The first military special forces units were created back in 1764 at the suggestions of A. Suvorov, M. Kutuzov, P. Panin. These units were called jaegers. The soldiers engaged in tactical exercises, conducted military operations in the mountains, carried out ambushes, raids.
How did it all start?
In 1811, the Separate Corps of the Internal Guard was created, which was engaged in the protection and restoration of order within the state. In 1817, thanks to the actions of Alexander I, a fast response detachment of horse gendarmes was opened. The year 1842 was marked by the emergence of battalions of plastuns from the Cossacks, who, through their fighting, trained many generations of the future special forces.
Special Forces in the 20th Century
The twentieth century began with the creation of the People's Commissariat for Military Affairs - GUGSH (General Directorate of the General Staff). In 1918, intelligence and special forces units were formed with the subordination of the Cheka. In the 30s, airborne assault and sabotage squads were created.
Serious tasks were set for the new special forces: reconnaissance, sabotage, the fight against terror, disruption of communications, energy supply, transport, and much more. Of course, the fighters were supplied with the best uniforms and new equipment. Serious preparation was conducted, individual programs were used. Special Forces was classified.
In 1953, there were massive contractions of the mouth. And only after 4 years 5 separate special-purpose companies were created, to which in 1962 the remains of the old ones joined. In 1968, professional intelligence began to be trained, and then, by the way, the well-known company number 9 appeared. Gradually, the special forces turned into a powerful force defending their state.
The Main Intelligence Directorate today
Now the GRU is a special body of foreign intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the purpose of which is to provide intelligence information, the necessary conditions for the implementation of a successful policy, as well as help in the economic, military-technical development of the Russian Federation.
The GRU consists of 13 main departments, as well as 8 auxiliary. The first, second, third and fourth main departments deal with issues of interaction with different countries. The Fifth Directorate is an operational intelligence point. The sixth division is engaged in radio intelligence. The seventh unit addresses issues with NATO. The remaining six divisions of the GRU are engaged in sabotage, the development of military technologies, the management of the military economy, strategic doctrines, nuclear weapons and information warfare. Also, as part of the intelligence department, there are two research institutes located in Moscow.
Special Forces Brigades
The GRU special forces brigades are considered the most trained units in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. In 1962, the first GRU special forces detachment was formed, whose tasks included the destruction of nuclear missiles and deep reconnaissance.
The second separate brigade was formed in the period from September 1962 to March 1963 in the city of Pskov. The composition successfully participated in the exercises "Horizon-74" and "Ocean-70" and in many others. The commandos of the second brigade were the first to take part in the airborne training “Dozor-86”, and passed the Afghan and Chechen wars. One of the detachments took part in the settlement of the conflict in South Ossetia from 2008 to 2009. Permanent place of deployment - Pskov and Murmansk region.
In 1966, the 3rd Guards Separate GRU Special Forces Brigade was created. The squad participated in battles in Tajikistan, in the Chechen wars, in Afghanistan, and in a peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. Since 2010, the team has been located in the military town of Togliatti.
In the city of Old Crimea in 1962, the 10th GRU special forces brigade was formed. The military took part in the Chechen wars, in the 2008 Georgian-Ossetian conflict. In 2011, the brigade was awarded the state award for services to the development and conduct of military operations. Location - Krasnodar Territory.
The 14th brigade, which was created in 1963, is located in the Khabarovsk Territory . The personnel were repeatedly thanked for the excellent conduct of the exercises, for participating in the hostilities in Afghanistan, the Chechen wars.
The 16th GRU Special Forces Brigade was formed in 1963. In 1972, its composition participated in extinguishing fires in the Central Black Earth Zone, for which it was awarded the Certificate of Honor of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the RSFSR. In 1992, the brigade detachment was engaged in the protection of state facilities in Tajikistan. The 16th Special Forces brigade participated in the Chechen wars, peacekeeping operations in Kosovo, and performed demonstrations in Jordan and Slovakia. The place of deployment is the city of Tambov.
The year 1976 was marked by the appearance of the 22nd guards separate GRU special forces brigade. Location is Rostov region. The composition participated in the Chechen and Afghan wars, in the Baku events of 1989, in the settlement of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.
