How is service in the Russian army carried out, is there hazing? What do they do in the army? What a conscript needs to know - legal advice.
Rumors, stories, publications in the press, high-profile scandals - all this creates a motley picture of how service in the Russian army takes place. In the minds of some, service in the ranks of the Russian army is a “school of life”; in the minds of others, it is the fear of physical pain, a situation of complete powerlessness and subordination to the will of sergeants and officers. Let's figure out how military service works in modern Russia: what are the advantages of serving in the army, what does a conscript need to take to the army and to the assembly point, what does serving in the army provide.
Boys are taught from childhood that when they reach adulthood, they will become soldiers. The initial image of a soldier-defender of the Motherland does not evoke negativity in most children, and becoming a soldier does not seem scary to most of them. Only later, during adolescence and youth, a negative image of army service begins to form. By the time the time comes for the first time to appear for a medical examination at the military registration and enlistment office and receive a conscription certificate, the conscript no longer wonders how long he will serve in the army, because he knows that for conscripted military personnel the period of service is 12 months and is calculated from the date of conferment of military service rank of private. At the same time, the conscript begins to take an active interest in how military service is going, living conditions in the army, orders and traditions prevailing in the army environment.
As military service gets closer and closer, stories about it from friends who have served occupy more and more of the conscript’s attention and make him think seriously about what the army is, what the conscript needs to know, and whether he has enough strength to break away from his usual family life for a year. For some, this is a difficult life test, but for others, long-term service in the Russian army is not scary - over time, they enter into a contract and army life becomes a natural way of life for them.
In order for memories of military service to remain good, an appropriate psychological attitude and good physical preparation are necessary.
The point is not so much that military service involves high physical activity, but rather that it involves some violence against the individual and a mandatory regime:
performing physical exercises at any time of the year, regardless of the weather;
minimum of household amenities;
changing sleep and rest patterns;
change of climate and time zone;
transition to fairly monotonous food.
There is a simple answer to the question of how to prepare for military service - learn to be as independent and collected as possible before serving, gain maximum self-care skills, try to get your health and physical fitness in order. All this will help you go through the adaptation period faster and easier.
It has long been noted that young men accustomed to physical labor from childhood (rural residents, representatives of blue-collar professions) adapt more easily to military service. The adaptation process takes a slightly longer time for conscripts who are physically weak. Service in the army after higher education is especially difficult due to the difference in age and sometimes the prejudiced attitude of less educated colleagues towards a conscript with a “tower”.
Read also: Military conscription service in the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation
If desired, you can also obtain a military specialty (MUS). VUS training is especially popular among conscripts who want to obtain a driver’s license and subsequently serve in the army as a driver. Young men who have completed training in driver specialties and passed exams by military examination commissions receive a certificate, which is the basis for passing qualifying exams at the local traffic police and obtaining a driver's license.
The initial registration of conscripts for military service is carried out from January 1 to March 31 in the year they reach the age of 17 years. During the same period, a preliminary selection of conscripts for training in military training is carried out.
So, the army is just around the corner - what does a conscript need to know, what should he take with him to the assembly point? Citizens in respect of whom a decision has been made to conscript for military service are given a summons to appear at the appointed time at the military registration and enlistment office for subsequent transportation to the assembly point and further to the place of military service. On the day conscripts are sent to the assembly point, they are required to have with them:
– passport of a Russian citizen;
– registration certificate (on the same day the registration certificate is confiscated, and a military ID is issued in return);
– driver’s license and certificate of VUS (if available);
– shoes and clothes (according to the season).
Preparing for departure to a military unit is often done by wives, mothers or grandmothers, who strive to provide the conscript with a mass of unnecessary and useless things in army life: warm knitted socks, scarves, etc. The advice received by the conscript on what to take into the army will not be the most effective. from fathers and grandfathers who served several decades ago and who recommended taking with you more needles and threads or a week’s supply of stew - a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, the standards and procedures for providing for the defenders of the Fatherland have changed greatly.
