Quite touchy. I know the feeling cox I was there that night in nysc camp dutse jigawa where DSSC did there own. Many peeps were evicted from medical. I succeeded to reach before the board for oral interview. I really thank God as I'm hopeful of making the final list we are anxiously awaiting.

Great Nigerian. Unlike some losers, you didn't blame your eviction on some phony tales, but clearly acknowledge you rightly have those issues that led to your eviction. That is bravery. you will definitely succeed somewhere else.

odimbannamdi:


Its not sir. I was at the Army SSC screen exercise in Kaduna 2weeks ago. So, thats just a bit of my experiences there

what he was expecting is for you to say the screening exercise was biased. Then u will see insults on the government.

The number of our testes was checked. We were then asked to grab our buttocks, bend down with our anus very visible and cough (this is to check if we have had pile before)

WTF. All these humiliation to join an ill equipped, underpaid and unmotivated army

Lol... The funniest part was where they checked for pile... Very disgusting. I can't even stand naked in front of any person.


I wanted to get the NDA form last yr buh just seeing soldiers heads blown off scared the shit out of me..

Now I'm getting more confused,can you shed more light on the three different methods of joining the army..

8BitGee:
Good write up OP. The selection process appears largely transparent, I'm happy to know.

Was it always transparent like this? or is it during this new government only?

If the Nigeria army have seen this write up or if anyone has a Link that can be helpful they should bring this write up to the attention of the army authorrities.
This is a great write up of an individual experiences and there are ways people like this can still serve the Nigeria army, this guy has confirm his Passion, you can feel it as you read Spirits like this should not be allowed to " die". Sentiments aside.
Long live our military men and women of Nigeria, long live the Federal Republic of NIGERIA.

odimbannamdi:
It had always been my dream to join the Nigerian Army since my NYSC days in 2013/14 at the Nigerian Army Cantonment, Ojo. It seemed the perfect career path where I could deploy my intelligence, wit, strength and patriotism to my country. So, it was with so much eagerness that I applied for the Army SSC recruitment the very day applications were declared open. Thereafter, I started praying to make the first shortlistment, at least

My joy knew no bounds on the 29th of July when I saw my name in The Punch newspaper among the 30 shortlisted candidates from each state expected to report to the NDA old site, Kaduna on the 5th of August. I could hardly sleep at night due to excitement. So my dream was finally coming through. I was finally going to become an officer with the Nigerian Army.

I reported at Kaduna for the screening by exactly 3:30pm on the 5th of August. Only 17 people showed up for the screening from my state (Abia State): 15 on the first day, and another 2 a few days later.

A semi-apron-like blue tag containing a 2 lettered abbreviation of your state of origin and number was issued to every candidate, to be won all through the screening period (mine was AB08). Officially, we were to be known and regarded by this tag number. You would hear stuffs like “AB08, how far na? GB14, old boy I dey o” At some point, we all forgot our names. Lol. Also, it is this number you would send to your sponsors for influential purposes

An adhoc screening board made up of a Major General (the president of the board), 3 Colonels, 3 Lieutenant Colonels (the board secretary was one of them), 3 Captains (the board Admin Officer was one of them) and 3 Lieutenants was set up.

The first screening stage was vetting of candidates’ credentials to ascertain their authenticity and whether we would still be below the required maximum age of 29 by October. A Lt. Col. (the C.O. of 1div Hospital at NDA new site) screened for my state and he was very thorough. I noticed that the Army even prefers you to be younger than the minimum required age.

The next screening stage was writing an aptitude test. Candidates were divided into 3 groups. 1st group wrote at the hall just adjacent the parade ground. 2nd group wrote at the Cadet mess while the 3rd group (which included my state) wrote at the staff school, (one Professor Yahaya or so hall)

The test comprised of 4 sections:

- An essay (WHY YOU WANT TO JOIN THE NIGERIAN ARMY) of 500 – 1000words
- 10 English questions
- Around 7 Maths questions (can’t remember exactly now)
- Around 15 – 20 current affairs questions (cant remember exactly too)

The test was over in 2hours time. I gathered that the test was aimed at gauging our communicative ability, so more attention was paid to the essay and english objective questions. Some candidates were evicted based on the result of this test.

