Day of motorized rifle troops in Russia is traditionally celebrated on October 1. However, some politicians and the soldiers themselves, who served in motorized rifle troops, are against this date. They want Motor Rifle Day to be rescheduled for August 19th. What is the reason? We’ll try to figure it out.
Russian Motor Rifle Day: a date in history
Where did the official date come from? Was the Day of Motorized Rifle Forces of Russia randomly chosen? The date, it turns out, is historical. On October 1, 1550, Ivan the Terrible created the first regular army of archers. Let's go a little deeper into the story.
A little about the first "motorized rifle"
Sagittarius is the first regular type of troops on land. The sudden raids of the Tatars created the need to have a constant fighting army. In cooperation with the Yamskiy (postal and signal) and guard (constantly monitoring the borders) services, archers were a kind of quick response group. The raids were no longer unexpected, and the small units of the Horde did not cause severe destruction.
But archers are most likely historically a prototype of internal troops rather than motorized rifles. They rarely went abroad. This is due to the fact that they all engaged in agriculture in their free time. Long-term care ravaged their families.
For the first time they used small arms (hence the name "Sagittarius", that is, "shooter") - squealed. Of course, their effectiveness left much to be desired. All fault is a long recharge and constant misfires. However, this weapon perfectly fulfilled its role in a historical event - standing on the Ugra River. Recall that the Russian and Horde armies were on opposite banks of each other for a long time. Ordinary arrows did not reach the archers, but volleys from squeakers inflicted damage on the Horde. Of course, the enemy did not have a lot of losses, but the very fact of the unrequited use of weapons went down in history.
Thus, the ground forces rightly mark October 1 as the day of the creation of the first regular foot troops. But what is the problem then? Why do the servicemen themselves believe that the Day of motorized rifle troops in Russia should be celebrated at another time?
Motorized riflemen do not have their own holiday?
The problem is that on October 1, all types of ground forces celebrate the holiday. In addition to motorized rifle, they include artillery, reconnaissance, tank, engineering, communications troops , etc. All of these branches have their own professional day besides October 1. For example, on September 8, tankers celebrate their professional holiday, and on November 19, gunners. Why is there no Day of motorized rifle troops of Russia? Many consider this state of affairs to be unfair.
What date can I introduce the Day of Motorized Rifle Forces of Russia?
Some politicians want to schedule a professional holiday for motorized rifle troops on August 19. This initiative has long been supported by the soldiers themselves. Some have been celebrating it on August 19 for many years. But why is this date chosen? Let's analyze in more detail.
On this day in 1914, the First Automobile Machine Gun Company of the Russian Empire began to form, on the basis of which the First Armored Division was later formed.
Russia was the first in the world to create a separate division of armored vehicles. Later, the tactics of individual mechanized units and armored forces began to be used (after more than 20 years) during the Second World War.
Recall that motorized rifle today is not just infantry in the understanding of most people. The troops are equipped with modern infantry fighting vehicles, which are capable of destroying heavy tanks and covering the offensive with firepower, as well as mobilely transferring soldiers from one strategic direction to another in off-road conditions.
It is with the creation of the First Machine Gun Company that one can speak not just about a new infantry unit, but about other troops - motorized rifles.
Armored cars with machine guns that delivered soldiers to the battlefield and covered up their tactical actions became the prototype of infantry fighting vehicles.
Of course, in Soviet times it was hard to imagine that the day of a professional army holiday would be chosen on the basis of the history of the ousted “damned” imperial regime. Even the day of the Soviet Army on February 23, most likely, is far-fetched, because special heroic victories and events on this day did not happen.
Therefore, congratulations on the Day of motorized rifle troops of Russia should rightly sound on August 19th. But, despite this, today the holiday is officially celebrated on October 1.
Official clarification
As authorities explain, the fact is that motorized rifle troops are one of the largest army units fighting on land. That is why they should celebrate the designated Ground Forces Day in October. The holiday appeared by presidential decree in 2006.
Now we have precisely answered the question of what date is the day of motorized rifle troops in Russia.
MV today
Today, motorized rifle brigades include various types of troops, which make up a single combat brigade capable of conducting autonomous combat operations for a long time.
These are tank, engineering, reconnaissance troops, artillery, communications, material support units.
They are equipped not only with conventional small arms (machine guns and machine guns), but also with modern missile systems, tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and many other types of weapons.
Troops are able to overcome any distance under any conditions. The latest technology, for example, BMP-2 and BMP-3 are able to force even water obstacles on the move.
The main advantages of motorized rifle troops
The main advantages of MV include:
- High mobility. For example, units can make a maneuver with a sharp strike, and then hold a long defense even in an environment.
- Technical equipment. Modern small arms, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, reconnaissance vehicles, anti-tank, anti-aircraft systems.
Conclusion
Summing up, I would like to hope that the authorities will hear the requests of veterans and motorized infantry soldiers and introduce a separate holiday. They think it's fair to set a date for August 19th. Be that as it may, but today the official holiday Day of Motorized Rifle Forces in Russia falls on October 1.