At the assembly point, all conscripts are provided with food and clothing in accordance with established standards. Moreover, after receiving a military uniform, the conscript has the right to send his personal belongings home free of charge from the local branch of Russian Post (Clause 8 of Article 20 of the Federal Law “On the Status of Military Personnel”).
Often conscripts at the military registration and enlistment office at their place of residence are given a memo that lists things that can be taken with them to the assembly point:
– toiletries;
– products (bread, canned food, condensed milk, water in a plastic bottle).
You can also take some cash with you, since there is often a small store on the territory of the assembly point where conscripts can purchase essential goods.
The same memo from the military registration and enlistment office usually indicates what is forbidden to take with you to the assembly point, in particular:
- piercing and cutting objects;
— alcoholic drinks;
- any medications, unless prescribed by a doctor.
Arrival at the military unit, young soldier course (KMB)
Conscripts can stay at the assembly point for several days while a “team” is formed to be sent to a military unit. Immediately upon arrival at the unit, recruits are taken to the bathhouse and dressed in uniform. Usually the foreman has such a trained eye that he can accurately determine the size and size of the issued uniform. But do not hesitate to immediately ask to change any element of the form in size if it does not suit you. Tight shoes and hats are the main cause of injury among recruits.
MENSBY
The army is a school that some of us still have to go through. How to behave in the army, what not to do in the service, how to prepare for the army, what to take with you for an emergency and how to position yourself among the soldiers?
Hi all. The spring conscription begins on April 1, so the post is mainly intended for those who are just planning to join the ranks of the Armed Forces. I never claim to be the “last resort” and I understand perfectly well that in each part everything is different.
I myself never wanted to join the army, but I didn’t want to purposefully mow down either. Rather, I simply went with the flow from the position: “If they are found fit, I will serve.” Naturally, I was found fit and with the “people’s” category B3, in December 2013 I left for a military unit. At that time, I was 23 years old, had completed higher education and had lousy physical training.
Before leaving for service, I heavily smoked forums on the topic “how not to behave in the army.” Based on what I have read and my own experience, I can say the following:
1. Fizukha will not be superfluous. I served in training all year - first as a cadet, then as a sergeant. At first it was really hard, because I had to run during UVZ (morning physical exercises). I gradually got used to it, but it’s better to master it “in civilian life” and run at least 3 km without stopping and changing to a walk;
2. Always remember that you are human. Being drafted into the army did not turn you into a thoughtless idiot, although it is easiest to follow orders that way (shout out to the movie “Forrest Gump”). Don’t give in if they start putting pressure on you - there is always a limit after which they will consider you a weak-spirited person and, as a result, treat you with disdain. I had a case - in the second week of service, young recruits were still brought to us (which I myself was at that time). If necessary, he helped his comrades with hemming, putting things in the nightstand correctly, making the bed, etc., which earned him a certain authority among his colleagues.
It was in the evening. I’m standing in the washbasin, washing the collar. A guy who arrived only yesterday comes and “asks” to wash his collar at the same time. He argued that “well, you can help, isn’t it difficult?” I sent this subject to a known address, but his attempts to test my strength did not stop throughout my entire stay in training (almost six months). Towards the end they fought with him, but the matter was hushed up.
3. Don’t download your license. When I received the title, the most frozen out were the 10-19 year old boys who boasted of their “rights”, but completely forgot about their responsibilities. Because of these idiots, the entire company suffered steadily, since they loved to perform. Over time, their own people began to slow them down and the situation became much simpler. Hence the conclusion: don’t show off. The order is first executed and only then challenged. We had this routine: if something in the service is not clear, go to the KO (squad commander, aka chest of drawers) and calmly ask what, why and how. Starting to speak out of order is not a good idea. Far from the best.
