About special people
I will try, perhaps, to express myself in a relatively new format for myself. The attention of those interested is invited to “illustrated interview” with an experienced commander of the Special Forces group. Ivan kindly answered my questions on 27, relating mainly to the military and domestic aspect of the life of the fighters of the modern military special forces. And I tried to pick up to the story the corresponding photos taken at different times in different parts and units of Special Forces, special forces of the Airborne Forces and reconnaissance of motorized infantry.
A special task group is assigned some kind of task, it is determined that it is necessary to spend seven to ten days autonomously. How is the preparation made? How and by whom is it determined what to take with you?
On equipment, in most cases, each intelligence officer makes a decision individually when the commander or senior commander brings to him what approximate direction of the task, how many days they leave. Everyone prepares his own equipment for himself, understanding what he needs for a specified period, and the group commander already exercises direct control. Now the equipment for us is good, before it was weaker. Nevertheless - the fighters are trying to buy some items on their own. They try to keep things warm and light. Basically, so that Gore-Tex (approx. Avt. - here I mean the membrane in general, and not just the products of the specified brand) was. Shine a lot of attention pay. The most important thing is shoes, anyway.
The scout-sniper of the special forces of the airborne forces at the training exit.
What kind of shoes do you choose?
Bertsy, mostly American before, took the firm Crispi. Now there are many others that use modern technologies and materials. We need waterproof, breathable and warm boots for the entire period of the release. During the performance of a combat mission, shoes are not removed at all: you are in it and you sleep. If there is an opportunity, they also buy clothes themselves: jackets, trousers made of membrane material, they do not let the water through and in such clothes it is comfortable in any weather. B snow, for example, you can lie down and not get wet.
Socks use different footcloths too. When there is no membrane footwear, it is possible to use female gaskets in the usual way. They are simply put in the shoes, as an absorbent, sorbent. If there are no good shoes, then ordinary berets use. Before leaving, they are greased with some goose fat, all pores are thoroughly soaked. Just take any fat or even lard and soak so that the shoes become more moisture resistant.
One of the participants of the shooting competition among the staff of special units at a briefing. Those same vaunted American Italian shoes Crispi.
A soldier of one of the units of Special Forces after overcoming a water barrier by swimming. The fighter uses berets from among the most "simple".
Is it necessary to wear all the scouts in the group in the same camouflage?
In most cases, special forces intelligence officers do not particularly adhere to such a rule that everyone is about to go about the same. At least in previous years, when the provision was not very (in the two thousandth, sometime before 2010). Now the supply is quite good and the equipment is good, and therefore the groups often look uniform in appearance. Previously, everyone bought almost everything to himself. So it turned out externally diverse group. By and large, this does not affect the performance of the combat mission. Specification - the group commander and radio operator should not stand out from the crowd. If everything is more or less the same, then visually from the first time it is impossible to determine which of them commands and by whom.
The commander of one of the groups with his deputy clarify the situation. Both are armed with noiseless AS "Val" (Automatic Special).
On the Internet, there are constantly disputes that a certain camouflage pattern is better than another. Are there any observations on this?
The observations are as follows: in mountainous areas, usually “slides” are used, camouflage - in a wooded area. And what kind of a person is he there, “cartoons” or something else, these are disputes, separated from life, so to speak. Anyway, no individual improvements can not do.
The reconnaissance group of the 45 separate Guards Order of the Kutuzov Order of Alexander Nevsky Special Forces Regiment conducts mining of the bridge.
Magic "cartoons" and other camouflage drawings are presented in the range. Especially good fighter in the bushes and defocus.
How well has the current multi-layered uniform of VKBO clothes proved itself?
It seems to me that everything is quite convenient. At least warm if you wear everything according to the instructions. The idea is that if you just stand in this clothes, in everyday life, in everyday life - it is normal. And when you perform the task load is high, you constantly move: mostly in a T-shirt, vest and one jacket. Most often it is still a “hill”: a comfortable, durable thing that is used daily. And we definitely carry a replaceable set of dry clothes with us, so that you can change clothes when people stop or go to bed, are ambushed. In general, when you can take a break, immediately clothes change quickly to dry.
An officer of one of the Special Forces brigades demonstrates the Nikonov 5.45-mm Nikonov automatic rifle of the 1994 model of the year (AN-94 Abakan) in service.
At the serviceman clothes from the VKBO (all-season set of basic uniforms).
Soldiers of the Special Forces brigade before parachute jumps. Most in new form.
Hats with earflaps from VKBO kit. They look unusual, but quite comfortable (according to reviews of the military).
As for non-combat equipment, what they take with them, is there any “approved” minimum?
From food - depending on how many days you go. For example, the output for seven days, so should, in theory, be given seven daily diets (IRP). But more than three and a half no one takes, and then they divide, leaving only the main products to remove excess weight. Every extra kilogram to be borne by yourself. Well, the water is natural. Winter is easier, you can use the snow: melt, boil or add a disinfecting tablet. Without water, nowhere.
The rest is individual: thermomugs, burners. One needs a fashionable burner with a piezoelectric element, the other one strikes matches, the third uses special tablets for heating water and food. Those that are in dry rations, we do not use. One hundred meters it is quite possible to smell the smell of such a burning pill, even more, perhaps.
A special forces unit on a halt. At my request, he opened the package with the IRP (individual diet) and tried to put aside what he would take with him on the task.
It turned out, just to say a little.
Basically, stew and lard stewed in a handful under the name "fit". Everything else has been classified as "luxury."
About food (in terms of IRP and foreign analogs) followed by a separate video.
Is there any minimum of "water supply"?
