Our mighty state has a special military unit. Its employees perform at the Victory Day parade, protect senior government officials, etc. Let's find out more about the presidential regiment ...

What kind of regiment is so special?

Let's start with the fact that the Kremlin regiment has another name - the president's regiment. This is a unique unit of the Russian army that solves very specific military tasks. First of all, the soldiers of this regiment guard the historical and strategic objects of the Moscow Kremlin, they also include the official residence of the head of the Russian state. The soldiers take part in the highest protocol events. They also serve at the Eternal Flame, located at the walls of the Kremlin.

The Kremlin regiment “recruits” conscripts from all regions of the Russian Federation. In the ranks of the soldiers and senior officers of the regiment there are guys from the Stavropol Territory, Siberia and Kuzbass, from the center of Russia, etc. Previously, they were students of ordinary secondary schools, as well as colleges and even technical schools. For them, service in the Kremlin regiment is difficult and interesting. These guys are united by a great love for their homeland, as well as a great desire to conscientiously pay their military debt to their country.

Age of the elite regiment

The Kremlin regiment has its own age. In 2016, officers and soldiers celebrated the 80th anniversary of the regiment. Let's find out in more detail the structure of the presidential army. Each has its own badge, including the Kremlin regiment. During its 80-year history, the regiment has changed several signs on the sleeves of the soldiers.

The composition of the Kremlin army

The elite army consists of three battalions, and the young defenders also serve in a cavalry honorary escort and a battalion called the operational reserve. The elite of the elite is considered to be the First. The soldiers serving in it you will meet on guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. All recruits want to get into this company, but because of the most severe selection, only a third of the applicants get there.

Existing requirements for selection to the regiment

How to get into the Kremlin regiment? In order to be in the ranks of the elite army, you need to go through a large number of criteria. Here they are:

  • The height of such a soldier must be at least 175 cm and no more than 190 cm.
  • Weight is not indicated with exact numbers; the regiment's website says that body weight should normally correlate with height.
  • There are requirements for hearing and vision for a future soldier.
  • Visual acuity - 0.7 (without correction for two eyes), color perception should also correspond to the norm.
  • Such a fighter should hear a whisper at a distance of six meters! Not less! And also on both ears.

Who is not destined to get into the Kremlin regiment?

In the Charter of the President's regiment there are criteria that do not allow guys to get into such a unit. Not subject to service in the regiment:

  • young men living abroad or having relatives there;
  • those with close relatives who have been convicted of state or serious crimes;
  • punished with compulsory and corrective labor, restricted and imprisoned, as well as those arrested;
  • those who have an outstanding as well as an unexpunged conviction for a crime;
  • guys, if they are under investigation, inquiry or criminal cases brought to court;
  • registered with the police for crimes;
  • attached to narcological, neuropsychiatric and dermatovenerologic dispensaries.

About the oath

In 2016, the oath took place on December 10 in the territory.The ceremony began at 10 o'clock in the morning. Relatives were launched already a few hours before the start. The girls and friends of the recruits have the right to be present at the celebration. It is forbidden to take alcoholic drinks with you on the oath. Relatives and guests should also not take such drinks. There is a risk of staying outside the walls of the military camp, as well as creating a lot of problems for the young fighter.

On the eve of the Oath to the Kremlin regiment, the soldier is given the opportunity to tell his relatives about the unit in which he will be located. Upon arrival, relatives will be able to clarify the location of the recruit on the parade ground. This way you can follow him in a ceremony that does not last long. About 30-40 minutes. Shooting with cameras and camcorders is not prohibited. In recent years, the following practice has been allowed: when a fighter reads the text of the oath, then one of the guests is allowed to go through the cordon and take high-quality photographs. After the ceremony, the guys hand over their weapons and go out to their visitors. The surrender procedure lasts no more than 20 minutes. A microphone will be waiting for you on the parade ground so that relatives can loudly announce where they will be waiting for the recruit. There is an opportunity for communication on the day of the Oath and also on the next day. Naturally, all communication will take place on the territory of a military unit or a paramilitary camp. The Kremlin regiment spends as much time talking to the soldier with his relatives as other military units.

One day of the Kremlin soldier

The barracks where the soldiers live are located in a historic building. Wake up at 6 am. Further, according to the schedule, construction, gymnastics and jogging - strictly 2 km. After the soldiers line up, the elders in rank evaluate the appearance, then the soldiers go to breakfast in frontal stride. Then hours of study last. Rest with the fighter after 6 pm. During these hours, the soldiers go in for sports, read, go to the buffet. They devote a lot of time to the form so that it is in perfect order, as well as the marching step. Young soldiers also walk in a marching step so that they can walk flawlessly at the Parade! The soldier has a day off on Saturdays and Sundays. Taking a leave of absence, the guys go to the city. Attend museums, theaters, concerts and exhibitions.

