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Definitely, Certainly and Absolutely YES.I have been an RN for 30 years. I went straight to Nursing School and got my BSN Degree shortly after high school and in my career all over the world. There is one patient and family that still haunts me sometimes.Let me share a story.I had a 65 years old patient who was a military veteran. After the military he went to be an investment broker and earned his money from there. He is a respected man. One day after eating a heavy lunch, he suddenly fall down hit his head on the side of the table and feel down. He was awake but cannot speak but saliva is drooling of his mouth and it started to foam. They call 911 but the response time was 30 minutes.He was immediately diagnosed as a massive subdural hemorrhagic stroke. They tried to release the pressure in his head and drained some blood to relieve pressure. The NeuroSurgeon inserted a Ventriculostomy to measure the ICP which in layman’s term means measuring the pressure inside the brain. He never woke up from his coma. The patient was intubated for his breathing and an oral tube to give medicine and tube feedings.We called the family and the wife and 4 children came the eldest was 42 and youngest is 22. The Doctor spoke to them honestly that it’s not good. His brain was without oxygen for 30 minutes. I then ask, does he have a will? They all looked at me as if I became a Unicorn and they all said what? I said, a will or directives on how we go from here. The wife said no he doesn’t but I will ask his lawyer. 3 hours later they come back and said no will or advance directives. So, I ask them if he coded how do you want us to proceed? They all said do everything, I let the wife sign the form and they all left.Fast forward 1 1/2 months later, the patient coded 4X but he always came back with heartbeats but it’s low. So we put him in all kinds of drip to keep him alive but the scan and EEG confirmed he is totally brain dead. These happened around the end of the month the 30th. I told him of all my assessments, lab and scan results. He looked at me and said let’s call the family and a Case Manager and the Ethics committee. I arranged it at 1pm that day. So, we all went to the Conference Room.The Doctor started the meeting and I was looking at all of them they really looked the part of rich kids. In the 1 1/2 months we have the patient they never visited nor called about their father and the wife called every other day. So, all of us in the team told them what’s up. I told them and reinforced the Doctors findings and I told them His brain is totally brain dead and there is no hope for recovery. He is only alive because of all the medications he is on. And that it’s only the epinephrine, dopamine, dobutamine that’s keeping him alive. I told them he is in terrible pain. They all said still on full code and do whatever it takes to keep him alive. The patient does not have a will. So, the wife is automatically the designated decision maker but it’s very obvious that the children are making the decisions for her as she just nodded her head.So the brutally honest person that I am. I asked them tactfully and respectfully and asked why? They pretended not to hear me. So, I spoke louder and said why are you all doing this? He is there in that hospital bed because of the life saving medications. And it’s cruel to keep pumping that chest to push blood in a brain dead person. Everyone looked at me and I said give me one real reason please, why are we doing this and the Doctor concurred with me that he is basically dead.So, finally the eldest son admittedly said, please keep him alive until the 5th the following month. And I asked why? He looked uncomfortable but said anyway that it’s due to the date that our Dad’s pension and lump sump payment of $5mil and the monthly $50 thousand dollars that he gets monthly from the military and his other investments. But he needs to still “be alive” until the morning of the 6th. Because the money and everything is direct deposited to his account on the 5th so we can have it. One mil for each of us. They all nodded their heads as if they are convincing me to agree.So I said, I am not talking to you as a Nurse or the Director of this ICU Unit. I am speaking to you as a fellow human being. This is so horrendously despicable You will let your father suffer For 6 more days so all of you can have the money? I was literally shaking but I remained composed. The youngest daughter said please understand us. So.I said there is nothing for me to understand. The Doctor let them signed a paper stating their father, the patient be disconnected from the tube at 0800 on the 6th. Since, he doesn’t have a will we cannot do anything. Even the ethics department said their hands are tied.I took care of that old man who was just kept alive by medications and ventilator. It seems like forever but on the 6th the following month. The son told us via phone to take him off now. I said you got everything you need from him? He unabashedly said YES. And thank me. I said for what? for being understanding he said. It’s not my issue. You deal with this if you believe in God. Are you all coming to see one last time. He said no the funeral people will come to cremate him. We are on our way to a Cruise. I said how about your siblings, he said all of us are going. I can’t help myself and said it must be nice to have One million each right? And he said pls understand. I said yes. I understand perfectly. Enjoy your cruise.We took the ventilator on the 6th at 0900 am to be safe said the oldest son. My patient died within 3 mins of stopping all medicine and disconnected to the tube. I will never forget these people for their heartless greedy humans.So please take this as a thought to ponder. Make a will both for medical end of life issues and your finances to the strictest instructions and details on what you want done when you cannot make a decision on your own. Make it iron clad will.Also I know it’s morbid but I am a Nurse and have seen these things happen a lot. Make your end of life decisions clear. To both of you if you are married. We all know we are going to die someday make it in both your wishes and terms.So. please take this to heart. And think hard. Take control of everything starting now. Have faith in God this part is for the Christians.

Caution: This answer is extremely long. Seriously, even longer than my other answer in which I have described my previous SSB experience. That one had only 4.7K words (you can find it here How was your experience in SSB, Bhopal? ) while this one has 10.2 K words. Grab a Coke, open a bag of chips and settle down for a virtual SSB experience.Entry: SSC NT-108 (OTA), via Combined Defence Services exam - II, 2017.Centre: Selection Centre Central, Bhopal.Date: 3 June, 2018 - 7 June, 2018.Board: 22 SSBDay 0 - Reporting - 2 June 2018I assembled outside Platform No. 6 of Bhopal Junction and saw a veritable sea of candidates which included gentlemen as well as ladies and their parents. Now, I have appeared for SSB many times before, but this was the first time I had encountered lady candidates in their natural habitat so I naturally began observing them casually. Apart from talking, it seemed like the only sensible thing to do to pass time in the oppressive heat as there was no sign of the army bus. Some ladies seemed a bit nervous, others looked confident while a few tried to look confident. I overheard a lady candidate spouting off about the difficulty levels of different exams in English in an accent which sounded like someone had mishmashed the American accent, Estuarine accent and the Scottish accent into a hybrid Creole accent. Amused, I moved on and saw some concerned parents fussing over their daughter (a candidate) and giving tips and advice. Near the stalls vending snacks and water bottles, I spied a group of gentlemen discussing about the SSB. They seemed more amiable than the others so I joined them and began conversing with them. You know how the unofficial protocol on Omegle chat is to start with “ASL ?” meaning Age, Sex and Location. It’s somewhat similar here, except instead of ASL, the candidates ask each other Fresher/Repeater/Screen-Out.After what seemed like half an eternity the army bus arrived and I heaved a sigh of relief. With the bus I saw an NCO with receding hair and dressed in camouflage uniform arriving to brief us. With a gleam of recognition I saw the familiar face of the NCO uncle who had scolded me last time for leaving a window open in the army bus after the candidates had alighted from it. As usual he was directing the candidates to deposit the luggage on top of the bus. Fond memories arrived, tinged with a strong feeling of déjà vu; for a moment I hoped that this SSB experience would be as fun as the last one. I didn’t know at that time, but I was wrong. In no time the bus had been packed to capacity and we had no option to board the bus anymore. A different NCO directed seven of us to an Army Gypsy. The thought of going to the Selection Centre premises in an Army Gypsy like a boss got me cheered up. For two seconds. Then the NCO told two candidates to return to the bus because the gypsy couldn’t accommodate anymore people. Unfortunately those two candidates included me. My happiness was brutally dashed to the ground and I asked the familiar NCO uncle what were our options. He gave us two options:We could wait for an hour for the bus, hop on and reach the centre. But we wouldn’t get time to rest because they would begin the introductory address at 1600 hours, which would be the time around which the bus would reach the centre premises.We could hire an auto or a cab and reach the centre. Although we would have to pay for it from our pocket, we could reach there in good time, in fact we would reach the centre earlier than the army bus in its current trip. We would get plenty of time to freshen up and rest too.No points for guessing which option I took. We stopped for a bit on the way to relax and have a bottle or two of Coke. Eventually I reached the Sultania Infantry Lines and saw the pair of T17E1 Staghound Armored Cars accompanied by field guns on the opposite side of the road.Note: I had mistakenly mentioned Vijayant main battle tanks in my answer regarding my SSB experience in Bhopal in September 2017. Dear reader, if you’ve read that answer, I must notify you that I have rectified the error. If you haven’t read that one, well, feel free to ignore this note. Also, I’ll be using the military code names of all the service personnel for security reasons.I entered the gate, took out my call-up letter and the Aadhaar card and showed it to the guard. By then the army bus had arrived and candidates started pouring out of the bus in a rushing flow of humanity and for a while the air was saturated with the sound of rolling wheels of the travel bags and footsteps, tinged with the white noise of the sound of lots of people having multiple conversations simultaneously. I was taking out the hard copy of my call-up letter which had been delivered to me via Indian Post when a cute girl in red and white check-patterned shirt and blue jeans came and asked me my batch and entry. I told her that the batch number would be provided afterwards to those candidates who get screened in, and mine was the CDS entry. “Yours is also for OTA, right ?” she asked. “Ji” (Yes), I replied. She stood there rummaging through her document file while I pondered over whether I should ask for her name and number ( What ? She was pretty !), but then I copped-out and decided I would do that later in the evening. I left for the male queue.Big mistake.As soon as we assembled outside the Manekshaw Hall for our document testing, our CHM sir, Company Havildar Major Romeo Sierra (who incidentally has the same military phonetic codename as mine) briefed us and strictly warned us not to talk to the lady candidates, at any cost.That red-white check shirt girl had initiated the conversation with me, perhaps that is allowed. All I need to do is ask for her mobile number and I’ll do the talking after the SSB.CHM sir: “Even if a lady candidate comes to you and asks for tips or anything, you will not talk to her. Staff will be observing you lot and if anyone is seen talking with a lady candidate, even for a second, his chest number will be immediately noted down and his candidature cancelled