Two or three "poltorashki" each for the first time, in any way. From my experience I can say: from my subordinates during the task I demand to ensure the minimum flow of water. Three hundred grams of water in the morning (a cup of tea) and the next mug only in the evening. This is also three hundred grams of water. During the movement itself on a task, I categorically forbid drinking water. Maybe, of course, they are somewhere on the sly and tried to drink at the stops, well, this is on their conscience.
It’s not even the case that someone can violate the requirement of the commander. The body, when the load on him is high - is mobilized. Fighters go, go, and here time! water! And the body immediately relaxes. If you drink a hundred, two hundred, three hundred grams of water - the body immediately stops working as it should. That is, he relaxes at all: do not go hunting, or do not want to do something. Therefore, drinking mode is such an important factor, especially when high loads are in progress.
Group SPN makes a long hiking transition.
The group's sniper on the march is also difficult: one must carry, among other things, the SVD sniper rifle and another silent VSS “Vintorez” (special sniper rifle).
Since we all take about the same amount of water, after a few days I myself see how much I have left, and how much the group has. Let's say I have half left, and the people are running out of water: it means they drank without a team. This is an unnecessary problem - you need to look at the map, how to find a place where to get water, if there is such an opportunity. If there is no such place or opportunity, then you have to endure. It happens, for example, for seven days to move from morning to night, to search. And in the evening, for example, when an ambush action is planned or a rest - in the evening you can quench your thirst.
Halt. Here you can quench your thirst and refill flasks with water.
Often one has to do without local water or face poor water quality. This is a common occurrence. With a successful scenario, the river or stream will fit perfectly for drinking, if there is no bottled water with you. It often happens that the task is set for three to four days, and it will last ten days or more. Then the food is over. Periodically we are confronted with the fact that the task is superplannedly extended. Then the snow and even the puddles are quite suitable. We use tablets "Akvatabs" for water purification, which are in rations (IRP). The water after them, of course, nasty and smelly, but it becomes suitable, drinking.
How is water transported? Directly in plastic bottles?
Yes, in simple bottles, "one and a half". Or in the Camelbacks. The weight is conveniently distributed, the system is neat, it does not create noise when it moves. Thing is good.
A Special Forces unit soldier demonstrates his personal camelback type hydrator.
Such a drinking system with a capacity of about 3-x liters allows you to drink on the go.
Have you ever had trouble with poor water? Diarrhea or indigestion?
I can say that this does not happen during a war. In practice, this is a very rare case, because the body is so mobilized to work that it does not take anything. People do not get sick. But they may get sick after returning when they came back. Here the body relaxes, and you can get sick. On the assignment there were isolated instances of someone getting sick with something. Just a high load, the responsibility is quite high. A person is mobilized, the body works to its fullest and takes nothing: neither the disease nor the microbes.
Suppose the group stopped to rest. Does everyone have their own water and food, everyone eats his own or something goes to a common pot?
Everyone eats his own. A group is usually divided into small cells, for three people, for example. Inside the "twos" or "triples" - already as a deal. If someone from the group has eaten all of his own and wanted to eat again, he, of course, will be given, but the corresponding bewilderment will arise: what are you, dear comrade? The same thing with the water situation. It all comes with time, with coherence. The group grinds in, the second or third move and everyone already knows everything.
Any stimulants, energy on tasks are used?
Especially not. I, at least, never used. Is that homemade energy drinks sometimes do when necessary. Well, coffee. Themselves people are preparing high-mountain mixes: chocolate, brandy and lemon. Of the very common - dried fruit, candy. "Snickers" are very nutritious and high-calorie, give a lot of energy and weigh little.
It was the case that “racing” (author's note) meant annual competitions of groups of special forces, officially referred to as all-army competitions of reconnaissance units of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation “Green Trail”) came the stern guys - they ate “sneakers” With mayonnaise. I was just overwhelmed!
The main thing is not what you eat, but what it gives you. Eat something you can, anything, in fact. In mayonnaise, mostly fats, fats - they are “long” and needed for long transitions, and “fast” carbohydrates - on the contrary. If you feel that you can no longer stomp - once! and ate candy. It gives “fast” carbohydrates, everything is quickly absorbed and you are again “briefly” again for a short time.
Gentle, mayonnaise distribution of high-calorie and easily digestible chocolate bars.
Sniper on a halt. The fighter in the background gives rest to his feet, throwing them higher on the backpack.
Intimate question. If the task is such that it is not necessary to "shine" anywhere at all - how is the question of the administration of natural needs organized?
Inside the "two" or "three" this question is solved in the standard way. One observes, one rests, one necessarily covers. He dug a hole, did business in it, buried everything, disguised it, left. To leave no trace behind. Winter in the snow. If you lie and you can not stand up, then lying down. In the package, in the sand, for example. But this is more for snipers who go on the task. In groups there is easier: more people. The task to lie still for days and observe is usually not set.
An officer of one of the Special Forces brigades demonstrates a foreign-made sniper rifle.
Sniper pair moves in search of a place for "lying".
The elder couple gesture makes it clear to the partner - “we go to bed”.
The partner confirms with a gesture - “understood”.
How much staff in the group will be able to replace each other?
The group has a commander, his deputy, a radio operator. These are the main people. In addition to them there are scouts-arrows, scouts, machine-gunners, scouts-doctors. When need is all interchangeable. For example, take the medical scout. He is the same scout as the others, he just knows more about medicine. But if he needs help, the rest will be able to give. Or a machine gunner. He has a life with a machine gun, knows him perfectly, but if there is a need, then the others can take a machine gun and fire. We have enough interchangeable all.
Who is the most difficult job in the group?
