My 2AFSB Mysore
Experience
I gave the AFCAT (Air Force Common
Admission Test) exam on 26th Feb 2012 at Bangalore Yelanka in
primary wing of the KV school, for officer entry in the GDOC (Ground Duty
Officers Course) in which I was eligible for the following courses: -
1.
133 GDOC Administration (Permanent Commission)
2.
133 GDOC Logistics (Permanent Commission)
3.
133 GDOC Education (Permanent Commission)
4.
26 SSC Administration (Short Service Commission)
5.
26 SSC Logistics (Short Service Commission)
6.
26 SSC Education (Short Service Commission)
There were 100 questions which comprised of the following
four sections with 25 questions each: -
(a) General
Awareness – History, Sports, Geography, Environment, Civics, Basic Science,
Defense, Art, Culture, Current Affairs, Politics etc.
(b) Verbal Ability in English –
Comprehension, Error Detection, Sentence Completion, Synonyms, Antonyms and
Testing of Vocabulary.
(c) Numerical Ability – Decimal
Fraction, Simplification, Average, Profit & loss, Percentage, Ratio &
Proportion and Simple interest.
(d) Reasoning and Military Aptitude Test –
Verbal Skills and Spatial Ability.
Here I attempted 95/100
questions in all and left 5 questions in the GK section which I was not aware
about. I can gaze my accuracy percentage to be above 90% in all attempted. There was 1/3rd negative marks for
wrong answer and there was only one option correct for each question. The cut
off would have been 40-45 out of 100.
I got my SSB call in the month
of April 2012 may be at the end of 1st week, I was to report at
Mysore Railway Station at Prepaid Auto Booth at 0645 hours on 30th
April 2012. I left on 29th Sunday Morning (my friend Agnivesh
accompanied me till NGV bus stop) from Bangalore to Mysore via bus service; I
reached there at 12-1 pm approximately and took a hotel till Monday morning at
night of 29th April 2012, I once again revised the Self Description
and word association test and also visited the Mysore palace where lightning
was at 1900 hours in the evening. I left the hotel for railway station the next
morning by 0600 hours and was there in 20-25 minutes.
DAY – 1
There when I reached I could see
approximately 180-200 candidates prying to get commissioned as an esteemed
officer of the elite Indian Air Force. Then exactly at 0645 hours two men
dressed in Air Force uniform came with two busses and a Air Force truck to
carry the baggage of students, then they checked our AFCAT admit cards and our
call letters that were sent to us by post, then after that we were told to take
out all our original document and certificates in the file as immediately there
would be some tests of verbal, visual and logical reasoning as soon as we reach
the 2 Air Force Selection Board, Mysore campus.
Finally we reached there; I had
already made a friend till then such that I don’t feel out of the crowd. We
were addressed by the warrant officer about the 5 day process and what all we
have to keep in mind regarding the same. He then asked candidates who were
fresher’s, repeater’s, screened out, conference out, recommended or have
appeared in the same board before, based on that he allocated us our temporary
chest numbers.
Then we were navigated to a hall
in which was like an amphitheatre then came the officer of the Air Force, he
first of all congratulated us all for clearing the first step of the written
examination and making it here. He then told us what all tests we will be
undergoing for the stage one screening examination. First he gave us a dummy
booklet compromising of 10-15 sample questions that we were made to do to
familiarize us with the kind of questions going to come then he gave us the
main first booklet which had 50 questions to be attempted in about 25-30
minutes in which I did all as there was no negative marking, I assume that
minimum 40 would have been correct, then after a 5 minute break he gave us
another booklet and the same time and number of questions were there which I
did all with same accuracy. After that all the answer sheets and booklets were
collected from us, and then we had our tea cum breakfast break.
Then I met my friend whom I had
made, all were gossiping about the papers and other things, we were offered one
cheese sandwich and a cup of nutramool milk. I took another sandwich in the
second round as I didn’t had breakfast so early morning. It is always good to
keep your energy up as you won’t know what would be coming next. Then again we
were divided into groups of 10-15, half of the candidates (80-90) at a time
were taken to the main hall and were shown a hazy picture and were given
instructions how to write the thematic appreciation test. I was in the second
half batch. I wrote the story almost instantly encircling the main character in
the space provided and the age descriptions.