the very day. I don’t care even if you’ve been recommended, immediate cancellation of candidature is in store for you, so watch out.Bloody hell, does he read minds ? *suddenly* There, a terrorist ! Everyone, duck !!CHM sir: “Have you clearly understood what I said?”Whew ! He can’t read minds ! And a good thing too, or my candidature would’ve been cancelled by nightfall.Me: “Yes sir !”The Document Verification (DV) started and the freshers were processed first, followed by the repeaters of 22 SSB, which meant that I had to go the topi-wale-uncle (cap-wearing-uncle), a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) for DV. He asked me for my CDS Admit Card which I didn’t have at the moment. I had left it somewhere in Bengaluru where I had taken my CDS exam and despite having a printer I couldn’t be bothered to print an extra copy. So the JCO uncle refused to process me and told me to stand aside.What the hell, they didn’t ask for my CDS Admit Card last time, just the UPSC roll number. Besides, they have specified in the Call-Up letter that it’s not mandatory. Why is he refusing to process me then ?I went to Kilo sir and asked his permission to go to the E-Classroom and print out a new admit card. With utmost nonchalance he said “भई रुक जा पाँच मिनट, टेंशन मत ले” [Translation: Wait a bit man, don’t worry.]Great, now I have to stand and wait for all the candidates to get processed before my turn comes.A note about Kilo sir. He is an NCO attached to 22 SSB. I knew him from my time in my previous SSB at Bhopal where I was in 22 SSB. This time I was alloted to, well, 22 SSB again. Kilo sir is the most chilled-out person I’ve ever met. Readers who have been in 22 SSB anytime in the past three years will immediately know whom I’m talking about. I had good rapport with him and during the document verification I was asked and I told him that I had been in 22 SSB last time too, and he instantly warmed up.My future roomie and homie Shashank Sharma (15) was also standing beside me, although I didn’t know it at that time (We didn’t talk until after getting screened in). His was a different sort of issue, perhaps regarding an affidavit due to some name mismatch or something. So there I was, cursing myself for not printing one page and now having to stand and wait with erring candidates to get our document verified when out of blue the JCO uncle called me and told me to pick up my file. They had expected some of us to be without our admit cards and had accordingly prepared for it and brought a stack of files containing the UPSC CDS application form of the candidates. I was told to retrieve my file and the DV proceeded without further event and we returned to our rooms. I made friends with two guys; I forgot the name of one and the second one is called Himanshu. Now Himanshu happens to be a very jolly guy and it was an absolute delight hanging out with him. Every third sentence was either a self-disparaging joke or satire regarding the SSB system. He was a repeater so we exchanged funny anecdotes about our previous experiences at the SSBs. Outside the ante room I met one Aakash Pandey (20) from Gujarat [Hey man, what’s up ?] who would go on to become my homie. Aakash had barely managed to reach the centre somewhere around 1730 hours and he was narrating his story generously embellished with expletives with such gusto that I couldn’t help but think that this guy would be fun to hang out with. As it turned out, I wasn’t wrong; as someone who uses swear words like a sailor, I found the conversation fun. Anyway, we chatted and guffawed until dinner after which we returned to our rooms. At around 0000 hours, I went to sleep because I was tired and I needed rest to perform decently at the Stage I tests the next day.Day 1 - Screening - 3 June 2018At around 0400 hours I woke up, feeling my stomach churning and gurgling, along with those uniquely flavored belches which indicate that your digestive system has been overloaded and is now malfunctioning. I got ready nevertheless, a feeling of trepidation persistently gnawing at me at the back of my mind. I didn’t have a choice though, so I put a mini-bar of soap, like the ones we steal from hotels (*wink*) in my pocket and hoped that I wouldn’t need to use it until after the tests or at least till a break. I should have known then that this is real life, and in real life things almost never go the way you want them to.Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests started. Two tests are conducted consecutively, followed by a short break. Halfway in my first OIR I felt the call of nature, and by the end of the first test, I had left five questions and my whole concentration and effort was to not shit in my pants, and you my dear reader, would definitely understand my struggle as I believe you must’ve suffered from diarrhea at least once in your life. So there I was, sitting on my chair tensed like a lockjaw victim, knuckles almost gone white from tightly grasping the handles of my chair, all so that I could retain my dignity in front of the gentlemen present there. As amusing as it seems now it was a nightmare for me. I waited for the test to end. I had to go then. I couldn’t wait for another thirty minutes for the second OIR to end. The first OIR ended and I saw Kilo sir passing me from behind. I heaved a sigh of relief; I was saved ! I knew my troubles were over.Me: “सर, वॉशरूम जाना है, अर्जेंट है !”Sir (in his trademark nonchalant way): “अरे रुक जा थोड़ा, अभी थोड़ी देर…”Me (cutting in): “सर पेट खराब है, यहीं हो जाएगा”Sir (immediately): “निकल के राईट ले, फिर पीछे मुड़ जा, सबसे नज़दीकी टॉयलेट है, जा जल्दी!”Me (beaming with gratitude and running): “थैंक यू सर”Translation:Me: “Sir I need to use the washroom. It’s urgent.”Sir (in his trademark nonchalant way): “Wait a bit man, in a short while…”Me (cutting in): “Sir I have diarrhea, I’ll shit my pants”Sir (immediately): “Take a right from the gate, then turn back; it’s the nearest toilet. Go, quickly !”Me (beaming with gratitude and running): “Thank you sir”I saw the JCO uncle who had verified my documents the previous day standing at the pulpit in front, glaring at me as I ran outside the testing hall, but I was way past caring. The tests didn’t matter to me anymore, the SSB didn’t. The topi-wale-uncle didn’t matter to me and neither did the Army itself matter to me. I had to take a dump quickly, and not in my pants, and that was all that mattered to me at that moment, and I wouldn’t let petty things like career-defining tests affect it. Talk about being focused.Anyway, I returned to hall, feeling light as a feather and positively bubbly from the combination of relief and happiness. I felt I could take on the world then. The second test started and I attempted all questions. After a long break the Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT) started. I made a story of a guy overcoming obstacles to win the Cricket World Cup, and this story was even lamer than the story I had created the last time I was in Bhopal. But I had inserted a Situation Reaction Test (SRT) problem along with its solution into my story itself and I knew that the assessors would lap it up like an Oreo shake even though the story was lame. Remember dear reader, if it looks stupid but works, it ain’t stupid. Anyway, we moved out and after a short break, we arranged ourselves in multiple levels of semi-circles and waited for the Narration and Group Discussion (GD) in the courtyard of the main building. There I sighted the comely GTO bhabhi for a second, who seemed to be in a hurry to get somewhere, no doubt to one of the assessment rooms. I felt butterflies in my stomach which didn’t help my already slightly nervous state of mind due to the impending Narration and the GD, then brushed it away and thought about the possible points for GD.Now, a major point of concern for me was the Narration because sometimes I stumble and/or freeze while speaking in public. It’s not like I’m not fluent; I have a pretty decent command over English and in a one-on-one conversation I can talk for as long as required without any problem. But when it comes to public speaking, I stumble a bit occasionally. So understandably I was worried about the Narration. However, when my turn came, I managed to narrate it flawlessly, so when the Group Discussion (GD) started I was in a positive state of mind, but the GD had turned into a usual Indian parliamentary discussion, with everyone speaking and no one listening to anyone and utter chaos and commotion in the room. Lieutenant Colonel Victor bhaiya, who was my GTO during my last time in Bhopal, was assessing our group. Mercifully, he bifurcated the group and the GD commenced. I barely managed to put forth just one point in the GD before the other candidates had their way so I was a bit disappointed; my objective was to put at least two strong points in a GD. Anyway, Victor bhaiya announced the end of the GD and we were asked to move out and await the results.Eventually we were told to bring our mobile phones and assemble at the Manekshaw Hall for the results. We settled down and Victor bhaiya came and started announcing the results. I was a bit nervous because even though my OIR and Narration had been awesome, my GD hadn’t been up to the mark. I reassured myself that even if I got screened out it was probably for the best. Part of me didn’t want to get screened in since I had an injury in my left foot which would cause me problems in the GTO tasks. But Victor bhaiya announced my chest number and my consternation disappeared faster than a ‘friend’ who owes you money. I was disappointed, because my homies couldn’t make it and the only person I knew who had got screened in was Aakash. Never mind, I have social skills; I’ll make new friends, I decided.Day 2 - Psychological Tests - 4 June 2018The day started with the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). It’s easily my most favorite test of the all the psych tests. It was awesome and was followed by Word Association Test (WAT). Here there is a bit of a rush but usually everyone completes all 60 words, which I did too. After the WAT, we were given a short break and a tea dispensing steel container was brought to us.Shit ! Tea ? Not in this hot summer ! They should’ve given us lemonade or something.Fortunately, the container had orange-flavored Rasna which we quickly gulped down, then chatted a bit and returned to our seats. WAT was followed by the Situation Reaction Test (SRT). I could only attempt 45 out of 60 SRTs, just like in my last time, but I was satisfied. Meanwhile my homie Aakash proclaimed that he had attempted all 60 SRTs. I replied “Gosh, man ! How did you possibly manage to do all 60 ?” In my mind though: Ask me if I give a motherfuck.In the evening some of us had gathered in my room and a round table conference was going on, the usual man-talk done in an all-boys group which cannot be shared here or it would get multiple BNBR violations. I’m mentioning the least profane part of it here:Annant Sharma: “…..