What does it mean if the rank of private guard served. Guards units in the army: foundation, history
The history of the first guard units in Russian army originates even during the existence of the imperial system. It is reliably known that the first such units were two and Preobrazhensky, which were founded during the reign of Peter I. Even then, these regiments showed considerable endurance and heroism in battle. Such divisions existed until Bolshevism came to power in Russia. Then there was an active struggle against the remnants of the tsarist regime, and the guards were disbanded, and the very concept was forgotten. However, during the Great Patriotic War, the issue of rewarding distinguished soldiers became acute, since many soldiers or entire units fought bravely even against superior enemy forces. It was during this difficult time that the badge "Guards of the USSR" was established.
Establishment in the Guards rank
In 1941, the Red Army suffered a series of defeats from the Wehrmacht and retreated. The decision to revive the old tradition of the Soviet government arose during one of the most difficult defensive battles - the Battle of Smolensk. In this battle, four divisions especially distinguished themselves: the 100th, 127th, 153rd and 161st. And already in September 1941, by order of the Supreme High Command, they were renamed the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th guard divisions with the appropriate title. At the same time, the “Guard” badge was awarded to all personnel, and special salaries were also due: for privates - double, for officers - one and a half. Later, this badge also began to decorate the banners of distinguished units (since 1943).
During the war years, the Guards rank was awarded to many units that showed courage and heroism in battles with the invaders. But the history of elite formations in the Red Army does not end there. Guards ranks were also awarded during other armed conflicts. They continued until the collapse of the USSR. The “Guards” sign was awarded to any recruit who got into the unit, but only after he had passed the baptism of fire, and in such as aviation or navy, these requirements were even more stringent. Moreover, in this regard, there was no difference between officers and ordinary soldiers.
Badge "Guard": description
In total, there are several varieties of this award: during the Second World War, post-war, as well as modern signs. Each of them has its own differences, since over time the design and Yes changed and they were produced at different factories. The 1942 model will be described below.
So this honorary award is a sign made in the form of a laurel wreath covered with gold enamel. The upper part is covered with a flowing color, on which "Guard" is written in gold letters. The entire space inside the wreath is covered with white enamel. Performing in the center Soviet army red with gold trim. The left rays of the star are crossed by the staff of the banner, which is intertwined with a ribbon. Two cords depart from it, which hang down on the left branch of the wreath. At the bottom is a cartouche with the inscription "USSR" engraved on it.
When assigning any part of the guards rank, the emblem depicting the award was also applied to military equipment - tanks or aircraft.
The dimensions of the sign are 46 x 34 mm. It was made of tombac - an alloy of brass, copper and zinc. Its properties did not allow the award to rust. For fastening to clothes, a special pin and nut were attached. The award was worn on the right side of the garment at chest level.
The project was developed by S. I. Dmitriev. One of the versions was almost the same sign, but Lenin's profile was placed on the banner. However, Stalin did not like the idea, and he ordered the profile to be replaced with the inscription "Guards". So the award received its final form.
Privileges and Features
For those who had the badge "Guards of the USSR", special privileges were due. The award was retained by the person who received it, even if he left the guards service. The same applied to the transfer of a soldier to another unit. The award was also worn in the post-war period. In 1951, the government of the USSR issued a law that decided to temporarily stop awarding the "Guard" badge, doing this only in exceptional cases. This order was observed until 1961, when the Minister of Defense R. Ya. Malinovsky approved an order according to which the right to wear the badge came into force when serving in the guards unit. It did not apply to WWII veterans.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the delivery. It was celebrated solemnly general construction the entire unit, with banners unfolded. In addition to the award itself, the fighter was also given a document containing relevant information about the award and confirming it. But over time, the presentation itself turned into a routine and lost its "ritual" meaning.
Modernity
Now, when the glory of past events is fading, it can be purchased from various private merchants. Since one of the most massive awards is just the “Guard” badge, its price is usually low. It depends on several features: the time and method of manufacture, the history of the award, and who is selling it. The cost starts at an average of 2000 rubles.
Outcome
The sign "Guard" testified to the heroism, military training and valor of the person wearing it. During the existence of the USSR, units awarded the title of guards were considered elite, and the soldiers who served in such units were treated with great respect.
