Now you can often find texts about fighters of special forces. In this case, attention is usually paid to the operations that are carried out, and not to the fact due to which they perform tasks that are inaccessible to the majority of people. And this will now be partially corrected.
general information
It should be noted that the topic is large and extensive, therefore it will not work to cover all with one article. It is recommended to use the book “Scout Training: GRU Special Forces System” as a larger database. It is positioned as a teaching aid for the wisdom of this matter. To a greater extent, it is designed for junior officers, warrant officers and sergeants. Although it can be used for military, historical and sports clubs, as well as people who are interested in survival issues and tourism. Speaking about what the book “Training of a Scout: GRU Special Forces System” is, it should be noted that it is focused on reality, and not on some universal template.
About the system briefly
Real military operations have shown that training a high-quality intelligence officer requires good human material (people with higher education are welcome), considerable time and money. Since this is very problematic, it was decided to reduce the cost of the process, and now each fighter has his own training. So, one is a sniper. The other is a demoman. The third is a radio operator, the fourth is a diver in general, and so on. But, despite specialization, each of them has basic training. It is implemented in three interconnected ways. The first is training in a barracks. It involves classes in classrooms, on a scout’s trail, a shooting range, in a physical training camp. The second includes the study of investigative techniques and camouflage, methods of survival and topography, the development of tactical and special actions in the field or training camp. And the third way is to consolidate and improve the acquired skills in competitions.
What else is there?
The intelligence training system also involves the study of special subjects. This is a mine-demolition and shooting business, mountain and parachute landing training, radio communications, methods of express interrogation in the field, driving vehicles, foreign languages, which are the armed forces of a potential enemy and the like. In addition, the fighter must be able to:
- Navigate the terrain, having a compass and a map, and also know the military topography.
- Fly a paraglider, catamaran, motor boat, hang glider, drop a rope from a hovering helicopter and parachute jumps.
- Own methods of reconnaissance: eavesdropping, ambush, surveillance, raid, patrol, security.
- Silently and covertly overcome engineering barriers and natural barriers.
- Possess the skills and abilities to ensure their own life in extreme conditions.
And this is not a complete list.
Small digression
The training of the GRU intelligence officer implies that all of the above is only basic knowledge, skills and abilities. It is difficult to foresee everything that may be required behind enemy lines. In practice, all this knowledge, skills and abilities are distributed among the fighters of the same group. Although ideally they should all know one person. Now let's look at what the scout’s training consists of, in more detail.
Psychophysical training
It involves the implementation of exercises that allow you to develop the human body and at the same time strengthen the mind. This is a set of actions and techniques that are performed in conditions of increased risk (dangers). In this case, the fighter has to train with significant mental and physical stress. For example, the most popular way is to move the exercises to a height. Not just marching on the ground, but moving around a board that is placed at a height of five meters. Or do a somersault on it. You must admit that the average person gets cold from this. All these tests show that the stronger the fighter in mental terms, the better his physical performance. All this is done in order to overcome fear. After all, if you succumb to it, then the body ceases to obey: your head is spinning, your hands are shaking - the person himself becomes powerless.
General physical training
In this case, the emphasis is on the development of general endurance, the acquisition of the ability to lengthy march-throws over rough terrain, improving the skills necessary to overcome obstacles, preparing for hand-to-hand combat. Additionally, resistance to motion sickness, as well as shock overloads carried out on the musculoskeletal system, develops. The education of courage, self-confidence and determination is also not ignored. In addition, attention is paid to mental resistance to great physical exertion. It should be noted that the requirements are rather low, and if desired and everyday training, each month can achieve special forces indicators. So, for example, to perfectly run 3 kilometers, given the time of 12 minutes and 30 seconds. That is, you need to run less than 15 km per hour. Considering that few people find it difficult to develop this speed over a short distance of several hundred meters, the only relevant issue is the increase in distance. Well-trained scouts with equipment can cover a distance of three kilometers in 8-10 minutes.
