Candidate to Cadet: My Journey in SSB Chapter 3

Disclaimer:- This is a continuing story, please read chapter 1 and 2 below to be in track.

The Psychological Combat.

MIG-21, the name of the rooms in this selection board were after the fighter planes and helicopters of Indian Air force. The two storied building had rooms named Sukhoi, MIG-21, Mig 29, jaguar and others. My room was a dormitory with 5 beds on ground floor.36 of 83 candidates were able to clear screening. After the results DSO has asked us to assemble in the front veranda at 7PM sharp. I shared my room with Sushant, Amit, Tenzong and Goutam. Sushant and Amit met me in canteen during Lunch. Tenzong was from Sikkim and Gautam was from Air Force Bal Bharti, Delhi. His father was a high rank officer in Air Force himself. He stood 6 ft tall with a lean built. Unlike other Delhi lads Gautam reddy was extremely calm and well behaved. It was the start of a great friendship for next 4-5 days. In coming days we gave each other nick names. Tenzong was named Bhaichung, Amit was known as Salman, gautam as Hrithik and I was called (I know many readers will be laughing their hearts out in anticipation), yes I was called Shahrukh.

Amit, Sushant and I decided to take a tour of the nearby city while Gautam decided to stay back. We returned base at around 6 PM all tired. I took a quick shower and collapsed on my bed with the comics collection I have bought during my journey. At around 7 PM, a guy came running to our room almost collapsing with the door. Holding his breath he said, “Have you forgot? DSO has called us.” All of us looked each other with fear. We were all relaxing and suddenly realized that we forgot. We ran like mad people. I was running in front in the corridor. I suddenly realized I am going to hit the wall and applied my breaks and came just in front of the DSO standing in front of 5 well formed lines. Gautam, Amit, Tenzong and Sushant stopped right behind me one after the other, like a train wagon coming to sudden halt when their engine fails. We were all facing DSO. He looked us upside down and with an angry voice said “Where were you?” Not a single soul of the lot spoke. “Come On! Stand in the line.” The other guys gave us an angry look. It was a common myth that if the batch does not behave well, the whole batch was washed out. DSO briefed us about the next day and we were dispersed. The moment passed somehow.

The next day was the Psychological test. This test intended to judge the candidates whether they were psychologically fit to join defence. The screening test was the miniature version of Psychology test, but today it was going to be different. We were asked to have a heavy breakfast as no lunch break was scheduled; it was a continuous test till 4 PM in evening.

The commanding officer for the test briefed us for the 1st test. It was Picture Appreciation Test.

“Yesterday, you were shown a hazy slide, in this test you will be shown 12 clear slide one after another. Each slide will be displayed for 30 secs and then you will be given 4 minutes to write a story on it. Then the next slide. The test will conclude after 12th slide. You all have been handed over an answer sheet with 12 pages. You have to write your stories in them only”

We started writing story one after another, the 12th slide was the second surprise of my stay, it was a blank slide. We have to imagine a story and write it.
After the completion of PAT, we were handed another answer sheet. The Officer spoke again.

“Now you will be shown 60 placards containing different words. Each placard will be shown for 15 secs. In this time you have to think of a sentence and write it. This is your Word Appreciation test” Many have argued that this was the test of English Vocab. I thought different. This test completed comparitively faster.
Without a minutes break, we were handed over with another set of answer sheets. The test this time was Situation Reaction Test. Officer broke the pin drop silence once again.

“The booklet infront of you contains 2 sets. First set of 30 questions have situation in the question and four possible reactions in the option. You have to select the most practical and valid response as per your thinking. The next 30 however does not have any options. You have to think of a practical solution and write in the blank space.”

My brain was already feeling drained. It was as if all my inhibitions, my emotional barriers, my rationale about ethics and morale have broken and what was left was my raw character which was in no sense different from my personality. I was the real me answering those question. I had not done a single physical activity in the whole day, but I was feeling tired, tired in brain where it matters most. Suddenly officer announced the last test of the day.

“Candidates last test for the day is Self Appreciation Test, here you will be handed over a booklet and you have to write about yourself. The answer is supposed to be divided in following headings:
1. What your family thinks about you?
2. What your friends think about you?
3. What your teachers think about you?
4. What you think about yourself?”

This was weird we have to write an essay about our self. I completed the test somehow holding my nerves to be with me for few more moments and when it completed, I was psychologically drained.

At 4 PM Officer collected our answer sheets. The day however does not end that bad, he spoke “Candidates you have been through a tiring day today, tomorrow there will be no tests. You can go out and visit the locales of Banaras City. Have a Good Night” We all dispersed. Next day was an off day that meant our stay was extended by a day.

Next day I visited Sarnath with Amit, Gautam and Tenzong. The other guys also came in small groups. It was a great sight to see the great cultural heritage. Sitting on the ruins of what once have been a monastery or a palace, Gautam said “How will you jump across a 6 ft wall?”

I said “I will try to jump and hold and pull my body across.”
“You will not be able to.” He said. “Try This.” He started jogging towards a wall which was approximately 6 ft tall and instead of holding it with his palms; he landed on it by elbow and easily dragged his body to other side.
A gentle smile came to my face. Physical task was next.

To be continued…….