Senior sergeant (rank) is assigned to the deputy platoon commander. You can call the position of the most responsible among the soldiers. There will be as many such officers in companies as there are platoons.
All senior sergeants are assistants to ensigns and other officers. It is desirable that they are personally acquainted with each of their subordinates, know their strengths and weaknesses, know how to manage, punish, if necessary.
The senior sergeant has a wide corner on the chase.
general information
The senior sergeant is (also found in other units). In accordance with the rank, he is located below the foreman, but above the sergeant. Although all these ranks are only superficially related to the officer corps.
Sometimes senior sergeant is pronounced in conjunction with other words. It all depends on where he is serving:
- Senior sergeant of the guard, if the officer is present in the corresponding military unit, or serves on the guards ship.
- Master Medical/Justice Sergeant, if the officer is on the reserve but is skilled in medicine or law.
- Reserve Senior Sergeant / Retired, if the officer does not continue to serve in the unit.
Other categories are observed in the IMF of Russia. Here the senior sergeant receives the rank of chief foreman. But the position in the staff remains the same. The employee performs the duties of the deputy platoon commander.
Terms of service of junior management
All ranks are assigned to employees of the relevant authorities depending on several parameters: position, education, qualifications and some other factors that are noted in this Regulation. Those that are focused on junior commanding staff are assigned by leaders who are higher in the service.
This Regulation establishes the following terms with length of service:
- private - one year;
- junior sergeant - one year;
- sergeant - two years;
- senior sergeant - three years;
- ensign - five years;
Petty officer (rank after senior sergeant) does not have certain period seniority. He is awarded subsequent ranks depending on his personal attitude to the service, qualifications, and various service achievements. The same is the case with the senior ensign.
Early title assignment
Speaking about how much from a sergeant to a senior sergeant, one cannot but take into account the early assignment of the rank. In the standard version, you will have to serve two years. But the title can be awarded before the expiration of the term. There are several rules:
- The one who is assigned a new rank ahead of schedule must stand out in the process of service, earn high results, cope with duties perfectly, and also show exemplary behavior.
- The one who is awarded the title must do something that is not part of his duties, quickly orient himself in his own actions.
Early ranks are assigned by higher management in strict accordance with the implementation of all paragraphs of these Regulations. Also, it cannot be administered to a person "through the head." That is, only a sergeant can become a senior sergeant. If this is an ordinary, then he will not be able to receive such an early increase.
In some cases, an early title cannot be awarded. For example, if a person needs to undergo training or acquire specific skills (senior sergeant of justice and the like).
Delay or deprivation of title
Senior sergeant after seniority may not be obtained. This happens for several reasons:
- The presence of written disciplinary statements.
- There is a violation of the law, because of which a criminal case is initiated.
- An inspection is being carried out to identify service violations.
In such cases, a new rank is not assigned until the end of the proceedings, or the officer is completely deprived of it. It depends on the category of violation.
Demotion is a measure when there is a disciplinary utterance. Sometimes such a decision is made by immediate superiors if they find someone better for a full-time position, in case of non-fulfillment of official obligations, negligent attitude to service. And it is possible to restore the rank no earlier than in a year if the direct superiors make such a decision. They can also completely deprive the title for crimes against the army and Russia as a whole.
Title assignment
The rank of senior sergeant is received before the foreman. In order to reach this position, you will need to take special courses in the training program for the relevant staff members of the service unit. In this it differs significantly, for example, from an ordinary or corporal. Accordingly, as an encouragement, this title is not awarded, and regardless of the rank of the higher leadership.
But seniors in rank can send a soldier to sergeant training courses. He has no right to do this on his own. Otherwise, all privates or corporals would have become sergeants long ago.
Minimum path from junior sergeant to the eldest - six months. During this period, an officer can stand out, earn a reputation with higher leadership.
Conclusion
Thus, a senior sergeant is the penultimate rank (the last is a foreman) that an ordinary soldier can receive without graduating from college. It is enough to take several courses, some of them are conducted directly in the unit. In order to receive further promotions, if the officer decides to remain in the army, he will need to undergo training.
ASTANA. 29 April. KAZINFORM - JSC NC Kazinform for the first time began to publish a list from the Book of Memory of Kazakhstani soldiers who fell on the territory of Austria in 1941-1945, which was presented in Vienna.