The next screening stage was the “almighty” medical and physical examination. As a result of the mammoth crowd and many tests we were supposed to undergo, we were shared into various groups. My state and some other states first went to the Medical Reception Station (MRS) for Xray. The next day, some of us went to 1div hospital, new NDA site, for blood tests, physical, dental and optical examination, checking of Blood pressure and BMI.

Considering the significance of this stage to a candidate’s final selection, I will try to explain each test further

Physical examination: Here, we were stripped Unclad, asked to stand straight with our hands placed at varying positions (this is to check if we have a bad posture such as kyphosis [hunched back] or lordosis) and our feet making a V-shape (to check for flat feet). The number of our testes was checked. We were then asked to grab our buttocks, bend down with our anus very visible and cough (this is to check if we have had pile before)

Blood and urine tests: Over 5mls of our blood was drawn and our urine taken in a sterile bottle. We were tested for diseases such Hepatitis B, HIV, Syphilis etc. I think our blood group and genotype were also checked

Blood Pressure reading: Being in a cool environment (such as an air-conditioned room), prior to checking your blood pressure, helps calm you down, consequently normalizing it. One Corporal Mike hinted us that the optimal reading is 120/90 or 110/80, while anything more than 140/90 is regarded as being high.

Body Mass Index (BMI): Our height and weight were measured, after taking off our shoes. The readings were used to determine our BMI. The full diameter of our chest during deep inhaling was also measured

Eye examination: We were asked to read letters from an eye chart placed about 10meters and 0.5meter away from us with one of our eyes closed at each time. Next, we were asked to decipher letters printed in colour patterns. Both tests were used to detect if we have long or short-sightedness and Astigmatism

Dental Examination: The alignment, number and grip of our teeth were also checked

The medical and physical examinations took almost 5days to conclude. Any state that finishes its medicals proceeded to do the psychology tests.

During the Psychology tests, 2 Lieutenants shared a booklet containing questions that tried to figure out our history of stimulants/drugs usage. The questions were structured in a way that when you lie in the first question, you would have to keep lying to the end. LOL.

Alcohol usage kind of raised a controversy among candidates because almost every young man has, at one point or the other, taken a sip of the contents of the green bottle. But I observed that as long as your alcohol usage wasnt a source of worry to your loved ones or you haven’t suffered a challenge arising from it (of course, the questions asked us that), then it wasn’t enough to disqualify you.

However, other classes of stimulants used via smoking, inhaling, sniffing or injecting, I observed too, disqualified some candidates. I think they tested their urine for the presence of such stimulants, cant say exactly. We were further interviewed based on our answers
The results of the medical and psychology tests were announced together and candidates were consequently evicted.

I WAS EVICTED AT THIS STAGE TOO. I will talk about it soon

HOW RESULTS OF EACH SCREENING STAGE WAS ANNOUNCED[/b]

To a very great extent, the screening process was transparent.

Upon completion of each screening stage, the board members met and compiled the list of candidates who are “suspects of eviction”. All members of the board then arrive the parade ground to meet orderly but very anxious candidates.

Starting from Abia state, the board secretary calls out names of candidates who are made to immediately shout “Yes Sir!” with a leap and, along with their credentials, jogs to a part of the parade ground and sits on the ground.

Candidates who were flagged for eviction resulting from credentials screening were subjected to a review where their credentials were looked at again before final eviction.

The aptitude test stage did not need a review, of course. You don fail you don fail. No argument.

After the first set of medical and physical examinations, candidates were taken back to 1div hospital for review. Here, if you fell short of the accepted standard in any of the tests, apart from the blood and urine tests, you would be called in to be reviewed by the medical team.

Evictions resulting from the medical and psychological tests was, perhaps, the most touching and monumental. Lol. When the soldiers and officers were telling us that “medicals must drop over half of all of you. That one na dole”, we thought they were only envious of our would-be officer status.

