Saturday 28 March 2015

INDIAN NAVY SSC-PILOT/OBSERVER ENTRY JAN 2016 BATCH

SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION- PILOT/ OBSERVER ENTRY BATCH-JAN-2016 Course commencing at Indian Naval Academy -Ezimala Kerala


DUTIES OF PILOT 
On completion of basic flying training and on award of wings after commission, you would have an opportunity to fly Fixed Wing Aircraft or helicopters. This could be from an aircraft carrier, other ship decks or from an airfield ashore. You would be flying machines at the cutting edge of technology. You would actively participate in all facets of Naval Operations, i.e Air, surface and sub-surface operations. An honourable, exciting & adventurous life awaits you as a pilot in the Navy.
 

DUTIES OF OBSERVER 
Observer officer operates various state of the art equipment including sonics, sonars, radars and communication equipment. Observer officer gets an opportunity to participate in all facets of naval operations onboard the " eyes of the fleet: the maritime Patrol aircraft.


Date of Commencement of Online Application:
28-03-2015
Last Date Of Online Submission of Application:
18-04-2015
Last Date Of Receipt of Online Application at Naval HeadQuarters :
28-04-2015




Branch/ Cadre
Basic Qualification
Stream
Minimum Percentage
SSC(OBS)
B.Tech
Any Discipline
55
SSC(OBS)
B.E
Any Discipline
55
SSC(PILOT)
B.Tech
Any Discipline
60
SSC(PILOT)
B.E
Any Discipline
60






Monday 23 March 2015

Assistant Commandant (General Duty) In Indian Coast Guard


Indian Coast Guard has invited applications for recruitment against the post of Assistant Commandant. Interested and willing candidates are advised to apply before March 26.
Name of the post: Assistant commandant
Pay scale: Eligible and willing candidates will be able to get a consolidated pay of Rs 15,600-39,100
Eligibility criteria
Educational qualification
The applicant should possess a Bachelor's degree with an aggregate of 60 per cent from a recognized university or institute. He should have studied mathematics and physics as subjects with 60 per cent aggregate marks in both subjects.
Age limit
The applicants should be born between July 1, 1990 to June 30, 1994
Selection Procedure
  • Candidates will be called for preliminary examination. The test will consist of mental ability test, cognitive aptitude test and picture perception and discussion list.
  • Candidates selected in preliminary test will be called for final selection which will consist of psychological test, group task and interview.
  • Selection will be based on the overall performance.
How to apply
  • Candidates can apply online between March 21 to March 26
  • Visit the official link joinindiancoastguard.gov.in and click onto opportunity button
  • Select the advertisement for Recruitment of Assistant Commandant General Duty Branch
  • Click 'I Agree' button to proceed to online registration
  • Enter the details as prescribed and carefully
  • Unique application/registration number will be provided to the candidate on submission
  • Click here for official notification.
  • Click here to apply online.

Sunday 22 March 2015

Good news for Commissioned Officers of India Army

Soon Commissioned Officers will become Colonel after 23 years of commissioned service.The proposal is pushed by Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag to improve the service condition.Almost 50% fails to get the privilege wearing the red collar tab.Many leave the service after completing obligatory service for pension(20 years) due to lack of promotion opportunities.Surely this step will motivate the officers to serve in long run.



MBBS Entry - Join Armed Forces Medical Services as an officer

Applications are invited from Indian citizens both male and female, who have passed their final MBBS (Part-I & II) examination in first or second attempt and completed internship for grant of Short Service Commission in the Armed Forces Medical Services. Applicants who have taken more than two chances in final MBBS (Part I& II) Examination are not eligible to apply.

VACANCIES: 400 (Four Hundred)

QUALIFICATION: The applicant must possess medical qualification included in First/Second Schedule or Part II of the Third Schedule of IMC Act 1956. The applicant must have permanent registration from any State Medical Council/MCI. Post graduate degree/ diploma holders e.g. MD/MS/MCh/DM/DNB/DLO/DOMS/DA may also apply.

Note: Only those candidates who have completed/will be completing their internship on or before 31 Mar 2015 need to apply.

AGE LIMIT: The candidate must not have attained 45 years of age as on 31 Dec 2015.

APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE (APF): A fee of Rs 200/- will be charged from the applicants towards application processing. The requisite amount is required to be paid at the end of the application submission through online payment (internet banking/credit card/debit card). No other mode of payment is acceptable.

REGISTRATION FOR ONLINE APPLICATION (www.amcsscentry.gov.in) WILL OPEN ON 09 MAR 2015 AND WILL CLOSE ON 31 MAR 2015

WAT-Word Association Test

Some matter on WAT(word association test) Day -2 Second test after TAT conducted by Psyc
SSB(Sab Sach Bol)-But be diplomatic in your approach

Basically in all the tests they are looking for:-

OLQ’s as

1. Effective intelligence- Head
2. Reasoning ability- Head
3. Organising ability- Head
4. Power of expression- Head

5. Social Adaptability-Heart
6. Co-operation- Heart
7. Sense of responsibility- Heart

8. Initiative- Gut
9. Self confidence-Gut
10 Speed of decision-Gut

11. Ability to influence the group- Heart
12. Liveliness- Heart

13. Determination- Legs
14. Courage-Legs
15. Stamina-Legs


Wat (word association test)

Imagination-Imagination creates foresight.
Truth-A truth is always victorious.
Early-An early riser is always a high riser in life.
Admire-To admire others is to motivate them.
Strong-Strong will power leads the way to success.
Curiosity-Curiosity builds knowledge.
Laughing-Laughing reflects a happy mind.
Sympathy-Sympathy projects kindness.
Character-character is the pillar of personality
Bind-Blind trust is created by the good leader.
Score-High score projects high achievements
Strict-Strict rules creates discipline.
Plan - Planning avoids various problems.
Hope - Hope removes all types of fears& doubts.
Uniform - We can’t buy the uniform, we have to earn it.
Brave - Brave always take the stand.
Mechanic - Mechanisation improves the system performance capacity.
Confidence - Confidence is the only key to success.
Action - Action always speaks louder than words.
Mother - Mother is the symbol of true love.
Mother - Mother teaches us the way to lead the life successful.
Save - Money saving is also a method of investment.
Drink - When we boil drinking water it becomes free from all types of bacteria.
Impossible - Proper planning of work makes it impossible to possible
Life - Life is full of joys& sorrows.
Fear - Brave don’t know the meaning of fear
Understand – Good Understanding is required for better relationship.
Heart - The heart is the pumping system of body.
Fit – Fitness is biggest wealth.
Good – The present inflation in Indian economy is good.
Playground - Eden Gardens is the biggest cricket playground of country.
Leader – Narender Modi is a mass leader of the country.
Time – The times planet is in New York.
Responsibility – We always bears family responsibility and forgets social responsibility.
Book – Books are the biggest source of knowledge.
Sword – The Army flag consists of two crossed swords.
Mountain – The Himalays is the highest mountain peak.
Leaf – The “last leaf” is a novel.
Will - The will power can solve any kind of problem.
Influence – The young generation influences the whole country.
Travel - Train is the cheapest mean of travel.
Poor - Help the poor
Fail – Proper planning avoids the failure
Think - Think before you act.
Problems – The problems should be analysed with multiple situations.
Save – The saving of rain water improves the ground water level.
Wine – The wines are made up of grapes used to cure minor ailments.
Whenever you come across any negative word, try to do it by hit and trial method as one of friend told me who is Major Indian Army.
Example -
Accident-precautions overcomes accident
Cruel-kindness removes cruelty.
Defeat-Courage overcomes sense of defeat.
Disaster- rehabilitation overcomes bad effect of natural disaster.
Bitter- sweet behaviour overcomes bitter behaviour.
And please keep in mind don’t use quote, dialogue and facts in sentences as they are considered as borrowed idea and don’t reflect any of your personality traits. 
Speed-Speed thrills but kills.
Pinch-Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches.
Sun-Sun rises from the east and sets in west.
In 60 words try to attempt all the words don’t leave the word in between whenever you do so it shows whenever you will get tough task you will escape from it. Try to keep in mind the sequence of the word as one missed word can ruin your all test as there are 60 blank lines.
That’s all from my side,to give a brief always try to put the above olq’s in the wat,practice ,practice and more practice is the only way to crack it. You can share the practice with me.
Don’t take tension be natural and surely you will sail through.
Mail me or message me for your any other queries.
Thanks,
Vikrant Vijayant Singh

