Returned from the school of survival Khabarovsk, p. Prince-Volkonskoe. I will tell everything as it is, everything that I remember according to the chronology of events.

I decided to go to the survival courses for contractors in the first stream myself, since May-June is not hot yet, there are no midges, mosquitoes, and in the first stream the car of the survival courses will only accelerate. I signed up for the list of volunteers and went to buy everything that would be useful to me in the courses.

Now I can already say , what is really needed and useful in survival courses for everyone.

1 Tablets

*Vitamins- We take heavy loads on the body.

*Antibiotics- everyone had a sore throat 100%, the right thing, it’s also better to take it from diarrhea and poisoning - they came in handy for me.

*From head and temperature not useful, but gave to comrades.

*Patch in a roll 3-5 pieces.

*Hydrogen peroxide- calluses on the feet are inevitable.

* Adhesive for wounds, which is sold in a pharmacy is very helpful when an open wound appears. For example, on the palm of your hand after digging trenches, fill it with this glue, and wait until it dries and everything is normal.

2 Equipment

*Substitution - old form, you can have a camouflage coat, you need it because most of the time out of 6 weeks you will crawl on the ground, and it is rarely dry in the Khabarovsk Territory, when you come to the barracks you take it off and put on a clean one, turning from a pig into a man.

*Lightweight berets- I arrived in statutory ones, they were worn out and did not rub at home, but when you walk long distances everything changes a lot - I killed my legs on the 3rd day, after which I ordered lightweight berets for 1600 rubles. with fabric inserts. They do not rub their feet, breathe and are much lighter, which is very important. There is another option for 2500, they are generally lighter than sneakers.

*Field bag (tablet)- it is needed only at the drill review, but you need to carry it with you, so all the contents are laid out from it and used as a smoker during smoke breaks.

*flask- it came in handy, without water there is death, there are always battles for water.

*Cloak-tent- at first I carried it in a bag, but then I laid it out - if it's raining, you put on an RHBZ raincoat and that’s it, but you really don’t want to carry even an extra 100 grams with you. I recommend buying an ordinary Chinese cellophane raincoat for 60 rubles. and the issue is removed.

*Sleeping bag- do not take the authorized one too heavy - ordinary Chinese for 800 rubles. the very thing! I had a statutory one, I suffered with it.

* Penknife- do not spare money, buy a strong one - when you live in the fields, you need a thing!

*Flashlight- needed only last week when they lived in the field.

*Mosquito net- take it, you can live in it - the midge does not spare anyone and only beekeepers in mosquito nets enjoyed life. Ointments and sprays are complete nonsense.

*Duffel bag- if possible, it is better to get unloading. The bag is an extremely uncomfortable thing - thin straps dig into the shoulders and they start to hurt terribly. We finalized the straps, wrapping them with cardboard and tape, more the best option wrap them with a piece of tourist rug.

* Hemming tags, buttonholes,- tags are needed on the first day at the drill review, then they all fly off. We were not driven for the hemming, since it could be changed by lunchtime. I only hemmed the output form, but there was no substitution. The buttonholes are only on the output uniform, there weren’t any on the changer either, as they flew off. Per appearance we were not built at all, the company commander said go at least naked, I don’t care, the main thing is to comply with the standards.

*Tent- the usual Chinese tent in which we lived in the field came in very handy, midges and mosquitoes do not fly into it, which ensures a peaceful sleep. We were able to buy it already being on the courses, the issue price is 600 rubles.

*Sports uniform You need good running shoes with soft soles. Sneakers and all sorts of slippers kill the legs, since you need to run a lot and every day. I had Chinese sneakers for 320 rubles. heels hurt constantly. Light shorts and a T-shirt of any color and size, in principle, and everything in a sports uniform.

* Pea coat and quilted jackets which we secured were not useful.

*Cellular telephone- it was not forbidden, take the simplest and most unpretentious philips for 900 rubles. Anything over $1000 can technically swim away. We had enough cases and the thoughts “well, I definitely won’t miss my mobile phone for 20 thousand” disappeared instantly, looking at people who were running around the location of the company with round eyes and yelling “ahh where is my teha !!!”, and he answered “What are you looking at, don’t save something)))”

A good option was already in Khabarovsk at the station to buy a local SIM card so as not to call in roaming.

