Military service, hazing, real court cases. Hazing in the Russian army: is it possible to overcome hazing?

The regulations of the Soviet army stated: “... a soldier is obliged to steadfastly endure all the hardships and deprivations of military service.” The saying is ideal for the Russian armed forces, which are rightfully considered the heir to the “invincible and legendary” traditions. Today's conscripts are often frightened not by a strict regime or excessive physical activity, but by hazing in army groups, called hazing.

Today, violence and abuse in the army have become so widespread and commonplace that Russian society practically does not pay attention to them. Only in the most egregious cases does a media frenzy begin, and the perpetrators can receive their well-deserved punishment in court. But this rarely happens.

Hazing in the army is not an invention of recent years, not another “legacy of the damned 90s”; it came to us from the era of the USSR. A number of experts dealing with this issue argue that hazing between military personnel already existed during the Great Patriotic War.

There is a special relationship between old-timers and young soldiers in any army in the world. They probably existed in the legions of the Roman Empire. Speaking even more broadly, a kind of “hazing” is inherent in any closed male group. But nowhere are they expressed in such an ugly and shameful form as in the Russian armed forces. Why is this happening?

To understand this issue and find a way to fight hazing, you must first define it. And then try to find the origins of the phenomenon in our history, distant and very close.

What is called hazing

Hazing is an unofficial hierarchy in the army that determines the rules of relations between military personnel. It is usually common at the lowest level of the army structure - among privates, sergeants, corporals.

In such a system, the status of a fighter is determined by the actual length of his service, which can certainly be considered a gross violation of military regulations. Common manifestations of hazing are bullying, exploitation, physical and sexual violence, that is, actions that are semi-criminal or criminal in nature. There is an analogue of hazing in the navy. In the Russian Navy it is called “Godkovshchina”.

Hazing should not be confused with harassment of conscripts on national, religious or linguistic grounds. Such cases refer to manifestations of the so-called fraternity.

The concepts of “hazing” and “hazing” are usually considered synonymous, which is not entirely correct. The latter term is much broader: it includes cases of violence against soldiers by officers or conflicts between military personnel based on personal hostility. From a legal point of view, they all fall under Article 335 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

The law divides all cases of hazing into two large groups:

• hazing;
• barracks hooliganism.

The first category includes all violent actions of soldiers with a long service life in relation to young ones: coercion to perform economic works, beatings, psychological pressure, carrying out various “rituals”. Moreover, in this case, the offense is aimed at establishing the status of an old-timer.

The second definition refers to any illegal and violent actions (beating, fighting, stabbing) that arose as a result of personal relationships, ethnic or religious hostility between military personnel. That is, their motive was not the informal position associated with the length of service of the participants in the conflict.

Hazing is a disgusting phenomenon. It is difficult to say how many young Russians it cost their health, or even their lives. A huge number of soldiers return to civilian life with a broken psyche, spreading around them the cruelty and violence of which they found themselves victims in the barracks. Hazing seriously undermines the authority of the institution of the armed forces in society, forcing young men to evade conscription into the army, “mow down”, and give bribes.

There are no official statistics regarding hazing in Russia; for obvious reasons, the army leadership does not like to talk about this topic.

It can be added that phenomena similar to hazing exist in many closed groups: in schools, boarding schools, and some social institutions. Usually the victims of bullying are physically weak, indecisive or younger students.

How is the army hierarchy built?

Hazing does not mean lawlessness or anarchy. This is not just a way for experienced soldiers to bully inexperienced comrades, but a rigid and harmonious system built over many generations. There is a whole “table of ranks”, according to which military personnel receive status and unofficial rank depending on their length of service. When moving from one level of the hierarchical ladder to a higher one, a soldier must undergo a special ritual, usually accompanied by the infliction of physical pain. Their names (rather, nicknames) may change depending on the type and type of troops, but in general they are similar:

• “Smells”, “ethereal spirits”, “bulls”, “quarantines” - military personnel in quarantine who have not yet taken the oath;
• “Spirits”, “fathers”, “sparrows”, “CHIZhi” (a person who fulfills wishes) - soldiers who served for less than six months;
• “Elephants”, “geese”, “crows” (Airborne Forces), “walruses”, “goldfinches”, “mammoths”, “crucian carp” (Navy) - military personnel in the second half of their service;
• “Scoops”, “skulls”, “greyhounds”, “godki” (fleet), “brushes” - soldiers who served for one year;
• “Grandfathers”, “grandfathers”, “old people” - service life is more than one and a half years. The term “grandfather” is where the name of hazing comes from;
• “Demobilization” is the unofficial status of a serviceman after the issuance of an order to transfer to the reserve.

In the system of hazing, grandfathers have the most privileged position. In the barracks, their word is law. This is especially true for “perfumes” and “smells”. “Grandfathers” in the army avoid participating in household work - this is done by “young” soldiers, although old-timers are forced to observe some traditions. For example, since Soviet times, it has been customary that on the “stodnevka” - one hundred days before the order for demobilization - the “grandfather” is obliged to give his oil to the “spirits”.

Military personnel who have served for more than one year (“scoops”, “skulls”), according to the barracks hierarchy, occupy an intermediate position. They do not have full power over young soldiers, but they are no longer involved in cleaning the territory or premises. The “scoopers” keep order, look after the “spirits,” and monitor compliance with the unspoken barracks laws. They also carry out the punishments assigned by the old-timers to the “elephants” and “spirits”. “Cherpaks” have the right to sit in the presence of “grandfathers” and “demobs”; they can eat civilian food, hem their clothes and unbutton the top button. They can even drink alcohol, but only with the permission of their grandfathers. The “scoopers” receive full power over young soldiers after calling upon their own “spirits,” that is, at the end of their one-and-a-half-year service period. They can use force only with the approval of senior officers.

Young soldiers have no rights at all during the first six months of service. Until reaching the rank of "scooper" they only have responsibilities. They cannot alter their uniforms, visit the tea shop, or keep their hands in their pockets; their transfers from home usually end up with old-timers. Recruits provide full service to the “grandfathers,” right down to washing their underwear and socks.

The “spirit” is obliged to endure the bullying of colleagues who are higher than him in the barracks hierarchy, to do the dirtiest and hardest work, he can be beaten for the slightest offense.

In conclusion, we can add that after reducing the service life to one year, the above-described system is gradually becoming a thing of the past. In twelve months it simply does not have time to develop.

Rituals associated with hazing

Over the decades of its existence, hazing has turned into a real subculture, giving rise to many rituals, rites and traditions. Most of them seem strange to a civilian, and some are frankly sadistic in nature.

Here are some of them:

