From filling the form of the exam to preparing for it, giving the written exam, going to SSB, medical, and in the end the merit list – elimination is there at every stage and it sends you back to 6 months. A few of them get the recommendation again and again but get merit out while some of the struggles even to get the screen in.

Below are some ways through which we can approach like-minded aspirants and may be able to form a circle where we can practice things that will sharpen our soldierly instincts in any kind of situation.

1. Some specific topics to look for would be; learning how to make a fire, find appropriate shelter, learn how to identify edible plants and avoid toxic ones. Also, navigation skills, dead reckoning, use a compass, how to read a map, and how to use the stars to navigate at night. Hand to hand combat could be learned from any martial arts school. There are many tutorials on YouTube. However, these techniques are very risky to use against someone armed.

2. Operating as part of a team within a team within a team etc. is something that can’t really be put into a book, especially not in general ways that can easily be applied to specific sorts of situations. That’s why to focus more on the sports part and especially team sports.

3. Go join the National Cadet Corps as a lot of basic soldiering skills are found in NCC. The NCC fraternity is one of the widest networks of people from all walks of life with all kinds of knowledge. You’re bound to run into people who are very keen on soldiering and could teach you a thing or two.

4. Join a structure that will force you to learn to work with a team. There are no individuals in military only components and those makeup teams. Unless you think you are some kind of mind expert who can work on his own, learn the team concept. Then, and only then once you have done that you can you look into leadership roles.

5. Keeping aside the physical part, let’s see the mental one. In the short period of training, soldiers undergoing Special Forces training had to pass through a steep learning curve. As soon as the training begins, the comfort zone of his friends, family and the ambience is taken away from him. He is on his own, practically. You will have to learn this part through your daily routine.

6. Life is similar to an endless battle and conflict, and you cannot fight effectively unless you learn to analyse it and identify your problems. Whenever you are in an adverse situation, do not waste precious time dreaming of the future or thinking of the past. Instead — Place yourself in a corner, where your back is against the wall and you have to fight like hell to get out alive. Know your weaknesses, and work on them.

7. Strength and conditioning are not just for the soldier. There’s too much involved not only physically but mentally that you can only learn being a soldier. Being a Soldier is not only about being physically fit. Anyone can do push-ups, sit-ups, flutter kicks, burpees etc. to train. You can eat like a Soldier and have a good diet. The physical part anyone can train for and at times surpasses the ability of some soldiers serving actively. However, this is just a small part of being a Soldier.

8. Being a Soldier takes a lot of Discipline. You need to understand and know that you can’t put your hands in your pocket, walk and talk on a smartphone or smoking a cigarette. Always walk to the left of the higher rank. Stand tall not slouched; hats come off indoors, know the rules of PDA, and above all, maintain the mental strength a soldier needs to possess.

9. It’s not just about knowing how to shoot well, ruck miles, push more, keep cool under severe pressure like a firefight. There are ways a soldier in the army can pick out another soldier or veteran just by seeing how they walk, talk, act, and discipline they have. Without someone on you constantly watching every move and correcting you with every mistake you won’t be able to gain the proficiency to maintain the mental strength and sometimes physical strength you need.

10. You all must be aware of the famous speech delivered by Admiral William H. McRaven of US Navy as the commencement address to the graduates of The University of Texas at Austin on May 17, 2014. The following is an excerpt from that speech that describes the relevance of doing small tasks in your routine as they can change your perspective about the things i.e., psychology. I hope the message must have been clear and loud for every defence aspirant. You can listen to the full speech on YouTube to sustain daily motivation.

11. There are many activities and actions that we do in our daily life and many of them are done just for the sake of it. If we can bring that neatness and perfection that is expected from a cadet in the academy, then you can practice self-discipline that will result in better performance and execution of tasks.

12. Sticking to a routine or morning exercise can improve your determination and give you a sense of satisfaction when you achieve your goal for the day. Remember that you need to create a first impression on everyone whom you meet and for that you should be looking presentable. Your physical fitness along with immaculate dressing sense tells a lot about you as a person.

13. Adaptability is the one main habit or rather characteristic that a defence aspirant should always practice. If you are opting for armed forces life then you should be aware that there is a vast difference between the life of comfort back at home and a strenuous and demanding life at the academy. Everything will demand you to overcome and adapt. Moreover, it will require you to grasp and learn things quickly.

14. The key here is to be enthusiastic to learn new things and try to learn them through innovative ways. You should be ready for challenges by accepting everything in its most brutal form and tackle it with your leadership.

15. You need to understand the basic rationale to become a good decision maker through your daily habits. Each thing that we do and each action that we perform needs a decision and this decision should come from a practical and logical mind. You should ensure that the decision is backed with substantial reasons and that comes from patience, calmness and composure.

Being a Soldier means giving up everything in your life for that title.

You can prepare for defence entrance exams such as NDA, AFCAT, INET, and CDS by taking Written Online courses as they will not only give you access to full-length quality lectures but will also provide the facility to take standardized mock tests for better study and strategic growth in the exam. You can take multiple quizzes after each lesson to ensure the full understanding of the subject along with creating your customized lesson plans. You can check out the course content along with other important specifics at SSBCrack exams.

You can also access them through the SSBCrack Exams app available in the google play store.

Jai Hind