The evening the results ought to have been announced, we waited for the board members till 10pm in the night. The secretary later came and told us that the results would be announced the next day. He instructed us to come to the parade ground with our bags the next morning.

The next morning, around 7am or later, all members of the board arrived the parade ground along with a public address system. There was a different kind of aura in the air. The atmosphere was so tensed.

Mounting the PAS, the board secretary started, “Candidates! Today, my problems will be reduced. Most of you will go back to your villages. The Nigerian Army does not compromise on health issues. If you hear your number, carry your kaya and run out. Is that clear!” Then he started

MY EVICTION
I was far from surprised when I heard my name. I saw it coming.

I was born with a flat feet, umbilical hernia (i.e. a painless prominent navel) and poor right eye vision. For as long as I can remember, distanced objects appear very blurry when viewed using only my right eye (with my left eye closed). I never thought it was something to worry about because I have perfect sight with my both eyes working.

All these were flagged during the medical tests and I was reviewed based on them again.

It was with a broken heart that I picked up my kaya and jogged to the drill shed to await further instructions.


Indeed, over half of the candidates were evicted based on medical and psychological grounds. In fact, Ogun state saw over 20 of its candidates sent packing, leaving behind just 4!

After calling out the names, the board members came to address us. A lucky few who were evicted for being overweight were called out and asked to go back and join up. Then the rest of us were individually called out and told the reasons for our eviction afterwhich our beloved tags were taken away from us.

As I left NDA gate, hot tears flowed down my cheeks. I was evicted for features my God created me with and not what I acquired. It was really painful.

But in everything, I give Him the glory because He knows the end from the beginning.

I will be dropping the fun part of life in NDA, the psyching from the officers and soldiers that made some candidates run away, the jobs we served and the pertinent lectures about the Army we got from Captain Abdullahi.

Stay tuned

GOD BLESS THE NIGERIAN ARMY! GOD BLESS CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF

Bros you forget to mention captain Abdul AKA German dose. God bless Nigerian Army. It is fun to be part of the screening

Nwanne mmadu God will give u a better job.chukwu gozi gi nke uwku

This is really a great read and i learnt so much from it.

I hope you arent giving up or something. I don't know much about the military admission process but you could try Navy/Airforce. I also think that maybe you could write directly to the chief of army staff stating your faults but also stating your strengths and why you need to join the Nigerian Army(maybe i'm just being dumb here)


keep living life.
God would bless you!!

I have some questions though.

Very detailed reportage @Op, I'm particularly impressed with how you endeared me to read even further. Like someone has already noted, you might really excel in writing, have a go and at it and the sky will be your limit.

Too bad you couldn't go further with the NA based on health grounds, God knows best.

dvee2:
Great Nigerian. Unlike some losers, you didn't blame your eviction on some phony tales, but clearly acknowledge you rightly have those issues that led to your eviction. That is bravery. you will definitely succeed somewhere else.

This the reason am asking Nigeria military authorrities to reconsider the guy, He can serve in other capacity. Very unbiased write up, this are the kind of people we want in the new Nigeria.
Long live our President, long live the Federal Republic Of NIGERIA.

I like this kind of thread. Working with and for the Nigerian Army is a dream am still yearning to achieve. It's about HONOUR, SERVICE and GALLANTRY.

I love the Nigerian Army

back2sender:
If the Nigeria army have seen this write up or if anyone has a Link that can be helpful they should bring this write up to the attention of the army authorrities.
This is a great write up of an individual experiences and there are ways people like this can still serve the Nigeria army, this guy has confirm his Passion, you can feel it as you read Spirits like this should not be allowed to " die". Sentiments aside.
Long live our military men and women of Nigeria, long live the Federal Republic of NIGERIA.

I thought so too

OP, SSC is 9 months. The 1 month counter terrorism course added is a recent addition which I think will begin with course 44. But your write up is very nice.

