My First SSB Experience...

My First SSB Experience

For all my brothers out there, we are MEN and being a MAN is not easy. 

I believe being a woman is equally difficult and challenging. All have pros & cons and together we balance the world, as we know it.

My voice as one MAN to another is that one day we have to go out and explore the world, lots of responsibilities, have to be strong to support family and dear ones in times of need.

The transition from BOY to MAN is remarkable, lots of things to learn, to experience and to explore. By the time you know it you are halfway there.

I always thought of myself as a responsible and clever lad. At the age of 22, I completed my B.Tech and was working in a private organization with a decent salary.

All was fine, there are good days and then there are bad days.

I resigned from my job in order to find better career prospects; it was like looking at a beautiful green valley but once you enter, you find many other animals, tough competition for survival.

I started writing exams, even qualified for few PIs but the most memorable experience was 

 AFSB (AIR FORCE SELECTION BOARD).

 This was my first SSB experience. A golden opportunity to join the INDIAN AIR FORCE as a Commissioned Officer. I cleared the AFCAT 02/2014 (Air Force Common Admission Test) along with EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test) and then I filled AFSB Dehradun as my preference for selection center, the nearest one would be AFSB Varanasi but I wanted to visit my relatives at Dehradun, also past two decades of my life I had never been to the North Part of India.

So there I was with my bags packed and ready for my journey to Dehradun.

Dehradun, Uttarakhand, INDIA

I was to attend the SSB on 17^th November 2014; I reached a day ago and stayed at a hotel near the railway station where I met a defense aspirant Mr. Ragi and together we shared a room. All afternoon we discussed about SSB and later went to a nearby tour to TAPKESHWAR DHAM, a place famous for shrines. 

The place had small caves and a river flowing adding to its serenity and scenic beauty.

Dehradun Railway Station

Next morning all suited up in formals, we reported at the MCO railway station Dehradun. From there the bus took us to our venue, AFSB Dehradun, Clement town.

It was 7:15 am in the morning, the weather was chilly and everyone was shivering. We were asked to fill some forms after which we were provided with breakfast. Chest numbers were allotted; I got 121 out of 234. We were asked to sit inside the auditorium.

The first phase of SSB testing began with OIRT (Officers Intelligence Rating Test).

There were 100 questions in total to check the aptitude, the logical and reasoning ability of the candidate.

The second test of first phase was PPDT (Picture Perception and Discussion Test).

We were shifted to a smaller classroom; a hazy picture was shown for 30 seconds, and 4 minutes time was given to write a story about our perception from the picture. Later in groups of 15, a group discussion was held where we had to narrate, discuss and arrive at a common consensus.

I think my narration was good but discussion part was not so fruitful.

Thus ended the first phase of SSB testing at AFSB Dehradun.

After lunch, the chest numbers were declared. I got screened in. It was a wonderful moment for me, I felt quite confident.

Again chest numbers were allotted, this time I got 49 out of 110.

We were asked to carry documents to the auditorium for verification purpose.

After verification, few more candidates were sent back due to discrepancy in documents. Now the count was 101. Chest numbers were circulated and this time I got chest number 45 which became my identity during my stay.

I still remember it was 7:00 pm, we were inside the hall, and it was cold and dark. Wing Commander ASK Sharma took the dais; he was in charge of our batch D-AFCAT (M)-187. He explained us the rules and regulations to be followed during our stay. 

We were also asked to fill the PIQ (Personal Information Questionnaire) forms, on the basis of which we were to be interviewed.

We were cold, tired and restless but somehow we managed to fill the forms.

It was 8:15 pm by the time it was over. We were all marching in a line towards the candidates’ mess area. Oh Boy! It was dark and cold such that one could see the breathe.

I made good friends with chest number 44, Rajish Nair and chest number 46, P T Singh (PTS).

The mess, it looked like a well-organized hostel. The dining hall was in the center and a badminton court  next to it, there were other rooms like ANTE room, mess office, games room, TV room, small canteen etc. all that we could use for the entire stay.

All mobile phones and electronic gadgets were seized.

The idea of staying away from the world, away from addictive technology sounded recreational and refreshing.

We were provided with dormitory accommodation. Ours was room no.5, twelve people in one room, 12 different thoughts, 12 different ideas, and 12 different minds to get along with. Starting from chest no. 37 to chest no. 48, and by the end of the SSB I knew all of them by their names.

After dinner, PTS and I explored the premises. I learned to play pool and later went back room to acknowledge other roommates. It was just introduction that day and most of us went to sleep.

The next day was scheduled for PABT (Pilot Aptitude Battery Test) followed by psychological tests.
The PABT is for candidates who want to join as pilots for the Indian Air force. It is a combination of written and machine tests to access the candidate's potential of becoming a pilot. It can only be given once in a lifetime.

On the second day, all of sudden I woke up to some Bollywood song at 6:00 am in the morning; it was a common alarm for the candidates. I only had psych tests at 11:00 am that day but still as my daily regime I got up, freshened and went for breakfast.

After breakfast there was lot of time till our next engagement, so we went to play basketball and I enjoyed playing it though not much of a sports person I am.

The boys came after PABT and then we were taken to the examination hall for the psych tests. The Psych tests included TAT, WAT, SRT and tell me about yourself.