We were 15 candidates in the group,
there were 3 officers that were conducting our GD (Group Discussion) first we
were told for individual narration that was again having a time limit of 1
minute, do not waste your time in addressing, directly start, I made a start
like this “Gentlemen in my opinion……”.
Speak
with confidence and do not hesitate even if you go wrong, they are there to see
your confidence and how you communicate with the peer group not your talent or
new idea’s. Then after all individual narrations were over the officer told
that gentlemen please begin discussing the picture and reach a conclusion. I
was not the first one to speak but 3rd and I didn’t take a stand but
began on a diplomatic note “Gentlemen we all are intellectual people here let
us not take a strand but analyze the picture and then come to a mutual
conclusion based on that”, the people were listening to me and agreed to my
point that what mattered the most, as you have seen I haven’t given any
valuable input to the discussion just some common sense point of how to discuss
the topic. Then after that I saw what most of the people were adhering to and
then I went with the flow i.e. I accumulated all the points by saying
“Gentlemen here is the summary as we all have agreed upon….”
The GD
was over the officer invigilating told the group to derive the conclusion that
was to be given by one person only. Most of the candidates were saying me to
give the conclusion as I had told them the summary and they have agreed upon
the same, then another gentleman trying to act smart raised his hand and told
the officer that he wants to give the conclusion, I spoke out to him “Gentleman
I have no issues you can conclude, please continue” – in this way I showed my
leadership and team work qualities to the officers… and as destiny turned out I
was one of the screened in candidates when the results were declared post lunch,
the friend that I made was unlucky and was screened out I felt bad for him but
what could I do destiny is destiny. 4 out of 15 in group were screened in and
in total 66 candidates were screened in then we were given our new chest
numbers, my chest number was 41.
Then we were told to filter our
baggage and screened in candidates to take their along with them to the main
hall where as the screened out candidates were to be routed back the same day.
I helped all of the candidates as I got up the truck and took out the luggage
with the help of few others, God it was so tiring, and then I returned to the
main hall with my suitcase. Then we went inside the main hall again there our
document verification was done by officers and we filled our course preference
form also all our mobile phones were deposited. After which immediately the physiological test was conducted which
compromised of: -
1.
Thematic Appreciation Test – in which a series of 11 pictures were
displayed and we had to write down stories based on that about 200 words in
about 4 minutes, the picture was flashed for 30 seconds. The last picture was a
blank in which the candidate had to write down his own story for which I went
well prepared and wrote down without any effort on my brain. I wrote all the
stories and in good handwriting.
2.
Word Association Test – a series of 60 words were flashed in all
and we had to write down the first sentence which came to our mind seeing that
particular word, each word was flashed for duration of 15 seconds in which you
have to see the word and write the sentence. I did all 60 words. Good readable
handwriting is a must ensure that you are familiar with your pen beforehand and
could write effortlessly with it. E.g. I bought a Reynolds ball point blue pen
and practiced speed writing with it 10-15 days prior to my SSB.
3.
Situation
Reaction Test – a different booklet will be provided in which 60 situations
would be there you have to read each situation and write down your reaction
within 15 seconds. This too I did all.
4.
Self Description Test – this you can cramp beforehand and can just
write effortlessly and fill the pages. Here basically you have to access
yourself from 5 different point of views: - (i) Parents Opinion (ii)
Supervisors or Teachers Opinion (iii) Colleagues opinion (iv) Your Opinion (v)
What you want to be? **Do not use the
word “I” in the first three
narrations as it denotes selfishness.
After the days hard work we went back to the
Students Hostel carrying our own luggage nearly a kilometer, where we were
allotted rooms on the basis of chest numbers. My room was on the third floor
room number 20; we were in total 12 people in that room, I called up home by
the extra sim containing all the numbers and using someone else’s cell phone to
inform that I was screened in and a total of 66 candidates were screened in. Then
after getting freshened up I collected hanger& bed sheet from hostel office
and then went for dinner after locking my cupboard (**Always lock your things
whenever you go out). After coming back from dinner we had a fall in at 2100
hours, I went to my room and filled 3 PIQ (Personal Information Questionnaire)
forms that we had to give them first thing in the morning next day. Don’t take
this lightly as the major part of SSB that is the interview depends upon it. Some
of the things that I can recollect that you have to fill are: -
1.