1. “Day of the Golden Spirit” (“Day of the Awesome Spirit”, “Fifty Kopecks”). It comes fifty days before the demobilization order. On this day, young soldiers and old-timers change places: the “spirits” get the right to do whatever they want to the “grandfathers” - beat them, involve them in cleaning, force them to do push-ups, take away food and cigarettes. According to tradition, "grandfathers" cannot fight back or resist. The “scoopers” are on the sidelines and do not interfere in anything. Theoretically, the “spirits” can give the old-timers any instructions, but this is rarely abused, because everyone understands that tomorrow everything will be the same again. True, in some units it was considered wrong to take revenge for orders on this day. Such a custom seems absurd, but it gives young soldiers a feel for the workings of the system of hazing: in a year it will be they who will maintain order in the regiment or company. It can be added that a similar tradition exists in the French Legion, however, there officers and soldiers change places;
2. Lullaby for "grandfather". At night, a young soldier, standing on a bedside table or a pyramid of chairs next to an old-timer’s bed, must read a rhyming text about his imminent demobilization or dismissal. There are many options for its content;
3. "Demobilization train" This ritual can be called a “classic of the genre.” It is a real theatrical performance that young fighters stage for old-timers. “Grandfathers” play passengers on the train taking them home after demobilization. “Spirits” rock the beds and imitate the sounds of the station and moving trains. One of the fighters gets the role of a conductor who serves tea to the “passengers”. Other young servicemen are forced to run and wave green branches, imitating trees flashing through the carriage windows. The details and scenario of this performance may vary depending on the wishes and imagination of the old-timers. For example, the “train chief” often takes part in the action, scolding the careless “conductor”;
4. "Night Driving" A young soldier is forced to crawl on all fours under barracks beds with his eyes closed. At the same time, he is given various commands: when “turning right,” he must open his right eye and turn in the appropriate direction, when ordering “ reverse» – he opens both eyes and moves backwards;
5. "Moose", "Punching the Moose". The "Spirit" crosses his arms in front of his forehead, after which the old-timer strikes them. Its strength usually depends on the young soldier's degree of guilt;
6. "Crocodile". A very popular form of abuse of young soldiers in barracks conditions: a video of this ritual can be viewed on the Internet. It is especially common in the Airborne Forces, special forces units, reconnaissance units, and the navy. When performing this ritual, a person rests his hands and feet on the headboards of the bed, holding his torso horizontally above it. As a rule, the “crocodile” is a method of collective punishment of young soldiers: after lights out, they are forced to spend from five to twenty minutes in this position. It is physically very difficult to be in it, therefore such punishment is prescribed for serious offenses;
7. "Kalabaha". A ritual intended to physically punish young fighters who improperly carried out the orders of their “grandfather.” Its essence lies in the fact that the “spirit” must take a blow from the old-timer in a symbolic, strictly defined way. After the command “start Kalabashka,” the young fighter spreads his legs wide, bends his torso and straightens his arms to the sides. The “grandfather” or “scoop” hits him on the neck with the edge of his palm, which serves as an imitation of cutting off his head. Then the “killed” must stand in front and make a report to the old-timer. Its content varies depending on the type of troops and unit. If you don’t like the report, the procedure is repeated. “Kalabakha” is especially loved in the Airborne Forces;
8. "Demobilization questions." A ritual that does not involve physical violence. It boils down to the fact that the old soldier suddenly begins to ask the young soldier a variety of questions, which at first glance have nothing to do with logic. The essence of the ritual is that the “spirit” must remember every day the number of days remaining until the order;
9. "Fire". This ritual is often performed by company sergeants. At his command, all personnel remove property from the premises, leaving the barracks completely empty. Everything is taken: beds, bedside tables, personal belongings. The essence of the ritual: the company must meet a certain time limit. If this fails, the item is pulled back and the process begins again. The cause of the “fire” may be a poorly cleaned room, the presence of prohibited items in the barracks;
10. Cigarette under the pillow. During the “hundred-day period,” the old-timer must find a cigarette under his pillow every morning with the inscription “so many days until the order.” It is placed at night by a “spirit” specially assigned to a specific “grandfather”. It’s especially chic to put down a cigarette without waking up the demobilizer. For such a service, the “grandfather” gives the “spirit” a portion of oil. Not having a cigarette is a serious offense that can result in severe punishment;
11. “Feed the hungry.” Only old-timers enjoy the right to eat outside the canteen. If a “spirit” is caught in this process, then punishment awaits him. Moreover, this is not an ordinary beating, but something more sophisticated. The offender may be forced to simply eat a loaf of black bread in one sitting, or fed from a bin with food waste, or given a crust of bread smeared with shoe polish;
12. Team "One!" An analogue of the army command “private, come to me.” Having heard it, any “spirit” must run up to the “grandfather”, stand still and introduce himself. The meaning of the ritual is the speed of the young fighter: if it turns out to be insufficient, punishment will follow;
13. "Reading of the Order." A ritual associated with the publication of an order on transfer to the reserve. The youngest soldier is chosen to read it. He climbs onto several stools stacked on top of each other and squats on the top one. In this position, the soldier must loudly and clearly read the text of the order from the newspaper. This “treatment” ends with the pulling out of the lower stool from the pyramid. After the end of the ceremony, the old-timers usually drink, and the young soldiers must get the alcohol;
14. "Chinese chair" The ritual is used as a punishment for minor violations. The soldier is seated with his back to a vertical wall so that his legs bent at the knees form a right angle. In profile, his pose resembles a chair. Prolonged stay in this position causes excruciating pain in the joints.

Rituals accompany transitions from one level of the army hierarchy to another. To become a “scoop”, a soldier who has served for a year must endure a series of blows to the buttocks with a belt buckle, a scoop, or a stool. Their number usually coincides with the number of months served. The ritual is called “interruption” - in a similar way, “spirits” are transferred to the category of “elephants”.

Demobilization is initiated differently: a fighter is “beaten” on a soft spot with a thin thread through several blankets or a mattress, and next to him after each blow a specially taken “spirit” screams “in pain.”

The navy has an unofficial hierarchy and its own rituals of transition from one category to another. Moreover, sailors show special ingenuity. To become a “crucian carp”, you need to go through the ritual of “washing off the scales”: he is either doused with water from a fire hose or thrown overboard from the ship. They try to carry out the ceremony unexpectedly for the “initiate”.

These are not all the rituals and traditions associated with hazing in the army. There are others, less common, that are practiced exclusively in certain branches of the military. There is a curious tradition of the “golden spirit”. If the only recruit appears in a company with conscription, then he receives a special, privileged status. “Grandfathers” must communicate with him respectfully - in the barracks hierarchy he receives a place at the level of old-timers.

A soldier who has lost the respect of his comrades or does not want to live by the laws of hazing may be demoted in status or expelled from the hierarchy. But this is done extremely rarely.

Where is the most hazing?

There is an opinion that hazing more often occurs in less prestigious units such as construction battalions. It's a delusion. Facts of hazing were discovered in the most “elite” units of the Russian army. Hazing is believed to be less common among military personnel who have regular access to firearms. Although in Afghanistan hazing flourished wildly and often took the most brutal forms.

What matters is not the type of troops or the location of the unit, but professional quality command staff. The highest level of hazing is observed in units where officers fail to cope with their direct responsibilities and do not delve into the daily life of the soldiers and sergeants under their command.

Hazing in the Tsarist Army

From history textbooks and the works of classics, we know that the Russian army during the times of Suvorov or Kutuzov was a harsh school of life. They served for twenty-five years, and massacres and cruel corporal punishment were considered the norm. The assault was mainly carried out by non-commissioned officers, who thus maintained order in the army team. We have not received information about soldiers bullying each other. A certain prototype of hazing existed even then. Since the time of Peter the Great, an experienced soldier - “uncle” - was assigned to a new recruit. He taught the young man how to behave in a new team and helped in mastering the wisdom of the army, in exchange for which the “spirit” carried out the instructions of the “uncle”, cleaned weapons, and repaired ammunition. This practice seems quite logical and does not seem humiliating.

At that time, soldiers suffered more from official corporal punishment, which was abolished in 1904. An attempt to revive them in 1916 led to the final undermining of the morale of the Russian army.

In the 19th century, a phenomenon very reminiscent of modern hazing became widespread in the military. educational institutions Russian Empire. There are many memories of contemporaries about this. Moreover, hazing reigned in the most prestigious schools in the country: the Corps of Pages, the Nikolaev Engineering School. Newcomers were not only beaten or abused, but a hierarchical system arose similar to that of the Soviet army. At the Nikolaev Cavalry School, junior cadets were called “beasts”, senior cadets were called “cornets”, and second-year cadets were called “majors”.

One of the first decisions of the young Soviet power There was a complete abolition of corporal punishment in the army. In the pre-war period, there was nothing similar to modern hazing in the Red Army - all processes in the army were strictly controlled. The most that the old-timers could do was make fun of the new recruit. Any attempt to create or rally “grandfathers” to resolve issues in a military unit could lead to a prison sentence.

There is no mention of cases of hazing during the war. And where could they come from, if the life of an infantryman on the front line was usually measured in several attacks? According to eyewitnesses, a recruit could be forced to exchange shoes or uniforms, and such practices were the exception rather than the rule.

There is an opinion that hazing came to the army along with prisoners called up to the front from the camps. Indeed, they are in many ways reminiscent of the way of life of the “thieves” in the zone, but at that time hazing was not widespread.

It is believed that hazing appeared in the Soviet army at the turn of the 60s and 70s.

There are several versions why this happened:

1. According to the first, hazing appeared after the reduction in service life, which occurred in 1967. Moreover, this decision applied only to newly recruited soldiers and sergeants. Those mobilized earlier served their full term. Naturally, this state of affairs did not please the old-timers, who began to take out their anger on the new recruits;
2. Second possible reason The origins of hazing are called the decision to conscript people with a criminal past into the army, which was previously absolutely not allowed. At the end of the 60s, a demographic crisis was raging in the Soviet Union, caused by huge human losses in the war, so the country's leadership was forced to take such a step. This was presented to society as an attempt to reform criminals, but it turned out exactly the opposite: conscripts with prison “walkers” brought elements of the thieves’ subculture into the army;
3. At the end of the 60s, commanders began to massively use soldiers and sergeants to perform household work and obtain material benefits for themselves. Such activities, absolutely not provided for by the regulations, required the creation of a new system of relations in which older soldiers would control the work of young soldiers. To break the recruits, psychological and physical pressure was put on them. Over time, officers saw hazing as a convenient and effective mechanism for controlling soldiers. So it became part of the Soviet military machine.