फिर उसने भैन_______ उसकी _______ में डंडा कर दिया !”Kilo sir: “किसने डंडा कर दिया ?”All of us (standing up, looking sheepish): “गुड इवनिंग सर !”Kilo sir: “अ वेरी गुड इवनिंग जेंटलमेन, बैठो |”Translation:Annant Sharma: “And that guy fucking ripped his ass !”Kilo sir: “Who ripped it ?”All of us (standing up, looking sheepish): “Good evening sir !”Kilo sir: “A very good evening gentlemen. Sit.”Kilo sir, who was on round to check if the candidates were using any contraband, had entered the room right at the moment Annant (13) was telling us his expletive-laden line. Being my room, I put out a reclining chair for him to sit and all of us got into a hearty conversation with him about life in the army, best locations and worst locations of posting, life in Rashtriya Rifles (RR), how army has changed in the past decade, the life of officers versus the life of Other Ranks (ORs) and so on. Eventually the topic changed to cracking competitive exams and interviews and then to SSB itself.Me: “सर वो सरदारजी अंकल का क्या नाम है जो लेफ्ट साइड में बैठते हैं ?”Kilo sir: “कौन ? जो डेप्युटी कमांडेंट हैं ?”Me: “जी सर”Sir: “वो कर्नल गौल्फ़ हैं”Me: “अच्छा सर लास्ट टाइम कर्नल चार्ली थे मेरे IO, इस बार वही सेम होंगे या कोई और ?”Sir: “ये तो नहीं पता लेकिन अगर पता होता भी तो मैं बता नहीं सकता था”Me: “अच्छा कोई नहीं सर”Translation:Me: “Sir what’s the name of the Sardarji uncle who sits on the left side ?”Sir: “Who ? The Deputy Commandant ?”Me: “Yes sir.”Sir: “He’s Colonel Golf.”Me: “And sir last time Colonel Charlie was my IO, will he take my interview this time also or will there be someone else ?”Sir: “That I don’t know, and even if I knew, I’m not really supposed to tell you.”Me: “That’s okay sir. No problem.”Then the other guys chimed in and the conversation carried on for a while, when Ankit Chittosiya (19) appeared at the door and saw us engrossed in gossip. He failed to see Kilo sir as he was surrounded by rest of the guys.Ankit: सालों तुमलोग यहीं बैठ के बक_____ कर रहे हो ? (walks in, glances at Kilo sir) “ओह ! सॉरी सर !”Translation: “You guys are sitting here doing useless gossiping ?” (walks in, glances at Kilo sir) “Oh, sorry sir”[The translation doesn’t do justice to the original line, but I have to include it nevertheless or Quora will collapse my answer.]We burst out laughing. After a few more minutes of talking, Kilo sir left us and we went outside. I went to the E-Classroom and saw Aakash talking to ladies.What the fuck ? Is he insane ? What if an NCO catches him talking to girls ?Five minutes passed. I heard a girl saying that she isn’t a feminist. I couldn’t see her as my eyes were towards the computer screen.Bloody hell !? I need a mangalsutra, quickly ! And some damn sindoor. Some girl here just said she isn’t a feminist. I need me some sindoor right now !Ten minutes passed. I browsed the internet.Okay screw this, I’m gonna go ahead and talk. If I get caught, tough luck, I’ll try again next time. Besides, what’s with this gender-based segregation ? What’s this ? Fucking Saudi Arabia ? This is bullshit !So I went ahead and started talking to a lassie who lives in Punjab. Her speech was so fast that I had a hard time understanding it, and after a few minutes of trying to decipher her speed-talk, I gave up and pretended to listen to her and smiled a bit and nodded my head occasionally to show that I was totally understanding what she was saying. After the end of her each sentence, I would vaguely say ‘yes’ or ‘of course’ and hoped that she would never realize that I didn’t have a clue what she was piffling on about. She never realized. So she was saying something when:Lassie: “....मैं पढ़ता हूँ !”What !? Why is she using the terminology used by boys ? Fucking weirdo ! Hmm… perhaps she’s a pothead. Even her eyes are slightly bloodshot. Or maybe that’s due to her being tired. Even my eyes are bloodshot due to lack of sleep. I should ask her if she’s a pothead or not.Later we went to the mess and had dinner after which I shaved, plunked down on my bed, opened my Kindle and read A Feast for Crows until it was 0400 hours.Day 3 - GTO I - 5 June 2018I hadn’t gotten a minute of sleep the previous night and around 0430 hours, when I had just entered the hypnagogic state, Aakash, our neighbour and a necessary douchebag came to awaken me and my roomie Shashank. I’m referring to him as a douchebag because he interrupted my rest but necessary because he was doing me a huge favor as I would’ve missed the GTO otherwise. As we gathered near the gate to depart for the GTO ground I felt pressure in my bowels.Shit ! (Literally) This can’t be good.Owing to my already present diarrhea which was exacerbated by the spicy momos I had eaten the previous night at the screening of Veere Di Wedding (so-so movie, not too good. Boring first half, slightly better post-interval; wouldn’t recommend), followed by the spicy hakka noodles at the Eatopia cafeteria at the Selection Centre premises, I had no choice but to visit the washroom immediately.Pro Tip: Never eat spicy food the night before GTO, especially if you already have diarrhea and it’s fucking sweltering hot weather.Thankfully, I had prepared for this contingency by again keeping my trusty bar of soap in my pocket. Anyway, I ran to the candidate lines and took a quick dump. On my way back I saw the always-chilled-out Kilo sir waiting for me and the candidates looking at me.Fuck. I’m screwed.But as I reached there he simply asked me if I wanted to run with the boys to the GTO ground or walk with him a bit later to the ground. Pride wounded, I said that I’d run with the candidates. He asked me if I was feeling well.No sir, I’m not. I have a fucking seed corn in my left heel which has inflamed the surrounding tissue so that every damn step sends waves of agony throughout the foot. God knows how I’ll run with that thing and the diarrhea. I wasn’t expecting to get screened in and now I’m trapped.“I’ll run with the boys sir”, I said instead.“Are you sure ?”“Yes sir !”Now isn’t the time to show weakness sir. Being a soldier, you’d understand this better than me, better than anyone else for that matter. I can already see the pity in your eyes; I’ve got to save whatever is left of my self-respect.Thankfully the more I ran, the more the pain decreased. I don’t know why, perhaps due to the secretion of endorphins, the natural painkillers which flood the brain when a person runs, but the pain definitely lessened. Eventually, we reached the GTO ground, did some light exercises and warmed-up a bit (costly lesson from my last SSB) and waited for our GTO. I hoped that our group would get the famed GTO bhabhi but not the Victor bhaiya, who in colloquial terms would be referred to as a ‘khadoos’ (Translation: choleric). To my dismay, we got a bald uncle who introduced himself as Lieutenant Colonel Charlie. Now I had heard about Charlie being a waspish person as well, but I would go on to find him much more cordial than our Victor bhaiya. Anyway, after the introductory briefing the GTO started.The Group Discussion (GD) went awesomely and the Group Planning Exercise was also decent. We managed to infuriate the GTO in our Progressive Group task (PGT). He was telling us something and from his words, it looked like he was helping us, but the candidates totally ignored him because he was inaudible to them due to the noise of their own discussion. I shouted “Listen to the GTO sir !”. Two people heard me and the rest kept arguing. Then Victor, our Navy guy and my homie, shouted, “Our GTO sir is saying something !” That made the whole group turn, but by then it was too late. Charlie was enraged and caustically remarked, “नहीं, कर लो बात, मैं डिस्टर्ब नहीं करूँगा” [Translation: No, go ahead, talk. I won’t bother you]. Thereafter he refused to say anything and his demeanor became cold.The Group Obstacle Race, also known as the Snake Race, was awesome ! It was easily the most fun of all the tasks in this SSB. There were three groups competing against each other and we were told to choose a war cry each. Our war cry was “Vande Mataram”. Our neighbouring group chose “Har Har Mahadev !” as their war cry. And the war cry of the third group, which comprised freshers deserves separate paragraphs.Victor bhaiya asked them their war cry.“AAHU AAHU !!” “Ow”So one guy had shouted Aahu Aahu, which was immediately followed by another guy in the back who squealed in a slightly low volume which came out as “Ow”. Perhaps they wanted to be Spartans. Only the presence of the other GTOs stopped us from literally rolling on the ground and laughing our guts out. The GTOs were perplexed; some of them tried to hide their emotions behind a veil of sternness and failed spectacularly. The NCOs were openly grinning, clearly enjoying the amusing turn of events here. Victor bhaiya asked the third team, “Is this your war cry ?”Candidate: Yes sir.Victor bhaiya (pauses for a few moments, realizes that they aren’t kidding): Who chose it ?Candidate: We all did.Victor bhaiya: So what’s your plan ? To make your enemies die from excessive laughing ? *Loud guffaws from us and our neighbouring group*Candidate (abashed): No sir.Victor bhaiya: Gentlemen the purpose of a war cry is two-fold. Number one, to instill vigour, pride and courage into your heart and the hearts of the men you’re commanding. Number two, to instill fear into the hearts of your enemy. With that war cry, instead of fear, your enemy will get free entertainment, and half of your soldiers will keel over and die from embarrassment, while the other half will shoot you in the back. (*Pauses*) Anyway gentlemen, now that you have chosen your war cries, I’ll explain the rules to you after which the race will start.He started explaining the rules when all of a sudden he froze. He shouted at a candidate in the Aahu Aahu group and called him in front. “What were you doing ?” he snarled. “I’ll give you such a tight fucking slap, you’ll fucking fly out of the wall of this compound !”, he shouted. And yes, I’m quoting his actual words here. “When I’m talking, don’t you dare talk !”, he shouted again, and told him to go. Having been in a jolly mood after the antics of the wannabe Spartans, we quickly sobered up on seeing Victor bhaiya’s fury and composed ourselves.Then the race started.It was awesome. Along with three others, I volunteered to cross the last obstacle twice as penalty for the mistakes and rule-breakings committed by our batch, making the total to three. Not that I did it for altruistic reasons, it’s just that the child in me loved the slide at the end of the obstacle.After the Snake Race, we got a long break. As usual there was a huge crowd at the water cooler, with every candidate clamoring for water. Readers who have been to SSB before will understand what I’m talking about. After having a sip, I went to the chilled-out Kilo sir and said, “Please sir, arrange some Rasna for us. We had got Rasna yesterday after the Psych tests. We didn’t need it then, but we definitely need it now” Kilo sir told us to wait and assured us that Rasna and snacks would be provided to us. Placated now, I visited the water cooler and drank what seemed like two litres of water. My voice was hoarse from shouting the war cry continuously and the tropical summer sun had caused my face to go red like a tomato and left me drenched in my own sweat.Lecturette was terrible. My topic was ‘Islamic Jihad’ on which I had loads of information. I started off decently enough but concluded too early, just like in my last SSB. Guess I’ll have to hone my public speaking skills.Interview was fun. My Interviewing Officer (IO) was Colonel Kilo and this was the best interview so far. Interestingly the interview started with him asking if I had a girlfriend or not, which reminded me of my Indian Army University Entry Scheme (UES) Screening Interview. I had got selected there, but couldn’t attend the SSB due to a clash with my semester exams.A note regarding Colonel Kilo; he is the third most chilled-out person I’ve met in all the SSBs and the most chilled-out officer I’ve met so far. See, there are four IOs at 22 SSB. Colonel Kilo, Colonel Kilo Juliet Sierra Golf (who has a totally dope Royal Enfield), Colonel Mike and Colonel Charlie. If you get Colonel Kilo, consider yourself lucky. An interview with him is fun, more like a one-to-one conversation replete with colloquial terms and an occasional Hindi slang than like a strictly professional interview, which I had the last time I was here in Bhopal when Colonel Charlie had taken my interview.Also, I’ve noticed that I have a strange affinity towards people whose names start with K. If your name starts with K, chances are I’ll get along with you very awesomely. Anyway, after my interview I sat down with the guys and started talking about various things. The conversation veered to Quora and I told everyone I had written down my previous SSB experience on Quora and I intended to do the same again. Shashank (Pandey (17), our Unacademy educator and an AFSB recommended candidate) told me that he uses Quora too. Meanwhile I accosted Shashank (Sharma, my roommate) as I had seen him browsing the profile of Alcatraz Dey sir in the E-Classroom and demanded to know how he knew the man.Shashank (My roomie): अरे तेरी किंडल में देखा था द डेविल नेवर लव्स की सैंपल, वही देख रहा था ऑथर के बारे में, मुझे डेविल्स, एंजल्स, डीमन्स, ये सब के बारे में पढ़ने में बहुत मज़ा आता है |Me: अबे इसमें लिटरल डेविल नहीं है, ये एक थ्रिलर है यार |Shashank (my roomie): फिर रहने दे, मुझे लगा एसोटेरिक नावेल होगी |Shashank (AFSB recommended): मैंने पढ़ा है उसके पोस्ट्स, बंदा क्या सही लिखता है यार, तू एक बार पढ़, मज़ा आ जाएगा ! दिल से लिखता है बंदा |Me: भाई मुझे क्या बता रहा है, मैं घर जाके मिल चुका हूँ !Shashank (AFSB recommended): क्या बात कर रहा है !Me: और नहीं तो क्या |Someone: अबे चेस्ट नंबर 14 चूतिया बना रहा है तुम लोगों को, ये खुद दिल्ली में रहता है जबकि ऐलकैट्रेज डे बैंगलोर में रहता है तो कैसे मिल लिया ?Me: बे _________ के, जा मेसेज करके पूछ ले ! AFSB के लिए मैसुरु गया था तो मिला था सर से…... चूतिया साला !Some other guy from the back: अबे ये ऐलकैट्रेज डे कौन है ?Shashank (AFSB recommended): भाई तू रुक जा दो मिनट, अभी बड़े बात कर रहे हैं|*laughter*Translation:Shashank (My roomie): Hey I saw The Devil Never Loves sample on your Kindle. I like stories about demons and angels and devils and stuff.Me: Man it’s not actually about Devil. It’s a thriller man.Shashank (my roomie): Okay leave it then, I thought it was an esoteric novel.Shashank (AFSB recommended): I’ve read his posts. That man can write bro ! You should check out his posts; they’re awesome. That guy’s writing comes from his heart.Me: You’re the one to tell me; I’ve literally been to his house and met him.Shashank (AFSB recommended): For real ?Me: But of course man.Someone: Hey guys, Chest No.14 is making fools out of you. He lives in Delhi while Alcatraz Dey lives in Bengaluru, so how did he visit his house ?Me: Hey fuckface, go message him and ask him yourself. Before my AFSB in Mysuru, I had met him in Bengaluru.Some other guy from the back: Guys, who is this Alcatraz Dey ?Shashank (AFSB recommended): Bro, just wait a bit, elders are talking here.