Page:Fm100-2-3 - The Soviet Army, Troops, Organization, and Equipment.pdf/13

FM 100-2-3

I, (name), a citizen of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, by joining the ranks of the armed forces; take an oath and solemnly swear to be an upright, brave, disciplined, vigilant soldier, to strictly preserve military and government secrets, and to execute without,contradiction, all military tegulations and orders of commanders and supetiors. Iswear to learn conscientiously the trade of war, to protect with all means the military and peoples' property, and to be devoted to my people, my Soviet homeland, and the Soviet Government to my last breath. I will always be ready to report, by order of the Soviet Government, as a soldier of the armed forces forthe defense of my homeland, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. I swear to defend it bravely and wisely with all my strength and in honor, without sparing my blood and without regard for my life to achieve a complete victory over the enemy. Should I break my solemn oath, may severe penalties of the Soviet Law, the overall hatred, and the contempt of the working masses strike me.

An individual who must remain at home to support or care for his family may qualify for a deferment due to family circumstances. The 1967 law set specific criteria for this category. The military commissariat can defer draftees up to 27 years of age.

Military commissariats can also defer full-time students at universities, in high schools (for students up to age 20), and in technical institutions (until graduation). They can also defer students studying in reserve officer training programs at technical institutions Draftees who receive educational deferments face call-up for active duty before they turn 27.

Officers for the Soviet armed forces enter the service from several sources. The largest number are commissioned upon graduation from military colleges. There are at least 143 military colleges, with average enrollments of 1,000, serving all branches of the armed forces. Besides commissions, graduates receive technical degrees from three-year schools and engineering degree' from schools whose programs can last up to five years.

The Soviets also conduct programs similar to the US ROTC in their universities. These programs give training in subjects of military value and provide the Soviets with a large number of reserve officers. Military training for the duration of the civilian curriculum leads to a reserve commission, but only infrequently does it lead to active duty. Reserve officer graduates of this program remain liable for active duty call-up until age 30; they may face up to three years of service.

A third source of officer recruitment is the rank and file of soldiers and sailors. Upon completion of their active duty service, conscripts who have a secondary or higher education can earn a lieutenant's commission in the reserves by passing a commissioning examination. Warrant officers, too, can use the commissioning examination as a route to active duty officer rank; they can also receive a direct commission after ten years of active service

Approximately 500,000 officers are on active duty in the Soviet armed forces at any given time. Three to five thousand of these officers are generals and admirals. Nearly 90 percent of Soviet officers belong to the Communist Party or to the Komsomal. Seven percent of the members of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) Central Committee are military officers.

In January 1972, the Soviets created the warrant officer ranks of praporshchik (army) and michman (navy). This action was an attempt to give the career NCO more incentive, to eliminate the extended service conscript (though this action was later rescinded), and to improve the quality of small unit leadership. Conscripts completing their service obligations and desiring to remain on active duty may apply for these positions if they possess the tequired education, demonstrated ability, and political reliability. The initial term of service for a warttant officer is five years.

These warrant officers serve in close contact with the soldiers and occupy positions as first sergeants, sergeants major, and technical specialists. Although the Soviet press publicizes them as the closest assistants to the officers, the warrant officer ranks are apparently less popular than anticipated. To date, this new program has received too few qualified applicants. The Law of Military Service permits a warrant officer to take an examination to become a lieutenant after five years; after ten years, he may be certified as an officer if he is serving in an officer's position.