Physical Qualities as a Basis of Professional Readiness of Servicemen

Фотографии: 

ˑ: 

V.P. Sorokin, professor, Dr.Hab.
A.M. Androsov
Military Institute of Physical Culture, St. Petersburg

Key words: physical training, physical exercises, professionally important physical qualities, military specialists, training centers.

Relevance. The experience of combat and peacekeeping operations in various parts of the world shows that despite the development of scientific-technical progress, automation of military labor, use of radio-controlled equipment, high skill level of military personnel, the ability to quickly and correctly make decisions in extreme situations, the ability to use military equipment and the ability to endure long-term mental and physical stresses remain the major success factors in armed conflicts.

At the same time in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation against the background of shortened training terms for military specialists the volume of curricula on the disciplines of combat (occupational) training [1] is increased, as well as the requirements to the level of development of professionally important qualities of military specialists, that are crucial in constantly changing conditions, development of weaponry and military equipment.

The goal of the study was to examine the relationship between the level of development of professionally important qualities and the degree of mastering of training programs in the specialty, as well as to detect impediments to qualitative formation of a military specialist. The solution of the set goal will provide high combat readiness of the Russian Armed Forces.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of existing training systems for junior specialists in training centers of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

Methods. The research methods included analysis of the Russian Defense Ministry guidance documents, data about the level of development of physical qualities of military specialists related with the progress in mastering training programs, analysis of theses and research works carried out in the Russian Armed Forces and statistical analysis.

Results and discussion.

At military boot camps physical training is a constitutional part of the educational process and is intended to maintain high physical performance of recruits throughout the years of training, to ensure their overall physical development and education.

Scholars [2,3,4,5] have revealed in their numerous studies the relationship between the development of physical qualities and the ability of recruits (cadets) of training units (universities) to master training programs: better developed professionally important physical qualities contribute to higher results obtained by servicemen during specialized training, better assimilation of the military profession and higher a degree of combat readiness of the Russian Armed forces.

However, factors that prevent the effective absorption of the training program, which reduces the state of readiness of the Russian Armed forces, were identified.

Currently, physical training in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is organized and conducted in accordance with the Regulation on physical training in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (NFP-2009). In accordance with the Regulation servicemen are divided into several age groups and into only 3 categories - by occupation, stipulated by the corps servicemen serve in, for training and testing of their physical fitness.

The requirements to physical fitness of servicemen of the category 1 are the highest. When referred to this category a serviceman is evaluated by the results of 5 groups of exercises (agility, strength, speed, endurance and applied military skills).

The requirements to physical fitness of servicemen of the category 2 are lower than those for the category 1. When referred to category 2 a serviceman is evaluated by the results of 4 groups of exercises (agility, strength, speed, endurance).

Servicemen referred to the category 3 must meet minimal requirements and they are evaluated by the results of 3 exercises (strength, speed and endurance).

Currently there are more than two thousand military specialties in the Russian Armed Forces. Training in military occupational specialties is carried out in the territorial training centers, as well as in armed services and arms training centers. Training center - is a military unit in which recruits are trained for certain military specialties for further military service. The training lasts 4 months, which is 33.3 % of the draftee’s time of service. At the same time, according to the NFP-2009 cadets are trained in accordance with the requirements for the category 3, regardless of armed services or corps they are trained to serve in. As a result, the level of development of basic physical qualities of graduates of military units is inconsistent with the requirements of combat units.

Analysis of military occupational specialties reveals both specialties that are similar in terms of physical activity demands and nature of professional activity and absolutely different specialties. Some similar military occupational specialties can be found in various corps of the RF Armed Forces and units with different military requirements to the level of physical fitness in accordance with NFP - 2009. For example, the "driver" specialty can be found in every branch of the Russian Armed Forces. Nature of the activity is the same for all units regardless of affiliation, but the requirements for the level of development of physical qualities are different based on the affiliation (combat arms) of the Armed Forces.

As seen from the findings, the level of basic physical qualities of recruits is significantly lower than required for them to successfully master a military specialty within 4 months (Tab.1).

This is confirmed by the average results of the development of the basic physical qualities of draftees of the branch district training center, where our research was carried out.

Table 1. The level of development of basic physical qualities of draftees of the District Training Centre (case study of one of the companies)

Exercises

Actual level of physical fitness of recruits

Required level of physical fitness

Pull-ups (number of reps)

7,31 + 0,65

11

100 m run (sec)

14,9+ 0,19

13,8

1 km run (min)

4.13+ 0.05

3.34

Conclusions. Achievement of the required level of physical development and physical fitness of cadets of training centers is an important scientific and practical task of training and education of military specialists. Its solution will contribute to:

  • identification of servicemen, most susceptible to learning specific specialty and subsequent operation of military equipment;
  • implementation of the principle of differentiated approach in training and education;
  • better assimilation of the training program and improvement in personal military career. 

Thus, resolving of the problems identified in the study will improve the efficiency of development of professionally important physical qualities, and thus accelerate the process of learning training programs for servicemen of military training centers, which will contribute to combat readiness of the Russian Armed Forces.

The findings on the identification of the relationship of development of physical qualities with the degree of assimilation of training programs can be used in training at civilian institutions.

References

  1. Vilensky M.Ya. Fundamentals of professional orientation of students’ physical education in pedagogical institutes. / M.Ya. Vilensky, R.S. Safin. – Moscow: Vysshaya shkola, 1980. – 104. (In Russian)
  2. Il'inich, V.I. Applied professional physical training of university students. – Moscow: Vysshaya shkola, 1978. – 144. (In Russian)
  3. Kabachkov, V.A. Fundamentals of professional physical education in vocational technical educational institutions: abstract of doctoral thesis (Hab.). – Moscow, 1996. – 63 P. (In Russian)
  4. The combat training program for student units of the Land Forces. // Book 1-7. – Moscow, 2013. (In Russian)
  5. Sorokin, V.P. Physical training for the benefit of military professional qualification of future cadets to military educational institutions // Enhancement of physical training in the academy. – Moscow: Dzerzhinsky military academy, 1996 (In Russian)

Corresponding author:  Sorokinvp@rambler.ru