Lieutenants, senior lieutenants, captain-lieutenants. Commanders of groups, platoons, companies, services, and combat units...

How do young officers of the Northern Fleet live? What excites and disturbs them, saddens and pleases them? What do they dream about? We conducted a kind of sociological survey among forty-eight officers. The responses were collected and analyzed. The results of this study became the basis of the proposed publication.

We want to warn you right away: we did not require officers to provide their addresses, first and last names (and if they did, then at will). But all these statements are unambiguously reliable.

Officer: the elite of society or the stepson of the state?

In the early 1920s, Mikhail Frunze, speaking at the Third Congress of Soviets, gave figures describing the social origin of the command staff of the Red Army and Navy. They were as follows: peasants - 57%, workers-19.3%, intellectuals and persons of noble origin-23.7%.

Gone are those days. There is no need to talk about people of noble origin today. As the results of the survey showed, there are few today who wear officer shoulder straps, and "from the peasants". (Among our respondents, only three lieutenants, one senior lieutenant, and two lieutenant commanders fell into this category.) The majority of respondents - 56 percent-are from military families. In second place - 32 percent - are representatives of the working class.

Perhaps it is not surprising that the children of the military choose the path of their fathers. It's already in the blood. As they say, the baker pekarevo.

"I have lived in military camps all my life," Senior Lieutenant A. Samokhvalov wrote in the questionnaire. - Together with the head of the family, we moved from one place of service to another. Almost every day, I also had to communicate with sailors and officers, learn, no matter how banal it sounds, the romance of military service and the problems that people in uniform face.

The respondent is convinced that officers are highly educated people, for whom the concepts of "duty", "honor", "courage" are not idle words. After graduating from high school, he entered the VVMU RE named after A. S. Popov, which he does not regret to this day.

By the way, entering a naval university right after graduation, as it turned out, is a fairly typical path to lieutenant stars. Only three respondents, having received a certificate of secondary education, managed to work and only then put on a cadet uniform. Nine people graduated from the Nakhimov military School. One of the respondents noted that his career as an officer began with military service in the Navy. There were also two officers who were called up to the SF after graduating from the military department of a civil university.

And yet, what makes a person choose the difficult profession of an officer? According to the survey data, 49 percent of those who filled out the questionnaires made their own choice, while 51 percent listened to the advice of their parents or relatives.

As for the motives, 25 people referred to family tradition, for 9-the dream from childhood was decisive.

"Family tradition and appropriate upbringing were transformed in the desire to become an officer," Lieutenant Commander Yuri Chernyshev noted in the questionnaire.

14 people were attracted by the romance of the naval service and its prestige. True, two-thirds of these fourteen made short but deeply offensive remarks after these words:" it was, "" in the old days," " when my father served."

- At the time of my admission to the University

page 22

The naval officer school belonged to the elite of society. It's a pity that everything has changed now, " says Lieutenant Commander S. Andrievsky.

We read this phrase and keenly feel the bitter aftertaste of today's days. It is difficult to talk about elitism, having a monetary allowance corresponding approximately to the salary of a cleaner in the North Sea restaurant "Chaika". Perhaps, the state will need more than one year so that the defenders of the Fatherland do not make such a bitter note in the questionnaires.

How dreams are dispelled

Only 40 percent of respondents had good impressions of their first officer steps. 9 percent preferred not to answer this question at all. The memories of other officers about the beginning of their professional careers were, to put it mildly, not the best. Vanity, dullness, discomfort, injustice, frustration, worthlessness, routine with elements of romance, insecurity - this is not a complete list of epithets that officers "awarded" the first months of their formation. Unfortunately, some graduates of military universities, having studied there for five years, were not ready for the harsh naval everyday life.

- The first thing that comes to mind when faced with reality is why no one told us anything about all this at the school? - admitted Lieutenant Commander V.-How far the pink dream turned out to be from reality. How inaccessible some senior officers were to us, and lieutenants did not differ much in real status from midshipmen and even sailors.

The lieutenant from Goryachye Ruchy continued his memories of the first days of officer service.

- I was faced with what I least expected - the knowledge I received turned out to be essentially useless to anyone. It is only in the school that classes are organized efficiently. In the Navy, everything is different. The UCP is still more or less conducted, and classes in the specialty are very bad. The sailors have all their outfits and jobs...

23% of respondents, recalling the first difficulties, referred to the lack of experience in working with people, current documents, and highlighted problems associated with accepting a position. The phrase of the graduate of the Gorky Medical Institute senior lieutenant of the medical service S. Anufriev is understandable: "Difficulties arise due to ignorance of the subtleties of the service." But how to understand the officers, graduates of naval schools, who were burdened by the naval routine, and therefore it was not easy to adapt to the new conditions? Did the years of study in higher military institutions not harden the characters of young people who decided to link their lives with the navy?