*laughter*[To Alcatraz Dey: Sir please drop a comment and tell them, they won’t believe me. Also, sorry for losing you a potential customer, my roommate was really interested in your book before I messed it up.]Since I was on a boasting spree I thought about telling the guys that I’ve talked to Praveen Teotia sir, who is a retired Indian Navy Marine Commando (Marco) and had participated in and was injured in the initial counter-terrorism operations during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He was in my friend list before I deactivated my Facebook account. He is still added in my Instagram account and I intend to meet him soon. But someone changed the topic and I forgot. I guess boasting about him here on Quora should do the trick.A note about Shashank Pandey. He has been recommended earlier in AFSB and is currently an educator in Unacademy. I had an expected an uptight arrogant personality when I learnt about him but this guy totally knocked down my expectations. Not only is he very down-to-earth and knowledgeable, this guy is so quick-witted that you’d never expect it from his demeanor. Say you’ve ascertained him to be soft-spoken and are roasting him like boys do. He’ll listen to you for a while and then suddenly drop a one-liner bomb that’ll make you lose your will to live and send the other guys roaring with laughter.A note about my homie Aakash Pandey. He is an extremely sociable guy from Gujarat who has an amusing verbal tic. He uses the term “मैं जाएगा, मैं खाएगा” [Translation: I’ll goes, I’ll eats] and so on. So I make it a point to irritate him the most by interrupting him and interjecting “जाऊँगा, जाएगा नहीं / मैं खाऊंगा, मैं खाएगा नहीं”. [Translation: It’s ‘I’ll go, not I’ll goes / I’ll eat, not I’ll eats.]Anyway, after a short while I went to Victor bhai’s room and talked to him for more than an hour. He recounted his training in the Indian Navy which was replete with numerous humorous anecdotes. While talking I observed that he has many qualities of an officer and I had seriously underestimated him; I felt he should get recommended. He is the sort of person you would gladly follow into battle. He is on Quora and is probably reading this answer [Hey man, what’s up !] but I won’t mention him due to security reasons, unless he himself gives a green signal to me to tag him. [Edit: Tagged him finally.]Later the guys decided to explore Bhopal but I declined. I didn’t feel like again trudging around in the heat where I had already gone the last time. Besides, I was immensely sleep-deprived and I really needed to sleep. So I went to my room, plopped on my bed and closed my eyes, thinking that I’d change into more comfy clothes after a few minutes. The next thing I knew after opening my eyes is that it had become dark. Apparently I had fallen asleep in my formal dress, and I hadn’t even taken out my socks (I had changed from the GTO uniform into a formal dress before lunch, because I thought I hadn’t brought a T-shirt with me). Having gotten some sleep, I freshened up and went to the E-Classroom, hoping to meet the lassie who lives in Punjab, whom I had talked to the previous day.I found Aakash and Shashank (Sharma) there and also the weirdo chick who lives in Punjab. We chatted for a bit and I turned back and browsed the internet for a while after which I turned back and saw her penning down her number on a piece of paper. I tore out a blank portion of it and requested her to write her mobile number and email address on it. Turns out her name is Muskan Singh Solanki, aka Weirdo.Singh ? Solanki ? She must be a Rajput.Me: “Are you a Rajput ?”Weirdo: Yes.Me: “Nice. Even I’m a Rajput.”Weirdo: “Arrey” *high fives* “What’s your full name ?”Me: “Rohan Singh.”Weirdo: “Rohan Singh what ?”Me: “Just Rohan Singh.”Weirdo: “You don’t have anything after that ?” (Referring to Rajput surnames like Solanki, Shekhawat, Chauhan, Rathore, Kumbhani, Shahi etc.)Me: “No.”Weirdo: “You’re a fake Rajput !”Me: “दोबारा मत बोलना वरना उठा के फ़ेक दूंगा” (Translation: Don’t say that again or I’ll lift you up and throw you away). And hop out of your well and see the world before jumping to conclusions.Weirdo: Yeah, whatever.[Note: This conversation sounds way more serious in text here than it actually was.]Me: Alright now, give me your mobile number, and email address too if you don’t have any problem with it.Weirdo: Arey I don’t give a fuck. You can also ask for my password if you want.Girl, you’re so gonna regret this now.Me: Okay, your password. Write it down too.Weirdo: *writes* Here.Me: I ain’t a fool. Login to your account here in front of me using the same credentials.Weirdo: *logs in* Here you go.What the fuck !? This chick just gave her password to a complete stranger and is so chilled out like it’s the most natural thing in the world. She really has ran out of fucks to give. So when she’d said the other day that she doesn’t give a fuck about anything, she actually meant it ? Who would’ve thought ?I was rather impressed by her candour. Not only she had a vast knowledge comparable to that of UPSC aspirants and could easily hold her ground in face of my relentless general knowledge questions, her GK questions were of high level too, which was delightful to me. I could hold extended conversations regarding lots of GK topics with her which would’ve made most people zone out due to boredom. Damn it, this girl is such a treasure.[To Muskan: There, you happy now ? I praised you as per your instructions. Now send me ₹1,000 via UPI. You already know my UPI ID, don’t you ? I know you’re reading this, so don’t ignore it or I’ll edit this answer and start griping about you.]Anyway, she left for dinner soon afterwards, but forgot her wallet in a hurry. Here I’m to be blamed for that, because she had been telling me multiple times that she had to go to the mess, and each time I would stall her, saying “Wait, this thing….” So when she finally turned to go, it was close to the mess closing time and she was really in a hurry. And what do our elders say about hurrying ?जल्दी का काम शैतान का होता है | [Translation: Hurrying is a deed of the devil.]And so she had left her wallet on the table in front of the 50-inch LED TV in the E-Classroom. Meanwhile Aakash, who was busy chatting animatedly with a glamorous chick from NIFT Gandhinagar, pointed out that it was Muskan’s wallet. I turned back from checking her emails (I’m a creep) and promptly pocketed her wallet. Aakash suggested that we should play a prank on her. Unfortunately that plan never came to fruition because she finished her dinner while we were still eating, so I had to return her wallet because she was returning to the lady candidates’ line. She hadn’t realized it by then that it was missing but heaved a sigh of relief and thanked us. I asked her if she’s a pothead to which she vehemently denied and said that she hates smoking and alcohol. We insisted on a treat of cold drinks; she promised to treat us, wished us good night and left for the lady candidates’ line. I and Shashank (Sharma, my roommate) went to grab a bottle of Coke and reached the candidates' line where all the candidates had gathered and a hearty conversation was going on, complete with expletives and antics. Eventually, everyone retired to their rooms to sleep. I got up too and shaved, and I here I am, penning this down the old-fashioned way on a rough sheet of paper at 0130 hours. I’ll read A Feast For Crows until I fall asleep or it’s time to get ready for the second day of GTO.Day 4 - GTO II - 6 June 2018I hadn’t slept for a minute the previous night and George R R Martin gets most of the blame here. Anyway, after getting ready I was on my way to the mess when I heard my homie Victor, our Navy guy, calling me out. I turned back and saw him on the first floor, beckoning me to come over and bring Aakash with me too. I was getting late for the GTO so I told him that I’d be back after having my breakfast, and I quickly went to the mess and helped myself to a huge portion of bread with marmalade, topped with shredded cheese and a small cube of butter. Along with the bread the server emptied a ladle of dalia (wheat porridge) and gave two vegetable cutlets. No, they were potato cutlets.I sat down to eat and almost immediately got summoned by my batchmates. I was mystified as to how they had managed to eat so fast when I had departed for the mess earlier than them. To my dismay I found out that the douchebags had snacked a bit in the candidates’ line itself and had directly assembled near the gate thereafter.So that was why Victor bhai was calling me.A note about Victor Sierra. Being an armed forces serviceman, Victor has taken lessons from his time in training and now he always keeps snacks with him in his bag.Thankfully, the boys waited for me at the gate (Leave no man behind) and my homie Aakash gave me company at the mess. I quickly wolfed down the bread and the dalia, grabbed the two cutlets and dashed to join my group. From there we ran to the GTO ground. On the way I cursed my legs due to the combined pain of soreness from the previous day’s activities and that persistently annoying pain in my heel. Like yesterday, as I ran the pain lessened, but I was doubtful of my performance in the upcoming Individual Obstacle Race (IOR), which happens to be my most favorite task of the SSB. Still, I figured I would give my best shot and leave the rest to providence. As it turned out, I managed to do seven out of ten obstacles, which was the lowest in my group. I was pissed off because it was less than my last time’s score and being my most favorite task I was supposed to perform the best in this one, but I assured myself that I had done my best and there was no point harping about it. Command Task was decent and we traversed through the obstacles of the Final Group Task (FGT) with lightning speed. Throughout the tasks I had a mild throbbing headache. I suspected it was due to lack of sleep, so I felt relieved when the tasks ended. Little did I know that my relief was short-lived.The boys had decided to visit Van Vihar and told me to join them. I initially declined because I had already visited that place last time. Besides I was severely sleep-deprived and I also intended to note down the experiences of the day on a blank sheet of paper very graciously provided by Shashank (Pandey, the Unacademy educator, not Sharma, my roommate). But my homie Victor, the Navy guy, wouldn’t take no for an answer and insisted that I come with him. So I obliged.We went to Van Vihar, booked some bicycles which totally weren’t bisexual (Sorry, I’ll see myself out now), and explored the area. I couldn’t give a flying fuck about those animals since I had already seen them before but I really enjoyed cycling with the boys. My leg and foot was in pain and my ass was sore due to the lousy quality of the saddle which dampened the fun a wee bit, and we were as thirsty as an incel due to the summer afternoon heat of Bhopal, but all in all it was an enjoyable trip.After that we went to the DB Mall which was a drastic and welcome change for us, from the burning