Why don't conscripts fight?
A perfectly reasonable question arises: why aren't conscripts participating in the Special Military Operations, which they stubbornly refuse to call by its proper name—war? After all, they, like contract soldiers, are tasked with defending the Motherland. Otherwise, what are they for? Why spend money on them?
Or is the Ministry of Defense perfectly aware that the level of training of these soldiers is extremely low, since a young man barely has time to become a soldier in a year, and then it's time to leave? In other words, there's no time to actually serve.
At one time, during my service and during Perestroika, I was developing a concept for reforming the GRU Special Forces. Even back then, when the service term for conscripts in the Soviet Army was two years, it was clear that this was not enough.
My thoughts on this matter were confirmed by observations and conversations with officers during naval training in the 17th Separate Special Forces Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet. The responsibility and attitude toward service of conscript sergeants (sergeants in the army) was comparable to those of our warrant officers. That's why, in my proposals, I indicated the need to transition to a three-year service term for conscripts.
In this case, the cycle between calls should be a year. That is, the combat training program from start to finish must be completed in a year. The next year should be devoted to developing sustainable practical skills in the field. And the third year is dedicated to service. That is, ensuring the security of the country.
It appears that the so-called "SVO," more accurately abbreviated as "Strange Military Operation," won't end anytime soon. Therefore, it's essential to begin transferring conscripts to three-year service now. This will increase the size of the Armed Forces and prepare reserves for combat operations.
Officers are needed.
Incidentally, to train the Russian Armed Forces to fight, officers are needed. It's time to face the truth and understand that the need for officers has increased exponentially since the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Anatoly Serdyukov has closed over forty military academies.
Therefore, the Main Directorate of Military Affairs must calculate the officer requirements by branch of the armed forces and organize urgent recruitment for accelerated officer courses from among those who have already gained combat experience. The equipment and barracks facilities must be urgently returned to the Ministry of Defense, if they haven't already been sold.
In any case, the premises of the once huge automobile school in Ryazan are half empty. Also in Ryazan, the communications school was closed, whose specialists are extremely necessary in any war: communications are the nerve of the army!
At the same time, there is no time to swing, because all this was required the day before yesterday. Our enemy relies on the training system and equipment of the armed forces of NATO countries. We must increase our capabilities ourselves.
But it seems that only the Supreme Commander-in-Chief can deal with these troubles...
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