*Slippers- like garbage, but you need it.

*About personal hygiene products I will not say anywhere without them - if you are not a pig from the very beginning.

About life...

Upon arrival, we were placed at the location of the company, all bunk beds and bedside tables, like everywhere else, became our temporary home.

The water in the washbasins is only cold, so take a small kettle, a water heater, some cheap carrier with you. There are very few sockets in the company, 7-8, and there were about a hundred of us, so weaved cobwebs from carriers and still there was a queue to charge the phone.

by the most in a simple way to wash yourself was from a hose that was stuck into the sink - but the water was just icy, an option only for walruses), the second way is harder - you take TV from the foreman of the company, pour water, throw a boiler there and guard it so that no one uses this good. The bath was on Saturdays, and it was necessary to wash every day.

The toilet clogged in a week, the company commander tied the clogged booths with wire, there was only one left in one wing and 2 in the other wing of the company, to sit on the nest you always take a turn.

You put all your personal belongings in a bag and give it to the foreman in the supply room, leave the most necessary things in the nightstand - shoe polish, a towel brush, soap supplies - I didn’t miss anything.

About lessons...

When we arrived at the unit, the company commander lined us up, introduced himself as commander 8 training company. R. Paustyan, briefly told what threatens us, only 70% will survive and sent us to physical therapy. We ran about 5 km around the unit and after that the 2nd ones were going home, these were the first losses in our ranks.

We were taken to the bathroom. the part where the doctor made notes that we are healthy and ready for physical activity. Since we had not yet been put on allowance for lunch and dinner, the leftovers brought from the train became.

A sample letter of resignation appeared on the stand in the company ...

From 9 to 10:40 there was an evening inspection on the parade ground, after which we went to the unit to get ready for bed. The first night, no one could sleep, everyone was busy, talking, playing with phones. I don’t remember how I fell asleep, I opened my eyes at 5:40 from the squeaky cry of the orderly “Company get up” at 5:50 “Company go out for morning exercises.”

Charging was on the parade ground with old Soviet music, after which we were charged for 3 km. Then breakfast, and immediately we go to the warehouse, we get machine guns, an hour later they were already enshrined in military tickets. Weapon cleaning for 30 min. and to classes, then everyone already understood that they urgently needed to lighten their duffel bag, since this infection squeezed their shoulders very much, and they had to wear it all day.

So the classes were held behind the barracks 500 meters away on the so-called tactical floor. training places were marked with squares of flags with barrier tape and a tag with the name of the training point. There were about 10 training places - RKhBZ, tactical training, engineering, medical, etc.

We were divided into squads and sent to the training sites, our valiant 1st squad of the second platoon that day got into tactical training - the implementation of standard No. 10 (you run 15 meters with a snake while holding the enemy at gunpoint, you fall, crawl 20 meters, then again you run 15 meters . you are prepared for shooting while sitting and make a report “Private Pupkin is ready for shooting”). You need to finish in 45 seconds. there would be nothing terrible if 20 kg did not hang on you. bag + gas mask and tablet)) and the area for crawling is not at all dry in an hour, everyone was wet and tired.

After a 20-minute smoke break, a command was sounded to change training positions and we went to engineering training, where we were pressed by the standard for digging a trench for firing from a prone position. Everyone took out the shoulder blades (they were also given out), they explained to us that and how they showed the place of digging. It was necessary to dig a trench in 30 minutes. lying on your side without raising your head. Everyone fell down and began to blast the ground with blunt shovels, and the company commander threw bonuses in the form of a smoke bomb or an explosion of packages towards those who tried to raise their heads or bodies. Half an hour passed, the palms of the hands were torn off at half, this misfortune did not spare me either. The calluses hurt terribly and the hands were very dirty, because. the earth is damp, and it is easier to rake it with your hands.

Later, many got gloves (ordinary Chinese ones) and sharpening the shoulder blade became an integral part of preparing for entering the tactical field.