heat to the soothing air-conditioner cooled air in the mall. After roaming around a bit and appreciating the ‘greenery’, we went to McDonald’s and ordered meals consisting of a burger, a Pizza McPuff, a Coke and some French fries. Now that we were fed and watered, we checked the watch and saw that it was time to depart for the Selection Centre premises if we intended to reach there by 1730 hours, which was the time by which had been instructed to return. So we returned to the centre and the boys decided to play volleyball. That pissed me off, I was in too much pain to do any sort of physical activity. I limped away towards the E-Classroom and found my homita (= female homie) Weirdo, sitting there along with the other ladies. They were watching TV so I decided not to interrupt them and started penning down my experiences of the day in a sheet of paper. I wrote for a while before getting rudely interrupted by Weirdo who snatched my sheet and demanded to know what I was writing. I struggled a bit to get my sheet back but this crazy chick was showing no sign of letting go, so I thought it’d be better to save the sheet of paper as I wasn’t writing anything personal anyway. She read it, praised it and told me to complete the story. I thanked her and assured her that I’d definitely complete it, but I’d continue later. I chose a tactical place which got a direct blast of cool air straight from the AC vent and talked to her until it got dark and my other homies joined me. All of us talked some more until it was time for dinner at which the ladies stood up to leave, and at that point, Weirdo dropped the lamest pun of all time. What’s the pun you ask ? Well.Me: Good night ladies.Weirdo: Good night fun guy. Not F-U-N-G-U-Y, but F-U-N-G-I.It was such a lame pun that I promptly lost my appetite and I felt that I would never ever be able to feel happiness again in my whole life. Also, I temporarily lost my sense of hearing; no doubt the work of my body doing what it had to do to protect me from further onslaughts of similar lame puns.After the dinner I was very exhausted due to the effective combination of sleep-deprivation and physical activities so I didn’t join the guys who were having fun and slept at around 2130 hours.Pro Tip: Never waste the night before your conference by sleeping early. It’s your last night together with your batchmates, even if you get recommended and stay for a few more days, most of them will leave you the next day. Don’t be a fool like me.Day 5 - Conference - 7 June 2018Even though our reporting time was 0820 hours, we got up early because the breakfast timing is 0530 to 0630 hours and the mess closes after that. After getting ready for the Conference, we had a mini-photoshoot from a contraband mobile phone kept by a candidate and proceeded to the covered shed above the Manekshaw Hall. Weirdo’s batch also had its Conference the same day and I saw Mia Khalifa and Neha Sharma/Angelina Jolie sitting in the shed above the Cariappa Hall, which was visible from our standby place. Oh, and a note about Mia Khalifa and Neha Sharma. Mia Khalifa is a girl who I won’t name here due to privacy reasons, but man, she totally looks like Mia Khalifa. I thought I was the only one who saw the resemblance, but then I overheard other guys talking about her in the mess the other day and I felt relieved that I wasn’t alone. Even Weirdo agrees with me here. Neha Sharma on the other hand, is an absolutely gorgeous babe who slightly resembles Neha Sharma. I distinctly remember that on seeing her for the first time, I was aghast and wondered, “What the hell, are supermodels also attending SSB now ?” I overheard my batch mates discussing her and referring to her as Angelina Jolie. I do have the group photo of the girls’ batch with me, but Weirdo, who had graciously supplied the photo, has forbidden me to share it on social media for privacy reasons so unfortunately I can’t post it here.With a jolt I realized why we were strictly forbidden to talk to girls. We boys are pricks of the highest degree. I could only imagine the plight of poor Mia Khalifa if the boys were allowed to talk to girls; she would have undergone mental harassment throughout the duration of the SSB. As such, she had to contend with the stares from the boys.Anyway, Colonel Mike gave the closing address and left and we were then instructed to sit according to our Chest Numbers but within ten minutes the latter portion of the group broke rank and went to sit with their friends. The candidates were getting processed with lightning speed and soon my turn came.I entered the Conference Room, wished the Commandant of the SSB, a Major General, was told by Colonel Kilo, my IO, to take a seat and sat on my chair. I observed the officers one by one, saw the attractive GTO bhabhi looking at me intently and blushed. I quickly composed myself and heard Colonel Kilo telling me to turn back and observe the screen.YES ! Hip Hip Hurray ! They’re asking me a trick question. That means I’m a borderline case. I might yet be recommended !On the screen there was a photo of fighter aircraft of two countries in a V-shaped formation, with an ice-covered landmass in the background covering around 20% of the area and a huge water body covering around 80% of the area. I recognized an F-15 Strike Eagle of US Air Force and a Mirage-5 of some unknown country. I was trying to identify the rest of the planes when Colonel Kilo told me to identify the location of the photo. I told him that I’d need a minute to figure it out. Colonel Kilo told me to turn back and face them first.Shit !I turned to them and thought about the photo. There was an F-15 of USAF involved and the photo probably was of a joint exercise. It also had a Mirage 5, was it Israeli ? I hadn’t got enough time to observe it closely, just a few seconds. I had no idea if Israel used Mirage 5 or not (Note: I checked later, it did) so I was stuck. So I told them, “Sir this is a photo of a polar region, most likely the northern frigid zone.” I’m guessing either somewhere off the coast of Alaska or Greenland. But I didn’t say it out loud. My mistake.Colonel Kilo: So Rohan, what do you do in your free time ?Me: Sir I read novels.Colonel Kilo: No, I mean what did you do in your free time here in the SSB ?Me: Sir I visited the Van Vihar and cycled with the other candidates.Colonel Kilo: Okay Rohan, it was a pleasure talking to you, you are free to go now.Me: Thank you sir.No ‘How was your stay’, no ‘How was your accomodation’, no ‘Any suggestions or complaints’, that was it. The Conference was over and I went to the Eatopia Cafeteria. As promised, Weirdo treated us to a Mountain Dew (for returning her wallet). After a brief break, we were again called to the Manekshaw Hall for the results.I was very hopeful of getting recommended this time since I was probably a borderline case, but when I saw a lady entering the hall in civilian clothes (perhaps the civilian psychologist), my heart skipped a beat. Her hands were empty.She had no file with her !Are you fucking kidding me ? At least you should’ve brought an empty file with you to keep the suspense. It’s a fucking washout man !Part of me hoped that she was merely a prelude to the actual officer who would bring the results but my experience told me that I would be disappointed. She began her usual speech which I didn’t pay one bit of attention to, then asked how many thought they would get recommended. I would’ve put up my hands, but I didn’t see the point. I saw a few candidates, probably freshers putting up their hands.What ? Can’t you guys see that she doesn’t have any fucking file ? Why are you putting up your hands ?She said, “Gentlemen the results are not so good. In fact the results are not good at all. None of you have been recommended.” Then she made such a piteous face that it almost seemed like she was the one who got Conferenced Out, and almost ran towards the exit.Fuck ! It’s a washout ! And now it’s official ! No other officer will come with different results.I had slept for a total of 15 hours in the past five days and on hearing the result exhaustion came crashing and hit me like a tsunami. Suddenly I felt drained. Not only I was Conferenced Out again, the whole batch had been washed out, which is nothing short of shameful. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I didn't want to do anything. I wanted to sleep. I wanted to go away and hide somewhere. What would I say to everyone ? My friends, family, they would want news, and I didn’t have good news.With a heavy heart, I trudged to the cafeteria and saw Kilo sir chatting with the boys. I joined them and found that I was feeling better within a few minutes. Kilo sir told us to chill out as we weren’t starving and had a house to live in. On that note Harsh Vardhan (16) dropped a joke:A guy was fired by his boss. Every day he used to go outside his ex-boss’s office and shit there. So one day his friend got curious and asked him why he did that. He replied that it was just to show his boss that even though he had fired him, he was not starving.A raucous laughter rang in the cafeteria. We were already feeling better. After talking to Kilo sir for a few more minutes, all of us returned to the candidates’ line and brought our bags. By then I had reassured myself that at least they hadn’t played the Selfish song of Race 3 movie after declaring the results. I know I would’ve definitely killed myself in that case. That cheered me up. We had one last lunch and assembled near the gate. I shouted “ जय हिन्द सर, फिर मिलते हैं” [Translation: Victory to India sir, we’ll meet again.] to a Naik (equivalent to a Corporal in the Western armies) Sardarji guarding the gate and crossed the boundary of the centre premises.Victor bhai had booked a cab and we reached the railway station and deposited our luggage in the cloak room. From there we went to DB Mall. I had made Victor bhai promise that if we got conferenced out, he’d give us a party. True to his word, he threw an enjoyable party at the DB Mall at Pind Baluchi restaurant and from there we went to rendezvous with Weirdo who was at the station with her elder brother.Then we each departed on our own ways, taking unforgettable and precious memories with us. We all had learnt much, and we were taking those lessons with us. We had been happy and sad, bored and excited, comfortable and uneasy in those five days. Dear reader, do you remember this line I had written earlier? “...for a moment I hoped that this SSB experience would be as fun as the last one. I didn’t know at that time, but I was wrong.” Yes, I was wrong, because this SSB had not been as fun as the last one. It had been more fun than my last one. SSB is more than a five-day interview. It’s an experience of a lifetime to me. And it is an experience of contradictions. There’s the mirth of the batchmates and the strictness of the officers. There’s the warmth of camaraderie and the gelidity of rejection.Dear reader, do attend an SSB, if you haven’t already done it. That’s all I can say to you. I didn’t succeed myself, so I cannot claim to inspire you, but I had an amazing time, and I have chronicled it down in the hopes of enticing you to attend SSB at least once, even if you don’t want to join the armed forces. Trust me, you won’t regret it.Thank you for reading and check out the photos.Romeo Sierra over and out.Edit:If you dear reader, are wondering why I have written such a long answer, well, when I was about to appear for my SSB for the very first time, I really wanted to know what happened in the SSB. I knew about the tests thanks to Dr. Cdr. Natarajan's book, but I actually wanted to know what happened before and after the tests. So I used to talk to my friends who had been to SSB before, and I used to sit with them and enjoy listening to them recounting their own experiences and eagerly waited for my own SSB.So I've written such a long answer with the hope that like me once, there's a curious fresher somewhere on Quora who wants to know all about the life of a candidate in those five days.Edit (I):Unfortunately the girls’ batch also got washed out. We came to know about it when we were partying in DB Mall. On hearing that news, we partied harder. *wink*Group Photo - I am 14Day 0Party at Pind Baluchi after getting washed outDay 5 - Conference DayMe with Victor bhai after Conference Results were declaredMy bedCaptain I M Smart of Signals RegimentLieutenant What’s-his-nameFunny food for thoughtWeirdoCycling at Van Vihar. I'm fourth from left.On the way to Van ViharMe with a permanent denizen of SCC Bhopal

