From the editorial board. Today is the holiday of defenders of the Fatherland. Our colleague, radio amateur Viktor Ivanovich Pashchenko UT2UQ, a career officer, sent interesting information for the Radon readers for the holiday.

Briefly about Viktor Pashchenko. Commander of the engineering unit that carried out the task in Spitak. Passed Afghanistan, Chernobyl. Head of the Explosive Technical Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. There are more than 30 thousand explosive devices neutralized. 38 awards (USSR, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Great Britain and the USA) of which 7 were from the Presidents, the Verkhovna Rada, the Cabinet of Ministers.

So, over to Victor UT2UQ.

Dear friends!
From pure heart Congratulations on Defender of the Fatherland Day! Good health, happiness, joy and clear skies!
I am attaching a photo with my daughters, they also wear shoulder straps. AND interesting material according to the traditions of officers.
Happy holiday! Good health to you!
Best regards, 73!

Victor UT2UQ

The traditions of officers are unshakable rules, an accepted spiritual code of conduct and a lifestyle passed down from generation to generation, protected and supported strict observance requirements set out therein.

Officer traditions require compliance with the following rules:

Recognition by the society of officers of responsibility for the actions of each of its officers, which, of course, does not detract from the responsibility of the officer himself for what he has done;

The requirement for officers to coordinate their actions, behavior and lifestyle with the requirements of officer ethics and the code of officer honor:

Solidarity in defending the honor of the uniform, dignity officer rank and requirements of fairness in relation to members of the corporation;

The inadmissibility of disclosing facts that took place among officers;

Elimination of slander, schadenfreude in assessing the behavior of other officers, manifestations of dishonesty, etc.;

Fidelity to the word, promise, oral statement, readiness to fulfill the promised and unconditional fulfillment of the obligations assumed;

Observance of external signs of decency, camaraderie and respect for rank, especially in civil society, public places;

The readiness of each member of the corporation of officers to come to the aid of a comrade in need, even without a formal request;

Showing sincere sympathy for those who have suffered grief, misfortune, failure, etc.

Self-criticism, as a specific quality necessary in an officer environment, is required due to the fact that many people more often notice the shortcomings of others and do not see them in themselves. Such imbalance naturally creates fertile ground for conflicts, quarrels and misunderstandings (1752).

The law of decency says: “Do not dishonorably expose the weaknesses of your neighbor in order to exalt yourself. Do not reveal his misdeeds and errors in order to show off your own advantage on his account” (1796).

Extract from the Charter of the Internal Service (from the 15th century to the present):

Military personnel introduce themselves to their immediate superiors:

When appointed to a military position;

Upon surrender of a military post;

When assigned military rank;

When awarded an order or medal;

Introducing yourself to the immediate superior, military personnel state their military position, military rank, last name and reason for presentation.

The performance was always held at an officers' meeting.

The procedure for holding an officer meeting with the agenda “Assignment of the next military rank”

1. An officer who has been awarded the next military rank is obliged to:

Designate the place and time of the officer meeting and the uniform (preferably casual, but if the officer is a high-ranking commander or immediate superior, then subordinates can wear full dress as a sign of respect);

Invite to the meeting the officers you wish (your immediate superior and the officers of your structural unit- undoubtedly);

Appoint a moderator for the meeting (preferably an officer of a lower military rank and, if possible, a light drinker);

Arrive half an hour before the appointed time at the appointed place in full dress uniform (epaulets and stars - according to the military rank in which the officer served before being assigned another rank);

Check the menu layout, food output, brew, availability of dishes (and definitely a cut glass), spoons, forks, table settings;

Upon arrival of the officers of your unit and other officers - meet them, while showing them where the places for smoking, shoe cleaning, washing, etc. are located;

Upon arrival of the commanders, give the command from the unit commander and above: “Comrade officers!” and report: “Comrade Colonel! The officers of such and such a unit have been assembled for an officer meeting. The commander of such and such a unit (position) is Lieutenant Colonel Ivanov”;

Accompany the chief to the place of honor at the head of the table and give the command: “Comrade officers! Please come to the table”;

Take a seat to the right of your immediate superior.

2. Officers arriving at an officers’ meeting are required to remain silent and always be ready for action.

3. The immediate superior of the officer who has been awarded the rank is obliged (if there is no more senior commander or superior):

Check the availability of a cut glass, accessories (stars), alcoholic beverages and the health of your subordinate;

In the ensuing silence, pour your subordinate a full glass of vodka (!) with your own hands, and lower the stars into it according to the assigned rank.