4. Even people serve in the army. Everything can always be resolved humanly. The training is, by and large, a kindergarten with a military bias. If you are sick, it is better not to hide it. I know from my own experience that a cold turned into bronchitis, and then into double pneumonia. They rush around the conscript as if they were around a small child, so there are excesses in the limitations. As it turned out later, it was not in vain.
It was already time for my demobilization. We had about 3 weeks left to serve. I’m resting in the barracks, my boyfriends come in and say:
Comrade junior sergeant, did you hear what happened at the PPMP (reception point for young recruits)?
- No.
- The smell (the soldier who did not take the oath) made him go AWOL.
- Come on?!
- Yes, I left the hospital.
In general, this fool was lucky in 2 ways:
1) He did not take the oath and could not be convicted by a military court for SOCH (unauthorized abandonment of the unit)
2) His mother was in over her head and called the commanders herself to say that the unlucky son had returned home (about 500 km from the hospital).
Therefore, if suddenly some kind of garbage happens, you don’t have to try to resolve everything on your own (jambs and problems don’t count, except for serious ones). Go to the chest of drawers or ZKV (deputy platoon commander) and explain the essence of the problem. That's why the sergeants are there.
5. Memorize your responsibilities as quickly as possible. You know better what you have to do - you mess up less and, as a result, it’s easier to serve. If your colleagues don’t mess up, then you have to help each other. Responsibilities are written in the regulations in the articles “Duties of a soldier (sailor)” and “Duties of a serviceman before formation and in the ranks.”
6. It would be a good idea to learn the names and sizes of military units. I’ll give you a short list, usually in conscript service you don’t need more (the numbers are approximate, they vary in each part, I’m writing as it was with us):
a) department - 10 people
b) platoon - 30 people, 3 squads.
c) company - 90-120 people, 3 platoons
d) battalion - 300 people, 3 companies
e) regiment - 1000 people, 3 battalions
7. Remember commanders (chiefs) by sight, name and rank as quickly as possible. This is even stated in the duties of a soldier (sailor). The soldier has enough bosses:
a) chest of drawers or ZKV (corporal, junior sergeant or sergeant, immediate commanders, go to them with all the bullshit.)
b) a company sergeant major (usually a warrant officer or a senior warrant officer, but there are exceptions. Sometimes you can meet a company sergeant major with the rank of foreman, but this is a relic. Always a contract soldier. Lives in the “company pantry” location with rare migration to warehouses, mainly for loot in in the form of soap, hemming fabric, shoe polish and in general any mat.
c) platoon commander (lieutenant or senior lieutenant. If there is a lack of personnel - ensign or senior ensign. For us, these were practically my peers. Goofballs in the good sense of the word. They mutate psychologically by becoming company commanders)
d) company commander (senior lieutenant, captain. In advanced cases, major. An idealist who dreams of building a career as a general. If they have problems in the service, they stall in this position for many years)
e) the chief of staff of the battalion (a rare bird in the barracks, you need to know. For us these were captains or majors. The head of all the paper work taking place in the battalion)
f) battalion commander (for us these are lieutenant colonels. The battalion commander is screaming - the battalion commander’s mouth is torn... The underground, which usually has 3 companies under its command)
e) deputy commander of the unit for educational work (in common parlance, a political officer. You always have to keep your eyes open with this person, they are excellent psychologists. We had him with the rank of major. His job is to look for “hazing” and other prohibited behavior in the unit.)
g) deputy commander of the unit for logistics (also known as the deputy commander. Also majors. Foreman of the entire unit)
h) beginning unit headquarters (lieutenant colonel. Head of all clerical work in a military unit. And there is plenty of it there. During my service I crossed paths with him several times, and only in passing.)
