The Journal

Faces, character & the art of noticing.

Long-form essays, short reflections, and the occasional how-to — for the curious reader.

Featured·Foundations

Why We Screen 25 Pillars, Not Just 15 OLQs

The board assesses 15 Officer Like Qualities. OLQ Compass screens those 15 plus ten supporting pillars — bearing, honesty, routine, motivation to serve — because that is where most aspirants actually lose marks.

The OLQ Compass Editors · May 25, 2026 · 7 min read

Foundations

What Personality Screening Can and Cannot Tell You

An AI screening is not a psychologist, and it is not a selection prediction. Here is what it is genuinely useful for during SSB preparation.

May 12, 2026 · 6 min read

Preparation

The Four Factors: How the Board Groups the 15 OLQs

Planning and Organising, Social Adjustment, Social Effectiveness and Dynamic — why understanding the factors matters more than memorising the list.

Apr 28, 2026 · 8 min read

How-to

Five Things to Fix Before Your Next SSB Attempt

A practical checklist for repeaters: opening in GD, finishing SRTs, group task movement, obstacle recovery, and the conference impression.

Apr 10, 2026 · 5 min read

Ethics

The Ethics of AI-Assisted SSB Preparation

Where the line sits between useful practice feedback and false promises — and how OLQ Compass stays on the right side of it.

Mar 22, 2026 · 7 min read