The changing nature of the SSBs

It has been a long time since I last wrote on the portal. Nevertheless, I hope I have not lost my writing skill and will try presenting something unique to all of you. It is the changing nature of the SSBs.

The world is undergoing a transformation, and so is out motherland. Gone are the days of subsistence where we were trying to recover from the rashes left from the disease called “colonialism”. Realistically speaking, we are a strong regional power, and an aspiring global power. The decade that we are in has a lot to change in the power matrix of India. We will be far ahead in 2031, compared to where we stand today. But before I talk about the future, let me talk a little about the past.

Note: In the lines that follow, the term state does not refer to the provincial government, but to the Nation as we understand it as of now. Since nation-state is a very new concept, hence I am using the older and more precise term ‘State’ for the purpose of writing. Also, this is going to be a long piece. So….

India has a long history, with a strong civilization history involving political developments and wars. We have seen the map of India evolving to its current structure in a brief history of around 5000 years. In fact, the clarity about the national boundaries comes only by the latter part of first millennium. Now you must be thinking that I am crazy as I started about the SSBs and came to the ancient history, but bear with me for some time and you will realize the point that I am to make.

If we ignore the clarity around the geographical extent of the boundaries of the state, we come to the second most important thing: the administration. The administration of the times was heavily tilted towards the military. Government was to defend the boundaries of the state and to deliver justice (by violent means mostly). In both these purposes, the military officers of the state had a key role to play. Time passed by and welfare state became a prominent idea in the state during reign of Ashoka (Such a shame that we believe that the idea of Welfare state is a western concept. It was Ashoka’s transformation in the aftermath of Kalinga war that started the idea of welfare state).

Next 1500 years in India were marred with ferocious wars amid different types of powers. Then came the Brits, who had a military based on the modern equipment. They colonized India, exploited us, and created their own setup of the Army. Indian army of the modern times draws roots from this time. These were the times that saw active military adventures and capture of land and resources. Wars were fought actively, and military officers were handsomely rewarded. Lord Clive, Lord Cornwallis, and any other “Lords” were primarily a military personnel of sorts. They had other roles as well, but military roles were a prominent part of their resumes. The role of the military at the time was to curb any revolutionary activity, and also to protect the colonial interests from foreign attacks.

When Brits left India, they broke us into two parts. Pakistan was created by taking land from India. Its only goal is to take more territory from India. They have not been able to move on so far. This has made them a pain in the head for us. At the same time they wedded USA and tried to corner us. We decided not to join any war faction at that time, but Pakistan aligning with USA left no choice to us. We had to shake hands with Russia. At the same time, Pakistan was in bed with China, trying to get it involved with the USA. China’s attack on India, its nuclear tests etc heavily changed the security landscape of the region. India had to upgrade its military.

Now the role of the Indian Military was to protect India from two fronts. We needed officers who are fierce, and who can take charge of any situation and make the sun rise upon us. We got great leaders in the time who sailed us through such tough times.

Then in later 1980s, insurgencies became rampant in the J&K region. At the same time there was an increase in the insurgent actions in North-Eastern India. It was all because of some fanatic’s thousand cuts policy. Lest he forgot an old Indian saying: “सौ सुनार की एक लोहार की”, case in point being liberation of a nation. Coming back to the discussion, the military was also required to conduct operations on our own land, and in some cases against our own people. Initially this was handled with an Iron fist approach, but later some modifications were made to remain accommodating. Men of composure were sent to tackle the situation.

In this nuclear century that we are present now, we have active conflicts with two of our nuclear powered neighbors. One of them acts on its whims and fancies, while other is a potential rogue state. The former had launched a provocative action on the northern frontier in a manner that was totally uncalled for. It was a move at a time when the world was grappled with COVID-19. Inhumanity at its peak, especially given the fact that the pandemic is said to be a child of the dragon. We had to make deployments on the area, but what kind of officers do we need for this task? Do we need hot-heads, or chill-dudes? The answer to what kind of officer should we send on the ground is also the answer to what are the SSBs looking for in you.

So a hot-head would barge in with all his guns and try to achieve the objective. On the other hand, the chill-dude sits in his barrack, thinks of a plan which is better than the enemy’s plan. Which one would accomplish the task? None. While the former will do more damage than gains, the latter would simply not be able to act in time. There has to be a balance, a middle path to this question, which shall accomplish the task and remain cool in doing so. Someone who plans meticulously, and yet acts firmly and promptly.

The SSBs are looking for someone who stands in the middle of this continuum. I have seen many aspirants quarreling about what is an OLQ and what is not. Let me present to you a new perspective to this. Consider some traits as firm, and others as flexible. Some as inherent, others as trainable. Once you have done that, think of what can you eliminate. Supposedly, there is dominance, and there is submission. Can you lead a life by eliminating either of these? Can you be dominant on your superiors, and can you be submissive to your peers and subordinates?

This is the delicate balance that SSBs seek in you. While training in the Air Force Academy, we were made to learn a simple value: Right Rig, Right Place, Right Time. Leave the right rig part, and the remaining two apply to anything and everything in your life. You need to be emotional: Well be emotional at the right place and at right time. Do you want to fight a war: Well, do it at right place and at right time. Whatever be it, right place and right time is all that matters.

Every OLQ has its importance in right place, and at right time. I believe that no value falls outside the circle of OLQ if conducted at right place and right time. No value can be considered an OLQ if conducted at wrong place and wrong time.

The reason for delivering such a long lecture on history of forces was to draw your attention to the basic fact that the role of military is changing. Right place, Right time. Choose your values wisely when conducting yourself in day to day life, as values can not be inculcated overnight. It takes a long time. Think of what are the traits that your service desires, and what are the OLQs that you need to work upon.

Another important thing I want to say: Stop running around seeking help. Help yourself. The last thing military wants is an officer who is not sure of him/herself and needs someone to handhold them forever. Seek help only when you have tried hard on your own, but to no avail. This one simple thing will make you improve upon yourself a lot. It will open the parts of your personality that you have never explored before.

Last, do not give up. We fight to our last breath, and the word fight is not restricted to assault. It could mean anything. Family pressure, personal issues, professional challenges, resource crunch, and what not; everyone – barring a few – faces some or more of these challenges. Iron has to be molten in harsh temperature if it is to be rust free. It has no other option. It is up to you to make something of yourself, or continue cribbing and pity yourself.

I hope this article guides you in your preparation ahead. Do write your comments about the article in the comment box below. Good luck, and until next time…