Obviously your name and your father’s
name (ANUBHAV RASTOGI & SANDEEP RASTOGI) **don’t write anything before your
father’s name e.g. Dr., Mr., Col, Flt Lt, etc.
2.
Batch and chest numbers (M-AFCAT/50,
41)
3.
Details of your education up till your
current degree.
4.
Father’s, Mother’s, Sister’s or
Brother’s education, job, salary.
5.
If you have done your NCC (I was NCC B
certificate, Senior Division, 5 GUJARAT NCC)
6.
Games that you have played and its
duration i.e. since when you are playing. (Although I didn’t had any official
certificate for swimming I wrote down swimming with duration of 17 years as I
knew it from the age of 5)
7.
Hobbies and Interests (Body-building,
swimming, Reading), questions that were asked what type of books do you read (I
said mostly nonfiction), then he asked what is the latest book you have read (I
told him 7 habits of highly effective people – I only saw that book and read
the prologue), after which he asked me the author of that book (I replied
Steven Covey) last question he asked was what 7 habits you think that you need
to improve upon (As I had not read it and guessed the interviewer has not also
I bluffed some general improvement standards that every person must improve)
8.
Details of having attended any other
SSB (which I left blank), etc.
After
filling three copies of PIQ I slept at around 2230 hours.
DAY – 2
I got
up at 0400 hours did a clean shave (always be clean shaved) and other Adam
requirements after which I began preparing my documents file (* *prepare it
really well as the interviewing officer will look at each and every certificate
and document that you have put before the interview) as I had my interview
scheduled that very day at 1000 hours. Then by 0600 hours I went to the
candidates mess for breakfast, my advice do have a heavy breakfast and maintain
high energy levels. After which we were made to fall in at 0700 hours by the
warrant officer in charge and then we marched to the selection center and a
headcount was done. Candidates whose
interview was scheduled at 0830 hours came prepared and stayed back, those who
had GTO went to the grounds and I went back to the hostel.
After
preparing all my documents, ironing my pant/shirt, neck tie and polishing my
oxford shoes I got ready in a black pant with pleats, normal black belt without
any buckle, light cream shirt and black tie of 61 Sub Area that my dad gave as
you can see in my picture above. I arrived to the waiting room by 0930 hours,
there I saw the guys whose interview was at 0830 hours were still waiting then
we began discussion of the latest M&A’s of Air Force, it’s command HQ’s,
various jets it had and the leadership (**I picked up many things from the
candidates and by being a part of their informal discussions it helped a lot in
the interview when the interviewing officer asked me what do you know about
Indian Air Force), Discussions were going on in the waiting area it was 1130
hours and still my chest number didn’t appeared on the buzzer of IO
(Interviewing Officer) No 1.
Then
finally at 1200 hours my chest number came up and all others in the waiting
area wished me good luck. I went upstairs there I was told that I had to report
at 1500 hours after lunch, then I went for lunch at 1230 hours did light lunch
and went back to my room where I undressed from formals and took a rest/nap for
an hour or so. Then I washed my face and dressed up again and went to the
Selection Board office at 1445 hours approximately. At 1500 hours my chest
number again appeared on the buzzer and I was off, I kept a clear head and away
from any worries as I already had a job in hand with Accenture. There again I
was to wait in another waiting area for 5 minutes or so, until the interviewing
officer goes through my documents file. I sat there normally with ease even had
a glass of water such that my mouth was not dry during interview. Then I was
called while entering I read the name of the officer as Group Captain VVS
Madan.
The
Interview
As I
entered I asked the IO “May I come in Sir” in loud and clear voice. When I was
inside I stood up straight beside the chair that was placed round about 5
meters in front of the IO and wished the IO “Good Afternoon Sir”. Then he told
me to sit down, after getting in the seat I sat up straight with both my hands
over my lap and said “Thank You Sir”, next to my chair a pack table was placed
containing a glass of water.
The
interviewer then asked me “How are you?
Had your Lunch? What was made in the mess?”