SSB -Sab Sach Bol

For SSB aspirants

SRT (Situation Reaction Test)(Day-2 of SSB)
It is a Psychology test. It is conducted on Day 2 of SSB interview. As the name suggests, it is test of given situations & candidate’s reactions/response to those situations. Here candidates have to write their true responses in various types of situations given to them.
In Situation Reaction Test, a test booklet will be given to you. It will be having 60 situations/ SRTs. Time allotted is 30 minutes for 60 situations.
1. He/she was not selected for the college cricket team. He/she ………………
Reaction - He/she again practised hard & got selected in next trail.
2. The radio he/she got as a present from a relative was defective. He/she …………………….
Reaction - He /she asked to relative if it has warranty.
3. People generally disagreed with him/her. He/she …………
Reaction - He/she will find reasons of it and review himself.
4. His/her servant’s house had leaked in winter night & his family has fallen sick. He/she …………..
Reaction – He/she took them to hospital for treatment & later helped the servant in repairing the house.
5. On trekking his/her friend slipped in ditch. He/she …………..
Reaction - He/she quickly rolled down to him, throw a rope toward him & bring him to a safer place.
6. His captain was injured before a crucial match, he was asked to lead the team ? He ……
Reaction – He/she organised the team members & made a game plan & won the match.
7. He/she could not do well in his examination. He/she …………………
Reaction - He/she analysed his/her weakness, improved & did well in next examination.
8. His/her step mother was always rebuking & cursing him. He/she …………
Reaction – He/she never got serious to her words.
9. After a long route march, his step mother refused him to enter the house. He …………….
Reaction - He went to his friend’s house & next day talk to his father.
10. A night before the one act play of which he was hero, he fell ill. He ……
Reaction - he took medicine & practised for the play.
11. His father wants him to prepare for UPSC but he is interested in doing MBA. He …………….
Reaction – He talk to his father and make him understand that he is more interested in MBA & hence can do better in this field.
12. He/she was studying in his/her room at night time. Suddenly a snake appeared from the window. He/she ………..
Reaction – He/she searched for a long rod /bat and hit the snake on head & killed the snake.
13. He/she was walking on the road side and then he/she saw two guys were teasing a girl. He/she ……………
Reaction - He/she raised alarm & with the help of passer-by caught them & handover to police.
14. The pocket money he/she got was not sufficient. He/she …………………..
Reaction - He/she explained the requirement to his/her parents and asked them to increasing pocket money.
15. While playing in a ground, he/she saw a guy snatching away a lady’s chain. He/she ……………..
Reaction - He/she reach there quickly & with the help of other players caught him & handover to police

OLQ's


                     15 Officers Like Qualities (OLQ's

 Indian defence searches the candidates who have the maximum of the Officers like qualities in them.
There are 15 OLQ's , Officers like quality that are needed to become the officer in the Indian  Defence.

OLQ is divided into 4 factors which are described below.


Factor 1 : PLANNING AND ORGANISING


1 :Effective Intelligence :- It includes intelligently solving the problem by answering "WHAT","WHY" and "HOW" with "WHEN " and "WHERE".

2 : Reasoning Ability :- Everything you do should have a reason.

3 : Organising Ability :- It includes organising anything within the limited time with available resources for successful result .

4 : Power of Expression :- One should express himself accurately and clearly.

Factor 2 : SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT

5 : Social Adaptability :- It includes " How to deal with people to make environment stable ".
6 : Co-Operation :- Give and take policy .
7 : Sense of Responsibility :- To do everything with discipline and sense of duty.

Factor 3 : SOCIAL EFFECTIVENESS

8 : Initiative :- It requires an gut feeling .
9 : Self Confidence :- Always ready to speak in group .
10 : Speed of Decision :- Take any decision quickly and stick to it .
11 : Ability to Influence an Group :- It includes self belief , power of expression and knowledge .
12 : Liveliness :- Create peaceful waves in mind .

