Hi friends, this is Prasanth Kumar Pamu proud son of a soldier ex-Petty Officer of Indian Navy. Friends my 8 years of journey with 23 loved failures and 1 big success story will help you to earn stars on your shoulder.

I would like to thank my almighty god and 3 important people in my life other than my friends or family. I would like to thank to all my friends who helped me in all possible ways in my selection.

I would like to thank my mom for all the things which she kept in front of me. Even I sometimes I told my life won’t be that easy in forces will you be fine mom! Then my mother said I am first a wife of a soldier then a mother you don’t worry about me I know how I lead my life alone with 2 sons when your father went on sailing. These words which always and every time motivates me by saying “YES I HAVE IT IN ME”.

I belong to a middle class family who hail from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. I started my journey of SSB in the year 2008 got 2 conf out and with a few screen outs. But I always strived hard to earn the stars. I think that never give up attitude which I kept on my mind helped me to achieve my AIM to wear the uniform is getting fulfilled.

I still remember the day when I got screen out from Allahabad and don’t have reservation to travel to my native, but I travelled in a train without reservation along with 2 more candidates whom I met at Allahabad, since we don’t have reservation to travel paid the fine to TT and travelled in sleeper class but the train was completely filled no space to move from one place to another, so we decided to sit near bathroom and I and one more guy sat on the waste water coming out from toilets but we didn’t got upset because we need to travel almost 40 hours. Somehow we managed and reached our destinations.

Here one thing I understood is I failed in SSB but the life which taught me a lesson in this 40 hours is that patience which I never had and yes this is quality which an officer needed started working on this quality sorry my beautiful and loved quality. Friends like this you may have experienced so many journeys where life has taught you so many lessons bring out all of them and start analyzing no one can stop you to earn stars on your shoulders and respect in your parent’s eyes.

I got recommended for Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Assistant Commandant for GD branch. Here is my SSB experience.

Unlike SSB ICG has its own way of selection which will have 3 main phases

1. Preliminary Selection Board (PSB)
2. Final Selection Board (FSB)
3. Medical Examination

In PSB you will have OIR exam and PPDT both are elimination rounds if you clear both you will be called for FSB which is conducted in NOIDA, UP. PSB is conducted in 4 different places Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Noida you can opt any one among them. I did well in my OIR and cleared OIR and thereafter candidates who cleared OIR test undergone PDDT test same as what we see in SSB.

Tip: try to utilize 30 seconds to bring no of characters, background and best theme out of it which shows your real image.

After PPDT results announced and I cleared my PSB and was all set to ready for my FSB.

FSB will last for 5 days where you will have

1. Psychology Tests
2. GTO Tests (Only Indoor Tests)
3. Personal Interview
4. Conference

Total 80 candidates called for FSB out of which only 69 reported and the last number it’s me.

Psychology Tests:

Thematic Appreciation Test (TAT): I wrote all pictures related to my personality.

Tip: don’t prepare anything in prior. Friends see the picture understand what happened/happening/will happen in your life which suites that picture.

Word Association Test (WAT):  I wrote sentences on all words.

Tip: You don’t have much time to think and react so friends after seeing the word understand which personality of yours suites that word and put it in the appropriate sequence mentioned in the answer sheet.

Situation Reaction Test (SRT): I did 45 SRT’s only but my advice to you all is that try to complete all.

Tip: use telegraphic language or use separators to finish your sentences.

Self Description Test (SD): In this write down all your strengths weaknesses without fail.

Tip: ask your parents, teachers, friends, and ask yourself then you will get so many strong and weak points.

Friends in psychology test most important thing is how you behave and how you react to things which are surrounded to you. Just start focusing rather than complaining.

GTO: As I told you in GTO of ICG there will be no outdoor tests. Only Indoor tests

1. 2 group discussions
2. Group planning exercise (GPE)
3. Lecturette

After my psychology test, our group called for GTO test on the same day and it went well.

Tip 1: Friends in GTO please co-ordinate with your group and discuss anything which you feel correct with your group and main thing in GD don’t make it a debate or one to one conversation.

Tip 2: In GPE put logical points to sort out situations given to you. Don’t leave any situation unattended. Everything which you do in SSB is interlinked with defence, since they were looking for a smart officer who will lead their men and country with pride and honour. Always help your team mates when they get struck, don’t be in haste especially in group task.

Tip 3: In Lecturette speak on the topic in which you are confident. Always try to speak on prons and cons. Use your speaking skills speak slowly clearly with confident.

Interview: Interviews are conducted on any one of the following days Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4 by Board President/Deputy President/Technical Officer.

My interview held for hardly 10-15 minutes. My interview was on the Day 4 and mine is the last interview conducted by Deputy President.