i) deputy unit commander (lieutenant colonel. Second person in command of the military unit and first, in the absence of the unit commander. Just a big shot)
j) unit commander (colonel. For us, he was not a very good person, which is why there was sometimes chaos and madness in the unit, mixed with insanity. Like everywhere else, in principle. Alpha and Omega in a single military unit. Periodically he pissed himself off during inspections around the district. It’s better not to see this person for the entire duration of his service)
8. Take with you on the road a supply of food, water and soap and soap supplies. It is better not to take perishable products. Hygiene products that will come in handy include: a disposable razor and foam, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a soap dish, and a toothbrush case. Soap, washcloth and shoe polish will be provided in the company. I secretly smuggled in a few needles, but they didn’t really check us out. Then they came in handy, because those bought in a chipka (a soldier’s tea room, a shop on the territory of the unit) broke down with surprising frequency. It is better to take the simplest phone until you have scouted out the situation in the unit. A pair of writing pens and a notepad will come in handy (to write down new information and instructions). If you wear glasses (like me), you may want to take a spare with you. On the first day, I agreed with the foreman and kept them in the nightstand, in a case. They were never useful. What about those who wear contact lenses in the army? Normally, there were 2 people in my platoon who used them. There were no problems.
9. Look after your property. There is no word for "lost" in the army. There is a word “fucked up”, and whoever fucked up is the reason for the demand. If it was stolen, then that's a different story. The commanders won’t fuss over some little things, but if money, a phone or something valuable is stolen, they will raise hell with the whole company.
10. The barracks, although temporary, is a home. There is no need to litter, shit anywhere, or shirk PCBs (although everyone loves to fuck up). Behave the same way as you would in your own home, and keep it clean. This applies to everyone. We had cases when Dagestanis refused to clean up. After talking with the sergeants, they changed their minds and no longer tried to put themselves above others in this matter. From this point it follows that...
11. Keep yourself clean. In the army, the immune system is initially weakened and it is not difficult to catch some kind of nasty thing. I was in the hospital 2 times. The first is because of some kind of skin rubbish. Therefore, it is worth washing at every opportunity. We had a bathhouse once a week, but no one forbade us to go to the washbasin and wash ourselves from the basin in our free time. They put the basin in the sink, filled it with water and doused themselves. At least I wash myself every day, just so I have time to do everything that is required. In the morning, we moved faster to have time to wash, shave and brush our teeth. Pay special attention to the latter; in the army everything wears out faster, including people.
12. Don’t torment yourself with thoughts about home. At first you just want to go home. An unfamiliar environment, some rules, new people whom you need to listen to and do everything they say. This really unsettles me. The most important thing is to start living in the army, and not wait for all this to end. By the end of 1 month it becomes much easier and time goes by faster. If someone considers themselves a religion, then remember that in any of the beliefs, military service is considered honorable and your God is with you. I am an “amathyst Satanist” and carried all the burdens on my shoulders.
Here, in general terms, is everything I wanted to convey. If you have any questions, I will answer in the comments. Reserve junior sergeant %username% finished his report.
For some, receiving a summons from the military registration and enlistment office is a joyful event, while for others, military service is presented in a negative light. But both of them tend to experience some stress before being sent to service. And this is not surprising, because young people may have a lot of all kinds of questions. How to position yourself correctly, how to behave in the army with “grandfathers”, what you can do and what you can’t do? The period during which young guys will learn to defend their Motherland, they want to live with dignity. And, of course, everyone wants to avoid various problems that a recruit may encounter in the army.
This material was prepared on the basis of the generalized experience of many generations of men who served in the army. Also here you will find some tips from psychologists that will help the recruit get into the right mindset. So, what can you do in the first months of military service, and what is undesirable behavior? Let's start with recommendations for psychological adjustment.
What not to think about
Before looking for the answer to the question of how to behave in the army, you first need to understand one important thing: the correct psychological attitude will help you avoid many problems. When going to serve in the army, try to miss home as little as possible. Thoughts like “Right now my relatives are sitting down to have breakfast at home, soon my father will go to work, and my sister will go to school” need to be thrown out of your head. Such thoughts can only ruin your mood, but if you think about it constantly, you risk becoming more vulnerable both psychologically and physically.