4. The officer who has been awarded the rank takes a combat stance, raises his glass to chest level and reports: “Comrade Colonel! Comrade officers! The commander of such and such a unit (position) is Lieutenant Colonel Ivanov. I introduce myself on the occasion of conferring the next military rank of Colonel on me.”

Having drunk the vodka to the bottom, he puts the glass down, takes the stars out of his mouth, takes a drill stance and reports: “Colonel Ivanov.”

The commander announces: “Our regiment has arrived! Get your uniform in order.” At this command, two officers of a lower rank screw one next star onto both shoulder straps directly on the officer’s shoulders, then each of the officers present at the celebration personally pours vodka (!) into his container exactly as much as he respects and honors the “newly baked” colonel. Everyone drinks the first toast randomly, clinking glasses and drinking to the bottom (but without toasts or comments).

The second toast of congratulations is given to the boss.

The third toast is also announced by the chief: “Comrade officers! For those who are not with us.” The officers drink silently, standing, without clinking glasses, to the bottom. Next, the chief transfers the right to conduct the officer meeting to the presenter.

He provides the fourth toast (collective) to all officers in the military rank in which the hero of the occasion previously belonged. They take turns characterizing the officer, presenting complaints and claims, if any, announcing shortcomings that need to be eliminated and prevented in the new rank and make a conclusion whether they will release him to a new quality or not. After this, the officer who has held the rank the longest announces a collective decision and proposes a toast: “Release the lieutenant colonels from the team.”

The fifth toast (collective) is given to all officers of a military rank equal to the new rank of the hero of the occasion. They take turns characterizing the officer, presenting complaints and claims, if any, announcing shortcomings that need to be eliminated and prevented in the new rank and make a conclusion whether they accept him in the new capacity or not. After this, the officer who has held the rank the longest announces a collective decision and proposes a toast: “Admit colonels to the team.”

Note:

1. If the officer who has been awarded the rank is a non-drinker, he is allowed to replace vodka with low-alcohol drinks. For others present, vodka can be replaced with other drinks only after the third toast.

2. A number of stars is thrown into the glass, corresponding to the number of stars according to the assigned rank, placed on one shoulder strap (due to the fact that the junior rank, when giving the honor, stands in front on the right or left and always distinguishes the rank by one shoulder strap on the superior’s uniform).

3. The procedure for holding an officer meeting with the agenda “Appointment to a higher position” is carried out at the request of the rank receiving it. The meeting is held according to a similar scenario to “Awarding the next military rank,” with the exception of throwing stars into a glass.

4. It is mandatory to hold an officer meeting with the agenda “Awarding an order or medal.” The meeting is held according to the scenario “Assignment of the next military rank.”

Literature

1. Svidzinsky E. On the development of military knowledge and general principles among army officers // Military collection. - I875.- NI0.- p.235.

2. Surin A. The role of officers in military education. // Warrior (Vladivostok). -1922. - N 2. - p.16.

3. Yuzefovich F. Previous and current military certifications // Military collection.- I9II.- N2.- p.76-77.

4. Tolstoy L.L. Life tasks of a Russian officer. // Russian Invalid.- I907.- NI3.- January 17.; Oppressive evil.// Scout. - I9I2.- NII29.- p.402-407.

5. Izmestyev P. The Art of Command. - Warsaw, I908.-s. 54.

6. Varyazhsky K. Junior officer.//Officer’s Life.- I907.- N66.- p. 250-25I.

7. Butovsky N. Sense of decency among officers.. (Essay on military life) // Military collection. - I898.-NII, - p.II7-I4I.

8. Gershelman F. Education of future officers. // Military collection.-I9I4.-NI2.-p.27.

9. On the issue of officer training // Officer’s Life.- I907.-N52.- p. 19.

10. Volgin A.M. About the army.- SP b., I907.- p.53.

11. Shalaputin N. Catechism of the Russian Soldier. M., I9I3.- p. 32.

12. Korf N.A. On the education of the will of military leaders. - Society of adherents of military knowledge. - Book. I.-SP b., I906.-s. 27.

We don't need ranks and honors

We have stars on our shoulders.