A common misconception about hazing is the belief that there is no hazing in hot spots. They say that the availability of military weapons sobers up hotheads and stops bullying of young soldiers. The experience of Afghanistan and then Chechnya shows the fallacy of this opinion. In OKSVA, hazing flourished both in the rear units and in units actively participating in hostilities. The officers were well aware of this phenomenon, but considered the fight against it irrational.

Hazing is a phenomenon that emerged in the late Soviet Union. It was then that the barracks hierarchy was formed and rituals of hazing appeared

The 70s and 80s became the period of “heyday” of hazing in Soviet army. This is evidenced by almost everyone who served during this time. “Hazing” became the main “brace” of the USSR Armed Forces in the last decades of their existence. Then most of the traditions and rituals of hazing were born. The majority of officers did not resist the phenomenon, but used it for personal purposes.

What has changed in recent times

In the 90s the situation became even worse. The severe economic crisis led to the collapse of the army - smart officers began to leave it en masse. Society was swept by a wave of criminal romance, and students in schools began to speak criminal jargon. All this contributed to the further penetration of criminal culture into the army. Hazing became even more violent: now young soldiers began to extort money, cases of sexual violence appeared in the barracks, and beatings increasingly ended in murder.

Changes for the better appeared only at the beginning of the 2000s. The economic situation in the country has improved, which has made it possible to significantly increase funding for the army. The problem of hazing became so acute that the military department had to start combating it.

In 2006, the State Duma adopted amendments to the law on military service, according to which the service life was reduced to one and a half years from 2007, and from 2008 to a year. This decision dealt a crushing blow to hazing in the army in the shortest possible time - it began to break down the entire system of relations in the unofficial military hierarchy. Now the difference between the new and old generation in the barracks is only six months. IN last years The army has set a course to increase the number of contract soldiers in its ranks. Since 2017, all ships of the Northern Fleet are already staffed with sailors serving under contract.

In 2018, the military prosecutor's office reported that the number of assault cases decreased by 18% compared to 2016. Reducing the service life significantly improved the situation with hazing, but could not completely solve it. Proof of this is the numerous videos of abuse of soldiers posted on the Internet. This is confirmed by representatives of public organizations, although they also talk about a decrease in the level of the problem.

The usual army castes simply do not have time to develop in a year, so today hazing takes other forms. Recruits more often complain about extortion of money, and more and more crimes are committed by military personnel of higher ranks. Moreover, extortions occur under the threat of violence or even murder. Human rights activists say that the main reason contributing to hazing is the closed nature of the army.

Is it possible to resist hazing?

There are many myths about hazing, which appeared mainly thanks to cinema and fiction. One of the most common is that a recruit, strong morally and well prepared physically, can easily resist manifestations of hazing in the army, is able to repel old-timers and protect himself from humiliation and bullying.

Unfortunately, this is an illusion. A young soldier may be physically stronger than any “grandfather” in the barracks, but if there is hazing in the unit, the entire army team will oppose him. After showing disobedience, he will automatically be put on the “black list” with the ensuing consequences. The rebel will be harassed by regulations, placed in a guardhouse, and a boycott will be organized.

It must be clearly understood that hazing in the army is practically impossible without the tacit approval of the command. A soldier with a strong will can theoretically resist his colleagues, but he is powerless against officers and the unit commander. An uncompromising fighter will be required to strictly comply with all statutory provisions, and in the event of any violations, servicemen of his own conscription will certainly be punished. Thus, an unyielding soldier can easily be deprived of any support in the barracks and turned into an outcast.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them

An important topic that many media outlets are now writing about is hazing in the Belarusian army, everyone is discussing the recent case of the death of soldier Alexander Korzhich and the position that the authorities took - at first they announced that Sasha allegedly “hanged himself,” but after a public outcry, They admitted that it was a murder and opened a criminal case.

Hazing in both the Belarusian and Russian armies has its roots in the USSR and has been preserved since then in a virtually unchanged form. As in many other areas, in the military sphere in the USSR everything was turned upside down - the contract armies of Western countries, where trained, motivated and professional people go to serve and receive decent money for it, were for some reason called “shameful mercenaries” but the conscript herd of yesterday’s schoolchildren, free with arms in their hands “giving back their debt to their homeland,” was considered the height of development. In general, everything is like in the fairy tale about Gelsomino, where red cheese was called green ink.

So, in today’s post we will try to figure out how and why hazing arose in the USSR, what it was and how it is related to hazing in the modern army.

1. How it all started.

Fans of the USSR like to talk about how hazing in the Soviet army appeared only during Perestroika - they say, read the publications of those years, there are so many stories about this phenomenon! But in fact, hazing appeared much earlier - it’s just that during the era of Perestroika, glasnost was announced, and it became customary to write about such cases in the press and talk on television.

Already in the 1940-1950s, there was something in the Soviet army that can now be classified as hazing, although there was no such name “officially” at that time. The fact was that after the end of the Second World War in 1945, many of the soldiers who fought were not demobilized from the ranks of the armed forces, which gave rise to certain hazing between the old-timers who fought and the “new recruits.” I think that in those years all sorts of bad things happened in the barracks, it was just not customary to talk about them. My father’s elder brother died in the Soviet army in the fifties - according to the official version indicated in the funeral service - he drowned, although what really happened there - I think I will never know.

The second wave of hazing began in 1967 - it was then that a decree was issued to reduce service life from 3 to 2 years in the ground forces and from 4 to 3 years in the navy. Of course, the old-timers began to feel an acute hostility towards the “newcomers”, who would retire to civilian life a whole year earlier than them. My father just served in the SA in the late 1960s and talked something about these hazing relations - let’s say, it was quite normal for a situation when the “grandfather” sleeping on the bottom tier of the bunk would wake up the “young man” sleeping upstairs with a butt blow through the mattress. However, my father served in a military unit that was considered elite troops, and hazing there was weakly expressed - they recruited mainly people with secondary or higher education. technical education and only from the Slavic republics, so hazing there was rather symbolic in nature. The most brutal things happened in motorized rifle units ("makhre"), construction battalions, automobile troops, rear services and other similar things, where an extremely motley contingent was recruited from all Soviet republics.

What added fuel to the fire was that at one time criminals were also drafted into the Soviet army - this happened due to the demographic collapse that emerged after World War II, and the Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee wanted at all costs to keep the number of soldiers in the SA at 5 million people - this made it possible to consolidate prison order in the barracks.

They also often write that hazing does not happen in combat units - this is not entirely true. I have read many memoirs of “Afghan” soldiers, and many tell stories about the hazing that reigned in the barracks.

2. What hazing was like in the Soviet army.

As I wrote above, to a lesser extent hazing affected the troops that were considered “elite” in the USSR - equipment, reconnaissance, special forces, airborne forces and missilemen - they tried to recruit educated, trained and more or less fit for military service people, plus The very specifics of the troops did not allow hazing to develop strongly - there were very few soldiers and many officers in the military units and rocket launchers, the airborne forces and special forces trained a lot and practically did not part with military weapons. The border guards also had their own specifics - soldiers often went on patrol with military weapons, which also minimized “hazing” - no one wanted to get shot in the back in the forest.

But among motorized riflemen, in the construction battalion, in the automobile troops and in all kinds of rear services, hazing was in full bloom, and almost criminal order reigned in the barracks of many units. The hierarchy was as follows - "spirit" was a soldier who served for less than a year. This was the most humiliated and bullied caste, which had to carry out all the orders of the old-timers (often humiliating and senseless). After serving for a year, the “spirit” turned into "scoop"- this was the middle layer between the “spirit” and the “grandfather”. "Grandfathers" became those who served for a year and a half and who, accordingly, had six months left before demobilization.

The “spirits” were supposed to do all the dirty work in the barracks, carry out any instructions from the “grandfathers” (including those that were clearly not authorized by regulations); those who tried to somehow resist this system were beaten and humiliated, even to the point of “lowering” in the prison sense of the word. Before Perestroika, such cases rarely became known - they tried not to take hazing outside the walls of the barracks, and the narrator himself, of course, could be accused of “denigrating the image of the Soviet soldier” - as happened, for example, after the publication of her book “Zinc Boys”. Only very odious cases were leaked to the press, such as the shooting by Artur Sakalauskas of seven old-timers who terribly mocked him.

In addition to this, in the Soviet army there were also community. Fellowships were weakly expressed among the Slavs (Russians, Belarusians, Ukrainians), but were very strongly expressed among the Armenians, Dagestanis, Chechens and Azerbaijanis. If there were 4-5 Chechens in a unit, then they often established their own rules in the barracks, standing up for “their own”, regardless of their length of service.