To which I answered that “I am fine Sir, I had cereals, and curd,
chapatti and some rice at the candidates mess usually light such that I won’t
feel sleepy here.” He then asked “So up
till now how is your stay here with us?” I replied “Pleasant Sir, made a
lot of friends here”.
Then
he asked me a series of questions that followed as a rapid fire which I have to
reply in a single chance (here they test your listening skills because as an
officer you have to follow orders sequentially): -
1. Tell me about your schooling 10th,
12th, graduation and post graduation?
2. Tell me all your percentages in 10th,
12th, graduation and post graduation?
3. Tell me who were your best friends in 10th,
12th, graduation and post graduation?
4. Why they were your friends?
5. What qualities did they like in you?
6. The teacher you liked the least and why?
7. Do you have a girlfriend?
8. Since how long you are in a relationship?
9. What does your father do?
10. What did your grandfather did?
11. Who else is in your family and what do they
do?
12. When do you go home as you are working at
Bangalore?
13. Why didn’t you do B.Tech?
14. What was your rank in AIEEE?
15. Why such a bad rank you got?
16. What you did in your NCC?
17. What were the subjects taught in NCC?
18. Tell me your two favorite subjects?
19. Why only swimming, you listed your
extra-curricular activity?
20. Have you taken part in any swimming
competitions?
21. Why not?
22. You have mentioned reading as your hobby so
tell me what type of books you read?
23. What was the most recent book you read?
24. Who was the author of that book?
25. What have you learnt from it?
26. Why do you want to shift your career from MNC
to Defense services?
27. Tell me about your daily routine during your
working day and your weekend?
28. What do you know about Air force?
29. Do you know the ranks of junior commissioned
officers in the Air Force?
30. From which country Rafael is from?
31. Tell me in detail the M&A of Rafael
fighter?
32. Which country does Mirage belong?
33. As you have lived in Ambala tell me what type
of planes they have at Ambala Air force base?
34. In Gandhinagar which command HQ of Air Force
is present?
35. What type of planes do they have in
Gandhinagar?
36. Which country does the plane Suryakiran
belongs?
37. What type of planes you have at Bangalore and
it is under which command?
38. What interests you in Air Force?
39. You can also live a healthy life in civil than
why you want to join Air-Force?
40. You are earning well in the civil why you want
a shift?
41. Tell me 3 advices your father gave you that
you still remember?
42. Tell me your two weaknesses and how you are
working upon that to overcome them?
43. What scholarship you have mentioned here in
your PIQ you got and from whom?
44. What was the money you got through that
scholarship?
45. In college how much pocket money you got?
46. Tell me how you spent your money in detail?
47. What if you are not selected than what will
you do?
48. After doing your MBA which company will you
join?
These
are some of the questions that I can recollect during my interview. My
interview went for about 90 minutes after which the IO told thank you “Anubhav”
it was nice interacting with you, you can take your documents file and do well
in other tasks, after which I thanked him and left the room, he told to leave
the door open. My IO in all interviewed
22 candidates and out of which he recommended only one that was me… J
I went
back to the hostel directly without interacting with anyone in the waiting
room, changed my dress and relaxed as I was done for the day. Then I had some
snacks and more nutramool milk that was brought for us at hostel and chatted
with candidates who were there or had come from interview after me. Then I went
and slept for a while as rejuvenating yourself is very much necessary. At
around 2000 hours I went to have dinner in the mess after which 2-3 of us came
back to the hostel room and chatted along until 2115 hours we were called upon
as fall in and head count was going on. At 2130 we were back in our lodging
room, chest numbers 34-45 were in my room, as soon as we went I saw people
reading thick books of “Arihant – How to crack SSB”, someone reading from his
own material about GTO tasks and obstacles, etc. It’s very necessary to bond with your team and
my team was chest numbers 37-45, I was at an advantage as my chest number was
41 and was the center of the group of 9 candidates. All of them gathered around
me and I always had something to share with them which they liked and confided
in me.