IN Ancient Rus' military ranks there was none, and the commanders were named according to the number of soldiers under their command - foreman, centurion, temnik (thousander). Let's find out when and how sergeants, majors, captains and generalissimos appeared in the Russian and other armies.

1. Sergeant

The word “sergeant” came into Russian from French (sergent), and into French from Latin (serviens) and is translated as “employee”.

The first sergeants appeared in the 11th century in England. Only then they called it not the military, but the landowners who carried out various assignments for the king. In the 12th century, sergeants in England were also called employees who performed police functions.

As a military rank, “sergeant” appeared only in the 15th century, in the French army. After that, it passed into the German and English armies, and in the 17th century - into the Russian one. The rank was in use from 1716 to 1798, when Paul the First replaced the ranks of sergeant and senior sergeant with non-commissioned officer and sergeant major, respectively.

In the Red Army, the rank of “sergeant” appeared on November 2, 1940. The peculiarity of the Soviet sergeant corps was that it was not career military personnel who became sergeants, but military personnel conscript service, which, according to the Soviet military leadership, increases the mobilization qualities of the army. This approach paid off - in December 1979, a large one (50 thousand soldiers, sergeants and officers) was formed in 2 weeks.

Absolutely excellent sergeant system in the US Army. According to 2010 data, sergeants there make up about 40% of the total number Armed forces. Of the more than 1,371,000 members of the US Army, 547 thousand are American sergeants. Of these: 241,500 are sergeants, 168,000 are staff sergeants, 100,000 are 1st class sergeants, 26,900 are master sergeants, 10,600 are sergeant majors.

A sergeant in the US Army is first after God for soldiers and second lieutenants. Sergeants train them and take charge of them.

2. Ensign

Ensigns in the Russian army were originally called standard bearers. From the Church Slavonic language “prapor” is a banner. The title was first introduced in 1649 by decree of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. Russian soldiers had to earn the high rank of ensign with their courage and military valor.

Alexei Mikhailovich's son, Peter I, when creating a regular army in 1712, introduced the military rank of ensign as the first (junior) rank of chief officer in the infantry and cavalry.

Since 1884, the first officer rank after leaving the military academy was second lieutenant (for cavalrymen - cornet), while the rank of ensign was retained by reserve officers, in the Caucasian militia and for wartime. In addition, soldiers who distinguished themselves during battle could receive the rank of ensign.

Since 1886, lower ranks could take the ensign exam. Candidates who passed the exam were in the reserve for 12 years and annually had to undergo six weeks of military training.

In the fall of 1912, Nicholas II approved the “Regulations on accelerated graduation during the mobilization of the army from His Imperial Majesty’s Corps of Pages, military and special schools.” Now you could become a warrant officer after 8 months of training. Thus, warrant officers became, as it were, “precocious officers,” which affected the attitude towards them in the Russian Imperial Army.

However, according to statistics from the First World War, a Russian ensign on the front line lived on average 10-15 days before being killed or wounded. Of the approximately 70 thousand command personnel of the Russian army killed and wounded in 1914-17, 40 thousand were warrant officers, who accounted for the highest percentage of combat losses among officers and privates.

From 1917 to January 1, 1972, the rank of warrant officer did not exist. In terms of status, the “new warrant officers” were higher than the sergeant major and lower than the junior lieutenant. In comparison with pre-revolutionary ranks, the Soviet ensign was equal to the sub-ensign of the tsarist army.

Since 2009, the institution of warrant officers has been liquidated, but in February 2013, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced the return of the institutions of warrant officers and midshipmen to the army and navy.

3. Lieutenant

The word "lieutenant" comes from the French lieutenant, which translates as "deputy". At the beginning of the 15th century in France, this was the name given to the commanding officers who held the positions of deputy chiefs of detachments, later - deputy commanders of companies, and in the navy this was the name given to deputy captains of ships. From the second half XVII century, "lieutenant" became a military rank.

In Spain of the 15th and 16th centuries, the same position was called “lugar teniente” or simply “teniente”.

In Russia from 1701 to 1917 the rank of lieutenant was only at imperial fleet. In the USSR, the rank of lieutenant was introduced on September 22, 1935 as the primary officer rank received upon graduation from a military school or upon completion of a military department in civilian universities. Junior lieutenants are awarded the rank of lieutenant upon expiration of the established period of service upon positive certification.

4. Captain

“Captain” and “kaput” are words with the same root. In Latin caput means head. Captain is translated as “military leader”.

