NCO Selection and Training Procedures of the Soviet Army.
Abstract
Criticisms of the Soviet NCO-training process in Russian opensource articles display much concern over the lack of quality in this training, the frequent substitution of officers in NCO functionary roles, and dissatisfaction with the initial selection process of candidates for this training. Upon arrival in his assigned unit, the NCO, normally 18-19 years old, has received six months of specialist training. His leadership training supposedly commences with practical work in his assigned unit. In reality, however, officers often give detailed orders to the squad members and use the squad leader to ensure that the orders are carried out. The conscript sergeant's problems are compounded by the fact that he is of the same age and, generally, of similar educational background as many of his squad members and, though he has had six months training, is inexperienced, especially in leadership fundamentals. This paper concludes that Soviet NCOs are inefficiently trained, and ineffectively utilized; therefore, the NCO corps is the weakest link in the Soviet chain of command structure and a distinct liability to future military operations, at least in the opening stages of such operations. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA098467
Entities
People
- Jimmie L. Garrett