Close fight
This in modern conditions has largely lost its relevance. Even during the Great Patriotic War , a somehow lengthy battle was something rare. But despite this situation, the training of GRU scouts nevertheless includes hand-to-hand combat. But now edged weapons, improvised means, strangulation and throws are most often used to silently destroy the enemy or capture him. They can also be useful if there was a sudden meeting right at night, among the destroyed buildings, in the forest, underground utilities. Particular attention in the training of the scout is given to the removal of the sentry. But this is not all that is of interest. In addition, the capture is carefully understood. The Great Patriotic War, armed conflicts in Afghanistan and other hot spots showed that there are a large number of ways to achieve the goal. But despite a considerable variety, they possess a number of similar aspects. For example, it is best for the capture to be carried out by at least two people. In addition, it is necessary to rehearse all actions to automatism, so that the process itself resembles a circus trick.
Work with a knife
Speaking of what constitutes training an army reconnaissance for a close battle, it is difficult to ignore edged weapons. The best option in this case is a knife. The sapper blade is not so convenient and not always there. The machine has a frame or folding butt, the store is made of plastic, the bayonet is used very rarely. Therefore, the best option is a knife. It should be noted that the battle with its use is not fencing, which should demonstrate the superiority of the scout over the enemy. The main goal is to prevent the adversary from doing anything. The fight should end immediately after the start, because there is simply no time for more in the close fight. So, if the enemy did not have time to react, then the scout needs to neutralize him in one or two hits. If the battle has begun, then first of all, you should hit the attacking limb, and only then finish off the enemy. High-quality physical training of the scout helps in this. To survive in battle, movements work out to the state of reflex work. Also, attention is paid to protection against knives.
Throwing
First of all, this applies to grenades and knives, although there may be something more exotic. For example, a hatchet. A single reconnaissance training allows you to use these skills to quietly eliminate the enemy at a short distance or to eliminate the group / entrenched fighters. Let's look at everything in order. What is a throwing knife? This is an object that has a well-balanced blade and handle, and the former may even be a little heavier, which increases the efficiency of use at short distances. With it, you can hit the enemy at a distance of up to 10 meters, and the masters of this matter - even at a larger one. Grenades are used to defeat a group of opponents or if it is necessary to act in conditions where they have a significant advantage. For example, they dug in a trench, barricaded themselves in a room, and the like. So, before breaking into the room where the enemy’s fighters are seated, it is recommended to throw a grenade there.
About the scout trail
Now let's pay attention to interesting nuances. Special reconnaissance training involves the use of trails. Physical readiness for combat activity is evaluated based on the effectiveness of the exercises performed on it. In short, it allows you to learn:
- Overcoming the combined arms obstacle course.
- Jump and fall correctly.
- Throw grenades. At the same time, attention is paid to two parameters - accuracy and range. Throwing into the trench, the window of the building, the embrasure, the truck body, the sewer hatch, from behind the shelter and in different positions, are practiced.
- Hand-to-hand combat techniques.
- Throwing a knife and sapper blade.
On the scout’s trail, you can find stone and wooden fences, brick walls (breaks are attached), dilapidated buildings, wire fences, high-altitude crossings, a section of the railway, a water supply and sewer network, inclined stairs, ditches with water, stuffed sentries, telephone and electric lines and much more. At the same time, the skills of silently covert movement with equipment and weapons, overcoming complex obstacles, actions in trenches, destroyed buildings are being worked out. Additionally, fires, battle noises, various traps (for example, mines) can be simulated.
What do scouts learn during preparation?
Now, let's go over the information that they are studying. First of all, it is necessary to mention the base camp. The general moments of choosing a reference location, as well as various nuances in different latitudes and natural conditions: the middle lane, mountains and so on are considered. In addition, attention is paid to ensuring the security of databases. Then follows the movement of scouts behind enemy lines. Attention is paid to the organization of this process, methods of moving and overcoming obstacles, ensuring secrecy, the nuances of the night part of the day, methods of signaling and transmitting information (by gestures, imitating the voice of animals and birds). Also considered is the situation with swamps, harsh winters, taiga, mountainous areas, a village, underground utilities, avoiding pursuers with dogs. Someone may be injured, so the transportation of people in a limited state is also being studied.
Conclusion
Scout training is not an easy task. Just look at how much text is needed to describe this case. But in order to get a pretty good result, you should spend even more time. Full-fledged preparation will take months, and if you strive for the ideal, then generally years of time. Although the road will be overpowered by the walking one. If there is a desire to carry out personal training as scouts, well, to organize this is quite possible. Fortunately, this information is not confidential, and you can both learn the details of the preparation and look at the photos and videos from the trainings in order to have an idea of what and how.