Factor 4 : DYNAMICS

13 : Determination :- Just do it ,no matter what .
14 : Courage :- Take the risk without fear .
15 : Stamina :- Physical and mental stamina .


So these are the 15 OLQ's that is needed in an officer .It is believed that these qualities are in everyone but the intensity may little lower and more .



SSB fair or unfair

SSB Fair or Unfair By Col DJS Chahal

Introduction
The selection processes at the SSB seems to be highly elusive and especially more so, after you feel you were quite good or better than another person at the SSB, who was found acceptable, while you were not recommended.
Clearly it defies all reasonable logic, and that is perhaps the beauty of the selection process, that it can beat superficiality through the science inbuilt into its design.
It is a highly scientific procedure that has so far never failed the forces in identifying the best, and that is why the armed forces are considered to the final bastion of the country that has repeatedly stood the test of time.
How the SSB Selection Process is VERY Fair?
Three different assessors are observing the responses of each candidate by applying their own technique, without in between interacting with one another regarding your performance, till such time the assessment is over and they meet at the Board Conference.
No single assessor has a veto power or the authority to reject or select a candidate. Many a times, the President of the Board (Brig/Maj Gen), who has interviewed the candidate, concedes to the young GTO (Maj/Lt Col), if he has found an aberration in the candidates’ personality.
The Psychologist checks you at the unconscious level (certain aspects of your personality that are hidden even from you, e.g. at present you cannot say how you would respond when you face live bullets during an operations, however, it would be possible to ascertain, to some extent with reasonable degree of accuracy, as how you would react by administering these tests).
The Interviewing Officer sees your responses at the sub-conscious level by checking out experiences of your life till the present date, and it has been proved through studies that you would exhibit similar behaviour pattern in the future as you would have exhibited in the past.
The GTO observes you at your conscious level by putting you through certain real to life challenges and your demonstrated behaviour will show him your true characteristics (it is said that if you want to gauge the true character of a person, you do not have to know him for years, but it can be vividly seen in just a game a soccer).
The candidates’ demonstrated performance is observed at the conscious, sub-conscious and un-conscious levels and hence, the scope of error of judgement is minimised.
Some aberrations that have come to light about an inept conduct of a cadet/officer latter in service life, usually occurs because we keep evolving for the good or worse throughout our lives depending upon the environment in which we exist. SSB selection process cannot be blamed for the same.
To explain my point of view, e.g. a candidate could not take the rigours of training and committed suicide, it was seen in the follow up investigation that the assessors at the SSB had mentioned in their Report that the candidate was somewhat stress prone, but they felt at the time of his SSB that his breakdown threshold was within the permissible limits. However, the prevailing environment at the academy was perhaps a notch higher than his tolerance limit and he took this extreme step.
Finally, the selection process is highly fair, because the decision to recommend or not recommend a candidate is not taken by one individual, all three assessors have one third contribution towards the end result and their findings are independent and without any pressure from anyone.
Why Some Candidates’ SEEMINGLY INFERIOR are Recommended?
Each candidate is being assessed for the same personality traits by each assessor by applying their own technique of testing independently.
A minimum desired level of these personality attributes (called OLQs) has been identified through research by the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR). The candidates’ are expected to posses these qualities at a level, which is above a minimum datum line in each of these personality attributes.
In a hypothetical case, let’s say a candidate is exceptionally good intellectually and physically. In these personality attributes he is much above the desired standards and hence, he appears to be the best in the lot. However, he himself also may not realise that he is exhibiting a superior attitude or has a kink in one of his social attributes, and that area of his personality is slightly below the datum line, and hence, he will not be found acceptable.
On the contrary, a candidate, who is average in all attribute, i.e. Intellectual, Social, Group Effectiveness and Dynamism, but is not exceptional in any of the said qualities, he will still be found fit, as he is not below the desired datum line in any attribute.
Therefore, when an ordinary person compares these to personalities, he/she obviously feels that the SSB has made a mistake in the recommendation process or it is biased.
What must be the Course of Action by Repeaters?
Never lose hope and feel defeated, take it as a challenge and make a strong resolve to clear the SSB next time. If you check the yearly statistics you will find out that the percentage of clearance of repeaters is far more than the fresher’s.
Sit down alone and run through the complete SSB process and make notes of everything that happened at the SSB in those five days. Identify your areas of improvement without trying to justify your failures.
Ideally, discuss with someone who is a qualified assessor from DIPR and who can help you with his experience to narrow down to specific traits of your personality that you need to improve.
Simply become conscious of those aspects of your personality in your day to day life and endeavour to slowly bring about changes in your thought process. That is why preparation for SSB must commence at least 2-3 months prior, so that you have enough time to make the desired changes in your thinking and approach towards life.
Candidates usually make the mistake of mindlessly practicing Psych tests, or GTO tasks or the interview without giving any relevance to the desired personality type at the SSB, their present personality type and the gap that needs to be covered through a targeted preparation before their next SSB.
Conclusion
In the conclusion I would like to say that the three techniques of testing are not important at all, as these are merely’ tools of testing’ in the hands of the assessors, “you are important”, so understand what is expected out of you and have a focussed methodology of preparation, which would logically be different for different candidates.
Once again I reiterate, know yourself before you commence preparation only then will you benefit from your hard work. They are expecting you to be a well informed, ground to earth, physically tough, mentally robust and socially pleasant person--------which is not a very tall order – Go for it!!

