GUIDANCE PLUS
The A to Z of being an officer
B.S. Warrier
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A new series, which examines at length the Services Selection Board's procedure for selection to the armed forces. We start with an introduction to the basic selection protocol.
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Photo: Reuters
FALLING IN LINE: The quality of the defence system depends primarily on the competence of the men in charge of the diverse responsibilities in the armed forces..
DEFENCE GETS the topmost priority in the governance of any country, since its very survival depends on its security and the protection of its territorial integrity. There can be no compromise on alertness or quality of service assured by the armed forces that should effectively swing into action at the shortest notice.
India with her long coastline and borders should necessarily have a strong defence system to protect herself.
The quality of the defence system depends primarily on the competence of the men in charge of the diverse responsibilities in the armed forces.
In order to ensure the best human resources are available to the system, an effective mechanism for the selection of officers with appropriate qualities has been evolved. This is known as the Services Selection Interview , which is not just an interview in the usual parlance.
The Services Selection Board effectively makes a comprehensive assessment of the personal attributes, usually referred to as `officer-like qualities.'
The exercise is elaborate. It is spread over four to five days.
Qualities
The Army, the Navy, and the Air Force should have officers with qualities such as: Ability to influence groups; Ability to keep secrets; Alertness; Capacity for right and quick decision; Cheerfulness; Communication skills; Cooperation; Courage; Determination; Discipline; Discrimination; Energy; Fairness; Grit for facing challenges; Honesty; Initiative; Innovative mind; Integrity; Intellectual curiosity; Intelligence; Justice and fairness; Liveliness; Loyalty; Maturity; Optimism; Organisational ability; Originality; Physical health; Positive mental attitude; Reasoning ability; Resourcefulness; Self-confidence; Selflessness; Sense of responsibility; Social adaptability; Stamina;Team spirit; Willingness to delegate responsibility; Willingness to face criticism cheerfully. These are officer like qualities of leadership required in the defence forces.
Opportunities
There are different types of entries such as the National Defence Academy and the Naval Academy for Plus Two boys, Combined Defence Services Examination for graduates, University Entry, Direct Entry in various branches of the Navy and the Air Force.
If you go for the SSB interview with a thorough knowledge of its contents and style, you have bright chances of success.
Schedule of tests
The selection process has the following components.
- Psychological / intelligent
tests
- Group Testing Officer's
(GTO's) tests.
- Personal interview.
- Medical examination.
First day
Reception, roll call, allotment of chest numbers, filling up of forms, including personal resume. In addition to these, some intelligence/aptitude tests may be conducted. Those who perform very poorly at this stage may be sent back and cannot proceed further.
Second day
- Intelligence tests: verbal and
non-verbal/matrices items.
- Word association test
- Thematic apperception test
- Situation test
- Self-description test
Third/fourth days
The Group Testing Officer will be in charge of conducting the tests.
Indoor exercises
Group discussion
Group planning
Short speech
Outdoor exercises
Progressive group task
Group obstacle race
(Snake race)
Half group task
Individual obstacles
Command task
Final group task
Fifth day
Conference: Each
faces the President and
other officers
The President / Deputy
President / GTO speaks
to the candidates
Announcement of results
You will be interviewed personally on any one of the days.
There could be slight changes in the schedule. For selection of pilots, there will be the Pilot's Aptitude Test also.
During the actual tests or otherwise, you would be under constant watch at the SSB interview centre. Every movement of yours should be made with care and caution.
Patterns of tests
Soon after the introductory address by the President or an officer, you will be given a questionnaire to be filled up. Be honest in what you write. The psychologist, the GTO, and the President would go through it. The following points may appear in the questionnaire.
1. Name of the candidate
(in block capitals)
2. Batch No.
3. Chest No.
4. Place and State you
belong to
5. Father's name
6. Father' age
7. Father's occupation
(Mention the last occupation,
if he is no more)
8. Father's income
9. Mother's age and
nationality
10. Your date of birth, and age
in years and days
11. Number of brothers -
elder/younger
12. Number of sisters -
elder/younger
13. Number of sisters -
married/unmarried
14. Your education, starting
from matriculation: Name of
the examination, university/
board/college /school,
division/honours/subjects,
year of passing
15. Places where you have
stayed for more than one year
during the last 10 years
16. Extracurricular activities,
with positions you have held
17. Scholarships/awards/
trophies you have won
18. Games you play
19. Books you have read
during the last one year
(apart from textbooks) and
their authors
20. Newspapers and
periodicals you read
21. Your hobbies
22. History of your diseases
and ailments
23. Your choice of arms in
Services (with preferences)
24. Types of school/college
you have attended (whether
boarder or day scholar)
25. Details of NCC training
26. Record of service, if any
27. The most interesting/
depressing/exciting event
in your life
28. What would your best
friend tell about you?
29. What are the reasons for
your desire to join the
armed forces?
30. Briefly describe the
happiest day in your life.
Do not blow your trumpet.
The books that you indicate should not be textbooks, comics or any trivial ones.
If you have philately or photography as your hobby, you should be able to answer a couple of questions on them. If you happen to show some preference to a specific `corps,' you should be able to substantiate your statements with reasons.
Intelligence tests
The SSB interview will have both verbal and non-verbal types of tests in reasoning.
There would be time constraint. You will have to answer the questions as quickly as possible. Prepare well for this.
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