By 14:00 everyone was lined up and taken to lunch (another feature in the infantry is to carry the material base on oneself). A bunch of wooden boxes with flags, signs, helmets, body armor and all sorts of other nonsense. drag and drop material base very annoying because and so already everyone was severely exhausted by the wisdom of the infantry.

And so lunch - we throw off all our belongings on the parade ground, appoint one guard and go to the dining room in formation. At the dining room, we wait another 20 minutes for our turn and finally the food))).

About the diet:

- breakfast- this is usually rice or buckwheat with a piece of meat or liver and gravy, a coffee drink, a carton of milk, 15 gr. butter, boiled egg and bun or 4 cookies;

- dinner- soup, again meat or fish with buckwheat or rice, tea, butter, bun;

- dinner- fish with gravy and buckwheat + tea with bread and butter.

Sometimes they gave dumplings, cheese, sweets, gingerbread, salads to garnish at dinner, herring, squash caviar. Everything tasted bland and not salty, but no one came back hungry and rarely did anyone finish everything that was given to him.

After lunch, a smoke break for 15 minutes and again on the parade ground we take our junk and go to practice on the tactical field until 17.00. Then we finally return to the barracks and hand over the weapons.

At 18.00 everyone is already standing in sportswear and charging for 3 km, then we pass 100 m. chemical food.

We must pay tribute to the platoon commanders, they always ran with us and went to the training ground on foot, although without a duffel bag and machine gun, but they also felt the delights of large transitions.

This is how we spent the first week, on Saturday we had a bullpen where we passed the FIZO (3 km. 100 m. pull-up) and tests on the tactical field in the subjects that we studied all week. Sunday - a sports holiday again we run for half a day, but half a day free time and bath!

Polygon

It's generally separate story, the first we had on Tuesday of the second week. Rise at 5.30 we get weapons, dry rations. We take our favorite duffel bag and go with this stuff 12-15 km. over rough terrain (fields, forests). The transition lasted 2 hours 40 minutes. In fact, it is very difficult to walk because of the bag, the machine gun, the RHBZ was constantly unfastened from the bag, stuffiness, the midge is spinning in front of the face, all wet, the legs in the berets are boiling. We just languished there.

Water scarcity(I took half a flask with me in a bag and poured a full flask, you drink half a flask going there, one and a half there, and I thought back half a flask, but the water ended there).

There were people with flowing blood from the nose, my lips were very chapped, the urine was dark in color - pale, of course. They drank water from some lake, it stank of a swamp with an aftertaste of some kind of muck, but cold and transparent, no one even got sick after it.

At first, they shared water, but then friendship-friendship, and everyone carries his own water. By the end of the day, everyone is dehydrated, their legs blown up, their faces sour and burnt.

At the training ground, we met the same standards as at home, the passage of the fire-assault strip deserves special attention, just like in an American film, you run 600 m in full gear through various obstacles, everything smokes, explodes, and you climb through a web of barbed wire) ), in short, this exercise was very exhausting.

We had lunch at the range at 2 o'clock, after which we had a smoke break and went home.

By 5 they came, before 6 they handed over weapons, dinner, evening verification - we always lasted at least an hour, it happened that 2 stood on the parade ground, but everyone survived.

There is such a joke in the infantry, the duty officer is building us, the battalions are all 1200 people on the parade ground, the duty officer orders to line up, after which the command is set aside, then line up again, set aside again, and so 15 times in an easy, then only quietly, at ease.

Even when the battalions greet the regiment commander, then in the infantry there is no time to breathe before blurting out good health, he only said, hello comrades, you immediately yell the answer.

So we flew day after day for all 5 weeks (2 polygons per week) and short circuit every Saturday.

The platoon leaders themselves were dying by the middle of our training, after dinner they began to hide us in the forest, which we were very happy about !!!

The last week is a field trip, where we lived in the fields, ate dry rations, we were attacked by sabotage groups, trying to steal a machine gun at night. Constant lack of water, all bitten by mosquitoes and midges, dirty smelly, I dreamed of getting home, everyone dreamed of a house.

