Hazing in the army of modern post-Soviet states is a phenomenon that is very difficult to eradicate. This is facilitated by: the succession of "generations" of employees, the low level of culture and other factors. Many defenders of the Fatherland, for this reason, want to mow down from the army so as not to endanger their he alth and psyche. One of the ways to do this is to “lubricate” whoever you need in the military registration and enlistment office. Bribes that periodically end up in the pockets of officers range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
The army of our great Fatherland has never been a comfortable place for the rank and file. Even in the time of the tsars-priests, many soldiers deserted due to the harsh arbitrariness of officers, unbearable conditions, a cane regime, and a huge service life, calculated for recruits for decades. Only in the 1870s did the situation in the armed forces of the Russian Empire noticeably improve. The term of service was reduced, corporal punishment was used less often, and the number of escapes decreased.
In the first decades of the existence of the Soviet state, hazing in the army was a rare occurrence. There was simply no place for her – disciplinary powers
commanders were wide, and the call system was class-based. But everything changed in the mid-fifties. At this time, amnestied, former convicts began to be drafted into the army. Obviously, this was a major mistake of the leadership of the Armed Forces. Yesterday's convicts brought to the ranks of employees the thieves' habits, which they picked up in the zones. Something appeared that had never happened before in the troops of the Soviet Union. The elders, upon conscription, began to beat and oppress the younger ones, forcing them to do dirty work for them. Such phenomena were still rare in the 50s and occurred mainly in guardhouses. However, in the late fifties, all this appeared in the barracks. And in the 60s hazing in the army was already an established fact. The reduction in service life also contributed to this.
Hazing in the army is not just a negative phenomenon. This is a system that has developed its own traditions, rituals and even certain folklore over time. Employees still have a hazing hierarchy. The lowest rung in it
are "disembodied spirits" or "smells" - guys who have not yet taken the oath. They are forced to endure various jokes from the "old-timers" who test the moral qualities of newcomers. But I must say that the "smells" are not particularly annoying. Usually they are given a chance to settle down. The next step is actually "spirit". This " title" is valid for the first few months after the oath. The main purpose of the "spirits" is to serve the "grandfathers", performing the most dishonorable work, and also to be the object of humor on the part of the latter. The third step is the "elephant". The ritual of translationthis level is quite simple: the "grandfather" hits the soldier several times with a belt on the butt. "Elephants" perform all the same functions as the "spirits". The next level is much more honorable - "skull". The ritual of transferring from “elephants” is the same flogging with a belt, less often a “plywood check” is done - a strong blow to the chest. But the most privileged status is, of course, “grandfather”. The next level is the demobilization, which "before the order" has a hundred days left. As a result of the reduction in service life in some parts, some of the hazing ranks have sunk into the past. However, we can safely say that the "ranking system" as a whole has remained the same.
Hazing in the Russian army ruffled the nerves of many "spirits" and "elephants". Unfortunately, cases of bullying that resulted in the loss of he alth, and even the life of young soldiers, are not too rare. If you are preparing for the service, then know that three main qualities will come in handy for you: ingenuity, physical strength and fortitude. Possession of any martial arts will also not be superfluous for you. Some soldiers immediately flatly refused to run errands for their grandfathers, and their decision was respected. Others did not let the mops out of their hands for half of their service life. Much depends not only on the existing system, but also on the person himself. Despite all its shortcomings, the Russian army is a good school of life. The hazing she still has is not as scary as it is made out to be.