Upcoming SSB's

Tuesday 17 March 2015

OTA Chennai Passing Out Parade(POP) March 2015

OTA Chennai Passing Out Parade(POP) March 2015

SSC-99 and SSC(W)-13




GC to Lieutenant
Women cadets stole the show at the passing out parade at the Officers Training Academy for the SSC-99 and SSC(W)-13 course on Saturday, as 140 GC's and 39 LC's from around the country turned military officers after 11 months of training. 

The 'Sword of Honour' was awarded to M Anjana
from Ernakulam only the second lady officer in the Army to have won the prestigious ‘Sword of Honour’  who also bagged the ''Gold Medal'' for standing first in the overall order of merit. While the "Bronze Medal" went to Madhavi Rai.Anjana, 25, worked at a law firm after studying at the Government Law College in Mumbai. A trained Bharatnatyam dancer, she also holds a master's degree in fine arts. 

Another cadet from Meerut, Mukesh Kumar, who has been posted in the artillery unit at Kargil has a background in English Literature and loves the poetry of Mirza Ghalib. Kumar said, "From poetry and prose my life is now all about guns and cannons. I still cherish my love for poetry but my commitment is to the Army." 

Lieutenant General Sanjeev Madhok, General Officer, Commanding in Chief, Army Training Command; who reviewed the parade said the Army is in the midst of transformation and needs agile, adaptive leaders with a broad perspective and range of skills.He inspected the Guard of Honour.After the parade the cadets marched out from the hallowed precincts of the Parameshwaran Drill Square to the tune of 'Auld Lang Syne' (long, long ago). 

"Land, sea or air - I will go wherever ordered" - the young cadets took oath after the piping ceremony that saw their shoulder grow heavier by two stars that denote they are lieutenants now. Parents of the cadets turning officers watched with teary eyes and beaming pride, as their children were inducted into the Army. 

The officers will be posted at various army bases across the country where they will command troops of soldiers starting April 6. 


Six cadets were from friendly foreign countries including Seychelles, Tonga and Papua New Guinea.

The newly commissioned Lieutenants would be awarded Post Graduate Diploma in Defence Management and Strategic Studies by University of Madras.
 
Different Banners were given as follows to the companies:
  1. Chief Of Army Staff Banner – Naushera Company
  2. ARTRAC Banner – Kohima Company
  3. Commandant’s Banner  Meiktila Company


What goes into the making of an officer in the Indian Army?  

 by  Deepa Alaxander(The Hindu)14/03/15


It’s a golden afternoon at the Kulattur Reserve Forest on the fringes of Chennai. The searing sun casts a surreal glow on the clearing in the middle of nowhere. Assembled in camouflage uniforms are over 200 Gentleman Cadets (GC) and Lady Cadets (LC), their faces tired, limbs brown, bodies erect, despite the 17-kg backpack that holds battle gear and a five-kg rifle, and spirits upbeat. Maps are consulted, compasses aligned, and with deafening shouts of “Fighter! Fighter! Phillora”, the first of the seven companies that cadets are inducted into on joining the Officers Training Academy (OTA), begins its 40-km run through scrub jungle.