Senior ISIS information minister Wael Adel Salman killed in Syria after U.S. drone strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Sep 16 2016Marine national monument that will permanently protect nearly 5,000 square miles of underwater canyons and mountains off the coast of New England designated by President ObamaEnvironment Sep 15 2016Median household income up 5.2% for the first time in over seven years due to economic policies put in to place that benefit lower and middle income AmericansBusiness & Economy Sep 13 2016Poverty rate at its lowest level since 1999 due to economic policies put in to place that benefit lower and middle income AmericansBusiness & Economy Sep 13 2016Senior ISIS leader Abu Muhammad al-Adnani killed in Syria after U.S. airstrikeIslamic State (ISIS) Aug 30 2016Marine national monument that will permanently protect 582,578 square miles of land and sea in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands designated by President ObamaEnvironment Aug 26 201687,500 acres of wildlife, forests, rivers 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the Labor Department that raised the salary threshold from $23,660 to $47,476 per yearLabor May 17 2016Environmentally dangerous methane emissions from the oil and gas sector regulated for the first time under new rule by the Environmental Protection AgencyFossil Fuels May 12 2016Transgender students in public schools must be allowed to use the bathrooms of their gender identity under new rule by the Obama AdministrationDiscrimination May 12 2016American bison named as the first national mammal after the National Bison Legacy Act was signed into lawGovernment May 09 2016Senior ISIS leader Abu Sa'ad al-Sudani killed in Syria after U.S. airstrikeIslamic State (ISIS) May 05 2016Stonewall Inn named the first national monument honoring the history of gays and lesbians in the United StatesCivil & Human Rights May 04 201640 ISIS operatives responsible for multiple attacks in Europe and the Middle East killed by Delta Force and Navy SEAL commandos during various raidsIslamic State (ISIS) Apr 27 2016First woman on American currency in more than 100 years will be Harriet Tubman after the Treasury Department announced she will replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 billWomen's Rights Apr 20 2016Individuals investing in retirement accounts protected under new rule requiring financial advisers to provide investment advice that puts their client's best interests above all elseFinancial Regulation Apr 15 2016387,000 Americans unable to to work due to a permanent disability have their student loan debts forgiven by the Department of EducationEducation Apr 12 2016Homeowners taken advantage of by deceptive mortgage practices from Goldman Sachs to receive monetary relief after agreement between the bank and the Justice DepartmentLaws & Crime Apr 11 2016American banks must identify the owners of shell companies they do business with under a new rule by the Treasury DepartmentMonetary Policy Apr 10 2016Gender neutral restrooms available for White House staff and visitors so individuals can 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areas in Cuba greatly expanded since American telecommunication companies were allowed to do business in the countryInternational Relations Mar 20 2016President Obama becomes the first U.S. President to visit Cuba since 1928 after successful diplomatic negotiationsInternational Relations Mar 20 2016General Lori Robinson becomes first woman nominated to lead a combatant command in the United States militaryWomen's Rights Mar 18 2016Senior ISIS leader Omar al-Shishani and 12 additional ISIS fighters killed in Syria after a series of U.S. drone and manned aircraft strikesIslamic State (ISIS) Mar 15 2016Offshore drilling off the Atlantic Coast prohibited after local communities voiced strong oppositionOffshore Drilling Mar 15 2016Cubans may open U.S. bank accounts under new rule by the Treasury and Commerce DepartmentsInternational Relations Mar 15 2016U.S. citizens may travel to Cuba for people-to-people educational reasons under new rule by the Treasury and Commerce DepartmentsInternational Relations Mar 15 2016150 Al-Shabaab fighters killed at Somalia training camp after U.S. air strikeTerrorism Mar 08 2016Senior Al-Shabaab leader Yusuf Ali Ugas killed in Somalia after U.S. air strikeTerrorism Mar 05 2016Senior Al-Shabaab leader Mohamed Mire killed in Somalia after U.S. air strikeTerrorism Mar 05 2016Senior unnamed ISIS operative captured and detained during U.S. led raid in IraqIslamic State (ISIS) Mar 03 2016Moderates winning a majority in Iran's parliament and Assembly of Experts partially attributed to improved diplomacy and landmark nuclear deal with major world powersInternational Relations Feb 29 2016Senior ISIS leader Noureddine Chouchane and over thirty ISIS militants killed in Libya after U.S. airstrikesIslamic State (ISIS) Feb 19 2016American citizens may fly to Cuba for the first time in 50 years after the two countries sign an agreement restoring commercial air travelInternational Relations Feb 16 2016All active duty service members eligible for 12 weeks of fully paid maternity leave through new rule by the Department of DefenseMilitary & Defense Jan 28 2016Juveniles in federal prisons can no longer be placed in solitary confinement after executive order by President ObamaPrisons Jan 25 2016Consumers who reduce their electricity use during peak hours receive a discount through new rule by the Federal Energy Regulatory CommissionEnergy Jan 25 2016Four United States citizens imprisoned in Iran released after a prisoner swap between the United States and IranInternational Relations Jan 16 2016Ten Yemeni detainees held at Guantanamo Bay for fourteen years transferred to OmanGuantanamo Bay Jan 14 2016New coal mining leases on public lands halted under new rule by the Department of InteriorFossil Fuels Jan 14 2016Ten Navy sailors detained by Iran after accidentally sailing into their waters freed within 24 hours through diplomatic negotiationsInternational Relations Jan 13 2016ISIS cash depot holding millions of dollars bombed in Mosul, Iraq by U.S. air strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Jan 11 2016Senior ISIS leader Abu Mohammed al-Adnani injured and detained in Iraq after U.S. air strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Jan 07 2016Sentences reduced and adapted for 97 people serving excessive and unfair punishment in federal prison for nonviolent crimesSentencing Dec 18 2015Environmentally hazardous plastic microbeads found in personal care products banned from being manufactured in the U.S.Microbead-Free Waters Act Dec 18 2015Families with three or more children have their taxes reduced $200-$600 through the permanent expansion of the Child Tax CreditBipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Dec 18 2015College students can claim $2,500 towards tuition, fees, and course material on their taxes after the extension of the American Opportunity Tax CreditBipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Dec 18 2015Medical marijuana patients may purchase prescriptions without fear of arrest after DEA prohibited from raiding legal dispensariesBipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Dec 18 2015Solar and wind energy production to double in size through a five year extension of Federal tax creditsBipartisan Budget Act of 2015 Dec 18 2015World community pledges to prevent global temperatures from rising more than 2 degrees celsiusEnvironment Dec 12 2015Teacher performance evaluations no longer based off student test results after passage of the Every Student Succeeds ActEvery Student Succeeds Act Dec 10 2015Senior Al-Qaida leader Abdirahman Sandhere killed in Lybia by U.S. air strikeAl-Qaeda Dec 07 2015Female soldiers roles expanded to serve in any combat positionWomen's Rights Dec 03 2015Military personnel who handled service dogs in combat zones given first rights of adoption after the dog retires from dutyMilitary & Defense Nov 25 2015Senior ISIS leader Wisam al Zubaidi killed in Libya by U.S. air strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Nov 14 2015Senior ISIS leader Abu Nabil killed in Libya by U.S. air strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Nov 14 2015Senior ISIS leader Mohammed Emwazi (Jihadi John) killed in Syria by U.S. drone strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Nov 13 2015Senior ISIS leader Abu Nabil killed in Libya by U.S. air strikeIslamic State (ISIS) Nov 13 2015Veterans and their families offered in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities in all fifty statesVeterans Benefits Nov 11 2015Final phase of Keystone pipeline rejected because it would not serve the national interest of the United StatesOil & Gas Industry Nov 06 2015Federal job applicants can't be denied employment solely for having a prior convictionLaws & Crime Nov 02 2015Seventy hostages held by ISIS in Iraq rescued after joint operation with Iraqi soldiers and US special forcesIslamic State (ISIS) Oct 22 2015Senior Al-Qaida leader Sanafi al-Nasr killed in Syria by U.S. air strikeAl-Qaeda Oct 18 2015Sentences reduced and adapted for 6,000 people serving excessive and unfair punishment in federal prison for nonviolent crimesSentencing Oct 06 2015First openly gay American nominated to become Secretary of the ArmyMilitary & Defense Sep 18 2015Employees of Federal government contractors must be offered seven days of paid sick leave per yearLabor Sep 07 2015Transgender Americans may not be discriminated against by health insurance companies or medical providersDiscrimination Sep 03 2015Tallest mountain in North America renamed Mount DenaliGovernment Aug 31 2015First openly transgender person hired by White House to work as civilian employeeCivil & Human Rights Aug 18 2015Each state must reduce carbon emissions by set amounts by 2030Global Warming Aug 04 2015Senior Al-Qaida leader Muhsin al-Fadhli killed in Syria by U.S. air strikeTerrorism Jul 21 2015Sexual orientation discrimination against Federal employees ruled illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights ActProfiling Jul 16 2015Six major world powers reach agreement with Iran to curb their nuclear programNuclear Energy Jul 14 2015Sentences commuted for 46 people serving excessive & unfair punishment for nonviolent crimesPardons Jul 13 2015National monuments consist of 260 Million Acres throughout AmericaEnvironment Jul 12 2015United States and Cuba re-open embassies after 54 year diplomatic freezeTreaties & Agreements Jul 2015Government mandated threshold for all hourly workers to qualify for overtime pay increased from $23,660 to $50,440.Jobs Jun 30 2015Senior Al-Qaida leader Nasir al-Wuhayshi killed in Yemen by U.S. drone strikeAl-Qaeda Jun 12 2015Senior Al-Qaida leader Nasr al-Ansi killed in Yemen by a CIA-led U.S. drone strikeAl-Qaeda Apr 21 2015Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Actsigned into lawMedicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act Apr 16 2015New Medicare formula changes the way doctors are reimbursed; rewards doctors when their patients have better health outcomesHealth Care Industry Apr 16 201553 political prisoners in Cuba released as a show of good will in the ongoing restoratiation of diplomatic relationship between the two countriesInternational Relations Dec 17 2014United States restores diplomatic relationship with Cuba after 50 year freezeInternational Relations Dec 17 2014Abortion coverage extended to Peace Corps volunteers who became pregnant because of rape, incest, and life endangermentContinuing Appropriations Act of 2015 Dec 16 2014President Obama issues executive order allowing the parents of children who are U.S. citizens or legal residents to continue residing in the United StatesImmigration Nov 20 2014President Obama pledges $3 Billion to global fund assisting poor countries coping with climate changeGlobal Warming Nov 14 2014China and the United States agree to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to twenty-five percent by 2030Global Warming Nov 12 2014Senior Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Godane killed in Somalia by U.S. airstrikeTerrorism Sep 05 2014Broad