Who helped young officers overcome hardships and adversities at first? 76 percent of the total number of respondents who completed the questionnaire responded positively to how they were received in their new place. Many people are grateful for the support of their comrades, officers, and senior managers.

However, not all young officers met with understanding. There were, for example, such answers: "it was only my difficulties", "people only care about their own interests"...

But here is how the officers assessed the level of knowledge they received in military universities.

"Thanks to my good training at the school," said Senior Lieutenant M. Solomin, " I think I was able to lead people.

- The knowledge gained at the school is sufficient for conducting classes. I think the level of my training is quite high - they wouldn't just give me a red diploma, " said another officer.

After the initial months of service, almost 80 percent of respondents carefully assess their school baggage. Many people directly say that only in the navy did some of them learn to understand people, their needs and problems, and solve everything together. At the same time, 17 percent of officers complained that the knowledge obtained at the military university was not enough. Perhaps the most general opinion can be expressed as follows.

- The theoretical knowledge gained at the naval school is poorly supported by practice. The time spent by a cadet on an internship in the fleets is clearly not enough for a fruitful service as a young lieutenant. Only after three or four months in office does he reach the right level, " one of the lieutenants wrote.

Well, experience comes with time.

"What does he want to teach us?"

Do the sailors favor young lieutenants who have barely crossed the coaming of the forecastle and the threshold of the barracks? Are officers who are only a few years older than their subordinates ready to demand that they comply unconditionally with the orders given to them? The conducted sociological research has shown that the first conflict with subordinates, as a rule, among young officers just arises in connection with the reluctance of sailors to recognize their commander in a recent graduate of a military university. Often conflicts break out on buildings, in outfits,

page 23

on a morning exercise routine...

"The sailors decided to test me during exercise. We tried to run in a crowd instead of the formation , but it didn't work out, - we read in one of the questionnaires.

Subordinates of Senior Lieutenant V. Kunitsky did not want to get up in the morning on the command "Rise". In the first days of service, some lieutenants were disrespectfully called "you", there were cases of bickering, attempts to disobey orders. Of course, all this required young commanders to show a certain amount of firmness of character, which was tested by their subordinates every day. Moreover, some respondents were brought to a state of "boiling".

In general, the survey showed that 37 percent of respondents in the first months of service had conflicts with subordinates. 63 percent had none. Why? Perhaps a typical response is the following: "I immediately put myself in such a way that I didn't have any conflicts." However, one of the lieutenants added: "It is easier with the sailors than with the commanders."

Indeed, how did the young officers get along with their senior officers? It turns out that the majority of respondents (56 percent) had rough relations with higher-level commanders during their formation.

However, it is quite understandable the discontent of certain superiors when young officers are late for service, leave the service ahead of time, allow carelessness when wearing a dress, or consume alcoholic beverages. Often, according to respondents, this was the reason for conflicts. However, the reasons for them were "divergence of views", "attitude to a young officer as a midshipman or petty officer", and even "officer godkovschina".

"They explained to me that I was still too young to make any independent decisions," Senior Lieutenant Nikolai V. expresses his resentment.

According to the young officer A. Antonov, his first conflict with the chief arose because the lieutenant expressed his personal opinion.

"Senior officers don't want to think they're wrong, and that happens too," Senior Lieutenant Viktor M. remarked.

In some ways, officer S. Nikitin supported him: "When two superiors issue mutually exclusive orders, the result is a penalty imposed on the subordinate."

After reading such conclusions, the question involuntarily arises: how many stars (and what size) should an officer have on his shoulder straps so that he can make decisions on his own without being afraid of hints of a young age? Allowing themselves such relations with subordinates, do not individual managers on ships and in units of young officers who want to work make uninitiative, incompetent commanders? Moreover, such distrust of junior officers, and often rudeness, create in military collectives an appropriate opinion about the abilities and capabilities of young officers. Offend the lieutenant, discourage him from zealously performing official duties is simple. It is rather silly to make a joke by giving, for example, the command: "Officers and lieutenants gather in the mess hall." (One of the respondents bitterly recalled this incident from his youth as a lieutenant) It is more difficult to build relationships with young comrades in a respectful and caring way. Perhaps, then, remembering the reason for his first conflict with the boss, the lieutenant will not write: "On the day of my wife's discharge from the hospital, I was put in the outfit, although I warned my superiors about the upcoming event a week in advance."

And since we are talking about conflicts, we asked the officers to answer the question: "Did you have any penalties in the service?" To which 65 percent honestly said, " Yes."

Based on the above, we tried to find out how young officers assess their role and place in the military team. About 70 percent of those who filled out the questionnaires compared young officers with offensive ones: "cog", "bolt", "pawn" and even "empty space". The rest, fortunately, think differently:"Personality!"

- If you want to be good for your superiors-be a "cog", and there are very few personalities - it is difficult to be one, - says the head of the automobile service of one of the military units.