Friends I don’t want to mess your mind by telling all my interview questions, But yes few repeated interview questions which every candidate get, I will tell you all those important questions.

IO: Prasanth, you were earning a good amount of salary in IT, why do you want to join the Indian Coast Guard?

Friends here IO is looking your motivational levels and the intention behind your mind to join the forces. Be clear with your ideas and have logical in that when you speak on this. I will give you my answer as an example, don’t copy it since IO will easily catch you, so rather think and answer IO with your Effective intelligence and Logical Reasoning.

Me: Sir, I am a son of a Indian Navy personal. I have seen the life style of Armed Forces from my childhood which always fascinates towards uniform. Sir, I so many people come to my dad takes suggestions or advice, One day I asked him why so many people approaching what is the reason behind it, then he said people are coming to me and asking suggestions because they respect the uniform which I wore and the rank which I am holding and service which I did gives me that respect and honour so people seeking my suggestions, The words inspires me a lot and motivated me such a way that makes me to strive hard for that Respect, Pride and Honour to join defence forces.

• SSB Interview eBook Pack
• Thematic Apperception Test – TAT
• Lecturette Topics Part-1 eBook [100 Topics]
• Word Association Test – WAT
• Situation Reaction Test – SRT
• Officers Intelligence Test – OIR

IO: Do you have girl friend?

Me: With a smile No Sir.

Friends don’t get confused in these type of questions. if you have tell IO there is no point if you have you will rejected or if you don’t have you will be getting selected. Be true to yourself.

IO: Tell me about your job profile?

Me: I leave the answer to you (Tell your role, skill set, projects, domain, platform, team size, how you motivate etc etc. Tell the related information about your job profile)

So finally my interview went well with huge smile on my face and it’s because I was confident and know all my strong points and weak points which helped me at the time of interview.

Conference Day/ Judgement Day:

It was going on sequence from chest no 1 to 69. As my chest no is 69, I was chilling out remembering all my previous conference attempts and enjoying as it is my last attempt. I and 68 (Naveen from Tamil Nadu who is one of my close friend from past 2 and half years) were waiting for our turns Naveen got selected for Indian Army TGC-125 and is waiting for merit list to join Indian Military Academy.

Chest No 68 went inside, then I realized oh my god this is my last attempt and I was waiting for almost 8-10 minutes outside before entering the conference room, then I said to myself that this time it’s you and entered inside the conference room and wished the president and my IO asked me to sit. Questions which were triggered me at the time of conference.

Deputy President: Prasanth what was going on your mind sitting outside?

Me: Sir, I was confident, so there nothing which is going on my mind.

DP: Prasanth any inputs you got from your friends who were coming and leaving out the conference room?

Me: Sir, I have been to this process many times, there is no such thing which I need to ask my friends and also it was said clearly no one will interact with the person who moves out of the conference room. So I am adhering the instructions given by the instructor.

DP: Any inputs you gave to your friends?

Me: I didn’t gave any inputs related to SSB, But yes so many of my friends asked me how you manage your leaves, work and prepare for SSB. I said to them if you have aim in your life then there is a word ZEAL will make you to strive hard to earn it and also explained them how I finish my work in prior and how my absence help my team with my inputs which we discuss internally. I explained these things to all friends who were asking me.

DP with a smile handed over the next question to President of the board.

Board President: Prasanth, you are 26+ don’t you think you can cope with candidates who are juniors to you in age.

Me: With smile and confidence, Sir! For me age is just a factor. I am handling 6-7 people in my team and there were freshers who use their brains and solve the critical issues and I learn from them. Sir, if it is useful for my organization and my growth I will definitely adhere them whether he his junior or senior.

President with a smile said to DP I am done and DP with smile said Prasanth any suggestions? I said No, Sir. Best of Luck Prasanth, Me: Thank you very much Sir.

After 20 minutes results announced

12 got recommended

From chest, no 1 to 49 —— 11 got recommended.

From chest no 50 to 69 —- only 1 got recommended and that’s me Chest No 69.

YES, I MADE IT, I MADE IT in my last attempt. I called my parents took their blessings and felt a proud moment in their words.

ALL THE BEST

JAI HIND

“Hara Vahi jo Lada Nahi”, these were the lines told to me by my mom which kept me motivated to clear the ssb after getting rejected 7 times. I was screened out 4 times, conference out 3 times and finally got recommended in my 8th attempt from 21SSB Bhopal.

I work in a software mnc as a senior analyst in Bangalore. I’m also a passionate musician and regularly play live at various national locations with my band. I started giving ssb at the age of 21 which comprised of UES, TGC, SSC-T and various other naval entries but never got recommended through any of them. I believe that one cannot fail at the ssb as those 5 days are the most amazing ones and teach us a variety of things which one cannot learn in a normal day to day routine in the civil life.

• SSB Interview eBook Pack
• Thematic Apperception Test – TAT
• Lecturette Topics Part-1 eBook [100 Topics]
• Word Association Test – WAT
• Situation Reaction Test – SRT
• Officers Intelligence Test – OIR

Things I started doing after my 7th attempt-

1. Improved my Psych test by practicing 7-10 stories everyday along with a stopwatch, practiced TAT a lot as it is the fastest test in Psych and one needs to do good in it as it serves as a confirmatory test for the TAT and the SD. Chalked out the SD by giving genuine points may it be my strengths or weaknesses. Discussed SRTs with parents and friends to enhance my perception on how to deal with problems.
2. Bought a chart sized world map and a political map of India and stuck it on the walls of my room. Thoroughly traced the entire map of India in my mind along with states, uts, capitals and water bodies.
3. Read the newspaper regularly, watched debates on Times Now. One would say that Arnab Goswami is loud, but man !! I love the way he brought up points which kept me glued to the screen and made the topic for discussion interesting. I made notes on various topics like
   • India’s Relationships with other countries
   • ISRO
   • DRDO
   • South China Sea
   • US Presidential Elections
   • GST Bill
   • Brexit
   • Demonitization
   • Indian Army Organization and Structure
   • Weapons and their Ranges
   • Basic Computer Science Questions news related to it. These are some of the topics frequently asked at ssb. There are some more which you can go through depending on the events happening inside the nation and abroad.
4. Became more self aware and tried to inculcate the 15 OLQs which is the most essential part of the ssb.
5. Exercised for 45 mins a day which included 20 mins of running and rest to develop upper body strength comprising of pushups, pull-ups, and rope climbing ( yes my dad helped me with rope climbing by tying a rope from the balcony to the ground floor).
6. Lastly, I made sure to try and use the OLQs in my day to day life, be it in the office with my manager or at the parties with my friends.

• Now that I had been practicing the above mentioned points regularly, I was confident that given a chance one more time, I would clear my ssb. On March 27th I received my call-up letter for ssc tech -49 saying that I had to report at the selection centre on 20th April, 2017 at 06:00 hrs. I was pretty excited as this was going to be the show time and I would get to perform all that I had practiced for months.

Day 1.
All of us gathered at selection centre Bhopal and started filling up the various forms. I had a sugary breakfast as the Intelligence test was to be conducted right after the breakfast and sugar keeps the mind hyperactive for a good period of time.

In the non verbal test I solved 60 questions in 30 mins and in the verbal, I solved 75 questions in 35 mins. This was the toughest intelligence test I had given comparing all my previous ssbs but yeah, I was high on sugar so it didn’t really matter. During the PPDT we were shown a picture of 3 soldiers, 2 of which were submerged in sludge while one was barely visible.

I put my points forward in the GD and was finally nominated to present the conclusion by my group. I was quite confident that I will clear the screening after the GD. Results were announced after the lunch and 30 candidates out of 200 cleared the screening round. We were assigned our rooms and were made to fill up the PIQ forms.

This procedure lasted till 7:30 pm in the evening followed by dinner. Around 8:30 I quickly revised my SD, and practiced other parts of psych test with my room mates which also helped me in bonding with them. The lights were off at 10:00 pm and everyone slept early as we were exhausted since morning.

Day 2.
After a sound sleep of 6 hours we woke up at 04:00 am in the morning and by 06:45 reported at the testing hall for the psychology tests to begin.  I was excited as this was the test I had practiced the most for. Finally the test started and I could write good stories which comprised of more actions rather than words and direct mention of qualities.

All my stories were basic, nothing extra ordinary but were well structured and had a theme to them. WAT was good this time as I had achieved speed after the first 10 words and I attempted all the 60 words with meaningful responses(SSB Crack offers a wide list of words and I had practiced all of them before going for this ssb including all the negative words which frequently appear and most of the words were from the list which SSB crack offers).

I attempted 55 SRTs and didn’t give extra time to any of the situation but I did not skip any situation too. Finally I wrote the SD which I had previously practiced and could complete it within the given time.

I was satisfied with my performance in the psych test an was in a very relaxed mood when we got notified that the first 4 repeaters will be having the interview on the same day and I was the second one to be interviewed. Here I did not get the time to brush up on the current affairs but since I was revising it on a daily basis, I was pretty confident that I would be able to handle the questions based on GK/CA.

Finally I entered the President’s room and observed it from left-right, top-bottom while he was going through my PIQ. My interview started with the basic rapid fire questions consisting of all the details in my PIQ. I was asked about my hobbies, music and the interviewer referred to me as “Artist”. I was pretty confident during the interview as I was just being myself and did not try to impress the interviewer at any step.