Coalition of Middle-Eastern countries conduct military campaign against ISIS inside of SyriaTerrorism Sep 2014President Obama signs executive order prohibiting federal contractors from discriminting against LGBT individualsCivil & Human Rights Jul 21 2014United States assumes control of weapons-grade plutonium and highly enriched uranium from Japan after the two countries signed an agreement to secure their stockpile to prevent it from theftNuclear Proliferation Mar 24 2014International Trade Data System created to streamline small business Export/Import processBusiness & Economy Feb 19 2014Minimum wage for Federal Contractors raised to $10.10 per hour.Minimum Wage Feb 12 2014Agriculture Act of 2014signed into lawAgriculture Act of 2014 Feb 07 2014Federal Government reopens after 16 day shutdown defeating Republican partisan attempt to cancel health care benefits for millions under ObamacareGovernment Shutdown Oct 17 2013President Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani have first formal communication between the two nations in 35 yearsInternational Relations Sep 27 2013Syria agrees to dismantle chemical weapons stockpile after deal reached between the Obama Administration and RussiaTreaties & Agreements Sep 14 2013Defense of Marriage Act ruled unconstitutional by Supreme CourtCivil & Human Rights Jun 26 2013American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012signed into lawAmerican Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 Jan 02 2013Blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng relocates to the United State after diplomatic agreement between China and the Obama administrationInternational Relations May 19 2012President Obama becomes first sitting president to publicly support marriage equalityCivil & Human Rights May 09 2012Senior Al-Qaida commander Fahd al-Quso killed in Yemen by a CIA-led U.S. drone strikeAl-Qaeda May 06 2012Members of Congress and certain government employees prohibited from using non-public information for personal profitSTOCK Act Apr 04 2012Federal unemployment benefits programs extended an additional 13 to 20 weeksMiddle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act Feb 22 2012Cuts in Medicare physician payment rates averted with extension of existing rates through 2012Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act Feb 22 2012Employee social security payroll tax reduction from 6.2% to 4.2 % extended through 2012Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act Feb 22 2012Self-employed social security payroll tax reduction from 12.4% to 10.4 % extended through 2012Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act Feb 22 2012U.S. drone attack in Yemen killed 12-15 militants, including at least four Al-Qaeda leadersAl-Qaeda Jan 30 2012Senior Al-Qaeda figure Aslam Awan killed in U.S. drone strikeAl-Qaeda Jan 2012War in Iraq ended with last American troops crossing border into Kuwait2003 Iraq War Dec 17 2011US government international campaign initiated to build respect for the human rights of LGBT persons worldwideDiscrimination Dec 06 2011$700 million annual funding for child protection, child abuse prevention, family support and adoption promotion through 2016Child and Family Services Improvement Act Sep 30 2011Senior Al Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki killed in Yemen by a CIA-led U.S. drone strikeAl-Qaeda Sep 30 2011Entrepreneurs and businesses benefited by reduced average wait time for patent approvals from 3 years to 1 year.America Invents Act Sep 16 2011Patent litigation costs reduced through tightened patent standards, quality and processes to expedite challenges.America Invents Act Sep 16 2011Al-Qaeda's operations chief for Pakistan Abu Hafs al Shahri reported killed in U.S. Predator strikeAl-Qaeda Sep 11 2011U.S./Pakistani joint arrest of suspected Chief Al-Qaeda Younis al-Mauritani in QuettaAl-Qaeda Sep 06 2011Al-Qaeda No. 2 Atiyah Abd al-Rahman Killed in Pakistan by CIA predator drone strikeAl-Qaeda Aug 22 2011East Africa's Al-Qaeda senior leader Harun Fazul killed at security checkpoint in SomaliaAl-Qaeda Jun 07 2011Al-Qaeda Commander Ilyas Kashmiri Killed in U.S. Predator StrikeAl-Qaeda Jun 03 20116 senior Al-Qaeda figures killed in U.S. Air StrikeAl-Qaeda Jun 2011US Forces Kill Osama Bin Laden in PakistanAl-Qaeda May 02 2011Defense of Marriage Act declared unconstitutional and no longer defended in federal courts by the Obama AdministrationFeb 23 2011Number of US and Russian nuclear warheads deployed reduced by two-thirds by 2017New START Treaty Feb 05 2011Number of US and Russian strategic nuclear missile launchers reduced in half by 2017New START Treaty Feb 05 2011Small family farms selling locally exempted from federal regulations such as traceability and record keepingFood Safety Modernization Act Jan 04 2011Safety of imported food improved with new FSVP & VQIP programs that helps ensure it is safe, unadulterated and not misbrandedFood Safety Modernization Act Jan 04 2011Safety of U.S. grown food improved with requirements for large factory farms to register all food handlers and maintain records relating to food safetyFood Safety Modernization Act Jan 04 2011US sponsored measure to include “sexual orientation” in the definition of human rights adopted by the UN General Assembly, 122- 0.Discrimination Dec 22 2010Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the militaryDon't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Dec 22 2010$193 million saved over five years by eliminating recruiting and retraining costs of replacing soldiers discharged due to DADTDon't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act Dec 22 2010$186 billion in tax relief for all tax payers by extending the Bush income tax cuts for 2010 & 20112010 Tax & Jobs Compromise Dec 17 2010$136 billion in tax relief for 21 million middle class households through patch to the Alternative Minimum Tax for 2010 & 20112010 Tax & Jobs Compromise Dec 17 2010$111 billion in tax relief for workers by a reducing social security payroll tax from 6.2% to 4.2% for 2011.2010 Tax & Jobs Compromise Dec 17 2010Unemployment benefits extended for 13 months at a cost of $56 billion2010 Tax & Jobs Compromise Dec 17 2010$40 billion in tax credits for college students and lower income families with children2010 Tax & Jobs Compromise Dec 17 2010Number of eligible children enrolled in school meal programs increased by approximately 115,000 studentsHealthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act Dec 13 2010Schools and communities provided resources to utilize local farms and gardens to provide fresh produce for school food programs.Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act Dec 13 2010$1.5 billion awarded to some 75,000 black farmers who were victims of discrimination in applying for farm loans from 1983 to 1997Claims Resolution Act Dec 08 2010$3.4 billion settlement for Native Americans against the US government arising from incorrect accounting for royalties on mineral leasesClaims Resolution Act Dec 08 2010Veteran work-study programs expanded to include congressional offices, state agencies and institutions of higher learningVeterans' Benefit Act Oct 14 2010On-the-job training opportunities expanded for veterans by reimbursing energy sector employers for training costs.Veterans' Benefit Act Oct 14 2010Insurance policy amounts and terms enhanced for severely disabled veteransVeterans' Benefit Act Oct 14 2010Service members receiving relocation orders protected from early termination fees for certain contracts and residential leasesVeterans' Benefit Act Oct 14 2010$10 million in job training, counseling, placement services, and child care services for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with childrenVeterans' Benefit Act Oct 14 2010Disabled veterans provided improved independent assisted living services, automobile adaptive equipment and allowances for automobile purchaseVeterans' Benefit Act Oct 14 2010$30 billion lending program created for community banks with incentives to increase small business lendingSmall Business Jobs Act Sep 27 2010$12 billion in assistance for small businesses through eight separate tax cutsSmall Business Jobs Act Sep 27 2010Large disparity in jail sentences reduced for crack cocaine related offenses that disproportionately affected African AmericansFair Sentencing Act Aug 03 2010Long-term economic stability improved through new FDIC powers to liquidate failing financial firms such as insurance companies and non-bank financial companiesWall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010Borrowers protected from bad loans with rules and penalties requiring that lenders verify that they are able to repay the loans that they issueWall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010Financial Stability Oversight Council established to identify and monitor excessive risks to the U.S. financial systemWall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010Future economic downturns minimized with new rules and transparency regarding bank trading in credit default swaps and derivatives including the "Volker Rule"Wall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010Risk in the financial system reduced with new SEC Office of Credit Ratings (OCR) to monitor credit rating agencies for conflict of interests & inaccuraciesWall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010FDIC bank deposit insurance increased from $100,000 to $250,000Wall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010Transparency of Federal Reserve improved with additional government oversight and new audits to be performed by the GAOWall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010Consumer Financial Protection Bureau established to promote fairness and transparency for mortgages, credit cards, and other consumer financial productsWall Street Reform Act Jul 22 2010U.S. drone attack killed 7 known terrorists, most notable Al-Qaeda operative from Egypt Hawza al JawfiAl-Qaeda Jun 29 2010Federal benefits extended to same sex partners of workers through memorandum by Obama administrationCivil & Human Rights Jun 02 2010Transgender Americans able to list their gender identity on their passports under rule issued by the State DepartmentCivil & Human Rights Jun 01 2010Al-Qaeda’s number three commander Sheik Saeed al-Masri killed in U.S. drone attackAl-Qaeda May 21 2010Family caregivers of veterans granted eligibility to VA counseling and mental health servicesCaregivers & Veterans Health Services Act May 05 2010Health care services improved and expanded for women veterans at Veterans care facilitiesCaregivers & Veterans Health Services Act May 05 2010Counseling and care enhanced for military women victims of sexual trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Caregivers & Veterans Health Services Act May 05 2010Care options expanded for veterans living in rural areas that lack the necessary VA medical facilitiesCaregivers & Veterans Health Services Act May 05 2010Housing and care options expanded for homeless veterans living in care sheltersCaregivers & Veterans Health Services Act May 05 2010Joint American and Iraqi operation killed Al-Qaeda leaders Abu Ayyub al-Masri and Abu Omar al-BaghdadiAl-Qaeda Apr 18 2010$68 billion to expand Pell grants & make it easier for students to repay outstanding loans after graduation through savings in the federal student loan programStudent Aid Act Mar 30 2010$2 billion investment to laid off workers for education and career training programs in community colleges over four years starting in 2010Student Aid Act Mar 30 2010People denied coverage for a pre-existing condition given access to a temporary high risk health insurance planObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Children under 19 can no longer be denied coverage or benefits for a pre-existing conditionObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Young adults can stay on parent's insurance plan up until age 26Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010$250 rebate for those in the Medicare Prescription drug "donut hole" during 2010Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 201050% discount on prescription drug costs for seniors in the Medicare "donut hole" starting in 2011Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Health care insurance plans prohibited from putting a lifetime limit on the benefits you receiveObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Annual dollar limits on health benefits restricted and phased out by 2014Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Insurers selling to groups of 50 or more employees must spend 85% of premiums on medical care and quality improvementObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Consumers guaranteed the right to choose the primary care doctor or pediatrician from their health plan’s provider networkObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010HIV Testing Will Now Be Covered Under ObamacareObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Consumers are guaranteed the right to appeal decisions made by their health insurance providerObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Women are no longer charged higher premiums because of their genderObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Preventative services will be covered at no additional costObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Insurance companies must provide consumers a short, easy to understand summary of their benefits and coverageObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Health insurance companies can not charge higher premiums for out of network emergency room careObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010People with a pre-existing condition cannot be denied health coverge by an insurance company starting in 2014Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010$143 billion in deficit reduction estimated between 2010-2019 from health care reform law provisionsObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Mental health and drug addiction coverage is an "essential benefit" that can not be deniedObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Insurance companies must spend 80% of the money raised from consumers premiums on health care and quality improvementObamacare (Affordable Care Act) Mar 23 2010Social Security payroll tax credits in 2010 for employers that hired people who have been unemployed for 60+ daysHire Act Mar 18 2010Tax credits to employers who keep new hires for 52 weeks to encourage retention of new hiresHire Act Mar 18 2010$17.5 billion in tax cuts, business credits and subsidies for state and local construction bonds to stimulate business investment and hiringHire Act Mar 18 2010$20 billion to the highway trust fund for spending on highway and transit programs.Hire Act Mar 18 2010Encourages job creation by expanding investments in schools and clean energy projectsHire Act Mar 18 2010Offsets costs through a 30 percent withholding tax on income from certain U.S. financial assets held by foreign banks who have not agreed to disclosures.Hire Act Mar 18 2010Al-Qaeda operative Hussein al-Yemeni killed by U.S. drone attack in PakistanAl-Qaeda Mar 2010Al-Qaeda and Taliban-linked Fedayeen-i-Islam leader Qari Zafar killed in US airstrikeAl-Qaeda Feb 24 2010Militant commander Muhammad Haqqani killed by U.S. drone attacksTerrorism Feb 2010Discrimination based on gender identity banned in federal workplacesDiscrimination Jan 01 2010Liquidation of General Motors and Chrysler avoided through government mandated restructuring plans and conditional investment and loan programsManufacturing Industry 2009115,000 jobs created at General Motors and Chrysler since government financing and restructuring implementedJobs 20091.45 million American jobs saved overall by government financing and restructuring of GM and Chrysler to avoid liquidationJobs 2009$96 billion in personal income losses avoided by government financing and restructuring of GM and Chrysler to avoid liquidationLabor 2009$28.6 billion net public benefit in income taxes and social security taxes paid because liquidation of GM and Chrysler avoidedTaxes 2009Al-Qaeda Operational Commander Abdallah Sa’id killed in U.S. drone attackAl-Qaeda Dec 17 2009Al-Qaeda Operational Commander Saleh al-Somali killed in U.S. drone attackAl-Qaeda Dec 08 2009People with HIV/AIDS no longer prohibited from entering the United StatesDiscrimination Oct 30 2009Federal hate crime law expanded to include crimes motivated by gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.Matthew Shepard Act Oct 28 2009Existing hate crime laws strengthened with funding to investigate and prosecute those crimesMatthew Shepard Act Oct 28 2009Operation Celestial Balance: Navy Seals Kill Somalian Al-Qaeda leader Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan in raidAl-Qaeda Sep 14 2009Somalian Al-Qaeda leader Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan killed by U.S. raidAl-Qaeda Sep 14 2009White House voluntary disclosure of visitor logsSep 04 2009Co-founder of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan Tohir Yo‘ldosh killed by U.S. drone attacksTerrorism Aug 29 2009U.S. drone attack killed Tehrik e-Taliban Pakistan leader Baitullah Mahsud in PakistanPakistani Taliban Aug 05 2009First-ever reception at the White House honoring Lesbian, Gay, Transgendered, Bisexual Pride Month hosted by the President and First ladyDiscrimination Jun 29 2009Sonya Sotomayor nominated and approved as Supreme Court justiceMay 25 2009Dept of Defense systems analysis, engineering and developmental testing processes overhauled to reduce high rates of failure on defense acquisitionsWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Defense Dept ordered to evaluate the technological maturity and product knowledge of critical weapons' technologies before letting defense contractsWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Independent cost assesessment director initiated to ensure that cost estimates for major Defense contracts are fair, reliable, and unbiasedWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Defense oversight council required to seek input from combat commanders in evaluating proposed weapons system capabilities and needsWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Defense contractors prohibited from participating in both the systems engineering and the development /construction phases of the weapon systemsWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Oversight and audit required of those major defense programs experiencing cost overruns to determine if the programs are essential and cost-effectiveWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Funding provided to hire and retain highly skilled specialists to assess the cost, schedule and applicability of proposed Defense Dept weapons systemsWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Annual awards program established to recognize individuals and teams making significant contributions to improving efficiency of defense aquisition programsWeapons Systems Acquisition Reform May 22 2009Credit cardholders protected against arbitrary interest rate increases, hidden and excessive fees, and due date gimmicksCredit Card Act May 22 2009Homeowners' foreclosures avoided by improved terms for loan modification and restructuring of their debtHelping Families Save Their Homes May 20 2009Lenders incentivized to reduce foreclosures by loss mitigation guarantees, compensation and lender protection from lawsuits by investors holding the loansHelping Families Save Their Homes May 20 2009$2.2 billion appropriated to help communities address the homeless crisis.Helping Families Save Their Homes May 20 2009Financial Crisis Inquiry commission created to examine and report on the domestic and global causes of the 2008 - 2009 financial and economic crisisFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009Mortgage lending businesses added to list of financial institutions subject to Federal criminal law in fraudulent lending practicesFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009Crime of major fraud against the United States amended to include Federal grants made to stimulate economic recovery for fiscal years 2009 and 2010Fraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009Securities fraud definition amended to include fraud related to commodities futures and derivatives fraudFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$140 million in special funding for the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate fraud in financial institutionsFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$100 million in special funding for the offices of the United States Attorneys to investigate and prosecute fraud in financial institutionsFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$80 million in special funding to the criminal, civil and tax divisions of the Dept of Justice to investigate and prosecute fraud in financial institutionsFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$60 million in special funding for the Postal Inspection Service to investigate financial institutions for fraudFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$60 million in special funding for Inspector General's Office at the U S Dept of Housing and Urban Development to investigate financial institutions for fraudFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$40 million in special funding for the Secret Service to investigate financial institutions for fraudFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009$42 million in special funding for the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate securites fraud in financial institutionsFraud Enforcement Act May 20 2009250,000 volunteers by 2017 for community service programs in low income neighborhoodsServe America Act Apr 21 2009Community volunteer program expanded to address the education, health care, energy and veterans needs of low income communitiesServe America Act Apr 21 2009Disadvantaged youth job opportunites enhanced by community service to gain skills/experience and earn education grants and stipendsServe America Act Apr 21 2009Restrictions eased on Cuba travel, money transfers, and cellular telephone/satellite service.International Relations Apr 13 2009Maersk Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips rescued during operation in which U.S. Navy Seal snipers kill three Somali Pirates holding him for ransom aboard lifeboatSomali Civil War Apr 11 2009Deeper recession or depression averted in 2009 and beyond with the help of stimulus bill provisions2009 Stimulus Bill Apr 01 2009Approximately 2.7 million jobs added to US payrolls and unemployment rate kept 1½ percentage points lower due to Stimulus spending2009 Stimulus Bill Apr 01 20092010 real GDP increased by about 3.4% due to stimulus spending2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 2009Tax credit of $400 per worker ($800 per couple) for middle income workers for 2009 & 2010 totaling $116 billion2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 2009$82.2 billion in aid for low income workers, unemployed and retirees (including job training)2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 2009$70 billion in tax relief for middle class workers by patching the Alternative Minimum Tax for one year2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 2009$155 billion in health care assistance for the poor & unemployed primarily for Medicaid, health information technology and insurance premium subsidies2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 2009$100 billion in education aid to prevent lay-offs, modernize schools, award Pell grants and help low income children & special education programs2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 2009$48.1 billion in investments for highway, bridge, high-speed rail & other transportation projects2009 Stimulus Bill Feb 17 20094 million more children insured under SCHIP in addition to the 6.6 million already coveredChildren's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Feb 04 2009Statute of limitations on filing equal-pay lawsuits eased by setting period to start from the date of the most recent paycheck.Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Jan 29 2009Pay discrimination based on gender, race, color, national origin, age and disability prohibited.Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Jan 29 2009Employers prompted to review, develop and update their criteria on employee compensation to ensure they are applied consistently and uniformly.Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act Jan 29 2009Use of torture by CIA and military to interrogate prisoners prohibited.Torture Jan 21 2009