O.p... How comes non was screened for mental problem, thats the part they should focus more on... No wonder we have too many soldiers that are sick in the head... But op make you no worry when man fall down no be the end of his life, after the dark night comes a brighter day

odimbannamdi:


Thanks ma. I am really considering it.

Nice write up.. She is right, give it a shot bruv....Bt just remember 2 send me a copy of everything u write about.

apatheticme:
Wow, great experience. Nice write up. Pele @op, it's well. BTW, why not consider a career in writing or editing, u seem to have a knack for putting words together in a simple but clear manner. Me likey

me likey too

Nice sharing... very informative and a heads up to those who want to join up. We always hear the headlines..."have to do many tests"....but never the details! What I liked most... is that you failed to be recruited .... but yet can come here and share your experience with us. Most would never ever do. Great thread! (....that had to come to FP by force!)

odimbannamdi:
It had always been my dream to join the Nigerian Army since my NYSC days in 2013/14 at the Nigerian Army Cantonment, Ojo. It seemed the perfect career path where I could deploy my intelligence, wit, strength and patriotism to my country. So, it was with so much eagerness that I applied for the Army SSC recruitment the very day applications were declared open. Thereafter, I started praying to make the first shortlistment, at least

My joy knew no bounds on the 29th of July when I saw my name in The Punch newspaper among the 30 shortlisted candidates from each state expected to report to the NDA old site, Kaduna on the 5th of August. I could hardly sleep at night due to excitement. So my dream was finally coming through. I was finally going to become an officer with the Nigerian Army.

I reported at Kaduna for the screening by exactly 3:30pm on the 5th of August. Only 17 people showed up for the screening from my state (Abia State): 15 on the first day, and another 2 a few days later.

A semi-apron-like blue tag containing a 2 lettered abbreviation of your state of origin and number was issued to every candidate, to be won all through the screening period (mine was AB08). Officially, we were to be known and regarded by this tag number. You would hear stuffs like “AB08, how far na? GB14, old boy I dey o” At some point, we all forgot our names. Lol. Also, it is this number you would send to your sponsors for influential purposes

An adhoc screening board made up of a Major General (the president of the board), 3 Colonels, 3 Lieutenant Colonels (the board secretary was one of them), 3 Captains (the board Admin Officer was one of them) and 3 Lieutenants was set up.

The first screening stage was vetting of candidates’ credentials to ascertain their authenticity and whether we would still be below the required maximum age of 29 by October. A Lt. Col. (the C.O. of 1div Hospital at NDA new site) screened for my state and he was very thorough. I noticed that the Army even prefers you to be younger than the minimum required age.

The next screening stage was writing an aptitude test. Candidates were divided into 3 groups. 1st group wrote at the hall just adjacent the parade ground. 2nd group wrote at the Cadet mess while the 3rd group (which included my state) wrote at the staff school, (one Professor Yahaya or so hall)

The test comprised of 4 sections:

- An essay (WHY YOU WANT TO JOIN THE NIGERIAN ARMY) of 500 – 1000words
- 10 English questions
- Around 7 Maths questions (can’t remember exactly now)
- Around 15 – 20 current affairs questions (cant remember exactly too)

The test was over in 2hours time. I gathered that the test was aimed at gauging our communicative ability, so more attention was paid to the essay and english objective questions. Some candidates were evicted based on the result of this test.

The next screening stage was the “almighty” medical and physical examination. As a result of the mammoth crowd and many tests we were supposed to undergo, we were shared into various groups. My state and some other states first went to the Medical Reception Station (MRS) for Xray. The next day, some of us went to 1div hospital, new NDA site, for blood tests, physical, dental and optical examination, checking of Blood pressure and BMI.

Considering the significance of this stage to a candidate’s final selection, I will try to explain each test further

Physical examination: Here, we were stripped Unclad, asked to stand straight with our hands placed at varying positions (this is to check if we have a bad posture such as kyphosis [hunched back] or lordosis) and our feet making a V-shape (to check for flat feet). The number of our testes was checked. We were then asked to grab our buttocks, bend down with our anus very visible and cough (this is to check if we have had pile before)

Blood and urine tests: Over 5mls of our blood was drawn and our urine taken in a sterile bottle. We were tested for diseases such Hepatitis B, HIV, Syphilis etc. I think our blood group and genotype were also checked

Blood Pressure reading: Being in a cool environment (such as an air-conditioned room), prior to checking your blood pressure, helps calm you down, consequently normalizing it. One Corporal Mike hinted us that the optimal reading is 120/90 or 110/80, while anything more than 140/90 is regarded as being high.