The
SSB is like you have been called for Roadies and have to do the tasks working
in a group, keeping your individual ego’s aside and working for the achievement
of a specific task at hand. So keep your friends close but keep your so called
extra-smart people even closer as you don’t know what would be in the plates
for you the next day as you toll on to the group obstacles, GD’s and Commando
briefing tasks which have to performed by a group. Take your peers into
confidence such that they blindly trust you and believe in you by this you are
not being selfish but it’s a leadership quality that will be shown in the grounds
when you work together. Plus you are enhancing the chances of more people in
your group of being recommended as what is seen by the GTO officer is group work/effort,
it happens sometime that there is no unity in a group and it becomes a fish
market that has certainly to be avoided or even a single candidate from your
group would not be recommended, it happened in my previous group, the whole
team was washed out not even a single candidate was recommended.
DAY –
3
As
usual I woke up to the tone of “Vande….. Matram……” by Lata Mangeshkar, at 0500
hours in the morning. All in the room were still fast asleep, I did my daily
chores and got ready by 0530 hours and went down to see the notice board about
my schedule for the day, luckily our team didn’t had any task this day i.e. we
were free the whole day but can leave the campus only after 1400 hours. I
finished my breakfast by 0600 hours, after which the photographer had come to
click a snap of all the candidates that were screened in as it is considered a
big achievement in itself undergoing the 5 day process. I jumped to the top
most row and as usual was in the center of the photograph… J and then a fall in was there after which at SSB center the
headcount, then we returned to the hostel, I changed in loose clothes and slept
again for 2-3 hours. I got up at 1130 hours had nutramool milk and some snacks
that were bought for us downstairs the hostel. Then again some convincing and
bonding time with the peer group after that lunch then some nap, at 1430 hours
planned to go out with team 5-6 of us were there we went to roam around Mysore
in search of the movie “Vicky Donor” but we couldn’t find it then we went to
Mall of Mysore and saw the movie “Ishqzaade". After which we came back walking and more
talking and bonding back to the SSB center, collected our chest numbers and
returned to the candidate’s hostel where we could see some boys playing
basketball and we joined in.
After
some time at around 2000 hours we were called in for dinner then after that
fall in and headcount was done, we reached our rooms by 2130 and I began
telling my stories to my group and how to do in Group tasks that was the last
hurdle between me and recommendation. I told how to go about the tasks and what
all to do and not to do. All my team was all ears to me and I assigned roles to
all of them, their positions and even what and when they have to speak in the
commando briefing and GD’s. At around 2030 hours I slept dreaming of the day
ahead in the field. Short day today but
bonded well with team and showed them my leadership skills as you might say a
soldier never puts down his weapons until the job is done, I fight where I am told and I win where I fight… J
Day – 4
Got up at 0500 hours with the sound of the
same devotional song, got ready in GTO dress white T-Shirt with collar, white
Bata PT shoes, white socks and white shorts. Completed breakfast by 0600 hours
and went to the selection center office for headcount, directly from there we
were taken to the GD rooms where the GTO officer introduced us to the
proceedings that we were meant to encounter, he took a brief introduction of
all of us – our names, hobbies and what we do. Then after he gave us two topics
for GD out of which we had to select one and go discussing about it. I was
always the 3rd or 4th to speak, I thought while others
were speaking some relevant points to the topic and then spoke, as you know
first the common sense things how to go about the discussion and taking all my
mates into confidence and then putting down all my points and making them agree
too to it…J Then he gave us a second topic and told us to
debate and we need not come to a conclusion, that went well too.
Then
it was time for sand-model also known as commando briefing task, as I had
already familiarized my team one night before it was nearly the same situation
at hand, so their confidence in me became even more, first we all wrote down
our individual solutions and then GTO told to discuss and come to a conclusion
which one candidate from the group will represent. I was the one to give the
conclusion as I had comprehended the situation very well and also briefed my
team the same while discussing. After that the fun began……. We jogged our way to
the fields where different obstacles were placed, the rule of the ground is you keep on jogging or running you do not
walk, please keep this in mind after entering the grounds.
We
went straight to the relaxing area in the ground drank some more nutramool milk
and light snacks to keep our energy high for the upcoming physical tasks. Then
after sometime we were told to run to a particular spot in the field where our
GTO officer came we were standing in an arc formation left to right as per
chest number wise with my position in the center as my chest number 41 from 37
to 45, which was again an added advantage.