The most difficult job is probably a radio operator. Because besides the fact that he carries with him everything the same as an ordinary intelligence officer, he also has to carry a radio station, which also weighs a lot. These are rather narrow specialists; they should know a lot, ranging from the performance characteristics of the radio to the requirements for the place from which to go on the air, and this is quite difficult. In second place is the group commander and his deputy. Heavy and machine gunner: the weight of the machine gun is great, strong guys must be strong. Well, all the others are needed as interconnecting mosaics: each is needed in its own direction.
I will say about my group: we always try to unload the machine gunner as much as possible, it is physically harder for him than others. He has a very large ammunition, carrying two thousand cartridges with him (approx. Avt. - one 7,62 × 54R machine-gun cartridge weighs approximately 25 grams). For one person it is hard. He takes the bulk of the cartridges, and the rest is distributed among his top three. Comrades, if the battle goes on, they will help with the machine gun, they will hand over the cartridges, help out to equip the tape. If one of the group gets tired and just fails, or gets out of strength due to the fact that he is dragging a lot of weight, and the rest are joyful and fun to move lightly - no one will feel good about it. I distribute to everyone a lot and equally so that everyone goes joyful and cheerful.
Each group commander himself decides who is with whom in the top three. This is such a small team that is constantly together on the task, this is such a combat unit. Sometimes the group commander intervenes in the affairs of the troika. For example, when you need to decide who and what to carry beyond what is necessary.
The machine gunner 45 special forces regiment in ambush.
A single 7,62-mm machine gun PKP "Pecheneg". In the Special Forces he began to meet more often than PKM, on the basis of which Pecheneg was created.
Scout-gunner 45 Airborne Regiment with a machine gun "Pecheneg".
The machine-gunner of one of the Special Forces brigades at the firing line. Armed with a Pecheneg machine gun.
Familiarization firing of the RSHG-2 rocket assault grenade with a thermobaric warhead.
The machine gunner of the SPN group covers the forcing of a water barrier by his comrades. Armed with a Pecheneg machine gun.
SWAT at the shooting range. Perhaps the only vivid complaint made by practitioners' gunners against Pechenega is the inconvenience of the positioning of the carrying handle.
Airborne Special Forces Group changes its combat position.
Are there any unofficial circumstances when a fighter asks to transfer him from group to group? It happens?
There is such, but very isolated cases. In a company, for example, a company commander can shuffle people with his power. A group commander will approach, say, and say to the company commander: this comrade does not fit in with his own qualities, you can translate him. But so, basically, the team that is initially - permanent. People go astray, grind each other over time. The composition of the group is constant. If a person, for example, falls ill before an assignment, usually it is not replaced by anyone, the group is not supplemented, it goes to the assignment as part of “minus one”. When they returned to the base - again, people hold together, friendship with families is common.
Is the authority of the group commander important in the process of performing the task?
Is important Authority indisputable!
Medicines. Does everyone have their own individual reserve or one large per group?
Medicaments - an individual first-aid kit for each of them has its own, standard, nothing else. What is now issued, the standard first-aid kit - in it, in principle, has everything you need.
In addition to the standard first-aid kit, the Special Forces soldiers at the competition additionally stocked up with such medicines.
First Aid Kit of a Medic Special Forces Airborne.
What is the most common medical “nuisance” in the course of completing a task?
In my century there was nothing terrible. Feet erase, of course, but if the legs are erased - he is to blame. Either the shoes are not very suitable, or did not take care that it was dry. In principle, nothing terrible and this is not: a couple of exits and legs are “ground”, become callused, rub off, as stone becomes. If a soldier serves in the Special Forces for a long time, then he does not rub anything. If you want your legs to be dry, pick up shoes, prepare shoes before going out. Well, if you don’t want it, then go as you can. If you erased your legs, then the problems of the Sheriff Indians do not care. You still can not get anywhere, you will just go. Of course, if someone rubs his feet and is already a burden for the whole group, no one will say anything good to him. This is also an incentive.
Fighter covers the crossing. Pay attention to the shoes.
He is. Back view. during the pedestrian movement, the legs were apparently sealed with a plaster. Preventively or on the basis of - I do not know.
Are there any common superstitions, omens? How do you feel about religion?
I can not remember about these. There is a tradition. Get together before leaving, sat on the track and go. Regarding religion - it does not matter to me who is a believing fighter or an atheist, it is important that he perform the task set. Believes, does not believe - this is his personal business by and large. If only he was not obsessed with religion so that it harms the service.
What kind of talismans special forces wears?
It happens. Mostly these are Orthodox butts, wearing protective belts. I didn’t notice anything else like that.
He drew attention to some fighters with tattoos. Hot topic?
Now on this score do not pay close attention, but it is better that there are no tattoos. This is an element that, under unfavorable conditions, can play a bad role. This is an extra sign. Especially if they knock out “For Airborne Forces!”, “For Special Forces!” Or something else like that. If something happens, you never know, if you get captured or somewhere else, you can pretend to be in an extreme case with some kind of hose that is incomprehensible. And then you op! No, my friend!
Here the thing is: it is not punishable. But personally, I am negative about tattoos. Not that I antagonize: if you want - if you are even on your forehead, but I don’t have a single one, and I haven’t even gotten a thought. It does not affect life in any way, nor does it accomplish the task. Only unmasks by indirect signs, one of the characteristic and easily remembered elements.
On the sniper's hand visible tattoo.
Perhaps one of the most common tattoos in special forces.
Machine gunner SPN also could not resist a tattoo.
Quite often, the Internet discusses the question about knives, about cold weapon special forces. Some believe that a real intelligence officer creeps silently towards the enemy and sticks a knife in his throat. It happens?