Prospects as they are

Officers in the Northern Fleet do not serve for hard money today. (Only two of the respondents mentioned the salary allowance as the main and only criterion for active or passive official activity.)

Having sworn an oath of loyalty to the Fatherland, young officers wear shoulder straps on their shoulders out of duty and conscience. 94 percent of respondents consider promotion in rank to be the main recognition of a military man's services to the Motherland.

Do the respondents see any prospects for career growth? 65 percent responded positively to this question. 15 percent - negative. The others were at a loss for an answer. At the same time, 21 percent of respondents agreed that these prospects depend only on the professional and human qualities of an officer. 35 percent believe otherwise (the rest of the officers evaded a direct answer). In their opinion, advancement in the career ladder largely depends on personal relationships with superiors or influential relatives. However, it was not denied that certain heights can be achieved and thanks to their professional qualities.

Despite the difficulties expressed, almost half of the officers who filled out the questionnaires are ready to serve in the navy, as they say, until the victorious end, that is, until retirement. "I still have enough health and strength," they write.

page 24

What's behind the little things?

"So that you live in an era of change" - in past centuries, this saying was one of the most terrible wishes to a person. The current generation of young officers is clearly "lucky"with this. The formation of a commander took place during the period of reforming the Russian Armed Forces. We tried to find out what young officers think about the reform taking place in the navy, and what they know about it in general.

Unfortunately, the officers ' responses were not particularly complete. The most characteristic of them were: "I am familiar with the reforms", "I learn about them from the newspapers", "I am familiar, but not fully"... There are also officers among the respondents who honestly admitted that they are not interested in transformations, because they do not believe in them. The most knowledgeable noticed that "the staff structure has changed somewhat", "the size of the army and navy has decreased".

The lack of conviction among young officers is generally understandable. People don't see any concrete positive changes in their ship or unit. And in this, apparently, there is already a share of their fault. At the same time, it is impossible to refute the statement that the reform of the Armed Forces is a task of national importance. But, putting it into practice, we must not forget about the little things. Even, on the contrary, they should be given much closer attention. Perhaps such trifles were the reason for the phrase: "I don't feel any positive changes on my ship (in part)!" Unfortunately, a third of the respondents said so.

As for directly organizing combat training in units and on ships, 35 percent of respondents expressed satisfaction with its progress. Many complained about the long-term parking of ships at the berths and the low fuel limit. At the same time, the answers showed not only pain for your favorite business, but also pride in belonging to the fleet.

"On my last trip to the sea, I finally felt like a real naval officer," said Lieutenant Kuznetsov from the Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union TAVKR.

About life and admiral's shoulder straps

Perhaps the sociological essay would not have been complete if we had not looked into the officer families. So, 56 percent of respondents noticed that the specifics of military service are the cause of many family conflicts.

Eg: "You come home from work - we're already asleep, you leave home - we're not awake yet." For the officers of the floating staff, such comments of wives have long become familiar. Putting everything that he is rich in on the altar of service, the officer receives in return the harsh reality of life with its hardships and hardships: an irregular working day, a meager monetary allowance, problems with the employment of his wife and a kindergarten for a child... To the credit of the respondents, none of them complained about this, and when asked what helps them resolve everyday troubles, 48 percent answered as follows: they have no one to rely on, they have to find their own ways out of difficult situations. 7 percent of officers are grateful for the help of the command. The rest are supported by their parents, relatives, and acquaintances.

However, despite all the above, and paraphrasing the well-known saying "The lieutenant who does not dream of becoming an admiral is bad", we ventured to ask young officers: do they see admiral's shoulder straps on their shoulders in the future? 33 percent of respondents optimistically answered "yes". Three people added the word "definitely" to this answer. Another respondent added "if you're lucky". 67 percent of respondents, on the contrary, answered "no".

"There are no miracles," the commander of the Warhead-5 motor group believes in this regard.

We read the questionnaires and for some reason it becomes sad. Probably from the feeling that these guys - the modern generation of young officers-are aging early in their souls today.

One of them even made a comment.

- The application form is a questionnaire, but it would be better if you came to the unit and talked to the military personnel. The truth is always told to your face, and not written on a piece of paper. Draw conclusions from here...

The officer's words are clear. It is impossible to raise the prestige of military service with a single publication in a magazine. Even in the military. But the state should know what its defenders, the elite of the Armed Forces - officers-are talking about and thinking about! "Thank you for listening" - this phrase is found in many questionnaires.

The officers ' answers didn't seem to be lying even in small ways. They contain pain and bitterness, a sense of responsibility and caring, sincerity and pride! Yes, yes! It is pride in your profession-to protect your homeland! After all, despite all the hardships and adversities, half of the respondents still admitted that they are proud of the rank of an officer. How dedicated you have to be to your chosen cause! Truly, respect and admiration are caused by novice officers. So we are grateful to all of them who honestly and truthfully expressed their opinion.

page 25

Постоянный адрес данной публикации: