“There is a very thin line that separates difficulty from impossibility. If it’s difficult then it should be achieved. If it’s impossible then we can’t do anything. But there is nothing called impossible in Armed Forces” This is my first and important learning from Lt Col P BALASUBRAMANIAN (Shankars SSB Academy, Salem) sir.

Wanted to become a Train Driver (loco pilot) in 8^th standard so that I can travel all over India. Time had changed. Wanted to become Marine engineer so that I can earn so much money. Then I fell in love. Fell in love with uniformed services so that I can serve people. Then I wanted to become Sub Inspector in Tamil Nadu police. Then I found IPS is an elite position, so I had joined NCC. Then I found out what I really want. I found out the real purpose of my life at the age of 19. The Armed Forces. I had already missed NDA and TES. But I never regretted about it. I was enjoying my life as a civilian.

Started preparing for SSB in the final year of my college, but not so seriously. Started preparing for CDSE also with the help of my friend. Though she had nothing to do with SSB or CDSE She helped me study. I got screened out in my first SSB, Allahabad. That day every defence aspirant’s look said “Welcome to SSB”. I failed in CDSE too. Life became so difficult. My perception changed after the failures. Passion became stronger day after day. 2^nd screened out in Bengaluru. Then I found out my language, confidence level and preparation all were not good. Day and night worked for it. Joined TCS. Joined a public speaking club, Toastmasters, in TCS Pune.

Formed a team with other SSB aspirants in TCS and started discussing TAT, WAT, SRT. Got guidance from senior aspirants and officers. 3^rd and 4^th attempt Conference out. Nothing was working. Life again became tougher. I didn’t like the job there in TCS. If I had come out then I would be running out of source of income. My parents are farmers. They gave their best support. But I had to stand and fight for what I wanted, alone.

Luck favours the brave and hard worker. My last WAT on the recommended SSB. Having said that my senior told me about Sir’s coaching. Without second question I met Sir. Got clear idea about all the exams in an hour of discussion. But I wanted to attend the whole guidance. I went home. Studied and cleared the INET and AFCAT exams. Came again to Sir after three months.

Nine Days. Those Nine days were the most important eye opening days of my life with sir. I learned not only how to clear the Board Interview but also How to live as a leader. If there is something called third eye in the world then sir has opened mine. After all the guidance I felt the sense of responsibility to do things and worked hard from the day zero.

Waking up at 0500 hrs every day, doing all the day to day chores became my habit. Constant follow up with CA and other News, my vision became clearer. Mind became calm. Body felt confident. With all the OLQ’s being injected in my blood I had started behaving like an officer in a day to day life. I was not caring what others thought about me and my action. I followed personal and professional integrity. Honesty became another important virtue.

12 SSB Bengaluru. 20^th NOV 2019. The D-Day. All the 5 days I just performed what I had learned from sir. Nothing more or nothing less. On the day of conference I was called In. Dozens of eyes were watching me carefully inside. Heels up and wished the president. “What is the meaning of your name?” first question. “Why didn’t you appear for NDA?” Second question. “How was your stay and food?” third one. At last VP said “you may leave now”. No Discussions before and after calling me. I was like ”That’s it?”,”I have prepared a lot. You can ask me anything you want….”

At last Technical officer announced the result. My chest No was called first. Chest No 2. I was the weirdest person in the history I guess. Because I was not happy for two reason. One I knew that I will clear that time. Second, none of my friends was selected from my group. Because those five day I had stayed with them, I actually started feeling like they were my brothers, as sir taught.

Then my mind started thinking like what next…….Sword of Honour…….MARCOS…….Para Jump……….

So, once Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma said after scoring first double ton in Test “it’s just the beginning” and "I have not yet begun to fight!" from Captain John Paul Jones, now I have realised that SSB is just a test. Actually there is long way to go.

I would like to dedicate this recommendation to my parents,hard work, my never give up nature. The credits go to Lt Col P BALASUBRAMANIAN, Cap Vyas and all my brothers and sisters who helped me.

Lessons Learned Personally:

1. Follow a good leader or good guidance. But have your own style.
2. Follow your intuition. We all have OLQ’s in our day to day life.
3. Work hard. Don’t restrict your Aim. Start thinking about what you will do after SSB.
4. Never showcase yourself. Be absolutely honest to the Bluntness.
5. Have good friends with good intentions around you.

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PROFILE:

Name                :  TAMIL ARASAN K

Education         :  B.E (EEE)