As Wikipedia defines it “A tomboy is a girl who exhibits characteristics or behaviors considered typical of a boy, including wearing masculine clothing and engaging in games and activities that are physical in nature and are considered in many cultures to be the domain of boys.” I have seen many lady candidates in SSB, who come with a boy-cut hairstyle, walking and talking like guys. There is a common perception that girls who are more guy-like have more chances of selection because forces is a male dominant area. True, that forces is a male dominant area, but had they wanted guys only then they would have not started an entry for women. And if guys were fit for it, then there would have been no rejections for guys, which is not the case. Guys also get rejected, it all depends on their suitability. If you are meant for it, you’ll get it.
In SSB they are not looking for anybody but you. You have to show your true self, because if you try to hide it, you’ll eventually get caught, as they are sitting there and doing the same job over and over again, over the years. Individuality matters the most in SSB and if you are not being yourself, you are breaking the first and most important aspect of being an officer, honesty. You need to be honest and accept yourself for who you are, rather than trying to be somebody else, just in order to be socially acceptable. It is true that the major part of the forces is male dominated. The women entries are limited and have been started recently. Forces were considered to be a job for a man earlier. But now, women are inducted. And this proves that they need women and not men.
As a lady aspirant, you have different characteristics than men. You are judged on the basis of that. You have to be a strong women and not a man. However if you are like a tomboy, since your childhood, then it is a different story altogether. They study your mind, and based on that they take you in or reject you. Lady aspirants feel that if they don’t act tough, they’ll be not taken in. You need to be mentally tough, not otherwise. And being mentally tough is important for guys too, not only you. I have seen typical girly girls getting selected and tough tomboy’s being rejected. If you really want to improve upon something, then try to improve your strengths. You have to be mentally strong, that’s it.
No, SSB’s don’t want tom-boys. They want you, as you are. If you love sports, riding bikes and wearing a pair of jeans, you are meant for it. And even if you wear dresses, love nail-paints and soft toys, you are still meant for it. So for SSB you do no need to man up, just being a women would do!
