In recent years, huge funds have been allocated in various propaganda projects in Russia. It seems that the state has seriously taken up the patriotic education of schoolchildren, and this project will be handled by the Russian military department. Since September 1, 2016, the military-patriotic movement Yunarmiya has been operating in the schools of the country. The main initiator of the creation of this organization was Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the idea was supported by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to the Minister of Defense, Yunarmiya needs young men to "be proud of the exploits of their fathers and grandfathers" and prepare for "the future service of the Motherland." However, judging by the statements of other military officials, in Russia they plan to create one of the most militarized children's organizations in the world. The military have already promised that the participants in the new patriotic movement will get into their hands everything that the Russian army has today - except for missiles.
The first All-Russian rally of Yunarmiya took place in May 2017, more than 500 teenagers from different parts of Russia took part in it. The event turned out to be quite pompous: the first woman astronaut Valentina Tereshkova was present at the first entry ceremony at Yarmarmia (it was held in Yaroslavl), and a TV bridge with several Russian cities took place. Within a few months, the new movement was supplemented by a number of regional offices. This is not surprising - almost everywhere, “Yunarmiya” received support at the level of governors and commanders of large military units.
Currently, Yunarmiya has a headquarters in Moscow, as well as an impressive network of regional offices. In the first two months of the movement’s existence, it was replenished with 76 branches opened in different regions of Russia.
The creators of this project are hoping that "Unarmia" will become the most widespread military-patriotic movement among Russian youths. For several years, it is planned to attract several hundred thousand teenagers to it. Shoigu said that the main goal of Yunarmiya is to educate a new generation of patriots, intelligent, courageous, loving their homeland and ready to stand up at any moment to defend it. The plans of the new patriotic movement include increasing the interest of the younger generation in the history and geography of Russia, its peoples, outstanding scientists, heroes and military leaders.
Children will be engaged in military sports, study military affairs, take a course of a young fighter, engage in fire and drill training, study the design of weapons. In addition, adolescents will learn the rules of first aid.
Yunarmia is not only the Ministry of Defense. The Central Army Athletic Club (CSKA) and the Voluntary Society for Assistance to the Army, Aviation and the Fleet (DOSAAF of Russia) also guard over the youths. The military department has already developed the structure of the Unarmia divisions, linking them to the location of military units, military registration and enlistment offices, military schools and DOSAAF and CSKA offices.
According to the plans of the organizers of Yunarmia, during their free time, teenagers will engage in volunteer work, care for and protect military graves and monuments, and participate in sports and cultural events.
The Ministry of Defense believes that in recent years many military-patriotic organizations have appeared in the country that work with young people. According to officials, "Yunarmiya" should coordinate these movements, make their work systematic, give them a general form, symbolism, charter.
Yunarmiya already has its own form - these are red berets, sand-colored trousers, and polo blue and red colors. Young patriots will wear sneakers or berets on their feet. In addition, the form includes socks, jacket, sweatshirt, backpack, tablet and first aid kit. The emblem of the organization has already been invented: it combines the Soviet five-pointed star with a predatory eagle profile. Also for the children will be developed sets of forms corresponding to different types of troops: tank crews, pilots, sailors.
It is not entirely clear at what age a child can join the Yarmarmia. Called the age of fourteen, ten and even seven years.
Children will not be distracted from the school curriculum; classes in the new military-patriotic movement will be held in their free time. The youths will be provided with special rooms (headquarters), where the banner of each detachment, library, teaching aids and visual agitation will be located. Each squad will obey its own commander.
The organizers of the new movement do not get tired of repeating that they will not force anyone into “Yarmarmia”, membership in the organization is entirely voluntary. It is not yet resolved whether the members of Yunarmiya will have any benefits when joining universities.
Does modern Russia need Yunarmiya?
Of course, work with the younger generation is necessary, but is military education its optimal form? Many people call the mood that today is in Russian society as “patriotic frenzy”. Do I need to heat them up even more?
It should be noted that today Unarmia is not the only project related to the military-patriotic education of young people. Not so long ago, cadet classes began to open in schools, where children who study without triples are accepted. In the classes in these classes also studied military, the history of Russia, drill, NVP, OBZH.
Another attempt to revive the old Soviet traditions is the practice of putting the standards of the TRP, which appeared in Russia several years ago. You can also call the "Race of Heroes" - a peculiar form of the Soviet "Zarnitsa" for adults. It is carried out on military grounds, actively supporting at the state level.
It should be noted that the creation of such projects can be a great way to “cut” the state budget by unscrupulous officials. Today, adolescents have every opportunity to engage in shooting or parachuting, and whether it is necessary to revive the Soviet ideology is a very controversial issue. Perhaps budget funds are better spent on improving the education system in order to make it more up-to-date.