Body Mass Index (BMI): Our height and weight were measured, after taking off our shoes. The readings were used to determine our BMI. The full diameter of our chest during deep inhaling was also measured

Eye examination: We were asked to read letters from an eye chart placed about 10meters and 0.5meter away from us with one of our eyes closed at each time. Next, we were asked to decipher letters printed in colour patterns. Both tests were used to detect if we have long or short-sightedness and Astigmatism

Dental Examination: The alignment, number and grip of our teeth were also checked

The medical and physical examinations took almost 5days to conclude. Any state that finishes its medicals proceeded to do the psychology tests.

During the Psychology tests, 2 Lieutenants shared a booklet containing questions that tried to figure out our history of stimulants/drugs usage. The questions were structured in a way that when you lie in the first question, you would have to keep lying to the end. LOL.

Alcohol usage kind of raised a controversy among candidates because almost every young man has, at one point or the other, taken a sip of the contents of the green bottle. But I observed that as long as your alcohol usage wasnt a source of worry to your loved ones or you haven’t suffered a challenge arising from it (of course, the questions asked us that), then it wasn’t enough to disqualify you.

However, other classes of stimulants used via smoking, inhaling, sniffing or injecting, I observed too, disqualified some candidates. I think they tested their urine for the presence of such stimulants, cant say exactly. We were further interviewed based on our answers
The results of the medical and psychology tests were announced together and candidates were consequently evicted.

I WAS EVICTED AT THIS STAGE TOO. I will talk about it soon

HOW RESULTS OF EACH SCREENING STAGE WAS ANNOUNCED[/b]

To a very great extent, the screening process was transparent.

Upon completion of each screening stage, the board members met and compiled the list of candidates who are “suspects of eviction”. All members of the board then arrive the parade ground to meet orderly but very anxious candidates.

Starting from Abia state, the board secretary calls out names of candidates who are made to immediately shout “Yes Sir!” with a leap and, along with their credentials, jogs to a part of the parade ground and sits on the ground.

Candidates who were flagged for eviction resulting from credentials screening were subjected to a review where their credentials were looked at again before final eviction.

The aptitude test stage did not need a review, of course. You don fail you don fail. No argument.

After the first set of medical and physical examinations, candidates were taken back to 1div hospital for review. Here, if you fell short of the accepted standard in any of the tests, apart from the blood and urine tests, you would be called in to be reviewed by the medical team.

Evictions resulting from the medical and psychological tests was, perhaps, the most touching and monumental. Lol. When the soldiers and officers were telling us that “medicals must drop over half of all of you. That one na dole”, we thought they were only envious of our would-be officer status.

The evening the results ought to have been announced, we waited for the board members till 10pm in the night. The secretary later came and told us that the results would be announced the next day. He instructed us to come to the parade ground with our bags the next morning.

The next morning, around 7am or later, all members of the board arrived the parade ground along with a public address system. There was a different kind of aura in the air. The atmosphere was so tensed.

Mounting the PAS, the board secretary started, “Candidates! Today, my problems will be reduced. Most of you will go back to your villages. The Nigerian Army does not compromise on health issues. If you hear your number, carry your kaya and run out. Is that clear!” Then he started

MY EVICTION
I was far from surprised when I heard my name. I saw it coming.

I was born with a flat feet, umbilical hernia (i.e. a painless prominent navel) and poor right eye vision. For as long as I can remember, distanced objects appear very blurry when viewed using only my right eye (with my left eye closed). I never thought it was something to worry about because I have perfect sight with my both eyes working.

All these were flagged during the medical tests and I was reviewed based on them again.

