Territorial Army - Recruitment Ad

[spin_drift]

Ideally the gov should give tax breaks to private firms that allow their employees to join TA... I also work for private firm and i looked into it.. they (HR) just said in a very polite manner "No"

[full_circle]

After the initial rush of excitement wore off, I spoke to a friend who knows about the TA, the regular army and the functioning of both. Some points that readers might be interested to know-
1. The selection process - the candidate has to undergo a preliminary written examination (mostly GK), SSB, and fitness tests
2. The service duration - the limited duration service per year is on paper only, TA is treated more or less like a regular unit and volunteers (especially the infantry types) are expected to serve for any duration required. Given the current situation, including shortage of manpower, be prepared to be on duty for a long time, may be even a couple of years at a stretch. Obtaining discharge to civilian life can be a hassle, and may require some serious followup.
3. The service conditions - expect to be posted in picturesque locations, usually where it snows, but without much time for touristy things, or much regular external communications connectivity either. Pay, perks, promotion and responsibilities are more or less on par with the Indian Army (equivalent rank and seniority), but expect and be prepared for some step-child treatment.

I have time on my side (42 is not yet in range), I work for myself so I don't have to contend with a HR department, I know I want to volunteer, but I also know I can not be away two years right now. Lets see how this play unfolds.

[perfectionist1]

Thanks for the info full-circle.

I imagine, none of pvt firms will ever allow to go off duty for 1-2 years. Only establishments like Indian Railways can afford to do so.

This is hopeless situation.

[lakecity_shooter]

So does that mean an officer of Territorial army eligible to have a prohibited bore license ??????



was just wondering ! thought i should clear my doubts .

[lakecity_shooter]

What are the preperations one must do for the written exams and other tests conducted for TA ?????

[varunik]

For test,
GK and Aptitude based questions.

Maths too, maybe

For SSB,
Screening Test.
1. Practice IQ questions. The ones like finding the odd one out figure, or guessing the pattern,etc. You'll get enough practice if you do questions from Cracking the SSB Code from Arihant Publishers.
2. Get your mind into a positive note.
As the second test is PPDT, Picture Perception and Discussion Test.
A blurry or a not so clear picture will be shown. And you'll be asked to identify a main character, and 4 minutes are given to write a story related to the picture. Write a nice story, showing your main character as a practical hero. Practical means, no flying and super powers. One which acts systematically, and for good. 4 minutes are less, so you need practice. (Do not write a similar story as read by you from Arihant. Assessors know, each and every story. Try to be creative and write your own story)

Then you'll be called in a group of 12-17 candidates so that you guys draw a common story out of that picture. SPEAK! Here! Be among the top 3 speakers to make a mark as 3 officers will be observing you.
The idea is to check the shyness. So, speak! Participate in a healthy fashion. Do give others a chance later, but speak again.
If you speak 4-5 times with confidence, you have good chances.


Remember, only 40-30% are screened in.
Rest are sent back on day 1.


If you are screened in,
You'll be retained and PIQ (personal information questionare) are filled by you. Do not boast any hobby or activity!
Think and write. Only 3 hobbies/activities are to be filled. This will go to the interviewing officer (IO)
and try to be neat.
Day one done.
You'll get your new chest no, or as said by Duty NCO Kaka Singh of 14 SSB, you'll get your blouses

Day 2
Psychology Test.
There will 4 tests.
1. TAT, thematic appreciation test. The mother psych test. It'll tell the psychologist about you and the OLQs in you.

11 pictures would be shown to you, each after a gap of 4 mins. Again, practical, systematic stories with a positive outcome are desirable. No rape, murder, anger, anxiety should be there. The idea is, your hero in the story is you in real life. Your hero will do what you can. It shows how you think.
Practice is the key.
A 12 th slide is blank. Make your own story, from past achievements. Try bringing factors like teamwork,etc
Never copy a story from Arihant! And time shud be given importance as after 4 minutes the pic changes and remains there for 30 seconds only. Be careful, dont skip.

2.WAT, 60 words, 15 second each are flashed. Make a short statement of what you feel from this word.
Ex. Religion- It is a way of living

Efficiency- teamwork increases efficiency.
Again, do see some examples from Arihant, but never copy!!

3.SRT 60 situations are given, write a brief response. As it for 30 minutes. Try 30seconds each. Always aim to attempt atleast 50 SRTs
SRT= situation reaction test

4. SD
Self description, under 4 topics,
What my parents think of me
What my employer think of me
What my friend think of me
What I think of myself and thing I would change in my personality

Done for day 2

Go and see the city, go to places with other candidates. Dont sit idle.

