Russian Kids and Their Military

[Trip_Wire (RIP)]

On my recent trip to Vladivostok, Russia, I took the military history tour. During this tour we visited a facility, where Russian kids and teenagers were encouraged to get to know and have respect for the various branches and roles of the Russian military. (Also to encourage a career in their military. As far as I know it was an all volunteer program. The kids wear the uniform of their chosen branch.

The way they accomplished this was to have various rooms set up with training aids from each branch of their military. The Navy had various computers, navigation items and typical bridge set ups, the Air Force had a Mig cockpit, etc. The Army had classes on basic infantry weapons, to include timed contests assembling and disassembling the AK, Rappelling and hand to hand combat.

While we were there the kids demonstrated the rappelling, hand to hand combat and the AK assembling and disassembling. They were very good! The Kid shown in the picture won the contest on the assembling and disassembling of the AK. Boy! Was he fast!!

The instructors were veterans and/or retirees of the various branches of their military and seemed to know their stuff.

I was very impressed with this program! I would love to see something like this set up for American kids and military retirees on a volunteer basis. I think it would help our youth appreciate our military and get a lot of them interested in a military career.

:lifter

[The Reaper]

Looks like a list of losses from Afghanistan on the board behind him.

AK is definitely simple to assemble and disassemble.

TR

[Martin]

TR, that is correct. (regarding losses from Afghanistan)

[Martin]

I was very impressed with this program! I would love to see something like this set up for American kids and military retirees on a volunteer basis. I think it would help our youth appreciate our military and get a lot of them interested in a military career.
With all due respect, Sir, I'm not sure that I agree.

I think the boy scouts, perhaps with the possibility of weapons training, is a better way of doing it. Military retirees could then get in touch with the children through there. That contact would surely add something important.

I base this on personal experience in a para-military youth organization.

Martin

[Wiseman]

There were similiar programs during the existence of the Soviet Union, although mandatory. My father said that in 9th grade they had general military class where they were taught what weapons the Soviet Union had and the US had. They were taught to assemble/disassemble the AK and how to use a gas mask. They went to the range, but very rarely.

[moobob]

Closest thing we have besides high school jrotc is probably Civil Air Patrol. I joined CAP when I was in 7th grade. They tend to stay away from weapons, but it was a great program as I remember and I always enjoyed it.

http://www.cap.gov

[Huey14]

We have a similer program. New Zealand Cadet Forces.

Cadet Corps (Army).

Air Training Corps (RNZAF).

Sea Cadet Corps (Navy).

All staffed by civilians, except the Cadet Force Commander is a military officer.

Heavy support by the military with regards to activities (shooting, base visits, flying lessons, uniforms).

I was in the ATC (or Afternoon Tea Club). Good times, good fun.

[Trip_Wire (RIP)]

Closest thing we have besides high school jrotc is probably Civil Air Patrol. I joined CAP when I was in 7th grade. They tend to stay away from weapons, but it was a great program as I remember and I always enjoyed it.

http://www.cap.gov

I was a Cadet in the CAP during the latter years of WW II. It was pretty Air Force in its approach to military things. In the early days of WW II, they flew anti-submarine Patrols in private planes (mostly single engine) off the coasts of CONUS. It was an Auxiliary of the USAF. We wore a suntan uniform with CAP patch and AF rank. (Army in those days.)

Now, they are mostly envolved in search and rescue on downed aircraft, etc.

[Trip_Wire (RIP)]

With all due respect, Sir, I'm not sure that I agree.

I think the boy scouts, perhaps with the possibility of weapons training, is a better way of doing it. Military retirees could then get in touch with the children through there. That contact would surely add something important.

I base this on personal experience in a para-military youth organization.

Martin

The BSA is a fine organization; however, do nothing to encourage or promote our military. In fact, they try to avoid any association with the military and military training of any type. Although, I'm sure there are veterans and retirees in the ranks of the adult members (Scout Masters) there is no real attempt to recruit ex-military people to fill their ranks, nor promote our military or service in our military services.

[lrd]

We have a similer program. New Zealand Cadet Forces.

Cadet Corps (Army).

Air Training Corps (RNZAF).

Sea Cadet Corps (Navy).

All staffed by civilians, except the Cadet Force Commander is a military officer.

Heavy support by the military with regards to activities (shooting, base visits, flying lessons, uniforms).

I was in the ATC (or Afternoon Tea Club). Good times, good fun.

Naval Sea Cadet Corps (http://www.seacadets.org/public/)

Edited to add note: "The NSCC is not a part of the Navy, rather it is a federally chartered nonprofit organization. NSCC staff participation is on a volunteer, non-paid basis."

[Huey14]

I hope they know how to raise a flag. Ours don't...and dropped the flag from the flagpole oneday...ANZAC day.

Silly bitch that she was. She later denied it ever happened :rolleyes:

[frostfire]

i...is that how you wear a beret over there?

[Huey14]

Their berets are of a differant design to the Western ones, I believe.