are more often myths that are present in the mind of aspirants. Hope you liked our efforts to keep defence aspirants updated and provide sufficient tips to help understanding SSB much better. Also all the latest Lecturette and GD topics are published. Follow us so that you did not miss anything and share it with your friends too. Subscribe for email notification to receive information timely.

About the Author: Anjan Shukla is a native of UP but did his schooling from Arunachal Pradesh. He is a Civil engineer and represented his university in football. After getting commissioned he wants to serve the nation by being part of Para military forces