We were briefed about our first task that were the Progressive Group Tasks (PGT) totally four were there with
increasing level of difficulties and we had to communicate in English only but
if we mistakenly used any other language we must try to switch back to English
as soon as possible. Rules were: -
1. Do not step on the ground between the two
parallel lines that were supposed to be some distance apart. Between them there
were some structures through which we had to use and cross from one line to
another.
2. Structure where red marking was there you
could not step neither you could put your helping material in that which was
given to you i.e. a wooden plank, a log and rope plus your carry material that
was about 10-15 kg in weight which you had to get across the line.
3. Structure where yellow was marked you could
keep your feet but not any helping material upon that.
4. You should carry all your helping material
across the line with none left behind.
5. You should move with your team together with
no one left behind and all must cross the first obstacle only then proceed to
the next PGT.
The
total time duration for all 4 PGT’s was fixed to 45 minutes. I was always the first person in front while
initiating any task and all my ideas and route to take were implemented and
were successful. In one of the task there was no support you have to walk on
the log to reach the other structure, I tied the rope on one corner of the
starting structure and started walking on the log the rope helped a lot at one
time I went 45* but regain my posture and completed that PGT successfully.
After
the PGT’s the GTO officer divided the group into teams of 5 and 4 I was in the
5 team as it was decided by the GTO officer. The task was Half Group Task (HGT), it was done so as to gaze the performance of
the candidates who didn’t have an opportunity to share their ideas in full
group tasks. It was only one obstacle
which also I did well, here I was the second person to initiate as I had
already initiated in the PGT’s, and hence my domineering attitude was also
avoided.
After
that immediately we had Extempore or
Lectturate in which everyone had to speak as per chest number wise 3 minutes
continuously on a certain topic given in the card, when one speaks the chest
number after him takes a card and goes to prepare a topic, when he ends next
chest number immediately starts and
the chest number after him goes to prepare. My topic was Indian Economy for
which I spoke for 3 minutes making an eye contact with all my team, its only GK
that I grabbed some concepts such as BRIC countries, GDP, inflation, etc which
I elaborated as per my understanding and comprehension.
Then
we had the Command Task the rules
were same as PGT and here GTO used to call every candidate in random order
where he used to talk to him and then ask him to be the commander of this task
for which he can choose 2 helpers amongst the team. We were a team of 9 candidates
in all including me, 7 out of 8 excluding me called me as their helper and I
did the task for all of them, the task in which I was made the commander, I
called two chest numbers out of which one was lean and thin and other was
strong such that he could lift & shift the plank/log easily. I was given 8
minutes for the task I did it in at most 2-3 minutes after which the GTO asked
me some other method to do it supposing I don’t have the plank and log but only
the rope, which I told him after thinking that we can make a Burma bridge
structure and by vertical rope climb we can shift the men and material to which
he agreed and I had completed my task successfully. I thanked my helpers and
GTO officer and jogged back.
After
returning the GTO officer once again addressed us and gave us a suggestion to
keep doing what we are doing even if we are recommended. Then we came back
tired, completely exhausted to the candidates mess as it was lunch time, I ate
10-12 Chapatti’s at lunch and drank almost a liter of water, after which I went
back to the lodging room took a shower with cold water and slept for 2-3
hours.. That was the end of all the tasks and tests we had to undergo at
2AFSBMysore, In the evening when we got up we again planned to visit the city,
we went to dominos, then we also went to a nearby bar, where my peers took
something but I avoided it as if caught there would had been serious
consequences and I didn’t wanted to render my chances for selection. We came
back at around 1900 hours and went straight up to our rooms where I changed
into informal clothes and got ready for dinner. After dinner fall in at 2100
hours that was supposed to be many of the candidates last night at the
selection board. Then we slept around 2100 hours that night after exchanging all
our contact numbers and addresses and we planned to meet in Bangalore which we
did also….
Day –
5
The
Judgment Day
I
sprang out of the bed at 0500 hours did a clean shave two times, ironed my
pants, shirt and tie (The same dress I wore for the interview). Polished my
shoes well, combed my hair 10-15 times, packed my suitcase, put on the chest
number and deposited the suitcase in the luggage room of the hostel after
breakfast at 0600 hours. At 0700 hours we were told to fall in and carry our
luggage to the board office. I thanked the hostel warden for a pleasant stay
and left with my suitcase.