3. Mutual responsibility.

You may ask - what about the officers, where were they looking? What about the regulations, officer’s honor, that’s all? I will say right away that there were and are worthy officers in the army who suppress hazing, but most officers were completely satisfied with the situation with hazing. The Soviet army system itself was structured in such a way that it was impossible to live according to the “letter of the regulations”, since this a priori created unbearable conditions - after all, according to the regulations, a senior in rank can force you to do anything at all, even dig a ditch all night “from the fence and before lunch".

Therefore, the system itself, when those who served longer enjoy certain privileges, was considered quite normal. The “old” ones strain the “young” ones with instructions and “keep order” in the barracks; this situation completely suited the officers and they turned a blind eye to the “hazing.” Unlike the soldiers (who in 2 years will go into civilian life and forget about the army), the officer had a military career that could very easily be ruined - and therefore the facts of “hazing” were tried not to be brought outside the walls of the barracks, in fact, between officers and the “grandfathers” there was a certain agreement - you “keep order”, we turn a blind eye to violations.

That is why a considerable part of the deaths and injuries resulting from “hazing” appear in the documents as some kind of accidents, injuries during exercises, suicides, excuses in the style of “fell from a tree onto an ax.” Even in the case of direct beating of the “spirit” by old-timers, the officer tried in every possible way to shield the latter - they say, the soldier himself is to blame, he started first, and so on. Otherwise, the fact of hazing comes to light, and the officer’s military career could go downhill.

4. Echo of the Soviet army.

As sad as it is to realize, all of the above has remained virtually unchanged in both Russia and Belarus. In Ukraine after 2014, I think this is less common. Just the other day something happened in Belarus scary tale, when the corpse of Alexander Korzhich was brought from the military unit with the “official explanation” for his relatives - “suicide”. On October 5, the Ministry of Defense and the Investigative Committee gave their comment - “suicide, no signs of a criminal nature were found.”

Alexander’s relatives began to sound the alarm and write to all the media - numerous injuries and bruises were found on their son’s body, after which publications began to appear on Facebook and in the media with a snowball effect. Apparently, the troops realized that this time they couldn’t get away with “circular punishment”, and they began to investigate the matter. It turned out that Alexander was found hanged “with his legs tied and a T-shirt on his head,” after which the Investigative Committee eventually opened a criminal case for hazing. At the same time, “on the initiative of the Ministry of Defense,” the website zvarot.by was blocked, where signatures were collected about the investigation into the case of Alexander Korzhich.

And I think - how many more such deaths have there been due to hazing, ultimately disguised as “suicides, crossbows, accidents during training exercises”? I think there are quite a few - and we will never know about most of them. Just as I will never know what actually killed my uncle in the Soviet army in the fifties.

Do you know anything about cases of hazing in the USSR or now?

Hazing in the army - what is it? One of the most shameful phenomena in the life of our society - yes, unfortunately. But not only. This is also a test that falls to the lot of a young man, which not everyone can pass with honor and dignity. Despite the fact that, as in any other matter, there are so many people, so many opinions. How to survive in the army, not break, use this situation to strengthen yourself masculine character, what rules and laws you need to know - let's talk about this in more detail.

It must be said right away that “hazing” is a narrow concept that covers only violations of regulations in the relationship between junior and senior military personnel and conscription.

But hazing is a broader concept than “hazing”; it includes the entire spectrum of relationships between military personnel who violate the requirements of general military regulations, including the superior-subordinate, subordinate-superior relationship. The most gross forms of hazing, such as torture, hooliganism, causing bodily harm, robbery, etc. fall under the concepts of ordinary crimes and entail criminal liability in accordance with the current legislation of Ukraine.

For example, a soldier hit a soldier. In this case, a criminal case is initiated in accordance with the severity of the bodily injuries caused. The commander hit a subordinate - the actions of the former can be qualified as malfeasance - abuse of power or abuse of power. A subordinate hit the commander - a military crime - the use of violence against a superior. In the first case, the crime is classified as light or moderate. In the second and third cases, crimes may be classified as grave or especially grave.

Forms of manifestation of “hazing”:

Exploitation (senior soldiers shifting their responsibilities to junior soldiers, use of subordinates by their superiors for personal purposes);

Physical violence (beating, sleep deprivation, forced exercise beyond the permissible limit);

Psychological violence (verbal abuse);

Economic violence (taking away money, food, personal belongings, deprivation of food, monetary, clothing and material allowances).

Causes and conditions that give rise to hazing between military personnel

There is a widespread opinion among lawyers, military psychologists, and journalists that the reasons that give rise to hazing in the army are the following conditions:

persistent traditions associated with this phenomenon;

clear gradation according to service life, which automatically divides personnel into specific categories;

impunity;

deliberate concealment of violations by commanders;

traditions of hushing up violations in the team (reported - became an “informer”);

recruitment of non-commissioned officers with conscripts;

the reluctance of some officers to delve into the life of the team outside the scope of their official activities.

The reason for the emergence of “hazing” was the fact that in the sixties the conscription of persons who had previously served a sentence of imprisonment was allowed. As was previously believed, it was they who brought into the barracks the traditions of the criminal world, practiced in places of deprivation of liberty, which, after adaptation to the conditions of the army, formed the basis of the traditions of “hazing.”

But hazing in general and “hazing” in the narrow sense of this concept are not widespread in the troops everywhere. In many parts such a concept was and is absent as such. For example, in special forces, the fact of hazing automatically deprived the guilty person of the right to wear a maroon beret, which was extremely shameful for its owner. There was no hazing at most of the line outposts of the border troops of the KGB of the USSR.

What to do if you find yourself in a critical situation:

1. Under no circumstances break the law. Strictly comply with the requirements of military regulations, your commanders and superiors. Don't give yourself a reason to humiliate or blackmail yourself.

2. Don’t lose your dignity. Don't do anything that you will be ashamed of later. Do not show your weakness in front of the offender. The ability to resist at a critical moment, not to lose heart, and to overcome difficulties - these are the qualities of a man and a warrior worthy of respect. Don’t even allow the thought of leaving your unit without permission, using weapons, not to mention committing suicide as a sign of protest. Retribution does not always come as quickly as we would like, but rushing things, dooming yourself to imprisonment, and family and friends to grief, is extremely unfair and unwise.

What to do if a serviceman’s rights are violated:

1. All interactions with the prosecutor's office must be made only in writing. Everything that is said orally, that is, all your oral questions and requests, as well as the oral answers given to them, actually have no legal force. Therefore, it is necessary to give all your appeals in writing, and also insist on similar actions from the other side.

2. Be sure to keep a copy of each appeal. All responses from officials should also be retained. These documents will serve as evidence of the positions of both parties.

Give only copies of documents to all authorities, since originals will not be returned.

How to survive as a soldier in the barracks

All words have already been said about how much grief hazing in the army brings to soldiers and their families. But what to do... Perhaps our advice will help conscripts and recruits understand the “rituals” of barracks hooligans and avoid bullying. At least survive until the problem (hardly quickly!) is resolved at these very “tops”

INSTRUCTIONS FOR NEW RECRUITS

Most common bullying

1. "Confiscation"

Immediately upon arrival at the unit, the “grandfathers” take away money, food and a new uniform from the recruits. If the recruit resists, the “grandfathers” classify him as “dumb” and then torture him to the point of exhaustion with chores or physical exercises.

How should a soldier behave?

This is the first and, perhaps, the most “innocent” manifestation of “hazing” that the young soldier encounters. You can immediately “follow the principle”, but if you do not have the title of master of sports in sambo or boxing, it is better not to aggravate relations with the “grandfathers”. Without money, mommy's pies, new boots or a uniform cap (they'll give you old ones), you can survive this rip-off. Otherwise, you may be left with a juicy black eye or a broken nose. But this does not mean that even in such a situation you are completely defenseless. Try to catch the eye of the company, battalion, or unit commander and tell them, face to face, everything how it happened. Scare them with a complaint to the prosecutor's office.

2. “One hundred days before the order”

A ritual especially revered by “grandfathers,” which begins exactly 3 months and 10 days before the order of the Minister of Defense to dismiss old-timers from the army. The forms of manifestation of “one hundred days” are very different. Every night, young soldiers must place cigarettes under the demobilizer’s pillow, on which it should be written how long “grandfather” has left before the order. Those who disobey will face a mocking punishment (for example, having to collect 100 cigarette butts per night.) Soldiers can be forced to tell their “grandfathers” fairy tales at night or sing lullabies to them upon request. Those who confuse words will learn them all night without sleep.