This attitude of yours will sooner or later become noticeable to others. Colleagues and officers will pay attention to your emotions and consider you a weakling, and this is where all problems usually begin.
The right attitude
Have you practically stopped thinking longingly about home and don’t remember your last day in civilian life? Amazing! But how do you feel about the army itself? The question of how to behave in the army can be answered this way: take your service seriously and responsibly. Under no circumstances should one think that military service is a waste of time. You should not treat this sadly and with disdain. Commands "Rise!" or “All clear!” you need to take it for granted, and not talk as if this whole daily routine has no meaning.
It’s not as easy in the army as in civilian life, but you didn’t come here to rest. The army is a great way for self-improvement; it is a unique school of life. Imagine returning home as an adult, stronger and better. Set goals for yourself to achieve certain results and follow them. People around you will notice your determination and will definitely appreciate it.
How to talk
So, you are already in a positive mood, but you still don’t understand how to behave in the army - the first days of service are generally the most difficult. One of the recommendations that can be given in this regard concerns the correct delivery of speech. In the army you should never mutter to yourself. Speak clearly and legibly, so that your interlocutor understands you the first time, do not force people to ask again and clarify. Moreover, slurred speech will be perceived as a sign of your weakness and indecision. People are judged not by their words, but by their deeds, but the way you speak and clearly express your thoughts also matters a lot.
Everything is simple here - you need to look decent. When talking, never lower your eyes or head, because only potential victims behave this way. Try to look your interlocutor in the eyes, only occasionally looking away to the side. Be neat and clean-shaven, don't slouch. Make sure your military uniform is clean and ironed. Old-timers, warrant officers and even officers will notice your efforts, and will also appreciate your ability to always manage everything.
How to behave in the army so as not to seem like a sucker? A man should look courageous and dignified in any environment. Especially in the army. The posture is straight, the gaze expresses calmness and confidence, no fuss. A man who behaves appropriately inspires trust and is treated with great respect.
How to stay in a new team
How should a new recruit behave in the army in the first days of service, how to join a new team and get to know people? It is immediately worth noting that closed people are treated with distrust and fear, one might even say that they are disliked. Therefore, be open and make contact. Of course, everything needs to be done in moderation; you shouldn’t be too intrusive, otherwise you risk earning a reputation as a sycophant or a six.
You shouldn’t really count on the fact that your colleagues will reach out to you. Look around, see what your comrades are doing, offer someone a cigarette or chewing gum. Even if a person refuses, the dialogue has already begun. If you have any talents, for example, you know how to play the guitar, feel free to use these skills to your advantage, because creative individuals are treated specially in the army. Try to establish yourself as a good and reliable friend.
Standards of behavior in a conflict situation
Many young guys who are soon going to serve are interested in how to behave in the army so as not to get into conflict situations. All of the above recommendations will certainly help you avoid various troubles, but you should understand that conflicts cannot be completely avoided. They can arise for various reasons, so it is important to know in advance how to behave correctly in such cases.
Again, the psychological attitude is especially important here. Many conflicts begin with banal emotional provocations, then everything can depend on your behavior, on how you react to them. Try not to get irritated, nervous, or show your confusion or fear. Even if you can stand up for yourself, there is still no need to use your fists every time. Only cold calculation will help you control the situation.
Solve problems on time
It happens that experiences associated with the hardships and deprivations of service, accumulating, begin to put pressure on the psyche, which makes staying in the army unbearable. But how to behave in the army if you have certain problems, who to turn to for advice, and who can you complain to? And is it worth it? You don’t need to keep everything to yourself, but under no circumstances should you allow problems to accumulate; try to resolve them as they arise. Finally, talk to someone - be it your colleague, commander or psychologist.