There was a run-in BMP-2, shooting day and night, a bunch of regulations, everyone was looking forward to the night to fall asleep. On the last day of the field exit, they decided to arrange a march to the house, 30-50 km away. We walked about 35 km. This, being guided by time, left at 6.30 and reached the unit at 14.20. The last kilometers were especially hard, everyone ran out of water, and the heat was simply unbearable, the last kilometer, when you could already see a part of them, they were walking through the swamp, the water was almost knee-deep and the ill-fated bumps. On this day, the company commander led us, he was especially dying because on the eve he was drinking like crazy)) he killed his hooves, felt how hard it was for us to walk, he still didn’t have a machine gun and a bag.

About exams

Even in the middle of the course of the week, so on the third day, people began to ask about exams, oh, how will we pass, oh, what will happen if we don’t pass, but it will be possible to agree and. etc. As a result, we were charged a fee for exams of 4.5 rubles for subjects of combat training, 2.5 rubles for physical education, half were indignant at the prices, they said we would pass it ourselves, for which the platoon gathered us and had a conversation at which they explained that the standards can be taken according to in different ways and you can even get to the bottom of the pillar, so whoever blunts and does not pass will leave with deuces in their certificates. A deuce is a dismissal from the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, in short, tin!

Before a week-long field trip, everyone passed the balls for 7-ke, those who were sure were in the FIZO the one for 4.5. In order to collect more platoons within 2 weeks, they said that Khitrik, the district chief of finance, would arrive at the FIZO, he would take a march throw for 5 km, with a machine gun, a gas mask, a pouch, a run for 3 km, a run for 100 m, and pull-ups, they said that the march- no one will throw. Other exercises cannot be selected. As a result, Khitrik did not come, but we took 100 m. 1000 m., and pull-ups, 80% including me passed on our own, the rest were given 3s, because the babos passed everything.

On the last day, when we came from the fields, we were gathered in the club and the political officer of their unit, said that he had heard rumors that platoon commanders were collecting money for exams, explained that if we came with deuces, then at home we could retake all the negative marks on the certification commission and it’s not so easy to fire us, he gave his helpline. Naturally, everyone was afraid to complain, and with the feeling that we were cruelly used, and we also paid babos for it, we went home.

Conclusion

If you are not a kasyakopor in your unit, and honestly survived 6 weeks there, you don’t need to pay money for exams, not a penny, no matter what they tell you. We had types who did not pay 2-3 people because there was no money and family problems and also came with triplets. Let these ghouls graze in our unit, no one looked into our certificates, they were filed into a personal file and that's it.

There is much more to write, but it will be a small book. I stopped at important points, which can help future cadets of the survival school.

Let's start with the fact that courses are provided even for women who came to serve in the armed forces through contact. The name "survival courses" is popular. Speaking correctly, this is an intensive military training program. Being a civilian, it is impossible to master all the subtleties military service, as well as prepare for their special rhythm of life. No books will help better than these courses. This intensive program includes learning techniques for self-control and discipline, as well as overcoming fear.

In general, this is a special set of exercises that every contract soldier must go through before starting the service. Of course, everyone is interested in how long such a preparation procedure takes. These are short courses, their duration is 6 weeks. During this time, a person is completely immersed in military affairs, his consciousness and views change. In general, he is preparing to become a real soldier.

It should be noted that in Russia, survival courses began to be applied relatively recently. Since 2012, they have been actively used to train contract soldiers. After their introduction, controversy erupted over the fact that these courses are humiliating and illegal. As practice shows, they help a person to rethink his choice and finally make sure that he is right. The benefits of the courses are:

  • the ability to quickly determine whether a citizen is fit for service;
  • preparing a person for his future work;
  • possibility to refuse service in case of difficulties.

The cons are the following:

  • heavy loads;
  • the essence of the program is not connected with any type of troops;
  • efficiency depends on the conditions of the training unit.

Per last years the number of those who changed their minds about becoming contract soldiers after completing the intensive program increased by 350 people.

On the one hand, this is good, since those who cannot serve are immediately eliminated. But still, some people need more time than 6 weeks to adapt and get used to it. Therefore, opinions about these courses are twofold.