The navigational endurance exercise is the last of a four-day camp designed to never allow cadets more than a few minutes rest in bivouacs. “It is also the final leg of a training ritual that tests more than just fitness. The emphasis is on camaraderie and character — qualities that drive you to keep going when every instinct is to give up,” says Col. Renjy George, head of the training team, who oversees the action with his keen-eyed commanders.

Each company, named after a battle the Army has fought, has to carry out a timed run through the jungle, aided by a compass, map and radio set, and touch base with six checkpoints that offer just oral rehydration salts and a quick change of socks. But as the evening wears on and darkness and exhaustion set in, there are other dangers to contend with, such as snakes, blind wells and misread contours. When the race reaches the final leg, in the wee hours of the morning, the yells of encouragement and rasping groans rise to a crescendo. There is enthusiastic cheering among the winners; the losing company collapses dejectedly. A GC limps back, his buddy resolutely jogging under the combined weight of both their backpacks; an LC holds up her bleeding arm.

For over 52 years now, OTA has been one of Chennai’s best-kept secrets. Established in 1963 to train officers for Emergency Commission in the Army, it now trains those between 22 and 25 years for the Short Service Commission. It is also the only Academy, among the country’s four Army training establishments, which commissions women to be officers.
Standing at the bend of GST Road, at the foot of St. Thomas Mount, OTA marks its place in our city’s conscience perhaps twice a year, when the Passing-Out Parade is held or when one of its alumni, such as the late Maj. Mukund Varadarajan AC, is recognised for valour beyond the call of duty. Otherwise, the sagas of extraordinary resilience and unflagging energy that are written here in the 49 weeks it takes to earn a Lieutenant’s stars rarely filter through.

As the car wheezes its way up the metalled road to ‘Punishment Hill’, I see cadets run cross-country through the red mud path that spirals to the peak on the other side. Below lies the 750-acre Academy, its broad tree-lined avenues — filled with cadets cycling or walking in threes — branching off from the Ram Singh Dwar, named after its first Commandant, Brig. Ram Singh. The history of the Madras Presidency army echoes through the colonnaded verandahs of the White House, built in 1861, which serves as the headquarters and office of the Commandant, and Flag Staff House (1928), the residence of the Commandant, at present Lt. Gen. Ravindra Pratap Sahi AVSM.

The company barracks stand at the foot of the hill. Cadets reside in individual rooms and are subject to surprise kit inspections, but living in the barracks also fosters esprit-de-corps. Maj. Vineeth, a platoon commander in charge of training, says, “There are 70-80 cadets and four-five officers per company. Six foreign cadets are being commissioned this time. Each officer is closely involved with the cadets under him, from the time he or she wakes up to the time it’s lights out. Transforming a person from civvy street to being fighting fit, and pushing him to excel physically in Chennai’s sapping humidity is challenging. By the end of two terms, all cadets are on a par and the Army’s honour code is ingrained in them. Once in uniform, their economic, social and cultural barriers melt away.”

Across the road stands the grand Adyar Officers’ Mess built in 1815, at the end of the Napoleonic Wars. And everything on campus — the crest that hangs in the drill square, the cadets’ ties and the crockery — bears the colours of the Academy, steel grey and blood red. On it are emblazoned two cross-swords and Ashoka’s dharma chakra with the motto ‘Serve With Honour’.

Further afield lie the PT grounds, the drill square, the classrooms, the firing range and the games fields where another motto reigns — he who sweats, wins. A schedule of unmatched rigour begins with hooters blaring at the crack of dawn. Cadets line up in white T-shirts and shorts and, from a distance, it is difficult to tell a GC from an LC as all of them sport the ‘zero cut’ — a little more than an inch of hair on their heads. As the cadets shimmy up the vertical rope, monkey crawl on the horizontal one and perform leaps of faith across the ditch for the next 45 minutes, they are guided by a team of physical instructors, headed by the Physical Training Officer, Col. Sanjay. He says, “Through a scientific process we make cadets physically and mentally tough to take the stress of battle. They complete the Battle Proficiency and Efficiency Test and the confidence-building Assault Course. Reaction ability and mental grit cannot be taught in a gym.”