I told all my strengths and weaknesses genuinely and did not mask my personality a bit. I feel that the key to clear the interview is to be self aware and have the will to improve yourself. Don’t regret your past and always have the alacrity to improve your present. The interview lasted for about 1 hour 20 mins and I finished the glass of water next to me as I was speaking continuously.

After this I went back to my room, discussed the interview with my friends then we had lunch and went for basketball in the evening following by dinner.

Day 3.
This is the day when the tests start early. We gathered at the main gate in our PT dresses and jogged to the testing area. The GTO series started with 2 group discussions followed by the group planning exercise. During the group discussion I was calm, composed, a good listener and gave around 3-4 points in both the gds. While the group planning exercise was easy and I was nominated by the group to present the group plan to the GTO.

Then we had the PGT during which I was moderate and concentrated more on giving ideas rather than unnecessarily shouting “make a cantilever” all the time. I was active during the pgt and tried to focus on the obstacle forgetting that the gto was even present there.

Then we had the Snake Race which is the most fun part of the GTO series and we came second in the race.
This was followed by the HGT which was quite easy and the lecturette round where I spoke on the topic “Impact of globalisation on Indian society” for which I spoke confidently for 3 mins while giving a nice Intro, some advantages and disadvantages and a 30 sec conclusion.

We were tired after coming back to the centre and hogged the lunch like anything in the mess.Then we had our game of basketball and at night we were taken for a movie in the army open air theatre which was one of the best experiences of those 5 days.

This gave us a chance to bond with each other and I made really good friends who I know will remain in touch for the rest of our lives. Then we were taken back to our barracks and we slept at around 11:30 that night as we all had countless gossips to do.

Day 4
Just 3 more tasks were left for the GTO. We reported early morning at the ground and our test started with the individual obstacles. I could manage to pull off 9 obstacles and got stuck at the zig zag for over 30 secs but I kept trying till the time ran out.

For the command task, I was called by 3 of the candidates as a subordinate and during my command task, I just took 10 mins to complete it as it was quiet easy and approachable in more than one way. Finally after the full group task, we took a sigh of relief and continued our gossips and basketball after coming back.

All of us washed our chest numbers and prepared our dresses for the conference on the next day and talked for endless hours at the night.

Day 5
“It’s the conference day”.
We slept till 06:00 am in the morning as the conference generally starts a little late than the previous 4 days. Everyone was smartly dressed up an all ready for the conference. After reporting to the informed location, we were shown the conference room from inside and given instructions on how to approach the conference hall and all the other activities that followed.

The opening address was inspiring for all of us and filled up with a lot of josh early in the morning. I was chest no.22, after chest no.21 exited the conference hall, there was a long discussion on me for the next 10-12 mins. Finally I was called inside the conference hall and wished the president of the board, he wished me back and asked me to sit.

Then the deputy president asked me some questions from my personal life, gave me 6-7 Srts mostly involving the “lost in jungle” situations to which I answered cleverly and cleared all the situations in a pragmatic way. I was asked to rate my performance in all the 3 tasks and some questions related to my education. Then they asked me the other formal questions comprising of my stay, friends I made and the improvements I would like to make.

It lasted for 8-10 minutes and I was sure that I was going to be recommended as this had never happened before in any of my conferences.

After the conference the entire batch gathered at the eathopia canteen and had a good chat session along with all the fast food from the canteen.We were then asked to report to the testing hall where the results were going to be announced. Our chest numbers were taken back and the phones were given to us. After a period of 15-20 mins, an officer entered the room and announced the result. The first chest number was 5 and I was pretty confident that I would be the next one. Then he calls out chest no.22 and closes his file. All our friends were clapping for us, I had goosebumps and my entire journey of ssb, all my hard work of 3 years and previous attempts came in front of my eyes.

I stood still along with chest number 5, we were taken to the president where he congratulated us and handed us over the recommendation letter. That moment I promised the president who had previously also taken my interview that “Sir, I’ll make you proud” to which he smiled and shook hands with me.

Then I called my parents and broke out the news to them. They got emotional over the phone and congratulated me for getting recommended.

We were then assigned barracks in another corner of the military area for the medicals and after a span of 4 days, I was declared medically fit to join the academy.

Friends, it’s a myth that repeaters do not get recommended or the freshers have a better chance at getting recommended. I believe that if you work hard, be true to yourself and mostly importantly if you believe in yourself and your training, everything is achievable. Currently, I’m waiting for the merit list to come and will be joining OTA Chennai in October 2017 after making it in the merit list.

Lastly, a quote that a very good friend of mine shared with me during one of the naval ssbs in Bangalore-
“Girte hain shahsavar hi maidan-e-jung mei, vo tifl kya girega jo ghutno ke bal chale”
So keep trying, never give up, work hard for your dream as each of us is a soldier, we just need to find him within us and fight our battles.

JAI HIND