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Russian Special Forces: trials not everyone will endure

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On October 24, Russia’s security-related agencies celebrate their professional holiday.

On October 24, Russia’s security-related agencies celebrate their professional holiday. When we talk about the Special Forces (commandos), we typically call to mind the well-known Latin phrase: “Mens sana in corpore sano.” 

© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Vyatkin / Go to the mediabankOn October 24, Russia’s security-related agencies celebrate their professional holiday. When we talk about the Special Forces (commandos), we typically call to mind the well-known Latin phrase: “Mens sana in corpore sano.”
Russian Special Forces: trials not everyone will endure  - Sputnik International
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On October 24, Russia’s security-related agencies celebrate their professional holiday. When we talk about the Special Forces (commandos), we typically call to mind the well-known Latin phrase: “Mens sana in corpore sano.”
© RIA Novosti . Mikhail Fomichev / Go to the mediabankThe desire to join is not enough. You need both physical strength and mental resilience.
Russian Special Forces: trials not everyone will endure  - Sputnik International
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The desire to join is not enough. You need both physical strength and mental resilience.
© RIA Novosti . Valeriy Titievskiy / Go to the mediabankA future commando’s typical working day begins at 6:50 a.m., with tidying up. There is a set list of jobs to do: making the bed, sweeping and mopping the floor. Then there’s a 2 to 4 km run, warm-up exercises followed by push-ups and the parallel bars. Basically, you keep going until you are completely exhausted: gasping and wheezing.
Russian Special Forces: trials not everyone will endure  - Sputnik International
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A future commando’s typical working day begins at 6:50 a.m., with tidying up. There is a set list of jobs to do: making the bed, sweeping and mopping the floor. Then there’s a 2 to 4 km run, warm-up exercises followed by push-ups and the parallel bars. Basically, you keep going until you are completely exhausted: gasping and wheezing.
© RIA Novosti . Andrey Rudakov / Go to the mediabankNext come showers and the long-awaited breakfast. Untouched dishes are unlikely to be seen at the end of the meal: every last scrap is eaten. “They stuff us with food, the only thing we don’t get enough of is dessert or sweets,” says one commando.
Russian Special Forces: trials not everyone will endure  - Sputnik International
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Next come showers and the long-awaited breakfast. Untouched dishes are unlikely to be seen at the end of the meal: every last scrap is eaten. “They stuff us with food, the only thing we don’t get enough of is dessert or sweets,” says one commando.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Vyatkin / Go to the mediabankTheir hefty breakfast is followed by a “duty parade.” Officers assign tasks and then classes and physical training begin. In addition to sports, these commandos study manuals, other countries’ armies, as well as undergoing special tactical and sniper training. Classes only break for lunch at 3:00 p.m., and then it’s back to simulator training and textbooks.
Russian Special Forces: trials not everyone will endure  - Sputnik International
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Their hefty breakfast is followed by a “duty parade.” Officers assign tasks and then classes and physical training begin. In addition to sports, these commandos study manuals, other countries’ armies, as well as undergoing special tactical and sniper training. Classes only break for lunch at 3:00 p.m., and then it’s back to simulator training and textbooks.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Vyatkin / Go to the mediabankCommandos sum up their mission as “Seize. Reconnoiter. Destroy.” But far from everyone is able to withstand such schooling.
Russian Special Forces: trials not everyone will endure  - Sputnik International
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Commandos sum up their mission as “Seize. Reconnoiter. Destroy.” But far from everyone is able to withstand such schooling.
© RIA Novosti . Valeriy Titievskiy / Go to the mediabankBefore joining the elite ranks of the security agencies, one has to undergo a range of tests.
Russian Special Forces: trials not everyone will endure  - Sputnik International
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Before joining the elite ranks of the security agencies, one has to undergo a range of tests.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Kudenko / Go to the mediabankFirst comes physical training. If a candidate is good at sports, his chances are significantly improved.
Russian Special Forces: trials not everyone will endure  - Sputnik International
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First comes physical training. If a candidate is good at sports, his chances are significantly improved.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Kudenko / Go to the mediabankIt does not matter whether it is parachute jumping or canoeing. Stamina and endurance are key. An excellent grade, for example, is only given if the candidate can cover no less than 2.8 km in 12 minutes.
Russian Special Forces: trials not everyone will endure  - Sputnik International
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It does not matter whether it is parachute jumping or canoeing. Stamina and endurance are key. An excellent grade, for example, is only given if the candidate can cover no less than 2.8 km in 12 minutes.
© RIA Novosti . Mikhail Fomichev / Go to the mediabankThe next stage involves testing candidates’ physical strength and includes a whole set of exercises: push-ups, leg-raises, and squats.
Russian Special Forces: trials not everyone will endure  - Sputnik International
10/15
The next stage involves testing candidates’ physical strength and includes a whole set of exercises: push-ups, leg-raises, and squats.
© RIA Novosti . Alexey Kudenko / Go to the mediabankBut being in good physical shape is far from the complete formula of success. A soldier’s psychology is equally important. His desire to serve in the Special Forces, his intelligence, and his ability to find common ground with his peers are also taken into account.
Russian Special Forces: trials not everyone will endure  - Sputnik International
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But being in good physical shape is far from the complete formula of success. A soldier’s psychology is equally important. His desire to serve in the Special Forces, his intelligence, and his ability to find common ground with his peers are also taken into account.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Vyatkin / Go to the mediabankThe scarlet beret is one of the Special Forces’ main symbols and is something every man dreams of possessing. For most it remains a dream. It needs to be earned.
Russian Special Forces: trials not everyone will endure  - Sputnik International
12/15
The scarlet beret is one of the Special Forces’ main symbols and is something every man dreams of possessing. For most it remains a dream. It needs to be earned.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Vyatkin / Go to the mediabankThe right to wear the much sought-after scarlet beret is won by undergoing a series of tests.
Russian Special Forces: trials not everyone will endure  - Sputnik International
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The right to wear the much sought-after scarlet beret is won by undergoing a series of tests.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Vyatkin / Go to the mediabankThe basic tests can be performed in a day and include a quick march (no less than 10 km), clearing many obstacles under extreme conditions, acrobatics, and hand-to-hand combat.
Russian Special Forces: trials not everyone will endure  - Sputnik International
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The basic tests can be performed in a day and include a quick march (no less than 10 km), clearing many obstacles under extreme conditions, acrobatics, and hand-to-hand combat.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Vyatkin / Go to the mediabankYour overall score has to be at least four points.
Russian Special Forces: trials not everyone will endure  - Sputnik International
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Your overall score has to be at least four points.
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