For the first time, the title “captain” began to be used again in France; in the Middle Ages, this was the name given to the heads of military districts. Since 1558, company commanders began to be called captains, and the heads of military districts began to be called captains general.

In Russia, the rank of captain appeared in the 16th century. This is how company commanders began to be called. In the cavalry and dragoon regiments and gendarme corps, since 1882, the captain was called a captain, and in the Cossack regiments - a captain.

Until 1917, the rank of army infantry captain was equal to the rank of a modern army major, and the rank of guard captain was equal to the rank of army lieutenant colonel.

In the Red Army, the rank of captain was introduced on September 22, 1935. At the same time, the ranks of captain of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd rank and captain-lieutenant were introduced for the naval personnel of the Navy (the latter corresponds to the rank of captain in the army).

5. Major

Major is translated as “senior”. was also a major, since in Spanish-speaking countries the rank of comandante is equal to major.

The title appeared in the 17th century. This was the name given to the assistant regiment commanders responsible for food and guard duties. When regiments were divided into battalions, majors became battalion commanders.

In the Russian army, the rank of major was introduced by Peter I in 1698. By analogy with major generals of that time, majors received not one star, as now, but two. The difference between the ranks was the fringe on the epaulettes. For major generals it was a general's one, twisted, for majors it was a staff officer's one, made of thin threads.

From 1716 to 1797, the Russian army also had the ranks of prime major and second major. The division was abolished by Paul the First.

IN Cossack troops The rank of major corresponded to the rank of “esaul”, in civil ranks - “collegiate assessor”.

In 1884, the rank of major was abolished, and majors became lieutenant colonels.

In the Red Army, the rank of major was introduced in 1935; in the navy it corresponded to the ship rank of captain of the 3rd rank.

Now, apparently, it has become fashionable to assign military ranks to athletes. Vitali Klitschko received the rank of major.

And Sergei Shoigu recently awarded the rank of major to Elena Isinbaeva.

Well, Elena looks great, what in military uniform what without her...

But still, my fellow countrywoman, Svetlana Khorkina, is cooler and has the rank of lieutenant colonel.

6. General, marshal, generalissimo

“General” means “chief,” but “marshal” translates as “groom” (the French maréchal still means “horseshoe blacksmith”). However, marshal until 1917 was the highest military rank in Russian army, and after that - from the same 1935 - in the Soviet one.

But, besides marshals and generals, there are also generalissimos. For the first time in Russian history, the title “generalissimo” was granted on June 28, 1696 by Peter I to governor A.S. Shein for successful actions near Azov (we are not talking about “amusing” generalissimos). Officially, the military rank of generalissimo was introduced in Russia by the Military Regulations of 1716.

The Generalissimo in Russian history were: Prince Alexander Menshikov (1727), Prince Anton Ulrich of Brunswick (1740), Alexander Suvorov (1799).

After the Great Patriotic War, on June 26, 1945, by decree of the Presidium Supreme Council The USSR introduced the highest military rank “Generalissimo” Soviet Union" The next day, Joseph Stalin received this title. According to Rokossovsky’s memoirs, he personally persuaded Stalin to accept the title, saying that “there are many marshals, but there is only one generalissimo.”

During the Brezhnev rule, there was talk about Leonid Ilyich receiving this high title, but... it didn’t work out.

The tradition of washing the stars

It is customary to wash the receipt of stars. And not only in Russia. It is difficult to establish where exactly this tradition came from today, but it is known that titles were washed during the Great Patriotic War, washed up promotions military service and in the army of the Russian Empire.

The tradition is well known: stars are placed in a glass, it is filled with vodka, after which it is drunk, and the stars are caught with the teeth and placed on shoulder straps.

I sincerely congratulate you on receiving your next military rank! I wish that there are as many stars on uniform as there are in the night sky, and may there be more and more of them every year! I wish you career and personal growth and successful service. May all peaks be conquered and conquered very easily!

A new title is like another star from the sky. It points to high degree respect and trust. Therefore, I wish you to always keep the bar. Never let people be disappointed in you. And, of course, don’t stop there, keep moving up career ladder. Achieve more in everything.

Another height taken. Another title in your pocket, or rather, on your shoulder straps. Now, the most important thing is to try not only to maintain compliance, but also to move on to new heights. I drink today to your determination and responsibility. Congratulations on the title, my friend.