It was with a broken heart that I picked up my kaya and jogged to the drill shed to await further instructions.


Indeed, over half of the candidates were evicted based on medical and psychological grounds. In fact, Ogun state saw over 20 of its candidates sent packing, leaving behind just 4!

After calling out the names, the board members came to address us. A lucky few who were evicted for being overweight were called out and asked to go back and join up. Then the rest of us were individually called out and told the reasons for our eviction afterwhich our beloved tags were taken away from us.

As I left NDA gate, hot tears flowed down my cheeks. I was evicted for features my God created me with and not what I acquired. It was really painful.

But in everything, I give Him the glory because He knows the end from the beginning.

I will be dropping the fun part of life in NDA, the psyching from the officers and soldiers that made some candidates run away, the jobs we served and the pertinent lectures about the Army we got from Captain Abdullahi.

Stay tuned

GOD BLESS THE NIGERIAN ARMY! GOD BLESS CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF

Capt. Abdullahi changed 2 smthn else after u guyz departed. Infact worse than "German dose".

I wonder why people will still join the Nigerian army now: you will lose your live and still no compensation for the family left behind....

its good you shared ur experience, some have passed through this process more than 3 times. the advice is that if you dont meet up with any of the criteria dont even apply cos you will be evicted. b4 you even apply go for medical test because the army dont play with medical test.

Wiztonero:
OP, SSC is 9 months. The 1 month counter terrorism course added is a recent addition which I think will begin with course 44. But your write up is very nice.
Me I was disqualified because of what appears to be the Doctor's sentiments against my tribe. He got strangely upset when he found out my tribe during the review. The next thing I knew, I was being evicted for pile and flat foot. I felt like crying.

counter terrorism was introduced in 2014 that is course 43

odimbannamdi:


Its not sir. I was at the Army SSC screen exercise in Kaduna 2weeks ago. So, thats just a bit of my experiences there

U SHUD AV KNOWN DAT FLAT FOOTERS WIL 4EVER B DISQUALIFIED. U SHUD KNW DIS B4 U GO 4D TRAINING. ANYWAYZ AL DA BST.

must u show your stvpidity everyday?

@op God is your strength bro. but I will advice u to quit your present job if its not script writing ....u r gud as a writer

What a good and an interesting write up.

Wishing u all the best in your future endeavor.

Good Luck.

1stCitizen:


WTF. All these humiliation to join an ill equipped, underpaid and unmotivated army

DO U TINK DEY JST ADMIT PIPU JST LYK DAT IN NDA. U MST B WEL FIT, SO ITS NT HUMILITION... MANY WERE CAL, FEW WERE CHOSEN STIL ONLY D FITTEST SURVIVE, DAZ WAT NA,NAF,NN STANDS 4. GET DAT.

sorry op, i feel your pain. 'you were evicted for what God created you with'.

STORIES THAT TOUCH(season2,episode1)

Wow, what a process. Kudos to the Nigerian Army. @op, greater opportunities ahead

odimbannamdi:


Ssc means Short Service Combatant wwhile Dssc means Direct Short Service Commission. They are 2 of the 3 ways of joining the officers cadre of the Nigerian Army and, just like the "short" in their names imply, it is supposed to be for a short period of time (10years). However, as long as you ain't 35years yet, you can convert to the Regular version of your mode of entry on your 7th month of service and serve more than the 10years

Now to their differences:

Ssc requires you spend 9months for the normal training and another 1 month where you will undertake a counter-terrorism course, making it10months in all. As an SSc officer, you will be trained on command roles and upon passing out, you will be confered with "1 eye" (2nd Lieutenant) and be assignedd thirty six soldiers (a platoon) to command in a war zone to be battle tested. It will take u 3 years to become a Lieutenant, then subsequent promotion will take five years each, after passing a promotional exam. As an Ssc officer, you are very likely to reach the peak of the Army career such as becoming a GOC, COAS, CDS if you are intelligent.

Will talk about the Dssc later. At work now

Tag me when u write about DSSC. thanks