In the Book of Memory, a list of names and data of 1000 soldiers was published in Kazakh and German. Kazinform translates this text into Russian. We offer a list of abbreviations military ranks, military units, archives provided in the text.
Abbreviated military ranks
row. - Private
guards row - private guard
ephr. - corporal
Guards Efr. - guard corporal
ml.s-t. - Lance Sergeant
guards ml.s-t. - guard junior sergeant
s-t. - sergeant
guards.s-t. guard sergeant
Art. s-t. - staff Sergeant
Guards Art. s-t. - Guard Art. sergeant
st-on - foreman
Guards St. - guard foreman
ml.l.t. - Ensign
guards ml.l-t. - guard junior lieutenant
l-t. - lieutenant
guards l-t. - Lieutenant of the Guard
Art. l-t. - senior lieutenant
guards.st.l-t. - Guard Senior Lieutenant
k-n - captain
guards captain - guards captain
mr - major
guards mr. - Guard Major
p / p-k - lieutenant colonel
guards p / p-k - guards lieutenant colonel
p-to - colonel
guards.pk. - Guard Colonel
Abbreviated names of military units
Red Army - Red Army
GTArmy - Guards Tank Army
Corp - Corps
Gkorp - Guards Corps
Scorp - Rifle Corps
GACorp - Guards Rifle Corps
mechCorp - Mechanized Corps
GmehCorp - Guards Mechanized Corps
TKorp - Tank Corps
GTCorp - Guards Tank Corps
D - Division
GD - Guards Division
SD - Rifle Division
GSD - Guards Rifle Division
PD - Infantry Division
GPA - Guards Infantry Division
VDD - Airborne Division
GVDD - Guards Airborne Division
KavD - Cavalry Division
GKavD - Guards Cavalry Division
ArtD - Artillery Division
GARTD - Guards Artillery Division
mehArtD - Mechanized Artillery Division
GmekhArtD - Guards Mechanized Artillery Division
Br - Brigade
GBR - Guards Brigade
TBR - Tank brigade
GTBr - Guards Tank Brigade
mehBr - Mechanized brigade
GmekhBr - Guards Mechanized Brigade
ArtBr - Artillery brigade
GArtBr - Guards Artillery Brigade
motArtBr - Motorized Artillery Brigade
GmotArtBr - Guards Motorized Artillery Brigade
mekhArtBr - Mechanized artillery brigade
GmekhArtBr - Guards Mechanized Artillery Brigade
mekhSBr - Mechanized Rifle Brigade
GmekhABr - Guards Mechanized Rifle Brigade
motAbr - Motorized Rifle Brigade
GmotABr - Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade
SapBr - Sapper Brigade
GSapBr - Guards Sapper Brigade
GP - Guards Regiment
SP - Rifle Regiment
GAP - Guards Rifle Regiment
ArtP - Artillery Regiment
GARP - Guards Artillery Regiment
mehArtP - Mechanized Artillery Regiment
GmekhArtP - Guards Mechanized Artillery Regiment
VDP - Airborne Regiment
GVDP - Guards Airborne Regiment
PP - Infantry Regiment
GPP - Guards Infantry Regiment
TP - Tank Regiment
GTP - Guards Tank Regiment
MOTP - Motorized Regiment
GmotP - Guards Motorized Regiment
KavP - Cavalry Regiment
GKavP - Guards Cavalry Regiment
ShP - Penal Regiment
Bat - Battalion
motbat - motorized battalion
SapBat - Sapper Battalion
GSapBat - Guards Sapper Battalion
MedSanBat - Medical Sanitary Battalion
SR - Rifle Company
GSR - Guards Rifle Company
TR - Tank Company
GTR - Guards Tank Company
mehR - Mechanized company
GmekhR - Guards Mechanized Company
SHR - Penal Company
Field mail - Field mail
VP - POW
Z - Central Archive of the Ministry of Defense
RGVA - Russian State Military Archive
Soviet reburials in Austria 1949 - Soviet reburials in Austria 1949
VA RK - Military archive of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Akmola region - list of dead from Akmola region
To get acquainted with the list, you need to click on the banner "List of fought and dead Kazakh soldiers in Austria", which is located on the main page of the site www..kazsite
Leonid Panteleev
Guard Private
Every evening, when the clock on the Kremlin tower calls the first quarter of the tenth hour, when on all other clocks - small and large, manual and pocket, home, street and railway - the black hand shows 21 hours 15 minutes, throughout our army, in all its units and subunits (in those, of course, that are not participating in combat operations at this time), the command is given:
Come out to build for the evening verification!