How should a soldier behave?

Take this demobilization fun with all seriousness. This is something like a barracks amateur artistic performance, the “leaders” of which cruelly punish unscrupulous “artists”. There are only two options: either play his game with “grandfather”, or start an “anti-terrorist operation” against him: write a complaint to the commander of the unit or unit, contact the garrison prosecutor’s office or a special department, advise similarly humiliated colleagues to do the same . The more noise there is, the more likely it is that the command will react.

3. “Demobilization train”

Four young soldiers pick up the “grandfather’s” bed and, shaking it slightly, carry it around the barracks. Other “spirits” at this time walk in front of the bed and “honk like a train,” while others run towards the “train” and wave tree branches, depicting “nature” passing by.

How should a soldier behave?

This theatrical courage of the “grandfathers” is painlessly experienced only by those who accept the long-existing “rules of the game.” But if you rebel against them, go to the end. Here you can either openly complain to commanders, law enforcement agencies, or anonymously “signal” them. There was a case when one of the soldiers photographed what was happening in the barracks and sent the pictures to newspapers, the Ministry of Defense, and the Prosecutor General's Office. After many commissions, order was restored.

4. "Air defense"

Soldiers who did not carry out any order of the “grandfather” were obliged to drive away mosquitoes and flies from his bed all night. If at least one insect enters the area guarded by the bed and bites the “grandfather,” the punishment is repeated the next night.

How should a soldier behave?

If you know that “grandfather” will involve you in this vile “show” the next night, inform the unit commander, his deputy for educational work or the unit on duty in advance - it is very likely that they will try to see the “concert” with their own eyes in the middle of the night and they will put “grandfather” in his place.

5. "Public Fund"

Old-timers completely or partially deprive first-year soldiers of their monthly allowance under some far-fetched pretext - building a strip bar in the unit or collecting donations “for greening the moon.” Anyone who refuses will be declared “selfish” and sent outside the gates of the unit to beg for alms from passers-by.

How should a soldier behave?

This “silent robbery” already smacks of a serious article of the Criminal Code. To begin with, you can write an anonymous note and throw it in the box for complaints and suggestions to the unit commander. If it doesn't work, write the same in military prosecutor's office. This won’t help either - inform your parents in a letter - let them (without giving your last name, so as not to harm your service) to the prosecutor’s office

Don't get caught out!

First weeks

Remember that the old-timers' opinion of you will develop over the first three to four weeks. As a rule, during this period the “young” are not touched, studying “moral and volitional qualities”. Depending on how you prove yourself during this time, the attitude of the “grandfathers” towards you will develop. How to behave to avoid unnecessary problems?

When entering the barracks for the first time, you should not look around in fear. Try to behave with dignity, but not defiantly.

Don't repeat it twice

Let it be clear to you right away: they don’t repeat or explain things twice here. Most often, recruits receive their first blows for an incorrectly wrapped footcloth, a bed not made according to regulations, etc. The principle is simple - the officer asks the sergeant, the sergeant asks you. For example, a company commander finds a piece of paper on the floor and scolds the sergeant for it. The latter does not waste time on a second explanation... He begins to distribute “pills” left and right. The same applies to cramming the charter. The officer will check the young soldier’s knowledge of the duties of an orderly, and he will only hum in response. It’s better to memorize it right away, otherwise you’ll have to learn military science while lying down with three bulletproof vests on your back. The fewer complaints against you, the higher the likelihood that you will avoid another “distribution”.

And you need to brush your teeth

The pedantic demobilization pays great attention to the hygiene and appearance of the young animals. The neater the “spirit”, the more respect there is for it. If you don’t brush your teeth in the evening, consider that you automatically fall into the category of “Chukhons.” Eternal outfits and beatings are guaranteed to you. In the first couple of months, your body will be terribly lacking in vitamins. Therefore, any prick with a needle while sewing the collar causes suppuration on the fingers. For squeamish “grandfathers” this is also a criterion for giving you the status of a “Chukhon”. If you are not allowed into the medical unit, the best antiseptic in barracks conditions is urine. Abscesses go away in two days, believe me - I tested it myself.

Watch your form. In most cases, the owners of greasy, wrinkled camouflage fall under the “distribution”. If you feel that your uniform needs to be “updated,” go to the sergeant before lights out and ask permission to do laundry. No demobilization will prohibit you. But if, in addition to your camouflage, you are offered to wash “grandfather’s” as well, answer with a decisive refusal: “What am I, some kind of Chukhonian, or what?” It’s possible that you could get punished for this, but they won’t come to you with such requests anymore.

Play some music!

Don't hide your talents. Do you play guitar? Express yourself at the first opportunity. Old-timers like to thoughtfully dream about their imminent demobilization while listening to a soulful song, and there will be less demand for you after your solo performance. Are you good at drawing? Be sure to tell the “grandfathers” about this. You will have to work hard to sculpt masterpieces of body painting, but talented tattoo creators are held in high esteem in the army. And by designing a demobilization album, you can avoid many troubles. Do you have beautiful handwriting? Share your ability with the deputy company commander for educational work. He will put you in prison for writing combat leaflets and various notes. They prefer not to get involved with those close to the political officers of the demobilization. In general, try to occupy some niche in the unit in order to justify your “spiritual” existence.

All these tips, of course, will not protect you from drunken “scumbags,” but you should not think that in our entire army, drinking among old-timers is the norm. However, in the most serious cases it is worth informing the command, anonymously if possible. At the same time, it is not superfluous to hint that a similar complaint is already on the hands of a friend or parent in civilian life and he is ready to “give it a go.”

But most importantly: Remember, they are waiting for you at home safe and healthy. Be wise.

How to resist army hazing?
Many people, not without reason, believe that hazing was, is and will be an army custom. But they propose to distinguish hazing from lawlessness. For example, making the bed of an old-timer is kind of like hazing, and washing his socks is already lawlessness.

On the website www.vetkaivi.ru there are several slightly contradictory opinions on questions on the topic of overcoming hazing, as well as the behavior of a young man in the army in the event of a confrontation with hazing. It follows from this that there are no identical answers to different life situations, incl. and on issues of hazing. But it’s worth reading these opinions - and choosing from them what is more in your spirit.

This is what Archpriest Dimitry Smirnov, Chairman, answered these questions Synodal Department Patriarchate on interaction with the armed forces and law enforcement agencies.

- Father Dimitri, how and why, in your opinion, does hazing arise?

As the ex-Minister of Defense accurately noted, hazing begins in kindergarten. What we see in kindergarten, at school, in the army is called “team”. This is not a normal situation for a person. It is normal for a person to be among people of different ages. As soon as people of the same age are gathered into a team, a wolf pack relationship arises between them: strong, aggressive; the meanest ones occupy the leading position. The one who can kill suppresses the one who does not raise his hand to do so.

- Is this related to age?

Gustav Flaubert also wrote the novel Sentimental Education. The behavior of children is similar to the behavior of animals. And nobility, self-sacrifice, love for one's neighbor, mutual assistance - this is purposefully cultivated over the years. People in kindergarten have not yet had time to teach this. No one teaches this to those who end up in the army. Hazing is completely inevitable.

Salvation from hazing could be found in a large family. When children, literally from kindergarten age, compete with each other, fight, and they have no problem fighting back against a guy who is six months older. They grew up in such a family, and always defend their rights. When we had a country with many children, the largest in Europe, there could be no hazing in the army. Every child from childhood could stand up for himself. When something threatens him in the army, then, if he is an independent guy, he will immediately call the military prosecutor’s office. He will immediately imprison the offenders. And if it’s not enough, he’ll punch them in the face. It'll be so bad that he won't get up again.

What kind of men can boys be in a society in which forty million women have no husbands?

- Accordingly, they are raising boys incorrectly?

Of course. We have women's education at school, there are no men in schools. Girls develop earlier; they outperform boys, who are head and shoulders above them. Therefore, the boy experiences a triple load: from his mother (and sometimes from his grandmother), at school a double load (from a female teacher and from the same-year-old girls, who are more powerful, a head taller, and often beat, who also study well). It turns out that he is not a man, but a “slug” who is incapable of serving in the army. His mothers raised him that way. It's a vicious circle. It needs to be torn apart.

- What can be done here? How can I help you?

Sport! Sports related to martial arts. Not team games, not hockey or basketball. Better is wrestling, boxing, fencing, ping-pong, where a person can overcome and defeat an opponent one on one, and cultivate the will in himself. Even better is some kind of cadet corps, where there are a lot of men and few women. There the young man sees how men behave. There is discipline, there is order, they don’t allow elders to offend younger ones. At least that's what they talk about there.

