Introduction
In the journey of life, rejection often feels like the end of the road. But for some, it’s only the beginning of a powerful transformation. In the context of SSB (Services Selection Board) interviews, countless candidates have faced rejection multiple times before finally earning their recommendation. This article delves into one such inspiring motivational story — of a candidate who turned his repeated failures into a powerful comeback and finally earned the badge of honour: Recommendation.
Aspirant’s Background
Meet Rohit Sharma (name changed for privacy), a determined aspirant from a small town in Uttar Pradesh. With a passion for the armed forces instilled since childhood, he had dreamt of joining the Indian Army through NDA and later CDS. Despite good academics, physical fitness, and GTO performance, Rohit faced three consecutive rejections in his SSB attempts.
Everyone around me started doubting my potential — but I held on.
The First Rejection – Reality Check
In his first attempt, Rohit appeared for the NDA SSB at 12 SSB Bangalore. While he cleared the screening, he was conference out after five days. His OLQs (Officer Like Qualities) were undeveloped, and he lacked self-awareness during the PI and SDT sessions.
Rather than being demotivated, Rohit took this as his wake-up call.
The Second Attempt – Better but Not Enough
With more preparation, Rohit went for his second SSB through the TES Entry. He improved in the GTO tasks and was more structured in the psychological tests. But once again, he faced rejection. This time, feedback from a senior officer during a guidance session made him realize his biggest gap:
You’re trying too hard to give ideal answers. We want honest, consistent personalities, not perfection.
The Turning Point
Rohit decided to work on his personality instead of rehearsed answers.
He joined a local theatre group to improve his communication, read biographies of military leaders to understand values, and started keeping a daily journal to reflect on his actions and thoughts.
He began treating every day as an opportunity to embody the values of an officer: leadership, responsibility, physical fitness, honesty, and calmness under pressure.
The Final Attempt – From Rejection to Recommendation
In his fourth attempt, Rohit went for the CDS SSB at 19 SSB Allahabad.
Here’s how he performed:
Screening: Confident narration and active group participation
Psychological Tests: Real, personal stories that reflected growth
Interview: Honest responses and clarity about his goal
GTO: Took initiative, motivated others, and maintained team spirit
Conference: Lasted 10 minutes, where the board asked about his transformation
On Day 5, his chest number was called. He had finally made it. Rohit was Recommended for the Indian Army.
Lessons from Rohit’s Journey
Rejection is feedback, not failure
Be honest in your responses; don’t chase perfection
Reflect, evolve, and align your personality with OLQs
Consistency in preparation builds confidence
Stay inspired and never give up
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Conclusion
Every failure carries the seed of a greater comeback. Rohit’s story is not just about SSB; it’s about never giving up, working on yourself, and trusting the process. For every aspirant who feels disheartened after a rejection — remember, your recommendation might be just one attempt away.
FAQs – Motivational Story: From Rejection to Recommendation
Q1. Can I get recommended in SSB after multiple rejections?
Yes, many candidates have been recommended after 3 to 5 rejections. What matters is personal growth and consistent effort.
Q2. How should I deal with rejection in SSB?
Analyze your performance honestly, seek feedback, improve weak areas, and keep working on your personality and confidence.
Q3. Is coaching necessary for SSB recommendation?
Not mandatory. Many candidates succeed through self-preparation, mock practice, and introspection. Coaching can help if it focuses on personality development.
Q4. How long does it take to get recommended in SSB?
It varies from person to person. Some succeed in their first attempt, while others may take multiple tries. Consistency and self-awareness are key.
Q5. What are the signs that I’m improving for SSB?
Better communication, logical thinking, teamwork, balanced confidence, and genuine answers in psych and PI are all good indicators of growth.