It happens, of course. To the cinema. A knife is a tool for us. For the case described, there is a silent weapon that operates at a distance. Do not crawl anywhere, do not give yourself away. At least, you can always get close to the enemy, from which you can destroy it from the same silent pistols or silent machine guns. However, no matter what anyone says, but crawling imperceptibly towards the person from behind, as in the films they show, is possible. But it is very long and very hard.
If a person is on duty, no matter how disorderly it is, he sensitively distinguishes sounds, especially at night, when they are heard far away. And the rustling movement immediately attracts attention, you can crawl to such a distance, but you will have to crawl a millimeter, and this is a very long time. Now everything is much simpler, the same silent pistol allows you to solve such problems from a distance of ten to fifteen meters.
Airborne Special Forces Scout is armed with an 7.62-mm AKM assault rifle with PBS (Silent Shooting Device).
A Scout demonstrates firing techniques from the PB (Pistol Silent).
Arms of the KGB of the USSR and soldiers of the army reconnaissance and sabotage groups were armed with such pistols.
Sniper SPN on the firing line with PB.
Externally, PB is similar to PM, but it has nothing to do with PM.
Sniper SPN conducts automatic fire from the AU "Val".
Sniper SPN removes the rubber eyecup from a telescopic sight mounted on the BCC "Vintorez".
BCC "Vintorez" allows you to fire bursts.
Scouts at the firing line. Armed with VSS "Vintorez" and AS "Val".
Dream! Automatic silent pistol (APB).
Silent version of the famous gun APS. Which, of course, is also a dream.
Outwardly shaky butt really is durable and surprisingly comfortable.
It is possible to fire from JSA without a silencer.
PSS pistol "Vul".
"Vul" provides silent and flameless shooting at a distance of up to 50 meters.
It shoots almost silently.
The fire from the MSS is a special patron SP-4. The complex PSS-SP-4 provides the maximum degree of muting sound.
Powder gases are cut off inside the liner, which ensures noiseless firing. Ammunition pierces through an army steel helmet at a distance of 25 meters.
LDC. Scout knives shooting: the first and second versions.
The instructor demonstrates scouts firing techniques from a knife. Beautiful phrase turned out.
You can shoot a knife with a scabbard on a blade.
There is no return, the sound of the shot is insignificant.
The shooting of the NRS-2 is conducted by special silent ammunition SP-4.
Do scouts have any knives?
Of course, every scout has his own knife. Open the jar, cut it, strip the wires. If there is a need, of course, you can also defeat with a knife. A good knife is nice. When he does not dull immediately, when he does not need to sharpen for a long time. My opinion - the knife is needed more for domestic needs. Well, just in case, if it really squeezes.
Scout sniper. Armed with VSS "Vintorez" and a shooting knife.
Knife scout can be used for its intended purpose, for example - to throw.
What do you think about colleagues from the number of "probable opponents"? Who is cooler?
I have my own opinion on this matter: it is not a matter of belonging to the SAS or the Israelis, and they have people who are poorly prepared and not prepared, and we have groups of an extraordinary level. Regarding the question “who is cooler?”: In combat situations, none of us encountered “group by group” SAS. And they and we are piece goods. The likelihood that one special forces group will collide with another enemy group ... that means both are worthless (laughs). This seems to me a rare, even unbelievable case for this to happen. Like snipers: two oncoming bullets hit each other. This is not tank battalions came together in hand-to-hand combat!
As for computer modeling on the Internet - who knows what parameters they come from when modeling, how can opponents be assessed? This is the level of “who will fence someone - a whale or an elephant?” It seems to me that everything depends only on the individual training of each fighter and the coherence of the group. And to compare the “coolness”, just looking on the Internet, how they run to the camera there, this, so to speak, is not a very revealing process. They perform some tasks and we do about the same. And how to compare, I do not know. Yes, we are following the "colleagues", no one has canceled open sources. They have nothing radically new in their preparation; there is no anything that would radically differ from us. There are nuances, of course.
In this sense, perhaps, even the experience of the Great Patriotic War will be more useful. We talked with veterans, sometimes we talk with old scouts - grandfathers, who, as they say, went with a knife and a knife to a German. An old, experienced reconnaissance officer, who had passed the war in the reconnaissance platoon, came and told how sabotage actions were carried out, how they landed. In this case, there is no progress, as such. The principle is the same, just the means change. Yesterday it was with a spear, and today with Vintorez. The principle of ambush does not change.
And an ambush is a creative affair. There are, of course, canons, but the main role is played by the group commander: how his brain works and how far he uses some non-standard approaches to the study of the terrain, the enemy. When, where and how to approach - this is an individual commander to think. In this sense, Afghanistan gave a lot of experience: conducting sabotage and ambushes, much was taken into account and revised — preserving the combat and marching order, where it looks, how it observes, how it moves, at what interval, the observation range, the distance for confident destruction, where further and so on. And this also comes with experience.
What are special methods of promoting a good fighter? Does the group commander somehow encourage his subordinate with his power?
By his authority - only according to our disciplinary regulations. If officially. And if unofficially, then there may be a gift of some kind, for example, or in some way to single out a person morally, psychologically. Here you are still rather weak, you do not reach it, or he does something better than you - take a look. The same is achieved and healthy competition. Sometimes the commander may apply to the higher command - it happens that people are presented with state awards. In most cases, they represent decent people, but anything can happen. That's life.
In a peaceful life, is the affiliation to SPN somehow demonstrated or, conversely, hidden?
I will speak for myself. Well, you serve and serve, do your job, your service, your tasks, devote your life to it. Some ingenious programmer does not walk down the street and does not shout that he is an awesome programmer. So it is with us. But there are, of course, all sorts of muddle ... (laughs).
What do wives and children think about serving a husband and father?