So you have waited for that moment when a star shines on your shoulder. Continue to grow in rank, multiply your successes and achievements. You are the pride of your family and the pride of your loved ones. Congratulations on receiving the title.

You walked long and hard towards your goal. And today is a new start in your life. May the goal and path you choose never disappoint you. Let the service be even easier. I wish you new successes and victories!

Happy new title to you,
I hasten to congratulate you,
I'll drink to the bottom for you,
This evening I want!

For a career and a star,
So that success awaits,
So that luck smiles,
Don't be sad forever!

Congratulations to our dear hero of the occasion on being awarded the title. We would like to wish you fruitful success in your career, new wonderful ups and benevolent smiles of fortune. May you always enjoy well-deserved awards and corresponding achievements.
Happy new title!

For another title,
Today I'll drink to the bottom,
promotions,
Good luck and good luck to you!

I wish you health, prosperity,
I wish you ease in business,
May everything always be alright
You are not afraid!

I also wish you success,
And let everything be within your reach,
I wish you joy and laughter,
Take care of your soul!

Today we wash your new star. We wish her to shine brightly, give her the respect of her colleagues and quick advancement in her career. And don’t let your health fail you. It was more than enough to fulfill all his dreams and plans.

Today is a great occasion for a meeting. Let's wash together your new star, received for honest service. Let it sparkle brightly, lift your spirits every day, and stimulate you to new career victories.

“Comrade Major. Commander of the 1st motorized rifle company, Captain Ivanov. I introduce myself on the occasion of my being awarded the military rank of captain.” Such an example of presentation to the immediate superior on the occasion of conferring a military rank is given in Art. 60th Internal Service Charter Armed Forces Russian Federation. As a matter of fact, this article ends the regulation of such a significant event in the life of everyone who wears shoulder straps and, of course, dreams of a new title.
It so happened that a military man, when receiving new shoulder straps, is not limited to just presenting them to his immediate superior. He also follows the unwritten rule of treating his colleagues. So it turns out that the holiday on the occasion of the new title is associated with the taming of the “green serpent.” But there could have been more traditions associated with receiving a new title.
What could they become, these traditions? Is it really true that the NCOs and the officer corps have no imagination, and the ritual of receiving a new rank does not promise the hero of the occasion and his colleagues anything other than another “blow” to the liver? Maybe on this day a sergeant or officer who received another military rank should show his fellow soldiers his prowess in shooting from personal weapons at a shooting range or training ground, or his skill in driving a combat vehicle at a tankodrome (autodrome)? Maybe it would be more appropriate to visit the regimental church and lay flowers at the nearby monument to the heroes of the Fatherland...
The next “Round Table” of the “Red Star” is dedicated to the search for new traditions (primarily related to obtaining the next military rank). Was this search successful, how interesting and at the same time sound are the ideas proposed by the participants in the conversation for round table, you judge, dear readers.

Celebrate without loss of dignity

Colonel Dmitry ANTONOV, commander of a separate coastal missile regiment, Baltic Fleet:
- At the beginning of the two thousandth, while serving in Far East, I went to Chukotka with a group of officers. Our task was to look at the military equipment of the disbanded military unit and select everything we needed for our unit. There I witnessed such an episode.
We are working in the park, some senior lieutenant walks past, heading to his own. He stopped, said hello, and took out a bottle from his bosom:
- Well, guys, come over!
The men came up, drank straight from the bottle, and snorted it with their fists.
- Guys, do you even know what we’re celebrating here?
They turn their heads - no one knows.
- We are here, guys, celebrating my new military rank!
That episode surprised me greatly and even upset me. I somehow took it for granted that an officer who received another military rank was presented in a solemn atmosphere, with the banner carried out, in front of the entire regiment, publicly congratulated, and presented with shoulder straps. And here it is...
I remembered how I myself was awarded the shoulder straps of a senior lieutenant in March 1995. This happened in combat conditions, in Chechnya. They called to the command post, and there was a small formation, with colleagues standing with weapons. I was so wound up at the time that I didn’t immediately realize what was going on. The general came out—he had come especially for this purpose—and read out the order. They gave me shoulder straps, a medal “For Courage”, and congratulated me. It seemed like nothing special, but it was all so dignified and solemn that I remembered it for the rest of my life.
For a military man, the assignment of another military rank is always significant event. Therefore, if there is such an opportunity, I try to coincide the official part of it with some important celebration or holiday. However, in any case, this will necessarily be a general formation of the regiment, reading of the order, presentation of shoulder straps, congratulations on behalf of all colleagues. The same applies when a serviceman is appointed to a new position. Here, in my opinion, the element of surprise is important; everything needs to be done in such a way as to prevent information leakage - then the person will be doubly pleased. The heroes of the occasion will learn about the joyful event already during the formation. The effect is always good!
Well, then – strictly according to the regulations. After receiving the shoulder straps, the serviceman arrives in full dress uniform and introduces himself on the occasion of his being awarded a military rank. He is given time to prepare his uniform. Only after he officially introduces himself is he allowed to join the ranks with new shoulder straps.
As for washing stars, this is already an established tradition, in which, in my opinion, there is nothing reprehensible. Unless, of course, this happens within the bounds of decency and does not result in a banal drinking binge. After all, it’s a person’s holiday, and it’s customary for us to invite guests to a holiday. Another thing is that the feast should not be some kind of obligation.