The essence of the courses

Survival courses consist of:

  1. Intense physical activity.
  2. Fire, combat, chemical, medical, tactical and engineering training.

Most courses are held at the training grounds. During the intensive program period, all fighters:

  • eat dry rations;
  • master the skills of camouflage and methods of setting up field camps;
  • master the skills of action against the enemy;
  • are trained in the tactics of conducting actions of military formations;
  • learn to overcome various obstacles.

Toward the end of the course, all military personnel are expected to march for 150 km. Are being created special conditions which are as close as possible to real combat operations. At the very end of the program, everyone takes physical and combat training exams. The course for women is somewhat different from men's. Physical exercise slightly modified, the standards are lowered. But often, many women who are over 30 years old suffer from an increase in pressure after a 5-kilometer forced march. In addition, women of a fragile physique face a problem when carrying backpacks with uniforms.

In general terms, survival courses are aimed at making the young fighter aware that he will have to risk his life, take responsibility and make serious decisions quickly. Also, contractors must understand that they will have to work not for a salary, but for the well-being of their homeland. Wages in this case only ensure a decent life for those who donate it. If a fighter believes that contract service is an alternative to regular work, but with a high salary, as well as the opportunity to "slope" from an urgent one, then he is mistaken, so he has nothing to do in the armed forces. This school of survival is necessary for the citizen to finally decide on his choice. Before the introduction of these courses, the military often encountered fighters who, either physically or morally, did not pull the service, as a result of which they abandoned this business, only wasting their time and effort.

Problems of survival courses for contractors

Since this program was developed recently, it is not fully coordinated, and has its own problems. In general, there are two:

  1. Corruption. Today, bribery is found everywhere, whether it is a hospital, educational institution or the army. Those who have enough money often have the best conditions and they are treated more favorably than others. Regarding the courses, if they are conducted by those who are not averse to taking a bribe, then, of course, the fighters may not take them, but automatically be included in the list of contract soldiers. The state needs to fight such individuals and not allow some to try their best, while others get everything just because they have a fat wallet.
  2. Equipment. Unfortunately, fighters have to buy uniforms with their own money, which cost big money. The state does not equip the units with all the necessary equipment, and what is there is old and practically out of order.

Otherwise, survival courses have a large number of pluses. The main thing is not to be afraid to pass them. If you decide to become a military man, then you need to be prepared for difficulties, restrictions and difficult conditions.

What is the difference between regular service and contract service?

The contract service is military activities for a specified period of time by agreement. For such activities, citizens receive wages that are usually higher than those who are not contract workers. In order to become a military contractor, you must meet the requirements:

  • be of a suitable age, i.e. between 18 and 40 years old;
  • have a secondary or higher education;
  • pass a special medical commission and be in categories "A" or "B";
  • comply with the standards set out in the NFP.

The contractor must be hardy, decisive, executive, strong and responsible. He must be ready to take orders and give them out. In addition, it is important for a contractor to be prepared for the toughest conditions of survival. First of all, he should think about the Motherland, and then about himself.

How to become a contractor

To enter this kind of service, you need to come to the local point of contractors for detailed advice on further service. Next, with a passport, you need to apply to the local commissariat, writing there an application for admission to the number of contract soldiers. After that, the citizen is expected to be checked by a medical commission, as well as checking all documents. Then he is sent to military unit for survival school. At the end of the course, a decision is made on whether the citizen is ready to become a contract soldier or not. If everything is in order, then he goes to the main place, where he will continue to serve.

Advantages and disadvantages of such a service

The benefits of a contract service are:

  1. high wage(from 30 thousand rubles).
  2. Permanent travel.
  3. The presence of a service apartment at the place of service.
  4. Lots of perks.
  5. Honor and respect among other professions.
  6. Free travel in public transport.
  7. The presence of clothing that can be worn even in civilian life.
  8. Retirement at 45.
  9. Vacation - 45 calendar days.

Several cons:

  • risk to life and health;
  • difficult conditions in which you sometimes have to be;
  • constant traveling, because of which you rarely see your relatives;
  • unquestioning execution of orders;
  • great responsibility.