We have completely normal, normal families. Much, of course, depends on how informed the wife. This, of course, is not about service data, which is not transferred to any wives. I don’t tell my wife anything special about how I was cold, wet and sad to crawl somewhere. Returned from a business trip - everyone is happy, great! Well, and so - something can be told, but something does not need to be told at all: as they say - you know less, sleep better!
A special task group is assigned some kind of task, it is determined that it is necessary to spend seven to ten days autonomously. How is the preparation made? How and by whom is it determined what to take with you?
On equipment, in most cases, each intelligence officer makes a decision individually when the commander or senior commander brings to him what approximate direction of the task, how many days they leave. Everyone prepares his own equipment for himself, understanding what he needs for a specified period, and the group commander already exercises direct control. Now the equipment for us is good, before it was weaker. Nevertheless - the fighters are trying to buy some items on their own. They try to keep things warm and light. Basically, so that Gore-Tex (approx. Avt. - here I mean the membrane in general, and not just the products of the specified brand) was. Shine a lot of attention pay. The most important thing is shoes, anyway.
The scout-sniper of the special forces of the airborne forces at the training exit.
What kind of shoes do you choose?
Bertsy, mostly American before, took the firm Crispi. Now there are many others that use modern technologies and materials. We need waterproof, breathable and warm boots for the entire period of the release. During the performance of a combat mission, shoes are not removed at all: you are in it and you sleep. If there is an opportunity, they also buy clothes themselves: jackets, trousers made of membrane material, they do not let the water through and in such clothes it is comfortable in any weather. B snow, for example, you can lie down and not get wet.
Socks use different footcloths too. When there is no membrane footwear, it is possible to use female gaskets in the usual way. They are simply put in the shoes, as an absorbent, sorbent. If there are no good shoes, then ordinary berets use. Before leaving, they are greased with some goose fat, all pores are thoroughly soaked. Just take any fat or even lard and soak so that the shoes become more moisture resistant.
One of the participants of the shooting competition among the staff of special units at a briefing. Those same vaunted American Italian shoes Crispi.
A soldier of one of the units of Special Forces after overcoming a water barrier by swimming. The fighter uses berets from among the most "simple".
Is it necessary to wear all the scouts in the group in the same camouflage?
In most cases, special forces intelligence officers do not particularly adhere to such a rule that everyone is about to go about the same. At least in previous years, when the provision was not very (in the two thousandth, sometime before 2010). Now the supply is quite good and the equipment is good, and therefore the groups often look uniform in appearance. Previously, everyone bought almost everything to himself. So it turned out externally diverse group. By and large, this does not affect the performance of the combat mission. Specification - the group commander and radio operator should not stand out from the crowd. If everything is more or less the same, then visually from the first time it is impossible to determine which of them commands and by whom.
The commander of one of the groups with his deputy clarify the situation. Both are armed with noiseless AS "Val" (Automatic Special).
On the Internet, there are constantly disputes that a certain camouflage pattern is better than another. Are there any observations on this?
The observations are as follows: in mountainous areas, usually “slides” are used, camouflage - in a wooded area. And what kind of a person is he there, “cartoons” or something else, these are disputes, separated from life, so to speak. Anyway, no individual improvements can not do.
The reconnaissance group of the 45 separate Guards Order of the Kutuzov Order of Alexander Nevsky Special Forces Regiment conducts mining of the bridge.
Magic "cartoons" and other camouflage drawings are presented in the range. Especially good fighter in the bushes and defocus.
How well has the current multi-layered uniform of VKBO clothes proved itself?
It seems to me that everything is quite convenient. At least warm if you wear everything according to the instructions. The idea is that if you just stand in this clothes, in everyday life, in everyday life - it is normal. And when you perform the task load is high, you constantly move: mostly in a T-shirt, vest and one jacket. Most often it is still a “hill”: a comfortable, durable thing that is used daily. And we definitely carry a replaceable set of dry clothes with us, so that you can change clothes when people stop or go to bed, are ambushed. In general, when you can take a break, immediately clothes change quickly to dry.
An officer of one of the Special Forces brigades demonstrates the Nikonov 5.45-mm Nikonov automatic rifle of the 1994 model of the year (AN-94 Abakan) in service.
At the serviceman clothes from the VKBO (all-season set of basic uniforms).
Soldiers of the Special Forces brigade before parachute jumps. Most in new form.
Hats with earflaps from VKBO kit. They look unusual, but quite comfortable (according to reviews of the military).
As for non-combat equipment, what they take with them, is there any “approved” minimum?
From food - depending on how many days you go. For example, the output for seven days, so should, in theory, be given seven daily diets (IRP). But more than three and a half no one takes, and then they divide, leaving only the main products to remove excess weight. Every extra kilogram to be borne by yourself. Well, the water is natural. Winter is easier, you can use the snow: melt, boil or add a disinfecting tablet. Without water, nowhere.
The rest is individual: thermomugs, burners. One needs a fashionable burner with a piezoelectric element, the other one strikes matches, the third uses special tablets for heating water and food. Those that are in dry rations, we do not use. One hundred meters it is quite possible to smell the smell of such a burning pill, even more, perhaps.
A special forces unit on a halt. At my request, he opened the package with the IRP (individual diet) and tried to put aside what he would take with him on the task.
It turned out, just to say a little.
Basically, stew and lard stewed in a handful under the name "fit". Everything else has been classified as "luxury."
About food (in terms of IRP and foreign analogs) followed by a separate video.
Is there any minimum of "water supply"?
Two or three "poltorashki" each for the first time, in any way. From my experience I can say: from my subordinates during the task I demand to ensure the minimum flow of water. Three hundred grams of water in the morning (a cup of tea) and the next mug only in the evening. This is also three hundred grams of water. During the movement itself on a task, I categorically forbid drinking water. Maybe, of course, they are somewhere on the sly and tried to drink at the stops, well, this is on their conscience.