How should parents behave before their boyfriend or son leaves to serve in the army? What should they say? How should they cook it? What share of responsibility should they have?

They should tell him: “Don’t be afraid of anything, no mutual responsibility. If anything happens, call us, we will help you out."

- And if he asks the question: “What awaits me there?”, what should they tell him?

What awaits him there... An ordinary team. We have beautiful parts where there are ideal relationships. Yes, there may be problems. But the military prosecutor's office is on our side. As soon as the unit commander feels the strength of his parents, he will immediately return to duty. He doesn't need problems.

- That is, a soldier does not need the help of officers, friends in the barracks...

His friends there will be weak, he himself must be brave. He must immediately inform his father, mother, etc. And they already go to the prosecutor's office.

- In principle, should a boy prepare for military service from childhood?

From the age of ten.

- How to prepare?

I have already spoken about the cadet corps. You need to start playing sports. Cultivate nobility in yourself so that you can protect the weak in the army. You have to be strong in spirit, be able to say: “I won’t allow this hazing. If you touch this now, you will sit with me.”

- You still need to know your rights, apparently?

Elementary. Any violence against a person is a criminal offense.

- A lot is covered, you know.

But we need to reveal it, for this there is the press, the Internet, whatever. We need to raise the people and not let anyone down.

I completely and completely take the position that a guy should serve in the army. If I had an eighteen-year-old son, I would definitely send him to serve. I think he simply must. And everyone around is shouting: “What are you doing, what are you doing!”

These people simply succumbed to propaganda. We have a layer of people for whom everything that represents national values ​​and glory is ridiculed and reviled. They create such a background that only bad things are said about the army, and only bad things are said about the commanders.

We also have a little trouble with patriotic education.

They do such terrible things in the army, I watched the video yesterday. They just line them up and the pumped up guys start hitting them in the stomach with a jump.

Why doesn’t he call the military prosecutor’s office?

I don’t know why they stand there like sheep to the slaughter. I sit and get nervous: why won’t they answer? They are apparently so paralyzed by their fear that things will get worse.

You need to go to the sambo section. I caught him myself and broke his leg somewhere around the knee joint.

They will kill him. There are three of them boars. A line of these boys in T-shirts, thin, apparently just a call. And these three boars with cigarettes. Everyone is so crazy... They are hit in the stomach, on the head, and they all fly away to their bunks. And if one of them grabs the hand of the one who is beating him and responds to him, these boys will not stand up for him. And these two will beat him to death. They are afraid that they, too, may be beaten so hard that they will not get up.

If you knock out one of the three, then there are no problems with the other two.

- What if you’re not sure you can turn it off?

Then you need to appeal to the officers, break windows, scream, break stools, stock up on flammable substances, light a mattress, that is, actively resist.

- What if the officers are on the grandfathers’ side? They say that there is such a concept, not “hazing”, but “statutory”. What to do?

Call mom, this way and that. So-and-so, last name such-and-such, they are mocking, so-and-so, take action, go to the military prosecutor's office. She will come.

Hegumen Valerian (Golovchenko) - Advice from an old demobilization

Dedicated to all those who have served and are preparing to serve...

Should we walk in formation?

When a guy turns 18, the prospect of changing his comfortable slippers to military boots becomes obvious. You can, of course, mow it down. But then it makes itself felt. “Zakos” are different...

For health. Admit yourself as sick for the rest of your life. Most likely, in a couple of years everyone will forget about the reason for your non-attendance to the Armed Forces. But such things have the unfortunate property of popping up out of place. And then you will be indignant for a long time about why they won’t let you on the plane without a muzzle.

For family reasons. A dependent second cousin can easily write you out of your living space the next time she decides to get married. And to quickly get married and have children just to avoid joining the army is completely insane. The army is only a year, but family values- eternal!

For studies. If you are really smart, then in the army you can learn a lot of useful things in life. In any case, you can fix the faucet in the bathroom yourself, instead of giving your wife and mechanic a lecture on hydraulics.

By "faith". Orthodox Church does not prohibit serving in the military. Many great elders served in the army in their youth. And many of them defended their homeland during the war. And the thought of the impossibility of combining your “great spirituality” with army life is only due to ignorance of either army life or the true state of your spirit. A truly spiritual person will remain so everywhere! And it is absolutely unthinkable to hide from the army “in a cassock” - in a seminary, in a monastery or in the priesthood. Such things are no joke!

According to the “alternative”. It’s better to sit the whole army on the “lip”! Or sell yourself to Africa as a slave. An alternative service is entertainment for those who like to be supervised laborers for a long time and for free. Something like unescorted ZK.

Most other methods of not attending the army conflict with the Criminal Code. It’s better to spend a year and a half in a soldier’s bed than the same amount of time on prison bunks.

Now you are in the army...

In order to serve in the army without unnecessary problems, it is useful to learn a few simple principles. Simple, but vitally important. These are the “Laws of a Closed Collective” - simple sociological principles. They operate wherever you have to “see the same faces, walk the same route” for a long time. These principles are not exclusive to the army or, say, prison. In an office or factory, it’s the same, only not as noticeable. It’s just that in the army the responsibility for their implementation is very high. So:

1. Don't be afraid. Nobody will do anything to you - they themselves are afraid. Or have you forgotten that nothing can happen to you without the will of God who loves you. Just be an honest and decent person, and “God won’t give it away - the pig won’t eat it!”

2. Don't trust. People are different and sometimes they tell lies. You never know what it might cost to communicate with a stranger. In order to trust someone, you have to go through a lot with him. Then you will see who is really next to you - friend or foe. That’s why you can’t have too many friends in life. There are crowds of friends and acquaintances, but only a few friends.

3. Don't ask. People are self-interested. And any request can put you in a dependent position and limit your freedom of choice. Learn to solve your problems yourself - it will be useful in life. Fathers-commanders, mothers-fathers, friends-comrades will not be able to solve your problems. Because the problem is usually inside you.

4. Don't "knock." You should have understood this at home, if sneaking, of course, did not become your lifestyle. No one respects informers like prostitutes, although some resort to their services. Be responsible for yourself and don't talk about others. Don’t try to imagine your base desire to “suck up” and “get comfortable” in the form of a “fight for the truth.” Remember that no one trusts a snitch. If you suddenly realized that a loud “fight for truth” at meetings of military collectives is much better than quiet earphones, then I should disappoint you. It’s just that there is obvious snitching, and there is secret snitching. Not everyone likes both equally. And there are plenty of ways to express your displeasure with your attitude towards your neighbors in the army. You will still not get the laurels of “the main army dissident,” or even the mark of “the first informer of the Armed Forces.” Think a hundred times about who to talk to and what to talk about.

5. Therefore, do not complain to commanders. Sooner or later, the entire unit will know about your “confidential conversation about the life of the platoon.” There will be nowhere to hide and no one to protect. The commanders themselves will hate you because you are able to tell the inspector from headquarters about them. And they will make every effort to ensure that your social status and appearance do not inspire confidence.

6. Don’t write “pity letters” home. And don’t call your kind mommy for an analysis if you suddenly get a black eye. You should have understood this back in school. Otherwise " mama's boy“They will spread rot just to see how “the battalion commander’s mother is angry.” After such visits from your relatives, the commanders will demand that you fulfill your statutory duties in such a way that you will forget your name. And any groan you make will only cause them to be reminded of “hardships and hardships” for everyone and a “military tribunal” as an alternative for you personally.

And talk less with your colleagues. If someone wants to “curry favor”, they will try to set you up.

7. Do not try from the first days to pretend to be a missionary in a country of cannibals. You can begin to broadcast great truths to those around you only when you have earned authority in the team. As a rule, this will not happen earlier than after several months of service. For there is nothing that pushes people away from the faith more than a sermon preached by a nonentity or a scumbag.

The same applies to your unique abilities. Attempts from the first days to call themselves Raphael and start publishing wall newspapers and combat leaflets can fail miserably. Firstly, you will do this for yourself and for that guy, and secondly, you will turn your appeal against yourself. Or do you think it’s fun for them to fly on guard duty instead of you? Then, six months later, when you want to relax, your friends will remember that you didn’t strain yourself. It does not suit an Orthodox Christian to earn the title of corrugated hose. So try not to stand out at first. Don’t go anywhere, if you have to, they’ll call you. In general: don’t refuse work, don’t ask for work. Be like everyone else, maybe a little better. You don't just wear a cross for nothing. But remember that the “young” performs all commands “bygom!”

