All About SSBs.

“Service Before Self”

-Indian Army

This is the first post on my blog. I’m just getting started.

SSBs well everyone who is passionate about Indian Armed Forces have heard this word once or twice in their life but

what does it exactly means , what to do or not to do well about these things very few know.

SSBs are the first and compulsory test for an aspirant who wish to join Indian Armed Forces as an Officer. Well it is currently a 5 day test, each day you have a new series of test which include pen paper test and outdoor tests too with an interview by an testing officer.In SSBs you are tested by highly qualified and trained armed forces officers itself you have completed their training from DRDO to become a testing officer.

To understand SSB, lets start from basics:

The first question which arises in our mind is WHY SSB.

Most of people think why their should be an SSB. Well Army is making you an Officer that means he or she has to lead his men in war or extreme conditions so the person should be courageous enough to tackle the situation and to make a good decision as his decisions will not only affect his life but will also decide life of his men working under him. So you can think that an officer not only decides about his but also decides about life of his men.

So now we will talk about What Exactly Is SSB.

In SSBs a candidate is tested for his 15 OLQs also called officer like qualities .

What are OLQs.

These are the qualities that an officer should possess in order to fulfill his duties.

SSB looks for candidates who can be leaders. A real leader must be an agent for change, an inspirer and developer who is able to show the way forward,integrate people and ideas and be prepared to instigate rapidly the most effective option.

Particularly, in times of tension or war, an effective leader will have to be able to bring both colleagues and subordinates along in a way that is at once identified as pragmatic, meaningful and militarily cost-effective.

OLQs – Officer Like Qualities – Inculcate them

1. Factor – I (Planning and Organising)
   (1) Effective Intelligence (2) Reasoning Ability (3) Organising Ability (4) Power of Expression
2. Factor – II (Social Adjustment)
   (5) Social Adaptability (6) Co-operation (7) Sense of Responsibility
3. Factor – III (Social Effectiveness)
   (8) Initiative (9) Self Confidence (10) Speed of Decision (11) Ability to Influence the Group (12) Liveliness
4. Factor – IV (Dynamic) 
   (13) Determination (14) Courage (15) Stamina.

Effective Intelligence: Is the intelligence utilized in coping with practical situations of varying complexity. It is different from basic intelligence which is the capacity to perceive relations or to do abstract thinking. Basic intelligence is assessed by the use of intelligence tests may be verbal or non verbal effective intelligence.

Reasoning ability: The ability to grasp the essentials well and to arrive at conclusions by rational & logical thinking. It includes receptivity, inquiring attitude, logical reasoning and seeing essentials of a problem.

Organising ability: The ability to arrange the resources in a systematic way so as to produce effective results. It can also be defined as the ability to put to the best use of the available means for attainment of a desired objective.

Power of expression: This is the most important tools of personality where his/her ability to put across ideas adequately with ease and clarity are assessed.

Social adaptability: The ability of an individual to adapt himself to the social environment and adjust well with persons and social groups, with special reference to superiors, equal and subordinates. Social adaptability includes social intelligence, attitude towards others, tact, and adaptability

Cooperation: The attitude of an individual to participate willingly in harmony with others in a group, in achieving the group goal. This implies a belief in the collective effort being more productive than the individual effort. Cooperation includes the element of joint effort and team spirit.Team spirit indicates loyalty to the aims and objects of the group to the extent of subordinating individual aim to the group aim.

Sense of Responsibility: It enable a person to be dependable and to willingly discharge his obligation. It includes sense of duty but is much more comprehensive in meaning and scope. A thorough understanding of the values of duty, social standard, and of what is required of an individual and then to give it his energy and attention of his own accord.

Initiative: The ability to originate purposeful action. It has the following aspects:- (a) Ability to take the first steps in an unfamiliar situation. (b) In the right direction. (c) Sustain it, till the goal is achieved.
Persons with higher initiative display plenty of originality in thoughts & actions. Persons with positive initiative never get stuck, they are pushing, enterprising , persistent and will come out with numerous fresh idea.

Self confidence: It is the faith in one’s ability to meet stressful situations particularly those that are unfamiliar.

Speed of decision: The ability to arrive at workable decisions expeditiously. It comprises:- (a) Then appropriateness and cost effectiveness. (b) Feasibility & practicability. (c) The quickness in arriving at the decision.

Ability to influence the group: The ability which enables an individual to bring about willing effort from the group for achieving the objective desired by him. This influence is the prime cause of cooperative and willing effort of a group towards the achievement of a set objective.
Persons with this quality are highly inspiring with magnetic charm, in dispensable, impressionable, assertive, persuasive, firm & have considerable capacity to over come opposition.

Liveliness: The capacity of an individual to keep himself buoyant when meeting problems and bring about a cheerful atmosphere.

Determination: A sustained effort to achieve objectives in sprite of obstacles and setbacks. It implies fixedness of purpose: mental concentration and strength of will.

Courage: The ability to appreciate and take purposive risks willingly. It includes:- (a) Ability to meet appreciated dangers (b) Spirit of adventure, and enterprising spirit and a willingness to dare or risk a hazard (c) Capacity to keep oneself composed in adverse situations enabling to be steady in facing and handling such situations. 
They are doubtless risk takers, daring, aggressive, creative, bold & plucky with tremendous physical & moral courage.

Stamina: The capacity to withstand protracted physical and mental strain. It emphasizes endurance.
Such persons possess herculean physical & mental capabilities & can withstand plenty of physical & mental stress. They are indefatigable, calm & are very tough individuals.

Apart From OLQs : these are also musts.

1. Appearance and Bearing: The candidate’s appearance, bearing, grooming, distinguishing features and general presentation should be readily apparent within the first impressions formed at interview.
2. Manner and Impact: The candidate’s conduct throughout the interview, along with his courtesy, tact, confidence, force of personality, presence, poise, polish, humour and alertness will add to the overall impact.
3. Speech and Powers of Expression: Dialogue with the candidate will elicit his ability to communicate. The quality of grammar, vocabulary, diction, general fluency, logic, projection and animation will all indicate the overall effectiveness of expression.
4. Activities and Interests: The well-rounded candidate should have had a varied, interesting and fulfilling lifestyle. Whilst it is important to bear in mind the individual’s background (that is, general opportunities and financial limitations) the range and extent of spare-time activities are important to indicate signs of commitment, depth of involvement, achievement, level of responsibility, spirit of adventure, determination, initiative, enterprise and self-reliance within an overall balance of interests and pursuits.
5. Academic Level and Potential: Whilst minimum levels of academic qualifications will be set, the manner and east of obtaining qualifications, together with the level of commitment, diligence and attitude towards study will all give indications of the individual’s further academic potential.
6. Breadth and Depth of Outlook: The candidate’s general awareness of military matters and current affairs should confirm a maturity of outlook and a general ability to reason, giving also some indications of general intellect.
7. Motivation: The candidate’s determination towards his military goals should be ascertained. Sometimes the motivation will have previous substantiation. It will be important to ascertain that the candidate is clear about, and would relish, the commitment and dedication demanded of the officer corps

Hey there, I am Shailesh Kumar. I am an Armed Forces aspirant too, I have cleared my SSB interview in 4th attempt but unfortunately not able to join forces due to medical reasons and this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.