The drill instructor is often the cadet’s first window to military life. His no-nonsense demeanour and pace stick (resembling a divider) that measures length of pace while marching are enough to shake the lackadaisicalness out of cadets and mould them into Army shape.

It’s the day of the inter-company drill competition and the Academy resounds with the clash of rifle butts and flash of gilt-edged swords in a ceremonial spectacle of precision marching and parade commanding.

After a hurried breakfast at the Yoddha Cadets’ Mess where the portraits of Indian Presidents line the walls, cadets cycle to the Gaur Academic Block or to the Lecture Demonstration stands, where they study subjects ranging from military history and martial law to weapon training and science and warfare. When they graduate, apart from the President’s Commission, cadets also earn a PG Diploma in Defence and Strategic Studies from the University of Madras.

A little over a year ago, the senior-most cadet, Academy Under Officer Anjana M., a 25-year-old law graduate from Mumbai and a post-graduate in dance, was working in a glass-and-chrome office. But she swapped her black robes and long hair for the uniform. “My parents were thrilled. I’m a Judge Advocate-General entrant, so I will be able to continue a career in law. Having been a Bharatanatyam dancer for years, a zero cut was something I had to get used to,” she smiles. “But it makes tremendous sense, especially when you train in summer.”

City boy and Academy Cadet Adjutant S. Vignesh, an engineer, worked with a power plant company before signing up. “My family encouraged me. The day I got my zero cut I was elated — I knew I was on the path to becoming an officer. There is never a dull moment, as training is so structured and varied, and there are many club activities.”

On Sundays, cadets are given ‘liberty’ and issued out-passes. “I go home,” says Vignesh. “But many prefer to ready their dresses or clean their weapons.”

As important as the military skills, are the indefinable virtues that go into making an officer and a gentleman — leadership potential and the courage to lead in battle. For that, the cadets draw inspiration from the Academy’s numerous alumni — from Maj. R. Parameshwaran PVC who continues to live on in the drill square named after him to Lt. N. Parthiban KC after whom the gym is named.

Their valour is remembered at the moving memorial service where officers, cadets and relatives of martyrs lay wreaths. And so, while the Last Post echoes from the buglers atop P Hill, and silent tears roll down cheeks, cadets pray for the same fortitude when tested in the “forge of battle”.

This morning at the Passing-Out Parade, as cadets slow-march towards the Antim Pag (Final Step), in a shower of rose petals to the tune of ‘Auld Lang Syne’, it will mark more than a rite of passage from cadet to officer. As their boots glide in quiet synchrony and the stars ride up their epaulettes, they can look back with pride at having outlasted the most challenging education money cannot buy.   

Lt. Gen. R.P. Sahi AVSM, Commandant, OTA, on building warriors for tomorrow’s battlefields:

Nature of training: Our aim is to create proficient leaders, but the methodology and content of training have changed to keep pace with technology and the way wars are now fought. Many join the Academy after having pursued a different profession; therefore, they are more aware and mature. But there is a definitive fall in physical capability, and our training has been moulded accordingly so that they accomplish the expected standards in a shorter time-frame.

The Lady Cadet: Donning the uniform has been a dream for all of them; many have defied the wishes of their families to join.

Vacancies are restricted to approximately 40 LCs and only the cream is chosen.

The curriculum: It covers every aspect of soldiering, including battle inoculation, and ensures that cadets are well acquainted with every kind of terrain and operation they are likely to encounter.

Choice of regiment: Cadets fill in three choices for allotment of arms and services. We endeavour to honour individual choice — 90 per cent of cadets get their first or second choice — but organisational interest is primary.

Merit and parental claim, where any cadet whose father has been the Commanding Officer or Subedar Major of a unit wishes to join the same, are also considered.

Exchange programmes: A robust cadet exchange programme exists with a number of pre-commission training academies in the U.K., Australia, Thailand, Bangladesh and Singapore.

Access to public: The Academy accepts requests for visits by educational institutions and permits students to witness ceremonial parades.

In the PT grounds, the drill square, the classrooms, the firing range and the games fields another motto reigns — he who sweats, wins


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