If it's summer outside, it's already dark in Moscow at this hour, in the north - White Night, in the south - the night is black and the sky is strewn from edge to edge bright stars. But under the light and under dark skies, and in the north and in the south, in the west and in the east, the words of an old military ceremonial sound equally loud, clear and solemn. And wherever this evening team finds a fighter - whether in the barracks, at a halt in the forest or in a camp at a training camp, in a minute he is already in the ranks, pulled up, picked up, in his usual place: the one that is taller, on the right flank , the one below, on the left. Officers appear, the foreman gives the command “at attention”, and the formation freezes, stretched out in a ruler. “Proceed to verification,” the senior officer says quietly, and, answering “there is a start to verification,” the foreman of the company takes a step forward, opens the company service record and begins roll call:
Abdulaev!
Vasilevsky!
Many voices - loud and muffled, rough and tender, courageous and sonorous in a boyish way - are responding at this moment, throughout our vast country, from Caucasus mountains to the Barents Sea: at the end of the day, the multimillion-strong Russian army counts and recounts its formidable ranks.
... Here, in the company where Sasha Matrosov served, this evening verification also takes place.
Straightening his faded field tunic on the move, the company commander Senior Lieutenant Khrustalev came out of the tent. Rota has already been built. Two ranks stretched out at the edge of the forest in an even sloping ladder.
Quietly! - commands the foreman, although people already stand without moving.
In the hands of the foreman is a thick, laced book.
Proceed to check, - says the officer.
Have to start believing.
The foreman opens the book. Opens slowly and solemnly. And just as solemnly and leisurely calls out the first name on the list:
Hero Soviet Union Guards Red Army Matrosov!
But where is Matrosov? He is neither on the right nor on the left flank. Everyone knows that he is not there, no one expects him to respond, respond, and yet the foreman calls him and waits for an answer.
The Hero of the Soviet Union, the Red Army soldier Matrosov Alexander Matveyevich, died a heroic death in battles with the Nazi invaders, - answers the right-flank Bardabaev.
From day to day, from evening to evening, he answers for Matrosov, and yet every time this tall, stately and broad-shouldered guy cannot overcome the excitement in his voice.
Silence. People are silent. Everyone's lips are tightly compressed. And not only in Bardabaev, in many others, eyes gleam with moisture under severely frowning brows.
The foreman turned the page.
Andronnikov!
Demeshko!.. Illievsky!.. Kopylov!.. Knyazev!..
… The roll call is over. The foreman closed the book, straightened his tunic with a habitual movement, turned on his heel - and with a clear, typing marching step almost runs up to the company commander.
Comrade Guard Senior Lieutenant! - he says, putting his hand to the cap and immediately lowering it. - In the company entrusted to you, the evening verification has been carried out. According to the list, there are one hundred and two people in the company. Six people in the medical unit, eight in outfits, there are no illegally absent, there are eighty-seven people in the ranks. The Hero of the Soviet Union Guards Red Army soldier Matrosov died a heroic death in battles with the Nazi invaders.
And again silence. You can hear a bird flying by. Or how the rain drummed on the window ledge. Or - the winter wind rustles in the tops of the trees.
The officer puts his hand to the visor of his cap.
At ease! Disband the company, he says.
The foreman takes a step back, turns to face the formation and loudly repeats the command:
At ease! Disperse!..
People disperse. Everyone has his own business, his own worries in this late, post-calibration hour. You need to have time to clean your rifle or machine gun before going to bed, write a letter, sew a button to your overcoat, smoke ...
But, doing their own thing, people think about Matrosov. He is not, and yet he is with them; he is dead, and the grass on his grave has managed to grow and wither, but they think and talk about him as if he were alive.
The name of Matrosov is forever recorded in the track record of the guards company. This means that he is not completely dead, that the spirit of the hero is indeed immortal.
