She cried, but continued to run: Altai lyceum students passed on olive berets

army training

“Equal! Attention!” – commands harshly special forces officer Sergei Gapanchuk. Tall, stately, broad-shouldered, he seems to have been born to serve in a special unit. Sergei says that even at school he began to go to the military-patriotic club “Young Spetsnaz”, once created on the basis of the “Legion” by the head of the special forces of the Federal Penitentiary Service Alexei Kurenkov.

“That’s the only reason I got into the department. They brought me up themselves, sent me to the army, weaned me and arranged for service, ”the interlocutor shares. He has been in the special forces for almost 20 years. He heads the assault department and oversees military-patriotic work with the younger generation. “This direction is very close to me. After all, in these guys I see myself young, ”Sergey admits.

Under its wing, the special forces of the Federal Penitentiary Service take 10th and 11th grade students of the military sports classes of the Altai Regional Pedagogical Lyceum. During the year, special forces soldiers conduct classes with lyceum students, go to the lyceum themselves or invite children to the department.

“The specifics of the classes are aimed at training career officers. We train drill, combat, tactical, fire, engineering and physical training. In simple words, this is the assembly and disassembly of weapons, shooting, tactical movements in twos, threes, as part of units, practicing repelling attacks from different directions. Children learn the drill charter. Information is absorbed like a sponge. It’s nice to see their interest, ”says the commando.

Three times a year, training camps are held with the children at the Fadeev Log health-improving and tourist camp in the beautiful village of Altaisky. The daily routine at the training camp is clearly defined. At 7.00 rise, 3-kilometer cross and exercise. Then the guys have personal time and breakfast. Next – combat training and divorce for classes. After lunch, they take an hour to rest, and again four hours of classes. Then dinner, the preparation of wall newspapers and the time of mass events – creative or sports. At 21.30 evening walk – a march with patriotic songs. And every day the guys learn a new song. Evening check and lights out.

“Guys wear outfits. Carry out the duties of an attendant and day clerk. We work out with them the actions of the reserve group in the event of an attack on the object. In a word, everything is like in the army,” says Sergey Gapanchuk.

The strongest have come to the finish line

Only 11th grade students are allowed to take the test for the right to wear olive berets. Previously, the guys pass the necessary standards for physical fitness. The first delivery takes place during the summer training camp. Those who have left the race can test themselves again – already at the autumn training camp. Together with them, those who were not previously admitted for some reason are also handed over.

First, the guys go through an eight-kilometer forced march with the development of various introductory and physical exercises. Then they overcome an obstacle course, shoot from an air rifle, perform acrobatic exercises and pass combat fighting techniques. For guys, the final stage is hand-to-hand combat – three rounds of three minutes each with different opponents.

“It’s hard both physically and mentally. Having only a good physical shape, one does not pass on the beret. The same athlete, having run the required distance, can pass when he needs to tumble in the mud or crawl somewhere with the last of his strength. At the stages, the children turn on moral and volitional qualities. They are pulling them to the cherished beret, ”says Sergey Dmitrievich.

This time, two guys came forward. Together with them, their classmates stood up. They supported the guys at all stages. A total of 11 people started, six came to the finish line. One of the surrendering guys could not master the forced march – an old injury made itself felt. Second – volleyball player and powerlifter Vitaly Grechishkin – reached the end. He says that the most difficult thing for him was running in a gas mask. And in the last three minutes of sparring, I thought: “I would rather end it, and go to a warm bath.”

Together with him, one lyceum student overcame all the tests – biathlete Maria Beloborodova. She says that she did not believe in her strength, and therefore did not apply for surrender. But still she was able to go through this difficult path to the olive beret.

“I ran, I ran, I cried, but I kept running. I knew that I couldn’t give up. The legs moved on their own. It was mentally difficult. Thoughts came up: “Why do we need this at all?” I just brushed them aside. And the cold and dirt, on the contrary, cheered me up. We were all so grimy, ”Maria recalls with a smile.

Trying on the cherished berets

The olive beret, although it does not give any benefits to children, however, such an element of uniform uniform is of great importance to them. “We proved that we can, that we are not like everyone else,” the guys say with one voice.

Receiving a beret from the hands of a mentor, Maria could not hold back her tears of joy. “I serve Russia and special forces!” – Putting on his beret, Vitaly said proudly. Sergei Gapanchuk congratulated and shook hands with the strongest on that day. He urged the “ten” who stood at the formation like ruffled sparrows to look up to their senior comrades and confidently go towards their goal.

“It’s nice to see the fruits of your labor. When our pupils enter departmental universities of power and law enforcement agencies, military schools. There, our guys are head and shoulders above fellow students. After all, in two years they go through such a school! Some are immediately placed as squad leaders. There are also those who now serve in the units of the penal system of the Altai Territory and other regions. At the meeting, yes, of course, they thank you, ”summed up Sergey.

When all the berets were handed over, and the delicious dinner was eaten, the guys told me one secret about their mentor.

“At first we were all afraid of him,” Vitaly admitted. – He opened up at the summer training camp. And he turned out to be so sincere.” He looks serious and stern. “In fact, Sergei Dmitrievich is a kind-hearted person. Today I said that I’m smart. He is a very good teacher,” Maria added.