MOSCOW, July 25 - RIA Novosti. The presidential regiment, which this year celebrated its 80th anniversary, is called by officers and soldiers "the face of the army and the country," because they serve at the walls of the Moscow Kremlin and ensure the safety of the top officials of the state. RIA Novosti visited the barracks and learned how to become a soldier of an elite company of the guard of honor.

Elite elite

The Presidential Regiment of the Moscow Kremlin Commandant Service FSO (the official full name of the Presidential Regiment) consists of three battalions, an honorary cavalry escort and an operational reserve battalion. The 1st company of the guard of honor is considered the most famous. The soldiers who serve in it stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Many are eager to come here, but less than half of the candidates are selected.

"Do you really want to serve in the Presidential Regiment?" - this is the first question that the company commander, Major Artem Kunakin, asks the soldiers. It is not easy to serve here, so the requirements for servicemen are strict: height of at least 175 centimeters, excellent health and good physical fitness. A soldier should not have any tattoos, piercings, or scars on his face.

Soldiers who were not included in the 1st company are transferred to other divisions of the regiment. In most cases - to protect the territory of the Kremlin.

“When communicating with a person, I immediately understand whether he is suitable for us or not. while serving on duty, or if the president comes up to him and shakes hands, "said Artem Kunakin.

Dynasties are welcomed into the regiment. Many soldiers come here after their fathers and brothers.

“We have a serviceman - he started with a draft, then switched to a contract. Now his younger brother has come to serve us. health, and the other - no ", - said the major.

One day in the regiment

The soldiers' barracks are located in the historic Arsenal building. Separate divisions are scattered across the territory of the Moscow region. The daily routine of a soldier differs little from the schedule of soldiers of other regiments. Wake up at 6 am, then build and exercise.

"We do exercises, we run about two kilometers. We train on the territory of the Kremlin, there is a specially designated place for this. After physical preparation and putting in order, we put ourselves in order: we wash, go to the shower. After examining the appearance, we go to the dining room. , she is in the Arsenal. Further - study hours or drill ", - said private Nikolai Tarov.

On weekdays, soldiers learn the regulations and practice drill. Free time - after 18.00.

“We go in for sports, read books or go to the soldier's buffet. True, it takes a lot of time to prepare the uniform. ", - said the private.

The day of the soldiers ends with an evening walk, but even during it they must walk in formation. Lights out - at 22.00.

“We especially treat walks. We are the first company, so we pay a lot of attention to the front step. Everything must be done beautifully,” added Nikolai Tarov.

The everyday life of a soldier is not limited to drill and rote training. The servicemen go to the library, to the theater and to concerts. Saturday and Sunday at the 1st company are days off. You can ask for dismissal.

"If parents come from far away, then you can get fired on weekdays, this is a special case. For moms and dads, we also have open days twice a year. They visit the barracks, the heads of all departments speak to them, thank their sons for the service and they are presenting meritorious certificates, "said Major Artem Kunakin.

The traditions of the Presidential Regiment change over time. For example, soldiers used to fluff pillows in a special way.

"The pillows were fluffed up so that they were square and stood at the head of the bed. This trained discipline, but now the pillows have been replaced with flat ones, they can no longer be fluffed," said Kunakin.

The Presidential Regiment was the first to allow military personnel to use mobile phones.

"The phone should be simple - no Internet access, no camera or video. It can only be used as a means of communication, nothing more," said Kunakin.

Soldiers are also allowed to smoke - there are designated areas for this. But alcohol is strictly prohibited.

"For alcohol, they are severely punished, up to transfer from the unit. We have a medical service, if there are suspicions, we send them for examination. This is a disciplinary offense," the major said.

The cult of the uniform

Recently, a new parade uniform was developed for the soldiers - a lightweight hussar. In it, they intercede for the divorce of foot and horse guards, put on at protocol and state events. There were rumors that it was created by Valentin Yudashkin, but the command of the regiment denies the speculation.

"A shako is attached to the uniform. Soldiers polish all metal objects on it to shine in order to see their reflection. There is also a winter version of the uniform, we wear it after October 15, or after the onset of frost, but only on foot and horse guard posts," he said Corporal Yuri Volkov.

"Spassky Tower"

Now the Presidential Regiment is preparing for the Spasskaya Tower military music festival. They take part in it every year. Most of the spectators are waiting for this performance: military personnel perform complex acrobatic stunts when working on horseback and in possession of weapons.

“At the festival, we represent the unit and the whole country. This is a great responsibility. We have no room for error. The guys are very serious about the issue, they perfectly understand what the task is before them,” said company commander Artem Kunakin.

