Author's success story

The idea of becoming an armed forces professional came to my mind when I saw the air force station in Trivandrum. I was pretty much interested in flying and I applied for AFCAT 1 2015 thinking that clearing AFCAT will make me an officer (which is not even 5% job done). Due to some mistake, I had applied only for the technical branch. I cleared AFCAT but couldn't clear EKT due to which I didn't get a call for the SSB. I didn't care much and went ahead to join the corporate placement which I got from college. Life was not at all exciting there. This made me think more seriously about joining any government organization. My age was 22 and there weren't a lot of chances to become a pilot left (2 more attempts). Due to this, I took more care in applying for flying branch in AFCAT 2 2015 and CDS 2 2015. I read up a lot about the whole SSB process. I couldn't clear CDS due to my weak general knowledge. I cleared AFACT but to my extreme disappointment and bad luck, I got dengue during the SSB date. Later my friend suggested me that there're direct entries which I can get a call from navy and army if I apply in their website. The first direct entry application which I put was Permanent Commission Education Cadre from Indian navy. Since I was having extremely hectic work schedule in my office, my preparations were not up to the mark. I couldn't brush up much in my mechanical engineering subjects or general awareness, which were my weak points. I did a quick trip to my hometown just before the SSB so that I can discuss about weaknesses and strengths with my family and friends and then prepare for psychological test, GTO etc in the rest of the time I get. I was feeling pretty confident about myself except the mentioned weak points and went ahead for the SSB in Bangalore.

Day 1: it was pretty easy. Officer intelligence rating test was much easier than AFCAT or CDS and hence I was confident about them. Group discussion was pretty decent and I used the right opportunity that came to me to open up my views. I got screened in, which was pretty much expected.

Day 2: I never knew that wrist watches were not allowed in psychological tests which badly affected my performance in the same. I could only write 35 situations out of the 60 situation in the situation reaction test, which might have given the impression to the assessors that I'm a slow Decision maker. I was also filled with preconceived notions. I wrote coached type of stories in Thematic Apperception Test . Which again might have not pleased the assessors. Overall, day 2 went bad for me.

Day 3: I was confident about improving upon my overall performance in GTO, which was actually the case. 7 of the 9 tasks happened in day 3 and I fared well in all of those. Even though my physical fitness is not extremely good, it was fair enough for this level. Interview got postponed to day 4.

Day 4: I did fairly well in the rest of the GTO tasks. I was happy to complete the tough command task given to me well. Interview started happening in the afternoon. It was one of the toughest interview I've ever faced in life. They asked about all my personal life which I answered. But there were a lot of technical questions that were asked which I couldn't answer. Towards the end of the interview, they again asked some personal questions where I started contradicting myself. My confidence was a littlebit on the lower side.

Day 5: The conference happened after briefing. Usually the candidates are made to wait for 3-4 minutes before entering and the conference happens for again 3-4 minutes. But for me each happened to around 15 minutes, which made me feel that I'm a borderline candidate. I was not recommended.

Rather than being sad, I was alarmed. I had given the next AFCAT before thus SSB, the results came just then and I had cleared. I wanted to prepare better for that. I knew that I had the officer like qualities but I was just failing to express them well. I felt the need of a guidance to push me across the line.

This is the time when I searched in the internet about No frills Academy. I liked their concept a lot. Going to a normal SSB coaching would be not a very good option as we might approach SSB with preconceived notion. What they do is to develop your personality and induce the OLQs in you over a long period of time. I contacted sir Nehru, we fixed a comfortable time and started the coaching. His guidance made me understand my weaknesses better. He asked me to make a long term plan to overcome those weaknesses. I worked hard and gave feedback every week. The confidence inside me as everyday passed. AFCAT 2016 was the final attempt for me in pilot entry. But to my luck, I got a call from Indian navy to attend the SSB for SSC pilot. My long term plan was yet to be finished and hence I was a little bit skeptical about going to this SSB. But I had a discussion with sir Nehru and he suggested me to go. Just before the SSB, he gave me some tips about how to go about the psychological tests and group tasks, which gave me a clear idea about what is expected from a candidate who is attending SSB. I went ahead for the SSB.

Day 1: Nothing specific. The GD became a fish market and I opened up at the right time. I got screened in.

Day 2: I assumed myself to be an officer and hence gave responses keeping in mind what sir Nehru told me about what is expected from me.

Day 3: GTO was much simpler than last time. I coordinated with the team and lead them but at the same time, made sure that I didn't dominate them.

Day 4: Interview was much simpler than last time. I expressed myself properly. I was full of confidence.

Day 5: Conference didn't even last for 2 minutes. I got recommended as Indian navy pilot.

CPSS/PABT: We were taken to Mysore for this. Now a days, the old PABT method is being replaced by CPSS (Computerized Pilot Selection System). I knew that if I listen to the instructions properly, I would clear. I did the same and cleared it.

But I'm so unfortunate that I couldn't get into the Indian Armed forces after clearing all these because I'm color blind and I was permanently rejected from service.

My suggestion to aspirants is that, it's your hard work in overcoming your weaknesses that is going to help you. If you are really good enough, self-introspect yourself, find out your weaknesses and overcome them by following a prolonged plan. If you feel you need help, get into an Academy which will help you do the same. No frills Academy is one such Academy. There's no shortcut for SSB!

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