Candidates
were being called chest number wise to the conference hall where the fate of
the candidates was to be judged by the 24 Air Force officers sitting in a semi
circular format, presided over by the president of the board that was the rank
of Air Commodore equivalent to Brigadier in the Army. All the candidates were
made to sit in the main hall, and were called 5 at a time, in the mean time our
TA (Transport Allowance) was being given, I was given Rs 240 for my travel from
Bangalore to Mysore. They called our batch of 5 candidates from 41 to 45 at
1130 hours, then we were shifted to the waiting room, after chest number 40
went inside the conference I stood up and waited they took around 20-25 minutes
to beep the buzzer of my chest number 41. Then I gathered all my courage and
went in with a “Come what may” type of attitude.
I was
standing there when as I entered and faced the board of 24 Air Force officers
in their uniforms, all eyes were on me, the president of the board being in
middle about 8-9 meters in distance from where I was standing. I wished him
loud and clear such that he could hear my voice at such a distance “Good Morning Sir”, he then spoke on a
mini mike in front of him to “please
take your seat Anubhav”. Then the following conversation started: -
President: So
Anubhav what is your Sun sign?
Me: Pardon Sir, Are you asking me my SUN
sign? (As it was an unexpected question, it is always good to verify again)
President: Yes
Anubhav.
Me: Leo Sir.
President: So
Anubhav tell me what qualities of a Leo do you have?
Me: I am pretty much confident Sir, which is the
first and foremost quality of a defense officer.
President: and
what qualities do you want to improve upon?
Me: Sir, I would not prefer to be much of
a leader but a friend of friends such that I am considered as a part of the
group.
President: So
Anubhav tell me how do you rate your performance in the 5-day SSB process?
Me: Sir, I am no one to judge my
performance for that you are there. But, I have given my 100% and rest is
destiny.
President: Have
you given your 100%?
Me: Yes Sir (loud and clear)
President: As
you were the only post-graduate staying in the room allocated, what do you
think about all other graduates staying with you?
Me: Well Sir, all other people are nice
taking to with a friendly behavior and each of them is a master in their
fields.
President: How
did you like the stay and food here?
Me: It was one of the best memories that I
will cherish for a life time, made a lot of friends. The food was also good
here Sir.
President: Thank
you Anubhav you may leave now.
Got up from the chair smartly, raised
my toes a little, as was taught by my father is a way of showing respect to
your seniors in the defense also as I was a NCC candidate. Wished him a loud and clear “Thank you Sir” and left the room back
to the main hall.
At
around 1330 hours the Group Captain came into the main hall, it was like
everyone was numb with no words in their mouths. As he spoke all ears were
fixed to the chest numbers, he addressed us “Gentlemen finally we have decided the names of the candidates to be
recommended which are as follows:-“
First
he called out chest number 8, big smile on that fellows face like a Colgate
smile and he kept on smiling showing his teeth till he reached the stage.
Second chest number was 16, he sprang from his chair and came jumping and
thumping to the stage, all were clapping for their success including me…J, then came number 17 just after 16 they both were elated and
joyful and were hugging on stage making some noise too to which the officer
strictly told them to behave properly and be in discipline in the Air Force
facility.
Then
he said chest number 41, first I was
a bit confused as after 8, 16, 17… it could be 21, but he again said chest
number 41, that was the most
wonderful moment of my life which I had no words to explain the feeling that I
was getting and a sense of accomplishment that I had never felt till date even
when I got my first job in Accenture. After that what happened or what the
Officer spoke I don’t know, I simply went up stage and met my future brothers
in the force we congratulated each other, it was seriously the best moment of
my life all others were clapping for us. Then as a token of achievement we were
give air force round collar T-shirts with “INDIAN
AIR FORCE” printed on them. Then we were told to collect our baggage and
report in the waiting room as the officer consolidated other candidates and
told them to try again and very best of luck in their careers ahead. The rest is destiny……. And the story
continues of Flying Officer Anubhav Rastogi……J J J
