Diary of a Russian soldier - страница 8

By the way, I haven't written before. But when we arrived at the unit, the old-timers came up to us and asked how we would live? By statute or by hazing. They said that if according to the charter, then they will fuck us up with this charter. And if it's hazing, it'll be easier. But we must do everything for them, of course, observe all the traditions associated with hazing, if they recruit people for some kind of work, then we must always be volunteers. If the sergeant is not a "pologen" and not an "elephant", then he has the same rights as you and he cannot order you to do something. Like my squad leader Gena, for example. He is a sergeant, but he was not transferred and he remained a spirit. But if a soldier is an elephant or a canopy and at the same time he is a private, then he is higher in rank than you and you must obey him. Even in the store, we can only buy ice cream and water, in winter, as now you can halva. There is a huge ban on coffee and instant noodles.

I didn't want to live by hazing, but I was the only one who disagreed, and I realized if I refused, then I was fucked.

January 7.

Sunday, we sit in the auditorium and watch a movie on the big TV. Later, I sewed up my clothes, washed my work uniform. I managed to eat 2 servings for dinner. I love army rolls with butter.

January 8th.

The morning was quite ordinary, the exercise went well. We worked all day at the sawmill, shifting logs from place to place. Unfortunately, there is no heating here and you need to prepare firewood yourself… It is a very tedious and difficult task and a regular one. In the evening, Vova gave his shaving foam “nivea man" a try. There's really no irritation from her, the guy didn't lie. Very cool. There is no burning sensation at all and 0% alcohol. But mine even burned him.. Lights out at last.

January 9th.

Today we went to the hospital for a second examination by a psychiatrist. When I got on the bus, nostalgia flooded in, the civilized world seemed so unusual. Similar roads and a bridge similar to my city. In the army, you begin to appreciate freedom in a way that you didn't appreciate before. There was a cafe in the hospital and we went to it. I bought myself waffles, despite the fact that it is forbidden to buy them and coffee too. It's cool in the hospital.

January 10th.

Today, in physical education, I was called out of action and sent to carry windows and help install them. While waiting for the car with windows, I managed to go and call my dad and wife. It's hard for Mom to get through, she doesn't hear the calls at work. When I lifted the glass, it was rubberized around the edges, but I managed to cut my finger. The little finger was pierced through, not much, but there was a lot of blood. By the time I reached the medical point, all my hands were covered in blood. Probably got into a vein. They bandaged it and told me to come for a dressing for 3 days.

I rarely write this, but Sveta, mom, dad and brother, if you read this.. I love you. I hope I've cheered you up.

January 11th.

Me today. And a couple more people were taken to work. Let's go to the training ground. We sat in the car for a long time, chatted about nonsense and froze. After that, we went to look for some kind of tent to assemble it and take it to the unit. We walked, as it seemed to me, for about a kilometer. It was terribly cold there. Shooting was carried out at the training ground. Our tent was occupied by other units, covered with a camouflage net, and an oven was being heated. Our foreman, who brought us, called the battalion commander and received instructions to go back. Along the way, they threw out some old wheels and took a water tank for field exercises. They just froze very, very, very much. Since the work uniform is issued to the unit one for 5 generations of soldiers and when the fifth person uses it, it is thrown out. So, we were unlucky, we are the fifth. This form will be thrown out after us. Over the years, it has become all torn, peeling, it no longer has any feathers inside, it is very thin and cold, but it is designed for winter. There are no other clothes.