In TAT (Thematic Apperception Test), there were 11 slides and 1 blank slide. Each slide had a situation in it unlikely PPDT this time the picture would be clear. We were to observe the pictures for 30 seconds and for the next four minutes write a story explaining what led to the situation, what is going on and what will be the outcome. For the 12^th slide, there was a blank picture where we had to imagine a situation and write a story.

In WAT (Word Association Test), there were 60 words shown in the screen, one after another with a time interval of 15 seconds. After every 15 seconds the word would change. So after seeing the word the first sentence in mind is to be jot down at an earliest.

In SRT (Situation Reaction Test), there were 60 situations in a booklet; we had to write down the reactions to those situations.

At the end, there was SELF DESCRIPTION test:

What your parents think about you?

What your Teachers/ Employer think about you?

What your friends/ colleagues think about you?

Your own self opinion

Qualities you would like to develop for future.

My psych tests went well but that’s what everyone thinks.

After returning to the mess, Rajish and I pleaded to the JCO in charge for a book out which was granted around 3:30 pm and book in time was 6:15 pm. We went  to a nearby market. I had to buy PT kit for Group Task, had to make calls at home and roam around.

PTS and I, smoked cigarettes, shared stories and strengthen the bond of brotherhood. 
Phanjoubam Thoibinaobi Singh aka PTS was originally from Manipur working in Delhi, quite a fellow, jolly good and helpful.

Rajish was originally from Kerala based on Delhi, energetic and talented fellow; one hell of a classical dancer, the boy had been abroad for dance shows. Well, that’s quite a talent.

There was a University called Graphic Era University at the very heart of clement town, and after our work was over we decided to visit it.

Lots of pretty faces, damsels in distress, we had a very good evening in the town of Dehradun. We went inside the premises before time.

At 7:00 pm we were assembled and the count was taken. Every evening there was a count after book in and some Officer would pay a visit, listen to our problems and act accordingly.

Later that night, we had good time sharing each other’s experiences about the tests, the mess food, the Graphic Era girls etc.

I came to know the name of my roommates,

Chest no. 37 Akshay              Chest no. 43 Achin          

Chest no. 38 Neerav               Chest no. 44 Rajish

Chest no. 39 Vikramaditya    Chest no.45 Sangay      

Chest no.40 Vikash                Chest no. 46 PT Singh

Chest no. 41 Akash                Chest no.47 Sanjeev

Chest no. 42 Palash                Chest no. 48 Karthik Thakur         

Third Day was Personal Interview.

The basis of the interview was to compare the candidate along with the submitted PIQ and self-description, and to judge whether he is fit for service to the nation.

The PIQ and self-description serves as the perfect ammunition.

Well, all I can say about my interview is I tried to be normal and real as possible. I tried to answer the questions in the order it was asked. The Interviewing Officer asked me about the latest news, the Indian Air Force and some HR and Technical questions.

Overall it was good but again that’s what everyone thinks.

Fourth Day was Group Task;

We got battle ready in the early hours of morning.

All must have heard of Men in Black, Well, we looked like Men in White, shining and riding towards glory.

We met out GTO (Group Task Officer) in a small room, he kick started the day off with Group Discussions and then Group Planning Exercise.

Later he took us to our arena, where he explained us the tasks.

There were five tasks in total: 
Progressive Group Task.
Half Group Task.
Command Task. 
Individual Task, and 
Final Group Task.
I did not perform well in the individual task

Lots of candidates got injured themselves in Individual Task but the injury subjected during the task was equal to battle scars.

Our room no. 5 was free for the fifth day while others had interviews and group tasks; we lifted our team spirit by playing cricket in the morning and later went for tour to nearby market, Buddhist temple and again Graphic Era J.

We discussed, laughed and cherished the last night in the candidates mess.

22nd November 2014

Final day 22^nd November 2014.

It was Conference Day where the President of the board along with a group of 15-20 people including Officers, GTOs and Psychologists all dressed in Uniforms would be sitting and viewing the candidates individually for the last time.

Each candidate was given an average of 2-3 minutes inside the conference room.

My turn came, they asked me how was the stay and my suggestions for improvement of the center and with a thank you it was over.

Result was announced after lunch, Wing commander ASK Sharma told us not to lose heart and try again next time. He said, "Henceforth the chest numbers called upon shall be recommended", and then he shouted, “Chest number 71! “, a loud applaud from candidates and we were eagerly waiting for the next name, Mr. ASK Sharma said, “That’s it! No more recommended, try again Next year”.

Many were heart broken, some had their last shot at this, everyone was sad. Some were alleging set up of result. I don’t believe that it was a setup, may be or may not be but the whole SSB process is quite confidential, you never come to know why you are selected or why you are not selected.

But I still believe in the system, like Wing commander ASK Sharma told, “In SSB, you never know when it’s your day”

The mobile phones and belongings were returned. Travelling Allowances made to the freshers.

I was glad to get my TA.

All our bags were packed and we were ready to go. With some group photos, we all bid adieu and au revoir.

All 101 of the Candidates

With this episode of AFSB Dehradun, I was not only taking good and cherishable memories but also friendship, trust and OLQ (Officer Like Qualities) that I had built during my stay.

During the whole tenure, we were treated like officers; I mean good food, disciplined way of life, a new outlook towards self and many more.

I feel myself more confident and this has helped me even after the AFSB.

The AFSB has tried to teach us something during the stay; it’s upon us how we take it!

Wishing all the best to my blog readers if they are to appear for such services.

Commissioned Ranks in Indian Air Force