Page 74 - Graphic1

SSB | 65

exclusive feature of the selection policy of the officer cadre in the Armed Forces. Living in group
and achievement through group efforts are the distinguished characteristics of the Armed Forces.
The troops derive the emotional succour and strength through group affiliation only. Besides this,
group norms and values provide the Forces a cause to live and die. A loner or eccentric person is
totally misfit in the officer cadre. Leader and leadership both are the parameter of a crisis leader.
The situation are created in such a way that the group has got no alternate except to throw its
leader up.
Now we will see the qualities in detail.
Individual Qualities

Intellectual Factor—Strength of intellectual faculty is very essential to solve any problem. It
is often heard among common public that the Army does not need intelligent persons. Sometimes,
even intellectuals misconceive and propagate this notion. As per common belief, intelligence is
associated only with academic ability and academic achievement. A non-achiever in the academic
field is not considered intelligent. SSB is neither subjective nor objective but it is a purely
projective technique, therefore whosoever will project nicely will get through only.
Armed Forces take the concept of intelligence in totality. Academic achievement reflects on
intelligence of a person in a limited way. Emotional intelligence, Social intelligence and Effective
intelligence are the other areas where intelligence expresses itself. Emotional intelligence helps a person
respond better in face of hurdles, failures, rejections and disapproval. In the above mentioned profile of
a military officer, it is associated with the Dynamism (Factor IV). Social intelligence makes a person
interact with others according to norms and situational requirements. Social situations sometimes
put great adjective demands on individuals where a wrong decision can lead to conflicts and
disharmony. It helps in social adjustment and hence is associated with the second Factor of an
officer’s profile.
I will cite an example quoting the third demand of the system, whereas the selection system does put
‘4’ demands. These demands should be met in a proportionate manner, nothing less or more. The third
demand is laid down as here under—
“One should have the capacity to care, share and command, at the same time he should or must turn
to be an authoritarian when situation demands.”
Associated with the first Factor is the Effective Intelligence. Besides Effective Intelligence,
Reasoning Ability, Organising Ability and Power of Expression are included in this factor. We will
understand these factors and their role in problem solving behaviour or the crisis management in the
succeeding lines.
Effective Intelligence is utilised in coping with practical situations of varying complexity.
Which subjects are to be selected at college, how to manage reservation for a long journey,
selection of a life partner, how to manage transfer at a desired place, how to substitute or replace
a missing or non- functional part of a machine, how to transport heavy bulk of household on
change of accommodation are a few examples of problems faced by any person in the routine of
his life.

In combat situation how to fox, outsmart or surprise the enemy is the primary professional
requirement. People having high academic or basic intelligence may not be able to produce solutions in
practical situations. Level of academic qualifications has hardly got any relation with this. Effective
Intelligence is related with the heat and dust of life.
You must have heard of some ‘intelligent fools’. Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq is the famous historical
example of an ‘intelligent fool’. Intelligent fools see only one side of the situation. An intelligent
person, in our context takes total view of the situation. According to one Sanskrit proverb
‘shastravadhityapi bhavanti moorkhah’. It means in spite of having read the shastras some people
remain blockheads. Renowned the world over. Panchatantra is basically a collection of stories to prove
the point that one may not be wise by merely reading the text-books. Some parents overstress the