More than 6,000 servicemen under the contract of the Western Military District (ZVO) completed monthly courses of intensive combined arms training. Anyhow, they don’t take anyone into contract service now. Those who want to connect life with the army must first pass a serious "exam". In soldier slang, it is called "survival" and there is little exaggeration in this. Previously, this was only practiced in Airborne troops and in the special forces. Himself on military service passed two such - summer and winter "survival". Weapons, full ammunition, a can of dry rations for a day and - ten days ahead from point A to point B along Caucasian mountains, performing a bunch of introductory along the way ...

Now in our army, albeit in a more benign, but still harsh regime, all candidates for military personnel under the contract go through "survival". Do you want to serve? Let's try a soldier's pound first. If you pass the test, welcome to the troops!

As Vechernaya Moskva was told by the press service of the Western Military District, in 2016, more than 6,000 military personnel who chose contract service in formations and military units ZVO.

Trained, including about 700 women, on the basis of the training centers of the Ground Forces acquired the skills of an autonomous existence in field conditions. Contract soldiers learned how to get water and food, make fire, equip housing from improvised means, provide first aid, and navigate unfamiliar terrain.

At the final stage, the participants of the “survival” courses made a multi-kilometer forced march across rough terrain with full gear and using modern navigators, and then performed control firing exercises from standard weapons. The result of the training was the assignment of class qualifications to servicemen - from "Class 3 Specialist" to "Master of Military Affairs".

Now in the Western Military District, the 19th stream has begun on courses of intensive combined arms training: more than 900 servicemen under the contract "survive". And in training centers The first thousand recruits arrived in the Western Military District. Conscript soldiers autumn call v training parts deployed in the Moscow, Leningrad, Voronezh and Vladimir regions, will undergo a course in military registration specialties for crew commanders, driver mechanics, gunners-operators of military vehicles, signalmen, cooks, dog handlers and many others.

Yesterday's conscripts are now getting acquainted with the military order in the units, comprehend the basics of military service. In addition, they will have to undergo a professional psychological selection. Experienced officers and instructors will check the level of knowledge of recruits, and psychologists will conduct the necessary research and testing. Based on their recommendations, the cadets will be assigned to specific training units and begin to master military specialties.

Training of cadets will take place in three stages: improvement of the initial military training, combined arms training and specialty training. The main focus during educational process will be devoted to the development and use of modern weapons and military equipment in combat.

At the training grounds of the 1st Tank Army of the Western Military District in Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod regions a new type of heating points will appear. They are quite roomy and designed for several tank crews. Heating points are equipped with electric heaters, TVs and dry closets. During the breaks at the training grounds, servicemen will be able to take hot meals there. All this will not only protect soldiers from colds, but also improve the quality of combat training in winter conditions. V summer time heating points can be used as field canteens.

From May to Russian army will test a new program of intensive training for contractors. It includes, among other things, the so-called "survival courses". The military personnel themselves had different opinions about these courses.

In general, such survival lessons take place in the form of field exits. Forced marches for 10 kilometers and in full gear with overcoming the fire-assault zone are being practiced, as well as a march for a distance of 50 kilometers and some other tests.

How women soldiers survive.

Harsh army days in survival schools in tent camps, on a par with men, they also experience. Let's say they have to run 3 kilometers in 15 minutes. Another test, already a psychological one, is the so-called “running in a tank” (you need to mentally endure when a 40-ton tank is driving at you, let it through, and then “knock it out”). It is officially reported that they endure all these tests with a charming smile.
However, other opinions can be found on the forums. For example, the husband of one of the contract women who took “survival courses” in Tambov asks reasonable questions. For example, aren't commanders afraid of the responsibility for the health of female contractors, many of whom are over 40 years old - what if they simply collapse from increased pressure after a 5-kilometer forced march? And if a woman is of a small build, then a backpack for a training camp with an armored helmet, a sapper shovel, a gas mask, OZK and other things turns out to be simply unbearable! Is the program for women not different from the men?

In addition, it turns out that bags for spending the night in the field (also not the easiest test!), uniforms from Yudashkin, berets - all this needs to be bought for your own money.