Hazing in the army
Many stories have been told about hazing in the army; since childhood, you have probably heard about the formidable “grandfathers” who bully recruits. Nevertheless, they are the same soldiers, except that they have been in the army longer than you. So how should you behave in the army in the first days with your grandfathers in order to earn their favor and not become a scapegoat? Follow all the above recommendations, try to make sure that there is nothing to complain about. Of course, old-timers have their own, somewhat specific methods of education.
Take care of your appearance, conscientiously carry out your duties and the instructions given to you, do not be a weakling and do not complain unless absolutely necessary - and then no one should have any reason to mock you. Treat your “grandfathers” with respect, but don’t allow yourself to be humiliated. If you are guilty, you will still not be able to avoid punishment, but if the claims made against you are unfounded, do not lose your dignity. Don’t make mistakes for which you will have to pay for a long time later.
It’s good if one of the male relatives tells the young man about army life. Father, grandfather, brother or uncle - one of them will definitely be able to give good advice to a guy who is about to go into the army to serve his military service. Perhaps they had already talked about their service before, but now they should talk in more detail about how a new recruit should behave in the army.
In the first months of a young man’s service in the army, it will not be superfluous to protect him from all kinds of bad news from home, from the civilian world. It’s already not easy for the guy, because he has to endure the hardships and deprivations of military service. There is no need to upset him again. Good news from home will lift the spirit of the recruit. Confident that everything is fine at home, he will be able to concentrate on his service and his responsibilities, and will not make mistakes that could significantly ruin his life.
Conclusion
The army is a school of life. It seems that there are some kind of laws and rules here, but in fact this is not entirely true. In the army, as elsewhere, they value cleanliness, decency, honesty, masculinity, diligence and responsibility. This article listed the main answers to the question of how to behave correctly in the army. We hope that they will help you serve with dignity!
Hello. Today is a rather unusual post again. About the army. I want to immediately say to all those who have served or will serve, everything may be completely different. Article how to survive in the army I write exclusively based on the example of my service.
So, once you join the army, you are, as it were, a nobody in the first 2 weeks. Until you take the oath, you are undergoing a young fighter course (KMB). Here you are prepared for military service.
There are quite a lot of fellow countrymen at KMB. Those with whom you were drafted from the military registration and enlistment office to the KMB will be with you. This is a huge plus. Some of them had already become “familiar” on the train, some were even already acquainted.
There are 2 types of barracks: general (which we are used to seeing on TV), where everyone sleeps in one large room, and divided into “cubbies” (cubrik is when soldiers live in rooms from 4 to 12 people on average). That is, it can be compared to a hostel.
I was lucky, we ended up in a part where there is a division into cockpits. Every year there are fewer and fewer “general type” barracks in the country. Because of this, there is a division into “groups”. That is, usually those who live in the same apartment are friends.
In general, if you are a tense person, then it will be difficult for you in the army. You need to loosen up and be friends with someone. At the KMB you will not see “grandfathers”, only sergeants and officers who persistently prepare you for the army.
At first it was hard: getting dressed at lightning speed, playing the game of “hang up” and “get up.” That is, after the command to hang up, everyone should very quickly lie in bed, and on the command to rise, they should line up. It takes about 1.5 minutes to get dressed (before, when there were tarpaulin boots (without laces) and not ankle boots, it was around 45 seconds). If someone didn’t have time, then hang up and get back up again. As they say, “there’s a problem in the company, the whole company is sweating” :).
In general, in the army they study collectively. One messed up, everyone answers. Your main task: don't mess up. I remember one went to the chipok without permission, so because of him we didn’t see the chipok for almost a whole week. I don’t care, but so many of his comrades looked at him wryly.
Therefore, there is no need to "mess up". Let's take the morning check. It is done every day: the cleanliness of the ankle boots, haircut, shaven, cleanliness of the hem and the presence of edging are checked (the hair at the back near the neck must be straight). That's all! But, damn it, some people manage to not even keep track of these basic things. By doing these basic things as expected, you will get rid of unnecessary unnecessary attention to yourself.