New traditions suggested by ancestors

Colonel Alexander GRUN, commander of the training air base (2nd category, Borisoglebsk) of the Flight Training Center of the Air Force Academy:
- Everything flows, everything changes. Traditions are no exception. So, in our aviation, the subjective perception of a pilot receiving high levels of class is even more significant than the next military rank. Pride in airmanship is a relatively new Army tradition. At the same time, speaking about military and officer traditions, I cannot remember anything radically new, born in the 21st century.
Yes, today we are trying to involve Russian clergy in military rituals and ceremonial events in military units. Orthodox Church. The more obvious is the need to revive the half-forgotten good old traditions of Russian officers. They were born in the crucible of many wars and have been tested for centuries. Here are some examples.
Back in the 19th century, the Guards Cavalry, Preobrazhensky and Semyonovsky regiments received officers with special “analysis” and only by decree General meeting regimental officers. If there was something wrong with the biography or reputation, no amount of patronage helped. It happened that even the sons of ministers were refused. The honor of serving in the Guard for upper strata society is another forgotten tradition.
The regiment, the main tactical unit of the Russian army, is unique in its traditional corporate structure, imbued with the spirit of history and the heroic heritage of its ancestors. Therefore, a phrase or even a hint uttered by anyone (not at all foul language) affecting the honor of the regiment was perceived as an insult to the entire officer corps of the regiment. With all the ensuing consequences, right up to apologies to the officers from the grand dukes ( similar case described in the book by Vladimir Morikhin “Traditions of the Officer Corps of the Russian Army”). Today, this will seem eccentric to many, but isn’t this the conditions in which an officer’s formation should take place?..
Regimental holidays were held on the day of the patron saint. Thus, the holiday of the Life Guards of the Preobrazhensky Regiment was celebrated on August 6 (old style), on the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord. And on this day almost all the former regimental officers gathered. The officer fraternity of the Cuirassier Regiment was emphasized by the fact that, by tradition, ladies were never allowed into the hall of the officers’ meeting... Today, not only halls, there are almost no officers’ houses left in Russia. And our Borisoglebsk garrison is no exception.
Behind every good tradition is not a whim, but the life and service of many generations of defenders of the Fatherland, everything valuable, useful and suffered. Therefore, these traditions should be remembered and, to the best of our ability, revived.

Now is not the time to cloud your mind

Senior Lieutenant Nikita ABEL, commander of a reconnaissance platoon of the reconnaissance battalion of the 201st Russian military base in Tajikistan:
- I confess, already during my service I was an officer short period life, when, together with my comrades in service, I didn’t consider it anything shameful to celebrate a new star in the pursuit or a birthday with a glass of beer or something stronger. But that's in the past. A sober lifestyle is not a tradition for me, but simply the norm. Now, during off-duty time, when you feel sad for your family, your two-year-old daughter (and families are waiting for us on the “mainland”), he comes to the rescue six string guitar. I can’t boast that I play this instrument at the level of a conservatory graduate, but I dare to suggest that the accompaniment for my favorite Alexander Rosenbaum songs in my performance is quite decent.
Military intelligence officers actually live on the training ground, sharing the Spartan conditions of a tent city with their subordinates. Here you inevitably try to be fit in the ranks, during exercises, and on vacation too. The platoon or company commander is an example for sergeants and soldiers in everything. That is why in military service you cannot relax, allow yourself something extra. Therefore, I think it’s time to say goodbye to the old traditions of celebrating events in personal life with feasts with alcoholic drinks (be it a birthday, the assignment of another military rank or going on vacation).