The daily routine of the soldiers changed during the preparation for the festival - they added time to drill. Now they train in the morning, rest at lunchtime, and continue training after the Kremlin closes.

"This year, a small conscription program will be added to our performance - work with a saber, weapons and flags. Plus, the music will change a little," the major added.

"The presidential regiment is the most elite unit in our country, it is the face of the Russian army. The best serve here, and the best of the best serve in the special guard company," added junior sergeant Daniil Kalinin.

It will be possible to watch the performance of the Presidential Regiment at the Spasskaya Tower festival, which starts on 27 August.

The official news agency of the festival is the International News Agency "Russia Today".

The presidential regiment has the status of a special service, is part of the Federal Security Service (FSO) and reports directly to the President of the Russian Federation.

The regiment is responsible for security top officials of the state and the safety of the Kremlin values... The servicemen of the regiment take part in the protocol events, and also bear the guard of honor at the Eternal Flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Barracks regiment located in the building Arsenal (Zeichhaus), built during the reign of Peter I. According to his idea, this building was to become a storage of weapons and a museum of military glory. Today in the closed perimeter of the courtyard of the Arsenal are the parade ground and the gymnasium of the regiment. Separate subdivisions of the regiment are also deployed in other points of the Moscow region.

The day of the unit is celebrated on May 7. Every year on this day, the presentation of the Presidential Regiment to the President of Russia takes place.

And every Saturday from mid-April to the end of October, the Kremlin's Cathedral Square hosts changing of the guard ceremony... It is attended by a company of the guard of honor, a cavalry escort of honor and a presidential orchestra. At the ceremony, servicemen show their combat skills in working with combat rifles, and riders in equestrian ammunition show a "horse carousel" with standard rifles. All of them are dressed in ceremonial uniforms, similar to the ammunition of the 1907-1913 model, sewn at the court of Nicholas II.

Who can serve in the presidential regiment?

In the regiment from Kuzbass, Siberia, the Urals and the Volga region, the central regions of Russia, the Stavropol Territory. But these are guys from very different families. There is a chance to get into the regiment, but serious requirements are imposed on those who wish. Eyesight and hearing are checked; the ratio of height and weight should be within the normal range. A close relationship with people convicted of state or other serious crimes will become an obstacle to service. The conscripts themselves must not have an unexpunged or outstanding criminal record.

Life of military personnel

Conscripts and contract soldiers serving in the Presidential Regiment, as well as servicemen of other military units, undergo drill training and exercises. They go on leave in the same way, relatives can visit them. The reception room is located in the Nikolskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin, it is open on weekends and holidays.

Due to the fact that young people serve for only 1 year, it is unlikely, although possible, to provide them with vacations. Servicemen receive their salaries in a timely manner, eat three times a day, and receive additional food when serving on guard. Soldiers who have conscientiously performed their duty may, upon termination of service, receive recommendations for further employment or for admission to a university out of competition.

The presidential (Kremlin) regiment has existed since the 30s of the last century. This military unit is characterized by a rigid internal routine. There are very high requirements for applicants wishing to serve in the presidential troops. According to experts, it is much easier to get into the Marines and Airborne Forces than into the Kremlin guard. Information about what the presidential troops of Russia are, what tasks they perform and how to get into them, is presented in the article.

About the history of formation

After the October Revolution, the Bolshevik government was in a very difficult situation and was systematically exposed to great danger. The new government needed a serious and disciplined guard. The residence of the Bolshevik government was the Moscow Kremlin, which was guarded from March to September 1918 by Latvian riflemen. Soon they were replaced by servicemen of the Moscow Higher Military Command School of the Red Army, which after a while was reorganized into the All-Russian Central Executive Committee, which later became the 1st Soviet Unified Military School of the Red Army. The All-Russian Central Executive Committee guarded the Kremlin until 1935. In October, the location of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee became Lefortovo, and the protection of the Kremlin was entrusted to the Special Purpose Battalion, which from that moment on was no longer subordinate to the People's Commissariat of Defense. The battalion was transferred to the department of the NKVD. A year later, it was officially named the NKVD Special Forces Regiment. It was unofficially called the Kremlin. During the Soviet-Finnish war, the regiment's servicemen took part in hostilities. In the Great Patriotic War, the Wehrmacht's air raids were repelled. In 1973, the regiment was officially assigned the status of "Kremlin". Since 1975, his servicemen have been awarded a distinctive badge for impeccable service, combat and political training.

Our days

During the years of the Soviet Union, this unique military unit was called the Red Banner Presidential Regiment of the Order of the October Revolution. Since 1991, the presidential troops have been officially called the Presidential Regiment of the Moscow Kremlin Commandant Service of the FSO of the Russian Federation. 2002 was the year of the formation of the Honorary Cavalry Escort. In 2016, the regiment was awarded a diploma of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces for services in ensuring security. On May 7, the unit celebrates the day of its creation. The regiment commander is directly subordinate to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. The location of the barracks of the Presidential Forces was the historical building of the Arsenal (Zeichhaus). The location of the regimental parade ground and the sports hall of the FSO is the closed perimeter of the courtyard.

About tasks

Presidential troops provide security and protection for historical and strategic Kremlin sites. These include the Eternal Flame, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin Wall and all important institutions located on the territory. In addition, the unit takes part in various protocol events.

The presidential troops as part of the Federal Security Service provide protection for the country's top officials. The regiment includes ten companies that are directly subordinate to the President. Many experts argue that the Kremlin regiment was formed solely for beauty. The constitutional order is also protected by the National Guard, created on the basis of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. These troops serve on a contract basis.

How to get into the presidential troops?

Judging by the numerous reviews, service in the Kremlin regiment is very difficult, but extremely honorable. Only the most worthy can take the oath of office in the presidential troops. The selection of applicants is very thorough. Anyone who plans to serve in the presidential troops must first enter the official website of the Kremlin regiment. There is a list of all available vacancies. Those planning to serve on a contract basis must notify the draft board about this. This must be done several months before the start of the draft campaign. Otherwise, the young man will not have time to go through all the stages. Selection for the presidential troops takes place at the military registration and enlistment offices. Upon its completion, the applicant must agree in writing to check his identity for reliability by the employees of the Federal Security Service of Russia. Then the applicant is tested and invited for an interview at the FSB. Representatives of the National Guard also meet the young man there. Presidential troops are open only to those who fully meet all the requirements.

About the requirements for appearance

Young people whose height is not lower than 175 and not higher than 190 cm can get into the Kremlin regiment. There are no clear requirements for body weight. However, it is important to have a normal weight-to-height ratio. Judging by the reviews, preference in the selection is given to applicants with a Slavic appearance. According to experts, for conscripts with dark skin or Mongoloid eyes, the likelihood of getting into the Presidential Regiment is very small. Speech, piercings, tattoos and scars that are unclear or defective also reduce a young man's chances of serving in the Kremlin.

About moral qualities

An applicant for the Presidential Regiment in "civilian" before service must be characterized as a person with exemplary behavior. Confirmation of this will be a characteristic from a school or university. In addition, only holders of a good certificate can enter the Kremlin. Since a culture of behavior is instilled from childhood, when examining a candidate, FSB officers pay great attention to the family in which the person was brought up. Often people come to the Kremlin from a complete and prosperous family. However, the presence of domestic problems and excessive concern of the candidate about his loved ones is undesirable. Difficulties in joining may also arise for those who have a girlfriend. This attitude of the commission is explained by the fact that young people are greatly distracted from the service by love relationships.

About health requirements

Those who wish to serve in the Kremlin regiment must be in good health. The indicator of visual acuity without correction should be at least 0.7. A person should not have any problems with color perception. In addition, the applicant must have good hearing, allowing him to clearly hear a whisper from a distance of six meters. Since a lot of time is devoted to the physical training of military personnel, preference is given to hardy and physically developed people.

It is desirable that such a person earlier, "in civilian life", was engaged in any kind of sport. Persons who, during the examination, will reveal addictions to drugs, alcohol and even nicotine, may not count on serving in the Kremlin troops.

Who will fail to enroll?

Young people who are ready to give a positive answer to at least one of the questions proposed in the following points of the questionnaire should not be applied to the Presidential Troops:

  • The presence of close relatives abroad or convicted of crimes against the person or the state.
  • Conviction. It will not be possible to join the Kremlin regiment to persons who have served sentences in places of imprisonment for even minor crimes.
  • If the applicant is under investigation.
  • If it is registered in a narcological, neuropsychiatric and dermatovenerologic dispensary.

About the oath

Relatives and friends of the recruits are allowed to attend the ceremony. It is prohibited to bring alcoholic beverages into the territory of the Kremlin. It is also undesirable for guests to use them before the celebration itself. Otherwise, the drunk citizens will not be allowed in, and the young fighter will have problems. Before being sworn in, a recruit has the right to inform relatives in which unit he will serve.

The ceremony itself lasts no more than 40 minutes. Previously, the use of cameras and video cameras was prohibited during the oath. However, in recent years, according to eyewitnesses, one of the guests has the right to pass through the cordon and take some photographs. A recruit can communicate with relatives immediately after the oath, without leaving the territory of his military unit.