What I remember in the first days is calluses. While the boots are new, the blisters are getting terrible. Many had blood blisters. Well, at least the KMB officers were allowed to wear slippers on the parade ground. I didn’t want to join the “slipper troops”; I found another way out: I wrapped a handkerchief or piece of cloth over my socks (in some units there were still foot wraps) where the pain was. Oddly enough, the calluses began to heal. We tried to “beat” the boots with a hammer and other heavy objects, but this did not help. And yes, it’s better to take boots one size larger than the butt size, otherwise you’ll still need to wear thick socks in winter.
How to behave at KMB? With understanding. Hard to learn, easy to fight. And the commander at the KMB was like the first teacher at school for me.
Even at KMB I understood the main rule in the army:you need to be bolder . Here, more than anywhere else, you need to be able to say “No”. Otherwise they will climb on your neck. It is necessary to “send” whoever is needed during the time, but, ah the most important thing is to stick together. Together with comrades, support each other.
It was also quite unusual to eat quickly in the cafeteria. Someone didn’t have time and I saw the following picture: a salad, a main dish and a side dish are thrown into the soup, and all this megaporridge is quickly eaten.
Well, after the KMB the most interesting thing begins: “grandfathers”, other officers, etc. Well, I’ll tell you about this tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.
In order not to miss anything (I’ll also tell you little soldier secrets), subscribe to RSS, or just go to it on Saturday evening or Sunday :).
To be continued...
The first night in the army I did not sleep. There were thoughts: “Where did I end up?”, “Why am I here?”, “I had to think about something.” There were a lot of thoughts. And then everyday life began.
At first it is difficult to get used to food, especially after delicious, homemade food. Everything low-fat, unsweetened In the first days, I was even undernourished, drinking tea without sugar out of habit, but then I realized that the next time I would be fed not when I wanted to eat, but according to the daily routine, and my attitude towards food changed dramatically.
You need to eat in the army. Moreover, everything that is put on the plate, otherwise it will be bad during drill training. You get used to food over time. My favorite dish was bigus. I’ve heard about “jelly with vitamins,” but I haven’t experienced it myself. When you come back from duty or duty, you don’t think about sex, but about how to sleep.
Talking about hazing is empty. Until you join the army and become a soldier, you won’t understand. There are conventions, there are rules, which, being a civilian, I did not understand, but when I found myself in those conditions, I understood their necessity and correctness. I can say that violent hazing in my unit was suppressed quite harshly.
To be treated normally in a team, you just need to be yourself. It's pointless to pretend to be something, they see right through you. The army, like a litmus test, reveals all aspects of a person; it is difficult to hide when being with the same people for a long time.
There are no personalities in the army, there are soldiers, no one cares who you were in civilian life: the host of a radio program, the director of a company, or a student with honors; these are your merits there. Here and now everyone is equal, everyone is a soldier, everyone serves.
I also advise you not to treat daily work - cleaning, hemming - as a humiliation of personal dignity. It is better to regard them as tests. Yes, they force you to make your bed with a ruler and shave every day, and clean your boots - those who are not used to keeping them clean. Yes, it’s hard, the rubber polisher gives me calluses on my hands. So what?
It is important to live an army life: to go into uniform, to be on duty, because if you always think that you will soon return home, time will pass more slowly, and it will be psychologically more difficult. No one forbids reading books in your free time either.
It’s not worth bringing a bunch of devices with you into the army - mobile phones, netbooks. They will still ask you to hand it over to the sergeant major. There is also no point in taking pills for all occasions.
Denis Filipenko, 25 years old
The myth about bromine in tea, which frightens army youth, has been worn to pieces, and there are plenty of refutations on the Internet. In winter, they give vitamins - the usual "Pikovit", - also taken by some as "magic pills".