And for “dessert” - a quiz!

Captain Egor EREMEEV, Pacific Fleet:

- About traditions in the Russian army, on Navy(both Tsarist and Soviet, as well as our time) we naturally learned during our studies at the university. And not only thanks to interesting lectures by teachers humanities departments, but also classes at the military-historical center TOVMI named after Stepan Osipovich Makarov “Sea Soul”.
The tradition, as they say, unwritten - to celebrate the assignment of an officer's rank with a glass - has come very close to the moment of completion of studies. Looking ahead, I will say: I am not a fan of strong drinks. And when I had repeatedly seen how our senior comrades on the day of graduation (at the moment of changing into full dress uniform) literally managed to “drink up” quite a lot from a cheap bucket of champagne (in which they dipped cutlass), literally on the move, I even experienced some not entirely pleasant sensations from such a picturesque picture .
I once heard an unflattering opinion on this matter from the admiral, who reprimanded the head of the institute about preventing such drinking. They say that at his age everything was more beautiful: after graduation, they gathered in the evening in a restaurant, invited their commanders and teachers, made toasts to their native alma mater...
We, having become lieutenants and at once intoxicated with happiness and love for everyone in the world, raised our beautiful glass (especially for this landmark event painted a military helmet silver, filling it to the brim with champagne) also with the aim of symbolically supporting the old tradition.
Another thing is that, having soon plunged headlong into official affairs and every year moving away from that happy day, I didn’t really think about this situation. But... the time has come to present new shoulder straps. How to celebrate a joyful event? The idea was suggested by my wife, a culturologist about specialties. “Let's come up with something playful. Invite the guys to our newly acquired service apartment on Saturday evening!”
We took red wine, Olga baked a duck in the oven, and prepared a stunning pie. And for a creative “dessert”, a quiz was conceived, including questions on knowledge of military awards, including the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, established by Peter I. My colleagues (and some, by the way, took a 40-degree half-liter with them on a visit - where can you get away from it?!) At first they laughed at this idea, but in the process of communication they got involved in a home competition, received small gifts for correct answers - surprises. They also sang together with the guitar, remembering the cadet songs. Later, when a comrade received another military rank, someone remembered that evening: “Come on, brother, let’s organize something interesting!”
In general, everyone has their own understanding old tradition, not invented by us. It seems to me that you can sit in a restaurant with friends, and home environment. The main thing is that the general spirit of the officer community is felt, people come to your holiday with joy. Until this moment, you can get together in the wardroom without the obligatory alcohol, talk about the person, note his merits, his role in the affairs of the entire crew. After all, promotion in rank is a kind of milestone in career officer, strengthening his authority.

Without forgetting previous experience

Senior Lieutenant Sergei VOLKOV, unit commander, Western Military District:
- Of course, I want the assignment of another military rank to become an event that will be remembered for a lifetime, because there are not so many such events throughout the entire service - usually 4-6 (if you go from lieutenant to major - lieutenant colonel). Good example served to each officer - this is a ritual associated with the assignment of the primary military rank of lieutenant. It has been tested in all military educational institutions and is carried out during solemn ceremony release. I still remember very well how this happened several years ago in my native Yaroslavl Higher Anti-Aircraft Missile School.
However, the traditions associated with the assignment of successive officer ranks are entirely left to the discretion of the command, as well as to the initiatives of both the officer himself and his colleagues. Of course, there is a presentation prescribed by the Charter of the Internal Service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to the immediate superior on the occasion of conferring a military rank. Then there is usually informal communication with colleagues on this matter, where the next stars are assigned main role. But I’m sure it would be more expedient to describe the entire ceremony clearly and in detail. For the conferment of a rank to become a real military ritual, where there must be solemn severity, some kind of regulation, and a friendly feast with its own pre-arranged nuances.
As a young officer, it’s difficult for me to give advice, but I have wishes. The first thing is not to forget about pre-existing traditions. Thus, until 1917, in the Russian army, the honoring of a colleague who was awarded the next military rank was usually held in the Officers' Assembly, and it was started by the commander of the unit or formation. There was a formation of those gathered and the announcement of the order. Everyone was in full dress uniform - this gave a special solemnity to the event. Today this is also quite appropriate. Agree, this will be remembered much better than just congratulations at the usual reading of an order or an official meeting.
Of course, after such a solemn construction, its informal continuation is appropriate. For example, I heard that in some units they practice “sending off” from their previous military rank, when colleagues who are still in it give good parting words to their “grown up” comrade. Next, the officer may be admitted to the ranks of those who already bear his new rank. It would be correct to give the floor to the most senior officer in terms of service or an officer who enjoys great authority - such a person will always have something to say and advise to the hero of the occasion.
Unfortunately, we know very little about previous traditions, although not everything can be reproduced today. Although traditions, even those that have passed away, are the core of the army. For example, I recently learned about one that was practiced in the 19th century. Then, when receiving the first officer rank, an orderly was allocated. His duties included changing shoulder straps that had become blackened by time. This had to be done quite often: the fabric base was thrown away, and the gold-embroidered epaulette (epaulet) itself was thrown into the box. An officer resigns - the box is full. Its contents were given to the jeweler, and he cast two gold stacks: the left and right shoulders. And until the end of his days, the officer drank only from “his” glasses, remembering the smell of gunpowder and horse sweat, the roar of the barracks and the aura of the officers’ meeting, the aroma beautiful ladies, the taste of camp dust - all that I remember about the years of service...