It’s not even the case that someone can violate the requirement of the commander. The body, when the load on him is high - is mobilized. Fighters go, go, and here time! water! And the body immediately relaxes. If you drink a hundred, two hundred, three hundred grams of water - the body immediately stops working as it should. That is, he relaxes at all: do not go hunting, or do not want to do something. Therefore, drinking mode is such an important factor, especially when high loads are in progress.
Group SPN makes a long hiking transition.
The group's sniper on the march is also difficult: one must carry, among other things, the SVD sniper rifle and another silent VSS “Vintorez” (special sniper rifle).
Since we all take about the same amount of water, after a few days I myself see how much I have left, and how much the group has. Let's say I have half left, and the people are running out of water: it means they drank without a team. This is an unnecessary problem - you need to look at the map, how to find a place where to get water, if there is such an opportunity. If there is no such place or opportunity, then you have to endure. It happens, for example, for seven days to move from morning to night, to search. And in the evening, for example, when an ambush action is planned or a rest - in the evening you can quench your thirst.
Halt. Here you can quench your thirst and refill flasks with water.
Often one has to do without local water or face poor water quality. This is a common occurrence. With a successful scenario, the river or stream will fit perfectly for drinking, if there is no bottled water with you. It often happens that the task is set for three to four days, and it will last ten days or more. Then the food is over. Periodically we are confronted with the fact that the task is superplannedly extended. Then the snow and even the puddles are quite suitable. We use tablets "Akvatabs" for water purification, which are in rations (IRP). The water after them, of course, nasty and smelly, but it becomes suitable, drinking.
How is water transported? Directly in plastic bottles?
Yes, in simple bottles, "one and a half". Or in the Camelbacks. The weight is conveniently distributed, the system is neat, it does not create noise when it moves. Thing is good.
A Special Forces unit soldier demonstrates his personal camelback type hydrator.
Such a drinking system with a capacity of about 3-x liters allows you to drink on the go.
Have you ever had trouble with poor water? Diarrhea or indigestion?
I can say that this does not happen during a war. In practice, this is a very rare case, because the body is so mobilized to work that it does not take anything. People do not get sick. But they may get sick after returning when they came back. Here the body relaxes, and you can get sick. On the assignment there were isolated instances of someone getting sick with something. Just a high load, the responsibility is quite high. A person is mobilized, the body works to its fullest and takes nothing: neither the disease nor the microbes.
Suppose the group stopped to rest. Does everyone have their own water and food, everyone eats his own or something goes to a common pot?
Everyone eats his own. A group is usually divided into small cells, for three people, for example. Inside the "twos" or "triples" - already as a deal. If someone from the group has eaten all of his own and wanted to eat again, he, of course, will be given, but the corresponding bewilderment will arise: what are you, dear comrade? The same thing with the water situation. It all comes with time, with coherence. The group grinds in, the second or third move and everyone already knows everything.
Any stimulants, energy on tasks are used?
Especially not. I, at least, never used. Is that homemade energy drinks sometimes do when necessary. Well, coffee. Themselves people are preparing high-mountain mixes: chocolate, brandy and lemon. Of the very common - dried fruit, candy. "Snickers" are very nutritious and high-calorie, give a lot of energy and weigh little.
It was the case that “racing” (author's note) meant annual competitions of groups of special forces, officially referred to as all-army competitions of reconnaissance units of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation “Green Trail”) came the stern guys - they ate “sneakers” With mayonnaise. I was just overwhelmed!
The main thing is not what you eat, but what it gives you. Eat something you can, anything, in fact. In mayonnaise, mostly fats, fats - they are “long” and needed for long transitions, and “fast” carbohydrates - on the contrary. If you feel that you can no longer stomp - once! and ate candy. It gives “fast” carbohydrates, everything is quickly absorbed and you are again “briefly” again for a short time.
Gentle, mayonnaise distribution of high-calorie and easily digestible chocolate bars.
Sniper on a halt. The fighter in the background gives rest to his feet, throwing them higher on the backpack.
Intimate question. If the task is such that it is not necessary to "shine" anywhere at all - how is the question of the administration of natural needs organized?
Inside the "two" or "three" this question is solved in the standard way. One observes, one rests, one necessarily covers. He dug a hole, did business in it, buried everything, disguised it, left. To leave no trace behind. Winter in the snow. If you lie and you can not stand up, then lying down. In the package, in the sand, for example. But this is more for snipers who go on the task. In groups there is easier: more people. The task to lie still for days and observe is usually not set.
An officer of one of the Special Forces brigades demonstrates a foreign-made sniper rifle.
Sniper pair moves in search of a place for "lying".
The elder couple gesture makes it clear to the partner - “we go to bed”.
The partner confirms with a gesture - “understood”.
How much staff in the group will be able to replace each other?
The group has a commander, his deputy, a radio operator. These are the main people. In addition to them there are scouts-arrows, scouts, machine-gunners, scouts-doctors. When need is all interchangeable. For example, take the medical scout. He is the same scout as the others, he just knows more about medicine. But if he needs help, the rest will be able to give. Or a machine gunner. He has a life with a machine gun, knows him perfectly, but if there is a need, then the others can take a machine gun and fire. We have enough interchangeable all.
Who is the most difficult job in the group?
The most difficult job is probably a radio operator. Because besides the fact that he carries with him everything the same as an ordinary intelligence officer, he also has to carry a radio station, which also weighs a lot. These are rather narrow specialists; they should know a lot, ranging from the performance characteristics of the radio to the requirements for the place from which to go on the air, and this is quite difficult. In second place is the group commander and his deputy. Heavy and machine gunner: the weight of the machine gun is great, strong guys must be strong. Well, all the others are needed as interconnecting mosaics: each is needed in its own direction.