The beds, indeed, have to be made, as they say, under a ruler. And watch Panorama in the evenings. What is all this for? It is impossible to answer this question. In the army they live by the principle of “roll a square, drag a round.” Common sense doesn't work here at all! When I came to serve, I was shocked, and that’s putting it mildly. Then you get used to everything.
I can’t say anything specific about hazing; each part is different. I didn’t have one as such, there were duties that soldiers of the 1st period perform: clean the barracks in the morning, run somewhere on behalf of the commander or the guys of the older period. You have to get used to the fact that the “spirits” go to any job first, and only then everyone else, and don’t pull the blanket on yourself. The army doesn't like people like that.
With rations - just rations, because it’s hard to call it food - it’s the same story: it’s different everywhere.
Personally, the army did not give me anything except two normal friends. To me, it was a waste of time. During my entire service, I did not see any benefit that my part could bring to the state, and a negative opinion was formed about the overwhelming majority of the military.
Help from the audience
Our readers were inspired by the topic of the army to fiercely debate: to serve or to “mow down”? There was no clear answer to this almost Hamlet-like question. But some of them tensed up, remembered their everyday life in the army and gave our newly minted “spirits” some practical advice.
Particularly active was the reader under the nickname Still inexpensive. Here is a list of his recommendations:
- Do not give money to the foreman for safekeeping;
- Don’t argue with your elders, even if they are clearly dumber than you, it doesn’t matter in the army;
- Don’t sneak programs from home, share them with everyone. In the first six months, give everything to the 3rd call, in the 2nd six months you eat yourself, but be sure to share;
- Don’t disdain any work that you are forced to do, do it with enthusiasm and humor, everyone will like you;
- Do not lie down on the bed for the first six months until bedtime, only rest while sitting on a stool;
- Don’t buy extra food for the first six months, God forbid they find it. The dining room was enough for me;
- Don’t put your hands in your pockets - they will stuff them with soap or sand and sew them up;
- Be sure to shave, or shave with a towel;
- Always fresh stitching, or they will tear it off and make you sew it again on the parade ground;
- Military greeting - of course;
- Don’t suck up to the officers, the soldiers won’t appreciate it;
- It’s better if you don’t have any money, you’ll get tired of buying cigarettes for your elders, it’s better not to smoke at all;
- If you were called up during the winter period, and you were given underpants and a shirt, then do not wear them under your underpants, you will sweat (you definitely will), you will rub everything in the world, - advises Still inexpensive. - It’s better not to buy expensive machines and cosmetics (soap, paste, foam), something simpler. If a good deodorant or a floating head machine appeals to a senior call, you may not find it one day. Some kind of baby soap, smelly foam and disposable machines - that's it.
If you are allowed to wear ankle boots, then it is better to buy simpler tarpaulin ones, because good ones can be stolen. But this is the first six months. There is no need to be afraid of tarpaulin boots; they are the best footwear in the army. In winter it is warm, especially if you wrap your socks in foot wraps, in summer it is dry. Tested for myself.
The best advice in my opinion Corporal, - "cut off or buy off":
- In general, it’s different in each part, he adds. - You shouldn’t be afraid of hazing - you should be afraid of lawlessness, and it can be anything - both from the “jackals” (officers) and from their period or senior conscripts. In general, you should not take anything to heart and adapt to everything that is offered to you as quickly as possible.
- Never, under any circumstances, wear someone else's shoes in the army., - writes xg, - be it boots, slippers or sports shoes. You are guaranteed to catch a fungus that you will not be able to remove with any Swiss creams for the rest of your life!
User Nick_name warns new recruits:
- Bullying and beatings are not hazing at all, but criminality. Don’t be afraid to inform your commanders about this. But remember at the same time about subordination - in no case should you complain to a senior boss over the head of a junior! I wouldn’t complain to my mom either, it’s not like a man. On the contrary, tell your mother that everything is fine, even if it is not.
And one more thing. Follow the rules of handling firearms, this is not a toy. There have been accidents from playing with weapons.