Tired of marking as a carbon copy

Captain Pyotr DEREVENTSOV, assistant chief of brigade engineering service, Central Military District:
- Unfortunately, we have to agree that in the military environment today only one dominates, if you can call it that, the tradition of presenting an officer to a group of colleagues on the occasion of awarding him the next military rank. We are, of course, talking about a friendly feast. It is there, in a close circle of closest associates, after observing certain canons of the established ceremony, that the hero of the day has the right to appear before his colleagues “in uniform” at a rank higher than the previous rank... What, as a rule, remains in the memory of yesterday’s hero of the occasion? Not much: the joyful faces of the event participants, a series of short military congratulations, excerpts of parting words from senior comrades, and the first appearance in front of colleagues “with new shoulder straps.” Perhaps that's all. And so every time: the number of stars on the shoulder straps changes, their size changes, and the impressions are like a carbon copy.
I received my first officer rank not so long ago, just a few years ago. But since then I’ve already been the “birthday boy” twice. Repeatedly on the same occasion I took part in a friendly dinner in the Far Eastern, Ural style. However significant changes I haven’t seen it anywhere yet: they gathered, celebrated, and dispersed. To be honest, this monotony was tiring.
That’s why I was inspired by the fact that “Red Star” decided to discuss this topic, since something new can be learned from general reasoning. Moreover, not only take what is useful into service, but also try to implement interesting points in my brigade. In this regard, for example, I heard opinions that on a significant day for himself, an officer promoted to military rank could visit one of the memorial places of the garrison dedicated to soldiers who died in the line of military duty in various years. It is not necessary to go there in formation, with flowers. Sometimes it’s enough to stand alone and silently at the monument, to honor the memory of those who had the time to act “as intended.”
Another point: I am not a pious person. But the church code is spiritually close to me. Now I’m thinking: why not visit the military temple on this day? This coming summer, if service circumstances go well, I can become a major. Now I have no doubt: if this happens, I will definitely go to church. I think that in such an undertaking, when the first steps towards the service threshold in a new military rank are taken from the doors of the temple, one of my colleagues will definitely support me.
In terms of developing the tradition of presenting to the team on the occasion of the next military rank assigned, one should not forget about the personnel. In military groups this is an integral part of life. But how are similar days different in platoons, companies, battalions? IN best case scenario reading out the order in the general formation. And a day later, few people even remember about the past event. Although, in fact, there are all the conditions to make the days of presenting the next shoulder straps to junior commanders literally unforgettable. There is a wide field of activity for commanders here. From military-competitive training in the field to a cultural campaign in the city with the subsequent reporting release of a wall photo newspaper, mounted for general viewing of a computer video film and even its replication with further sending of CDs to the parents of military personnel... Agree, such an approach is much more civilized than a banal gathering in a brigade tea room

Continuation of the round table
in one of the nearby rooms.

The strip was prepared by: Vladislav PAVLYUTKIN, Alexander KHROLENKO,
Shamil KHAIRULLIN, Konstantin LOBKOV, Oleg POCHINYUK,
Yuri BELOUSOV, Alexander TIKHONOV, “Red Star”.