But what feat did Alexander Matrosov accomplish? Why such an honor to his name and memory?
Listen short story about the valor of a young Russian guard.
In a dense pine forest, which on the maps and plans is called Big Lomovaty Bor, just before dawn, the battalion received an order to halt.
It was a very successful and timely order. People didn't sleep for two days. For two days they walked through this Broken Forest, bypassing enemy positions, they walked, falling knee-deep in snow, they walked night and day, with such short respite that not only to sleep, but, it happened, there was no time to finish smoking a cigarette.
And finally, the halt. No one thought about eating or drinking tea, many didn’t even smoke: whoever was where he fell into the snow and fell asleep and snored in a heroic front-line dream.
And Sasha Matrosov was also going to sleep. He simply could not wait for this moment - he was shaking and sleepy before.
He dug a small hole under the tree, put his knapsack at the head of it, and already lay down, already settled himself comfortably, already pulled his hands deeper into the sleeves of his overcoat, and his eyelids were already closing sweetly when he heard a familiar, slightly muffled voice above his head:
Komsomol members!
"They're calling Komsomol members," Sasha thought half asleep. And for a moment he fell soundly, truly asleep. But something seemed to push him - he immediately woke up and opened his eyes: “Fu, damn it! After all, that’s my name!”
Three months in the war is a lot. During this time, Sasha turned from a boy into a man: he learned to shave, managed to visit an infantry school, became an excellent submachine gunner, walked tens and hundreds of kilometers with his unit, participated in several battles and battles, lost many friends and killed even more enemies. from his PCA. He experienced a lot and seemed to get used to everything. But now three months have passed since he wears on his chest, in a secret pocket of his tunic, a small light gray book with a silhouette of Lenin on the cover, and somehow he can’t get used to the fact that he is no longer just Sasha, not just a cadet or a fighter of the guards unit, but Komsomolets Sasha Matrosov.
Komsomol members! Hey! - Trying not to shout too loudly, so as not to wake the sleeping ones, the same voice repeated.
Well? Sasha raised his head with difficulty. - I am a member of the Komsomol.
It was still very early, and in the predawn twilight he did not immediately recognize the company's Komsomol organizer, Lieutenant Bryakin.
Is that you, Matrosov?
Come on, old man, get up, wake up guys. We call the meeting.
There is, comrade lieutenant, - Sasha muttered and, making an effort, tore his head from the knapsack and sat down. His head was spinning.
Come on, perky, - repeated the lieutenant. - In three minutes, so that everyone is at the headquarters.
Yes, - Sasha repeated, made another effort, jumped up and felt how everything inside him ached and crunched.
The lieutenant disappeared behind the trees. Sasha stretched himself and yawned loudly, for the whole forest.
Ugh! - he said.
He didn't like being woken up. And besides, he did not really like all sorts of meetings and meetings. Maybe because he couldn't speak, couldn't speak. To say a speech was nothing more terrible for him in the world. Meetings are convened to be spoken to. And he, who never lagged behind anyone in anything, felt at meetings like a fish in the sand, because he could not properly, as he should, and as much as he wanted to express everything that was in his soul and on his tongue. He always recalled with shame and resentment how, at a Komsomol meeting, before he was given a light gray little book, he told his comrades his biography. Actually, he said what needed to be said: that he was an orphan, a former homeless child, that he was brought up in orphanages and in the Ufa labor colony, that he was eighteen years old, that he studied there and there ... And although no one he didn’t laugh at him and accepted him unanimously, without a single objection, he felt that he said something completely different, that he told some nonsense, because the main thing is not at all that he worked somewhere and studied somewhere ... And what is the main thing, he, perhaps, even a close friend could not tell about this.
Cycle "Stories about a feat"
Every evening, when the clock on the Kremlin tower calls the first quarter of the tenth hour, when on all other clocks - small and large, manual and pocket, home, street and railway - the black hand shows 21 hours 15 minutes, throughout our army, in all its units and subdivisions the command is given:
Come out to build for the evening verification!