In the Chita region in 1977, the 24th separate brigade was formed. Special forces participated in the Chechen war, several troops fought in Afghanistan. By orders of the heads of the Soviet Union in the 80-90s. the team carried out secret operations in hot spots. At the moment, the composition is located in the city of Novosibirsk.
In 1984, on the basis of the 791st company, the 67th separate spetsnaz brigade was created. The personnel participated in hostilities in Chechnya, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Karabakh. Previously, the unit was located in Kemerovo, Novosibirsk, Barnaul, now they are talking about its disbandment.
Special Forces of the GRU of Russia. Primary selection
How to get into the GRU? Special Forces is the dream of many boys. Artful, fearless warriors, it would seem, capable of anything. Let's face it, joining a special forces unit is difficult, but possible.
The main condition for the possibility of considering a candidate is military service. Then begins the series of selections. Mostly officers and ensigns are taken to the GRU special forces of the Russian Federation. An officer is required to have a college degree. Recommendations from reputable employees are also needed. It is advisable for the candidate to be no older than 28 years old and have a height of at least 175 cm. But there are always exceptions. As for physical training, the quality of its implementation is monitored strictly, rest is minimized.
Basic requirements for the physical preparation of the applicant
The physical standards that must be passed successfully are as follows:
- 3 km run in 10 minutes.
- Hours in 12 seconds.
- Pulling on the bar - 25 times.
- Press exercises - 90 times in 2 minutes.
- Push-ups - 90 times.
- A set of exercises: press, push-ups, jumping up from a crouching position, moving from one stop to another, sitting down and lying down. Each individual exercise is done 15 times in 10 seconds. The complex is performed 7 times.
- Hand-to-hand combat.
In addition to passing the standards, work is being done with a psychologist, a full medical examination, a study on a “lie detector”. Be sure to check all relatives, in addition, parents will need to get written consent to the service of the candidate. So how to get into the GRU (special forces)? The answer is simple - you need to prepare from childhood. Sport must firmly enter the life of the future fighter.
I'm in the special forces. What awaits me? Psychological side
From the first day, the soldier is told in every possible way that he is the best. As coaches say, this is the most important point. In the barracks themselves, fighters often arrange tacit checks of each other, which helps to always be on alert.
To strengthen the spirit and form the character of a rookie, they teach hand-to-hand combat. Periodically, they put him into battle against a stronger opponent, in order to teach him to fight even with an obviously knowingly superior opponent in training. Also, soldiers are taught to fight using all kinds of improvised means, up to a tightly folded newspaper. Only after the warrior has mastered such materials, he trains on shock equipment.
Once every six months, fighters are checked for readiness for further service. The soldier is left without food for a week. Warriors are in constant motion, they are not allowed to sleep all the time. Thus, many fighters drop out.
Physical side of the service
The warrior trains every day, without days off and holidays. Every day you need to run 10 km in less than an hour, and with additional weight on your shoulders (about 50 kg).
Upon arrival, a 40-minute lap is performed. This includes push-ups on fingers, fists and jumping up from a sitting position. Basically, each exercise is repeated 20-30 times. At the end of each cycle, the fighter shakes the press at most times. Hand-to-hand combat training takes place every day. Strikes are worked out, dexterity, endurance is brought up. The preparation of the GRU special forces is a serious, hard work.
Special Forces Outfit
The form of the GRU special forces has different types, to match the ongoing tasks. At the moment, important parts of the soldier’s “wardrobe” include unloading vests and belts, as well as belt and shoulder systems. Functional vests include several types of gear pouches. The belt can be adjusted in volume; a synthetic insert is used to increase its strength. The shoulder and shoulder system includes straps and straps that are designed to distribute the load between the hip joint and shoulders. Of course, all this unloading system comes in addition to everyday uniforms and body armor.
How to get into the GRU (special forces)?
Only guys with excellent health and excellent physical fitness get into special forces. A good aid to the conscript will be the presence of the mark "Fit for Airborne." Some fighters with experience on the question: "How to get into the GRU (special forces)?" They answer that you need to go to the nearest Intelligence Agency and declare yourself.
For officers, general military training is conducted at the Novosibirsk Higher Military Command School, and special training takes place at the Military Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. The Academy includes postgraduate studies and higher academic courses. Higher education is a mandatory requirement for inclusion in the ranks of officers.