Complete everything assigned to you on time and, most importantly, together with everyone else. Don't try to become one of the leaders in production. For, as soon as you complete this job, the father commanders will find you another one. In general, the ideal soldier is an unknown soldier. The one whose name the father-commanders could not remember during a year and a half of service. They don’t even send him to the outfits anymore - they can’t remember.

Try to learn all military regulations by heart. There is nothing complicated about it. But it will be much more difficult to pester you. The most important charter in peacetime is the Charter of Guard Service. Every letter in it is written in someone's blood. And these are not just big words. Now, of course, spies are no longer caught. But there were too many people who wanted to rob army warehouses or take your machine gun. Your negligence at your post can cost the lives of old people, women and children. Remember this and, having stepped up on guard, be vigilant, act decisively and according to the regulations!

Does swearing bother you a lot? But many military personnel do not swear. They talk to them. For a person who grew up in a church environment, this language certainly hurts the ears. What to do? Firstly, do not show your embarrassment. Otherwise, they will swear out of spite, trying to “get” you. Secondly, don’t pretend that you don’t understand what they want from you. Otherwise, they will be punished “for stupidity.” And thirdly, and most importantly, do not use these words yourself, no matter how your interlocutors express themselves. Although, of course, when your friend accidentally drops a KAMAZ wheel on you, you won’t immediately remember the words of spiritual exhortation. But even in civilian life we ​​sometimes sin with this...

An aunt from the “Committee of Soldiers’ Mothers” once complained that her son’s grandfathers forced him to wash their uniforms. I had to ask: “And you find out whose uniform he was forced to wash the very first time.” The answer was not difficult to guess. For the first time, a fighter was “forced” to wash his own uniform. And in order to better instill a desire for cleanliness and neatness, they forced us to practice on someone else’s uniform. What my mother didn’t teach me in 18 years, my grandfathers taught me in a couple of months. The fighter did not degrade, did not decline. I began to take care of myself and learned to do laundry.

The army teaches you to be modest and unpretentious in everyday life. They won’t give you soldier’s boots from Gucci or foot wraps from Versace. When you are free from materialism, from the race for fashion and expensive rags, only cleanliness and neatness work for your image.

Grandfather-sergeant forced my Vitenka to clean the toilet with a toothbrush! - said the compassionate mother.

But he didn’t force him to brush his teeth with this brush! Well, I would throw away the brush and not be sad. Caries would not occur instantly; it is not a heart attack. And in a couple of days I would buy a new brush for pennies at a military store. And that's all.

I wouldn't buy this! He had an electric vibrating brush “Superdentamed”!

Wow! Yes, he probably wanted to look coolest among you. The sergeant can be understood as a human being. Everyone would want to see how the miracle of hostile technology works not for the benefit of an individual “packaged” character, but for the common cause of sanitation and hygiene.

Probably, only those who are able to clean the toilet when ordered with a toothbrush are able to climb onto a tank with a grenade when ordered. Real love always sacrificial.

There is one peculiarity in barracks life - you are in a team 25 hours a day. Every moment of your life passes in front of your colleagues. And if in civilian life you successfully managed to pretend to be a “tough guy,” then in the army this will not work. You cannot “pretend to be someone great.” The team will very quickly understand who you really are and determine the degree of your integrity. In general, in life it is better to be someone than to appear to be someone. You still won’t be able to hide your weaknesses. But the weak, as a rule, will be helped. But everyone despises a hypocrite and a scumbag. But still, try to be strong. Here I completely agree with Security Officer Goblin: “If you are still far from being drafted, take up some sports. The most correct sport is boxing. Never listen to any karateka-aikidokas. You’ll waste a lot of time for all these trainings, and you’ll get scanty results...”

But it’s better to forget the stories about how you spectacularly kicked your legs at home during karate classes. Because there will immediately be a crowd of people who want to test the practical value of your “Merlezon ballet.” As life shows, “ballet” does not withstand such tests. For boxing has a more practical, although less spectacular, arsenal than meditation in the sensei’s room. So boxing combined with weightlifting for an Orthodox boy is very good! And without any oriental troubles and Chinese philosophies. And the soul will be fine, and the body will be healthy.

But the main strength is the strength of your spirit. Your ability to endure any pain and stress is a practical test of your veneration of Christian martyrs. So, my friend, don’t let yourself be offended, but don’t get into trouble either. Nothing will happen to you from a couple of punches to the soul and acceleration from your feet. You will learn to take a punch in life. But you shouldn’t get into a fight at the slightest provocation. You are a Christian! It is often more beneficial to be beaten and remain unbroken. Those principles of yours for which you are ready to fight to the end can be counted on one hand. But you must always remember them. Everything else - don't be upset.

If you are already the healthiest, then don’t expect that you can disperse the grandfathers alone. And don’t even think about inciting your call for this! After all, young people are randomly gathered people, and grandfathers are an formed team. Recruits are “designer parts”, old-timers are “combat machine”. You simply don’t yet know which of your fellow conscripts is capable of betrayal in difficult times. Therefore, the revolt will be suppressed quickly. At best, you'll get hit in the forehead, at worst, they'll find a way to bend you according to the regulations.

8. Never whine or moan. Moreover, don’t get hysterical. When a hysterical young man begins to squeal: “How you fucked me up!”, they will calmly answer him that he was “born fucked up.” And there is some truth in this. It’s just that his rotten insides, which he managed to hide in civilian life, were revealed in extreme army conditions. And in the army he was simply too lazy, with God’s help, to work on himself. And this became noticeable to everyone. Life can change a person so that he becomes like himself.

In the army, a soldier lives like a potato: if they don’t eat it in winter, they will plant it in the spring. If the first half of the service will test the strength of your humility, then the second half will be filled with temptations of a different kind. You will feel power over the young. And the temptation of power is one of the most terrible. Treat the “young” with love and condescension. Try not to punish, but to correct.

And remember, what distinguishes a grandfather from a young man is, first of all, that he knows “what to do, when to do it, and how to do it correctly and quickly.” They say about this: “The old one does something civilly - the old one gets wet! Because the old one knows, the old one has seen, the old one has been!”

Of course, first and foremost last days In the army you will be overcome by homesickness. But they won’t send you further than Ukraine. The Arctic and Karakum became inaccessible due to the collapse of the USSR. Try not to think about home, otherwise you will worry in vain.

You were always crying in civilian life that there wasn’t enough extreme sports in life. He rushed around on a motorcycle, bungee jumped for money - and “it didn’t get through”! And here is a free year-long extreme adventure. Good way know yourself! And don’t perceive everyday life in the army as something boring and ominous. Learn to enjoy small joys and the love of God. Try to always be positive. Be not the consoled, but the comforter. And encourage others, even if it’s hard for you yourself. After all, “Life is the ability to smile even when tears are streaming down your face.”

P.S. Perhaps a highly spiritual reader will reproach me for the style and style of the story. But, remembering my two years in boots, I can’t say anything else about the army. This is true. And you need to write honestly...

“Hazing” is hazing in the army between military personnel, which is prohibited and unacceptable.

What motivates old-time soldiers and sergeants to mock young soldiers? – The system that the officers created. They shift their work with personnel to non-commissioned officers and military personnel who have already “understood the service”, these are soldiers who have served long terms, who are called “grandfathers” or “demobs”.

As a rule, officers are well aware of hazing in the unit, but do nothing. They are satisfied with iron discipline and strict obedience, and it does not matter by what means this is achieved.

Officers graduated from higher military schools and went through their “school of hazing” there and now believe that it is useful for lower-ranking military personnel to do the same. Therefore, dear conscripts, even if you end up in a training unit where there are no old-time soldiers, but there are old-time sergeants, it’s the same thing.

Photos of “hazing”, which exists but is prohibited in any army!

Have patience and courage, steadfastly endure the hardships of military service and always remember the main thing - “Your demobilization is inevitable”!

Look at these documentary photographs, but do not take everything to heart, in the army all this happens differently, so do not judge strictly for such a harsh selection of photos.

In the photo the “spirits” are young soldiers. They also have other names - for example, “mammoths” and so on... Why mammoths? — Because they run a lot and stomp loudly when they are engaged in drill training.

The old-timers are going home. Evening bullying of young soldiers mainly occurs when curfew has passed, there are no officers, and people have become bored.

Grandfather in his bed is also on the train “Murmansk - Makhachkala” going home. The spirits lift and tug the bed, creating the impression that this carriage is running on rails. Tu-tu - a long-drawn whistle from one of the spirits is heard.