However, not all military personnel support this opinion. Yes, as far as female contractors are concerned, everyone agrees that there should be other conditions for them. However, in general, the army should not be a kindergarten, where, as they say, “they squeezed a little - and immediately ached. What if, God forbid, there is a war? And if, relatively speaking, 10% of the servicemen after such tests write a letter of resignation, then they have no place in the army, the military believes.

"Death courses" or "survive" not all.

Also on the Internet on the forums you can sometimes find messages about "death courses", allegedly several servicemen died during these training camps. However, this is not confirmed either officially or by specific reports from the colleagues of these "deceased". Most likely, people are just worried (and some are outright panicking) not having full information about new courses.

Therefore, military personnel may well be taken for the “dead”, for some reason, for example, who have lost consciousness.

Physio is not up to the mark.

In general, some military men speak out quite sharply: it is clear that some guys heavier than a glass have not lifted anything for a long time, they worked at headquarters or in warehouses, and then suddenly they are forced to run at full capacity, dig trenches and so on. It is especially difficult for servicemen with a full physique. To some, this is reminiscent of the classic KMB, which officers who studied at Soviet time. This explains negative attitude to the "survival courses" of contract soldiers. True, these military officers give to fellow ensigns who will follow them useful advice: run more now.

What do the military themselves think about survival courses

At first, many believed that such news on conducting “survival courses» for contractors- this is just a message for the "picture" on television and nothing more. However, confirmations soon began to come from specific units - they really select military personnel for such tests. So, in one of the units, all contract servicemen were divided into five shifts, and they must take turns attending “survival courses” from May 7 to January 17. Moreover, many military men write on the Internet that they would be happy to visit them, but they don’t really let them in. Others advise to start by "running in a tank" the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and some generals.

In general, if you study a lot of opinions and impressions, it turns out that so far no one died from "survival courses", living conditions during the training camp are quite acceptable, there is no special pressure, female soldiers receive some concessions. Plus, the military remembers what they have long forgotten, and perhaps they didn’t know - if there were gaps in their units with combat training. So, the biggest problem is the ban on the use cell phones(and even then, such restrictions do not apply everywhere).

In May 2012 in funds mass media there was information that the Russian armed forces are introducing a new intensive training program for military personnel who serve in ground forces Oh. This program is popularly known as survival courses ", since it includes complexes special exercises aimed at overcoming fear, as well as mastering the methods of self-control and self-regulation.

The program lasts six weeks. It was approved by the Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces, Colonel-General Alexander Postnikov, who is confident that it will help add a certain element of reasonable risk and surprise to the process of training military personnel.

According to Colonel Sergei Vlasov, in new course the foundations of survival were laid, which include knowledge of how to survive in various climatic conditions, at different temperatures, the influence of high mountains on human body, as well as methods of self-control and self-regulation.

In less than half a year, a loud controversy broke out in the press and on the Internet regarding the appropriateness of introducing a new training program. Many are convinced that such "survival courses" are humiliating and illegal, many call them absurd, and still some do not believe that such a thing really exists. But first things first.

First of all, it should be noted that, starting from May of this year, intensive training has become mandatory for all contract soldiers, both those who have just come to serve, and those who have been undergoing it for a long time. Moreover, this course is also mandatory for technicians and even female military personnel. In the event that a soldier refuses to pass or fails the course, this may be sufficient reason for his dismissal from the ranks of the armed forces due to non-compliance with the requirements that apply to professional military personnel.

In fact, that is exactly what happens. Since the introduction of the program, more than a thousand contractors have not taken survival courses, or have refused to take them. Now this figure has increased by another 350 people . In addition, about a thousand military personnel wrote a report refusing to take the course, and a number of military personnel simply did not pass the medical examination.

As for the program itself, this is a general arms training course, which at first glance has very few points of contact with air force, forces air defense, maritime departments, communication units or technicians. However, and the intensity of the program, and its loads are extremely high for all those taking the course. Even despite the fact that it to some extent depends on the conditions of the educational part on the basis of which it passes.