Day 3
Two thing will happen.
GTO tasks and half of you will have interview.

GTO tasks
Groups of 8-10 are made.
1. Discussion
Two topics from current affairs will be asked to discuss among a group of 8-10.
Be the one among top 3 speakers. Look into eyes of others. Speak confidently. Speak at regular intervals. Bring new points to the discussion. This will happen if you keep urself updated. Discuss. Dont Argue.

Note, that this the 1st GTO task. So, GTO will give equal attention to everyone. But then he'll start filtering out. He'll see, who all are good. Then he'll pay more attention to them. So, try to be in his vision.

2. Group Planning Exercise.
A model or a map will be shown. And it will be explained by GTO, scale of map, cities, locations,etc. Hear him carefully. Record everything in your mind. Give a though to every word (ex. If he points out that Rampur is a fairly big village, you shud know that a phone or transport is available there)
Then he'll read a story. Like, you are a bunch of IT professionals, gone for picnic. In your way to corbett your car tyre punctured, just when you were thinking of what to do, a car overturned in front of you and there will be a series of problems hidden in the story. Then he'll ask you to write a solution. First you write your own solutions on a paper. Identify the real problems! And priorities! Injured need attention prior to a girl kidnapped! And if something like a villager to you and asked you to find his cow is written, its to confuse you! As it is not THAT important!
So you write problems according to priorities according to you on paper. Then resources like, car,etc. Then solution. Carefully plan your solution. Make teams and deply in a logical manner. Use hidden resources. Eg, you can use tyres of the over turned car in your car to get injured to hospital.
Then GTO ask the group to derive a common plan.
Try convincing others of your plan. But if if you hear a better plan, support it.
Do try to convince others of your plan, if you feel it is the best as your assertiveness is being checked.

3. PGT The real task! It is game of brain. How cool your mind is in difficult situation.
Its an obstacle course which needs to travelled with given materials. Arihant will explain it well. There are few YouTube videos too. Just search 'GTO tasks'. Leadership and problem solving abilities come out, and at the the end 2-3 max are doing. Rest just watch.

PGT and GPE can 50% clear your scene.


4.HGT group is devided into 2 groups and another obstacle is to be travelled. The idea is, to give that candidate a chance who could not convince group to follow his solutions in PGT.
Remember, if you couldn't perform in PGT, here is your chance! Rise up infront of GTO!!

5. Snake race.
4 GTOs come together and a race is held btw their groups.
Be supporting, and remain charged up. Help your teammates to win.

Day 3
Remaining GTO task and interview of remaini.g candidates

7. Individual task
It is not just a task of physical fitness, but bravery too.
''Take risks here, you wont die. Its your passion to get into army." this what I thought as I get shaky on height. And did it.
But almost all of will do it. So, its mostly of bravery.


8. Command task.
You have performing a group except individual task. And there was no said leader. So, GTO will make everyone one a leader by turn. Key: use resources intelligently

9. FGT
Final group task.
Just like PGT.


Interview
Well, just take a smiling face and be yourself. Keep calm
My interviewee, asked some stupid questions, and I panicked, gave wrong answer, thus givin a impression of lying. And here I am, siting at home.

Day 4
Conference.
Now, all the GTOs, IOs and Psychologists will sit together and compile results.
Candidates will be called one by one and asked routine questions. "how was your stay?", " Any suggestions"
Do NOT give any suggestions!
Understand that this system has been perfected over years of research.
And do not criticize facilities. Saying toilet seats were broken can give an expression that you cannot cooperate. Anyways, your result is already decided before you enter. You'll be asked only routine questions and not from Personal Interview
IF YOU are asked something, like, " have you told your friends about your love" or anything, or anything situation, you are a border line candidate! They are not clear about you!! Think, and give your answer! Do not contradict what you said in interview! This one question will decide.


Anyways, enjoy SSB! There's nothing like it!
If not selected, dont lose hope. People get in 10 attempts. Yours is first.
Just apply your mind.

Before, going, get a med check up
Knock knees, flat foor,wax in ears, eye sight, etc.
Get a LASIK, if required, then apply next year.
Even if you have some med problem. Give the SSB. Get recommended. Baki ram bharose.


If you want, take a one week course.

[Ravenn]

In case anyone is interested, the following group on Facebook is active regarding recruitment in the Territorial Army

https://www.facebook.com/groups/151758411316/