I will say about my group: we always try to unload the machine gunner as much as possible, it is physically harder for him than others. He has a very large ammunition, carrying two thousand cartridges with him (approx. Avt. - one 7,62 × 54R machine-gun cartridge weighs approximately 25 grams). For one person it is hard. He takes the bulk of the cartridges, and the rest is distributed among his top three. Comrades, if the battle goes on, they will help with the machine gun, they will hand over the cartridges, help out to equip the tape. If one of the group gets tired and just fails, or gets out of strength due to the fact that he is dragging a lot of weight, and the rest are joyful and fun to move lightly - no one will feel good about it. I distribute to everyone a lot and equally so that everyone goes joyful and cheerful.
Each group commander himself decides who is with whom in the top three. This is such a small team that is constantly together on the task, this is such a combat unit. Sometimes the group commander intervenes in the affairs of the troika. For example, when you need to decide who and what to carry beyond what is necessary.
The machine gunner 45 special forces regiment in ambush.
A single 7,62-mm machine gun PKP "Pecheneg". In the Special Forces he began to meet more often than PKM, on the basis of which Pecheneg was created.
Scout-gunner 45 Airborne Regiment with a machine gun "Pecheneg".
The machine-gunner of one of the Special Forces brigades at the firing line. Armed with a Pecheneg machine gun.
Familiarization firing of the RSHG-2 rocket assault grenade with a thermobaric warhead.
The machine gunner of the SPN group covers the forcing of a water barrier by his comrades. Armed with a Pecheneg machine gun.
SWAT at the shooting range. Perhaps the only vivid complaint made by practitioners' gunners against Pechenega is the inconvenience of the positioning of the carrying handle.
Airborne Special Forces Group changes its combat position.
Are there any unofficial circumstances when a fighter asks to transfer him from group to group? It happens?
There is such, but very isolated cases. In a company, for example, a company commander can shuffle people with his power. A group commander will approach, say, and say to the company commander: this comrade does not fit in with his own qualities, you can translate him. But so, basically, the team that is initially - permanent. People go astray, grind each other over time. The composition of the group is constant. If a person, for example, falls ill before an assignment, usually it is not replaced by anyone, the group is not supplemented, it goes to the assignment as part of “minus one”. When they returned to the base - again, people hold together, friendship with families is common.
Is the authority of the group commander important in the process of performing the task?
Is important Authority indisputable!
Medicines. Does everyone have their own individual reserve or one large per group?
Medicaments - an individual first-aid kit for each of them has its own, standard, nothing else. What is now issued, the standard first-aid kit - in it, in principle, has everything you need.
In addition to the standard first-aid kit, the Special Forces soldiers at the competition additionally stocked up with such medicines.
First Aid Kit of a Medic Special Forces Airborne.
What is the most common medical “nuisance” in the course of completing a task?
In my century there was nothing terrible. Feet erase, of course, but if the legs are erased - he is to blame. Either the shoes are not very suitable, or did not take care that it was dry. In principle, nothing terrible and this is not: a couple of exits and legs are “ground”, become callused, rub off, as stone becomes. If a soldier serves in the Special Forces for a long time, then he does not rub anything. If you want your legs to be dry, pick up shoes, prepare shoes before going out. Well, if you don’t want it, then go as you can. If you erased your legs, then the problems of the Sheriff Indians do not care. You still can not get anywhere, you will just go. Of course, if someone rubs his feet and is already a burden for the whole group, no one will say anything good to him. This is also an incentive.
Fighter covers the crossing. Pay attention to the shoes.
He is. Back view. during the pedestrian movement, the legs were apparently sealed with a plaster. Preventively or on the basis of - I do not know.
Are there any common superstitions, omens? How do you feel about religion?
I can not remember about these. There is a tradition. Get together before leaving, sat on the track and go. Regarding religion - it does not matter to me who is a believing fighter or an atheist, it is important that he perform the task set. Believes, does not believe - this is his personal business by and large. If only he was not obsessed with religion so that it harms the service.
What kind of talismans special forces wears?
It happens. Mostly these are Orthodox butts, wearing protective belts. I didn’t notice anything else like that.
He drew attention to some fighters with tattoos. Hot topic?
Now on this score do not pay close attention, but it is better that there are no tattoos. This is an element that, under unfavorable conditions, can play a bad role. This is an extra sign. Especially if they knock out “For Airborne Forces!”, “For Special Forces!” Or something else like that. If something happens, you never know, if you get captured or somewhere else, you can pretend to be in an extreme case with some kind of hose that is incomprehensible. And then you op! No, my friend!
Here the thing is: it is not punishable. But personally, I am negative about tattoos. Not that I antagonize: if you want - if you are even on your forehead, but I don’t have a single one, and I haven’t even gotten a thought. It does not affect life in any way, nor does it accomplish the task. Only unmasks by indirect signs, one of the characteristic and easily remembered elements.
On the sniper's hand visible tattoo.
Perhaps one of the most common tattoos in special forces.
Machine gunner SPN also could not resist a tattoo.
Quite often, the Internet discusses the question about knives, about cold weapon special forces. Some believe that a real intelligence officer creeps silently towards the enemy and sticks a knife in his throat. It happens?
It happens, of course. To the cinema. A knife is a tool for us. For the case described, there is a silent weapon that operates at a distance. Do not crawl anywhere, do not give yourself away. At least, you can always get close to the enemy, from which you can destroy it from the same silent pistols or silent machine guns. However, no matter what anyone says, but crawling imperceptibly towards the person from behind, as in the films they show, is possible. But it is very long and very hard.
