Tag Archives | Russian Military

Day of the Defenders of the Fatherland/День защитника Отечества: A Hymn To Him

By on 24/02/2011

In Russia, they are still teaching Home Ec to the girls and Shop to the boys, with no reform in sight – and certainly not regarding the impending gender-specific public holidays.

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Day of the Ground Forces of the RF/День сухопутных войск РФ: It’ll Make A Man Out of You.

By on 01/10/2010

The term of mandatory military service in Russia was recently reduced from two years to 12 months, which didn’t noticeably swell the ranks. Conscription remains for many young men a brutal first step in to the world of adulthood. I can’t think the food is up to much either.

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Day of Russian Guards Regiments/День российской гвардии: Boyhood Games to Military Might

By on 02/09/2010

In the Putin era, the Guards are brought out of retirement, dusted off, and put to work again for the greater glory of Russia’s new empire: along with double-headed eagles, the Orthodox Church, money, and good old Russian excess.

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Day of the Paratroopers/День воздушно-десантных войск (День ВДВ): Cool Men Cooling Off

By on 02/08/2010

Three marriage proposals, eight invitations to drink beer, and encouragement to hop in the fountain with men who jump out of parachutes into war zones for a living. I’m having a blast in Gorky Park!

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Day of the Army Automobile Corps/День военного автомобилиста: The Right of Way

By on 29/05/2010

The disturbing fusion of not-the-brightest-men-God-ever-put-on-the-planet, and way too much horsepower, turns driving into a primeval contact sport in Moscow, with its own very specific playbook.

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