The top photo shows a flight over enemy territory and targeted bombing.

Sometimes before going to bed, one of the young soldiers stood on a stool and shouted the following verses for the grandfathers:

“Chick - chirp, pussy - ku - ku! The old man's demobilization is coming soon! May you dream of a house by the river, a naked woman on the stove, a sea of ​​vodka, a bowl of beer, and your order for demobilization!

And then he said that there were, for example, 100 days left before the order.

Punished. Whoever falls down first will go to scrub his ass. The next 3 are assigned to a company outfit.

The company duty officer has young orderlies. One is on the bedside table, the rest are also at work - entertaining the “young grandfather”.

Study their night vision devices. You can’t get lost, and neither can you fall into an abyss.

Punished... or grandfathers are making fun of them for the coming nap.

Lost my dignity. He will clean the shoes and wash the uniforms of old-timers before their demobilization, mainly at night.

There are beatings. Of course, you can pawn your grandfather, he can even be imprisoned, but then the service will become morally unbearable. Outfits - to the kitchen, to the dishwasher, to the toilet, to mopping the floors at night with a “mash” (this is a kind of sweeper), and so on...

Evening weekdays in the army. Debriefing for the day. Educational measures.

Gas mask joke.

Ushanka slippers on the head.

The spirit is looking out for grandfather's demobilization.

In the photo below, old men are transferring a young soldier to the “scoops”. Soaked in cold water with a leather belt they beat from 6 to 12 times for half a year or a year of service in the army. The soldier is no longer a “spirit”, but a “scoop” or a “pheasant”. Names different parts different.

This is the length of service of a soldier - from spirit to demobilization.

In the middle is the spirit. I came across it by chance and took a photo.

Punished. Endurance exercise.

The next photo shows stupidity that will go to his girlfriend Alena in civilian life.

The soldier is a bad shot. Learns to aim.

Photo above - a soldier forgot his bayonet. If punished, he will wear a wooden one.

It looks like it from below. Although the machine is made of wood, it is heavy.

New Year's "Hazing"

It is noticeably different from the everyday life of hazing. Particularly sophisticated competitions are being prepared for young soldiers. And all in order to brighten up the gray army days of old-time soldiers and sergeants in the army. For the “spirits”, this is not as funny and interesting as it may seem in the photographs, because this is the humiliation of a person.

At the top there is a transfer to the next stage of army life. Such a tradition. Served for half a year - get it! Serve for a year - get it! One and a half - get it. Closer to two years of age, they put a pillow on the butt and beat it with a thread - it no longer hurts, it’s joyful, but the one who is hit with a thread must scream like a knife and pretend that it hurts.

Do not worry! Always remember that demobilization is inevitable!

Statistics from recent military conscriptions indicate that the lion's share of Russian conscripts are still trying to avoid military service. The majority of young men surveyed cite a reluctance to join the armed forces precisely because of the fear of impending hazing. It turns out that Russian guys are afraid not of attacks by aggressors, but of hazing, hazing, which takes place among military personnel, or are these just rumors, speculations that cause confusion.

What is hazing in the army

The first mentions of violations of the regulations by employees and the development of so-called hazing were already noted in the Soviet army. In the 90s, there was an opinion that army lawlessness was crossing all boundaries, many simply did not know how to deal with it.

To be honest, the majority of today’s campaigners don’t even know what is commonly considered to be considered “hazing,” because a lot has changed and similar problems have been completely eliminated in many parts. The Russian army is famous for its strict procedures, which significantly distinguishes it from the Soviet army, although “relapses” also occur.

Hazing is a unique process of educating and training recently conscripted military personnel by colleagues of earlier conscription, the so-called “grandfathers.” To make it easier to separate the concept of “hazing” from this definition, let us immediately stipulate that the second speaks of obvious violations of the regulations by soldiers at any time of service.

Speaking about hazing at the level of army understanding, we are talking about the training of young soldiers by guys of an older generation, the so-called demobilization. When the more experienced ones tell, show how to behave correctly with seniors in rank, address, walk, communicate with each other, follow a clear daily routine. Anything that goes beyond the bounds of reason, when demobilized soldiers begin to “go too far”, which is rumored, is usually attributed not to training, but to an ordinary violation of the regulations.

It was with this kind of training that the first days of recruits’ service began; it was believed that this is how the formation of a military man occurs. Any lawlessness was always punished, hazing was suppressed, and the perpetrators suffered serious punishment.

In the common people, it is the hazing of military personnel, when the more “adult” generation, violating the regulations, abuses the young, which is considered to be hazing.

When did hazing appear in the army?

The first mentions of army hazing have come to us since the times of the USSR. It was then that, while “training” the new recruits, the old-timers massively humiliated, insulted, beat and suppressed morally, citing good intentions.

It was then that among soldiers, ordinary people, the concept of “violation of regulations” was replaced within the framework of the relationship between soldiers and the concept of “hazing.” Many people today confuse these problems without clear distinctions.

Is there hazing in the army 2019

Today, as in the distant 90s, you can hear that in many parts there is still chaos, proof of this is that on the Internet you can easily find a couple of hundred videos filmed and posted by the “grandfathers” themselves.

However, the majority of guys of military age can be absolutely calm; in the Russian army in 2019, this problem has actually been eliminated. We can say with confidence that there are practically no incidents of violation of the charter at the level of employee relations, although hazing does occur!

Unlike the Soviet army, when the service period was at least two years, today, conscript soldiers, starting in 2008, are called up for only a year. The so-called “grandfathers” themselves barely served for six months, such a period does not mean much.

Of course, gross incidents indicating violations still remain, but often only because disagreements often occur in the male team. The guys are trying to resolve everyday issues through conflicts, to establish themselves at someone else’s expense, and to show superiority over the “young people.”

Unfortunately, even now, you can meet a “rotten” campaigner who is happy to try to convey to the recently arrived guys what a seasoned soldier he is, how much he has seen. The essence of morality is conveyed through beatings, beatings, insults, when the angry “grandfather” simply enjoys his superiority and often strength. You need to understand that in this case we are not talking about “hazing”, there is a clear violation of the regulations and such fellows, like criminals in civilian life, must bear real punishment, which also happens in the ranks of the armed forces.

Despite such unpleasant isolated cases, the majority of guys calmly, without such problems among their peers, serve their time, going home often without understanding at all why they are “scared” in civilian life, what this is connected with. The majority of today's soldiers respect the regulations, strictly follow the law, and behave decently and with dignity.

What to do in case of hazing in the army

In order not to become a victim, talking about the consequences of army hazing, it is necessary, first of all, for the young soldiers themselves to share for themselves the boundaries of hazing with experienced soldiers, not to be confused with hazing.

In fact, violation of the regulations is often provoked by recently drafted guys who misunderstand the help of their elders in training. Life advice, explanations of the issues of existence, are sometimes received with hostility, and as you know, aggression, reluctance to obey a seemingly equal, often provokes an explosion of emotions. In this case, it’s not far from assault.

Hazing has always taken place and will always happen, because who, if not those who have already gotten comfortable “here”, will be able to correctly tell and convey to a young soldier what the rules are for army life. There is no need to react aggressively to the help of the “grandfather”; such intervention should not be confused at all with those “assaults” on civilians that take place among young people.

However, when we are really talking about obvious violations of the regulations, serious exaggerations of what was permitted by an old-time soldier, this is the right place to defend yourself, but within the framework of the regulations. To protect yourself in the future from aggression among the “grandfathers”, when receiving a blow to the face, beating and other mental attacks from experienced servants, you just need to write an appropriate report. The culprit or a group of people will certainly be punished. Such incidents are resolved by an army court; in this case, violators face disbat - a disciplinary battalion. The punishment is calculated over a fairly long period of one to two years.

How to serve during hazing

When planning to repay his debt to his homeland, a conscript must initially understand that there is no “hazing” as such in the understanding of the common people in the army. In any situation, you need to learn to restrain yourself and your emotions. Respond correctly to comments and, as far as possible, understand the essence of army life in the shortest possible time.

It is necessary to be able not to provoke the aggression of others, and not to fall into a momentary impulse of weakness, which can lead to serious consequences, both with health and during service life.

It is important to recognize real hazing in time from the usual disregard for the charter on the part of the “grandfathers”. Be able to properly defend yourself within the framework of the charter, without falling for provocation, without once again provoking a conflict in which you yourself may find yourself a victim. You need to understand that most often it is young soldiers who first provoke themselves and then allow themselves to be treated incorrectly. Sometimes the boorish, rude communication of colleagues leads to a fight, which promises many problems, primarily for the recruits themselves.