An open house took place at the UNESCO military‑patriotic club "Rusichi" in Orsha.

The UNESCO military-patriotic club "Rusichi" held an open house. Students from local schools and vocational colleges, as well as cadets from military-patriotic clubs, participated in it.

Each group was welcomed with encouraging words by the unchanging leader of "Rusichi" Grigory Sharay. He introduced the kids to the brief history of the club, its main areas of activity, achievements, and awards. After that, the participants visited thematic sites prepared by club members and organizations with which the kids interact while mastering military affairs.

The first stop on the map was an exhibition dedicated to the events of the war in Afghanistan. It featured communication devices, observation tools, weapons, and protective gear from that era. Club representatives also demonstrated the uniforms of Soviet soldiers and mujahideen. The next stop showcased DOSAAF vehicles, on which the youth of Orsha undergo training for driving vehicles in the interests of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.

Then the participants moved to an exhibition of military uniforms from the Great Patriotic War to the present day.

The next stage was a site prepared by OSVOD. Rescuers told the students about their work, presented rescue equipment and gear used by divers. In turn, Grigory Sharay explained to the participants that the cadets of his club undergo diving training at the OSVOD base.

The guests of the open house also looked at the tent camp and the living conditions of the "Rusichi" during field outings. The boys and girls could try on radiochemical protection gear, and the bravest could enter a smoke-filled tent simulating the use of chemical weapons.

Then the participants moved to a medical assistance site organized by teachers from the Orsha Medical College. The medics told the kids about the rules of providing assistance, taught them how to perform artificial respiration, and demonstrated surgical instruments. After that, everyone moved to the parachute site. Grigory Stepanovich explained that all members of the "Rusichi" club undergo parachute jump training. At the beginning of the course, they learn the rules of behavior during a jump and landing, and how to pack a parachute. After successfully mastering the theory, the cadets receive the right to three jumps from a parachute tower, after which they have the opportunity to jump from an airplane.

Then the kids moved to the locations for hand-to-hand combat, shooting with pneumatic weapons, grenade throwing, and a search site. At each of them, "Rusichi" demonstrated their skills and also gave everyone a chance to try their hand. The final stop on the excursion route was a break with soldier's porridge.

– The main goal of the open house is to introduce the Orsha youth to the activities of our club, so that they come to us to train, – said Grigory Sharay. – At the organized sites, we showed only a part of the elements of the basics of military affairs that "Rusichi" prepares for. Our club has been in existence for over 37 years. During this time, more than 3,000 boys and girls have gone through the school for preparing to defend the Motherland. Among them are colonels, majors of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus, and some of the boys lead special units. We have also raised six masters of sports in hand-to-hand combat. It is worth noting that those "Rusichi" who complete the full training course will have the right to enter the Military Academy of the Republic of Belarus without entrance exams. For the kids who see their future in defending our Motherland, this is a great opportunity to receive a specialized education.

Viktor SOSNOVSKY.
Photo by the author.