The course includes, in addition to intensive physical training, fire, combat, medical, tactical, engineering, chemical training. Most of the course takes place at the training grounds.

At the end of the course - a large forced march for 150 km, the conditions of which are as close as possible to combat.

At this time, servicemen eat dry rations, master camouflage skills, methods of setting up field camps, skills of action against the enemy, undergo practical training in the tactics of conducting actions of small military formations overcome artificial and natural obstacles.

After completing the course, everyone takes the final exams in combat and physical training . As for the course for female military personnel, the course is slightly modified for them. So, for example, they must overcome a 3-kilometer forced march in 15 minutes. In addition, there is also psychological test- the so-called "running in a tank" - you need to endure, not be scared, skip it, and then knock it out. In addition, women are also required to pass first aid examinations. medical care in the field.

By by and large it can be said that new program training is nothing more than the course of a young fighter, only put on a higher professional level, which consists solely of combat practical training.

Great physical exertion, especially for women, can be attributed directly to the course of survival. After all, most of them are already well over 40, and after a 5-kilometer forced march, they may suffer from high blood pressure. In addition, if a woman is of a fragile physique, then lifting a backpack with all the necessary components (armored helmet, sapper shovel, gas mask) will not be an easy task.

Among the servicemen themselves, there are also different opinions about whether this course of survival is needed by everyone without exception, or whether it should be limited to its passage exclusively by combat units.

Some (particularly marines) argue that this program is not a survival course at all - but a young fighter course that has nothing to do with the basics of survival in extreme situations. According to others, it clean water it is absurd to force pilots or sailors to crawl under tanks or overcome huge distances in forced marches. After all, for that matter, the military ground forces will not be able, if necessary, to prepare an aircraft for departure or a ship for departure.

Therefore, either it is necessary to introduce an additional course for the ground forces to master these skills, or to cancel the existing survival course for the air and naval forces. Everyone should do what they are trained to do.

But, if you delve deeper into the essence of the problem, then there can be no non-combat formations in the armed forces, because in real combat conditions the situation may develop in such a way that you have to fight off the enemy, lying in a trench with a machine gun, and not sitting at the helm of an aircraft or with a wrench at the ready. And then neither the state of health, nor the type of troops, nor age will matter much.

In addition, any branch of the military assumes that the fighters have a certain physical and combat training, so the “survival course” will only help to increase their level.

It must also be said that the new program makes it possible to equip the army with highly qualified specialists. She identifies those who came to the service only for the sake of good material allowance and do not understand why crawl in the mud and learn military affairs, if you can sit somewhere at the communications center or at the headquarters of the unit.

However, do not think that this program is perfect.. There are also certain problems here, and it is much more important to think about solving them than to talk about its expediency in general. If the course already exists, then it is better to think about how to increase its effectiveness.

First of all, it is necessary to deal with such a negative, but, unfortunately, common phenomenon as paid final exams. This is often practiced at the platoon level and in most cases is instigated by the military itself, frightened by the prospect of failing the course. But if they begin to hint at the “financial support” of the course, you should not meekly agree, because, as a rule, those who voluntarily wrote a report before the start of passing it, or those who did not pass the medical commission, are eliminated. And in the case when the military would be eliminated along the course, really very little.

Another major issue is equipment., or more precisely, the acquisition of it at their own expense, which then no one will compensate. But if you have to choose between what the state can offer and what you can buy on your own, then, of course, it is better to stop at the second option. And hope that over time the situation will change for the better. Unlikely, of course, but still ...

It is quite possible to assume that the tightening of requirements for contract servicemen is connected with the law that was adopted in early 2012. According to him, a significant increase in the Russian army is planned in the near future. Depending on the position and experience, an ordinary soldier contract service will receive about 25-35 thousand rubles, and in some cases - up to 42 thousand. In addition, it is also planned to increase compensation for rental housing.

Such conditions, according to the military leadership, will cause an increase in those wishing to serve. Therefore, in addition to the appropriate age (19-30 years), the presence of a complete secondary education, the absence of physical and psychological contraindications, and positive results of tests for professional suitability, the course for survival will become one of the selection factors for those who joined the army by vocation.