If a person is on duty, no matter how disorderly it is, he sensitively distinguishes sounds, especially at night, when they are heard far away. And the rustling movement immediately attracts attention, you can crawl to such a distance, but you will have to crawl a millimeter, and this is a very long time. Now everything is much simpler, the same silent pistol allows you to solve such problems from a distance of ten to fifteen meters.
Airborne Special Forces Scout is armed with an 7.62-mm AKM assault rifle with PBS (Silent Shooting Device).
A Scout demonstrates firing techniques from the PB (Pistol Silent).
Arms of the KGB of the USSR and soldiers of the army reconnaissance and sabotage groups were armed with such pistols.
Sniper SPN on the firing line with PB.
Externally, PB is similar to PM, but it has nothing to do with PM.
Sniper SPN conducts automatic fire from the AU "Val".
Sniper SPN removes the rubber eyecup from a telescopic sight mounted on the BCC "Vintorez".
BCC "Vintorez" allows you to fire bursts.
Scouts at the firing line. Armed with VSS "Vintorez" and AS "Val".
Dream! Automatic silent pistol (APB).
Silent version of the famous gun APS. Which, of course, is also a dream.
Outwardly shaky butt really is durable and surprisingly comfortable.
It is possible to fire from JSA without a silencer.
PSS pistol "Vul".
"Vul" provides silent and flameless shooting at a distance of up to 50 meters.
It shoots almost silently.
The fire from the MSS is a special patron SP-4. The complex PSS-SP-4 provides the maximum degree of muting sound.
Powder gases are cut off inside the liner, which ensures noiseless firing. Ammunition pierces through an army steel helmet at a distance of 25 meters.
LDC. Scout knives shooting: the first and second versions.
The instructor demonstrates scouts firing techniques from a knife. Beautiful phrase turned out.
You can shoot a knife with a scabbard on a blade.
There is no return, the sound of the shot is insignificant.
The shooting of the NRS-2 is conducted by special silent ammunition SP-4.
Do scouts have any knives?
Of course, every scout has his own knife. Open the jar, cut it, strip the wires. If there is a need, of course, you can also defeat with a knife. A good knife is nice. When he does not dull immediately, when he does not need to sharpen for a long time. My opinion - the knife is needed more for domestic needs. Well, just in case, if it really squeezes.
Scout sniper. Armed with VSS "Vintorez" and a shooting knife.
Knife scout can be used for its intended purpose, for example - to throw.
What do you think about colleagues from the number of "probable opponents"? Who is cooler?
I have my own opinion on this matter: it is not a matter of belonging to the SAS or the Israelis, and they have people who are poorly prepared and not prepared, and we have groups of an extraordinary level. Regarding the question “who is cooler?”: In combat situations, none of us encountered “group by group” SAS. And they and we are piece goods. The likelihood that one special forces group will collide with another enemy group ... that means both are worthless (laughs). This seems to me a rare, even unbelievable case for this to happen. Like snipers: two oncoming bullets hit each other. This is not tank battalions came together in hand-to-hand combat!
As for computer modeling on the Internet - who knows what parameters they come from when modeling, how can opponents be assessed? This is the level of “who will fence someone - a whale or an elephant?” It seems to me that everything depends only on the individual training of each fighter and the coherence of the group. And to compare the “coolness”, just looking on the Internet, how they run to the camera there, this, so to speak, is not a very revealing process. They perform some tasks and we do about the same. And how to compare, I do not know. Yes, we are following the "colleagues", no one has canceled open sources. They have nothing radically new in their preparation; there is no anything that would radically differ from us. There are nuances, of course.
In this sense, perhaps, even the experience of the Great Patriotic War will be more useful. We talked with veterans, sometimes we talk with old scouts - grandfathers, who, as they say, went with a knife and a knife to a German. An old, experienced reconnaissance officer, who had passed the war in the reconnaissance platoon, came and told how sabotage actions were carried out, how they landed. In this case, there is no progress, as such. The principle is the same, just the means change. Yesterday it was with a spear, and today with Vintorez. The principle of ambush does not change.
And an ambush is a creative affair. There are, of course, canons, but the main role is played by the group commander: how his brain works and how far he uses some non-standard approaches to the study of the terrain, the enemy. When, where and how to approach - this is an individual commander to think. In this sense, Afghanistan gave a lot of experience: conducting sabotage and ambushes, much was taken into account and revised — preserving the combat and marching order, where it looks, how it observes, how it moves, at what interval, the observation range, the distance for confident destruction, where further and so on. And this also comes with experience.
What are special methods of promoting a good fighter? Does the group commander somehow encourage his subordinate with his power?
By his authority - only according to our disciplinary regulations. If officially. And if unofficially, then there may be a gift of some kind, for example, or in some way to single out a person morally, psychologically. Here you are still rather weak, you do not reach it, or he does something better than you - take a look. The same is achieved and healthy competition. Sometimes the commander may apply to the higher command - it happens that people are presented with state awards. In most cases, they represent decent people, but anything can happen. That's life.
In a peaceful life, is the affiliation to SPN somehow demonstrated or, conversely, hidden?
I will speak for myself. Well, you serve and serve, do your job, your service, your tasks, devote your life to it. Some ingenious programmer does not walk down the street and does not shout that he is an awesome programmer. So it is with us. But there are, of course, all sorts of muddle ... (laughs).
What do wives and children think about serving a husband and father?
We have completely normal, normal families. Much, of course, depends on how informed the wife. This, of course, is not about service data, which is not transferred to any wives. I don’t tell my wife anything special about how I was cold, wet and sad to crawl somewhere. Returned from a business trip - everyone is happy, great! Well, and so - something can be told, but something does not need to be told at all: as they say - you know less, sleep better!
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