Educating the Soviet Armed Forces: A Contemporary View

Abstract

In the spring of each year local military selection boards throughout the Soviet Union convene to complete the process of assessing thousands of applications from young aspirants hoping to enter one of the hundred or more Soviet military schools. Merely a fraction will be successful, based on examination results, aptitude, requisite standards of education and physical fitness. In individual privileged cases entry to the military school of one’s choice is assured, thanks to family influence, connections, or patronage from above. The first of September of each year, the day on which the majority of Soviet military schools open their doors to hundreds of new entrants, is probably the most important date in the calendar of the Soviet Armed Forces, marking the birth of a new generation (popolnenie) of future commanders. For the young student (kursant) entry into a Soviet military school signifies the first step towards becoming a member of that elite and privileged caste — the Soviet officer corps. Many students will drop out of the race, however, for a variety of reasons by the time the four to five years course is completed. Successful graduates (vypusnik) are commissioned in the rank of ‘lieutenant’ (leytenant) in their chosen arm of service.