If it's summer outside, it's already dark in Moscow at this hour, in the north - a white night, in the south - a black night and the sky from edge to edge is strewn with bright stars. But both under bright and dark skies, in the north and in the south, in the west and in the east, the words of an old military ceremonial sound equally loud, clear and solemn. And no matter where this evening team found the fighter - whether in the barracks, at a halt in the forest or in a camp at a training camp, a minute later he was already in the ranks, pulled up, picked up, in his usual place: the one that was higher - on the right flank, the one that is lower - on the left. Officers appear, the foreman gives the command "at attention", and the formation freezes, stretched out in a line. "Proceed to verification," the senior officer says quietly; and, answering: “There is a start to verification,” the foreman of the company takes a step forward, opens the company service record and begins the roll call:
Abdulaev!
Vasilevsky!
Many voices - loud and muffled, rough and gentle, courageous and boyishly sonorous - are responding at this moment throughout our vast country, from the Caucasus Mountains to the Barents Sea: at the end of the day, the Russian army counts and recounts its formidable ranks.
So in the company where Sasha Matrosov served, this evening verification also takes place.
Straightening his faded field tunic on the move, the company commander Senior Lieutenant Khrustalev came out of the tent. Rota has already been built. Two ranks stretched out at the edge of the forest in an even sloping ladder.
Quietly! - commands the foreman, although people already stand without moving.
In the hands of the foreman is a thick, laced book.
Proceed to check, - says the officer.
Have to start believing.
The foreman opens the book. Opens slowly and solemnly. And just as solemnly and leisurely calls out the first name on the list:
Hero of the Soviet Union Guards Red Army Matrosov!
But where is Matrosov? He is neither on the right nor on the left flank. Everyone knows that he is not there, no one thinks that he will respond, respond, and yet the foreman calls him and waits for an answer.
Hero of the Soviet Union Red Army soldier Matrosov Alexander Matveyevich died a heroic death in battles with the Nazi invaders, answers the right-flank Bardabaev.
From day to day, from evening to evening, he answers for Matrosov, and yet every time this tall, stately and broad-shouldered guy cannot overcome the excitement in his voice.
Silence. People are silent. Everyone's lips are tightly compressed. And not only in Bardabaev, in many others, eyes gleam with moisture under severely frowning brows.
The foreman turned the page.
Andronnikov!
Demeshko!..
Illievskiy!..
Kopylov!
Knyazev!
The call is over. The foreman closed the book, straightened his tunic with a habitual movement, turned on his heel - and with a clear, typing marching step almost runs up to the company commander.
Comrade Guard Senior Lieutenant! - he says, putting his hand to the cap and immediately lowering it. - In the company entrusted to you, the evening verification has been carried out. According to the list, there are one hundred and two people in the company. Six people in the medical unit, eight in outfits, there are no illegally absent, there are eighty-seven people in the ranks. The Hero of the Soviet Union Guards Red Army soldier Matrosov died a heroic death in battles with the Nazi invaders.
And again silence. You can hear a bird flying by. Or how the rain drummed on the window ledge. Or - the winter wind rustles in the tops of the trees.
The officer puts his hand to the visor of his cap.
At ease! Disband the company, he says.
The foreman takes a step back, turns to face the formation and loudly repeats the command:
At ease! Disperse!
People disperse. Everyone has his own business, his own worries in this late, post-calibration hour. You need to have time to clean your rifle or machine gun before going to bed, write a letter, sew a button to your overcoat, smoke ...
But, doing their own thing, people think about Matrosov. He is not, and yet he is with them; he is dead, and the grass on his grave has managed to grow and wither more than once, but they think and talk about him as if he were alive.
The name of Matrosov is forever recorded in the track record of the guards company. This means that the spirit of the hero is indeed immortal.
But what feat did Alexander Matrosov accomplish? Why such an honor to his name and memory?
Listen to a short story about the valor of a young Russian soldier.
In a dense pine forest, which on the maps and plans is called Big Lomovaty Bor, just before dawn, the battalion received an order to halt.
It was a very successful and timely order. People didn't sleep for two days. For two days they walked through this Broken Forest, bypassing enemy positions, falling knee-deep into snow, walking night and day, with such short respite that not only to sleep, but, it happened, there was no time to finish smoking a cigarette.
And here, finally, a halt.
No one thought about eating or drinking tea, many didn’t even smoke: whoever was where he fell into the snow and fell asleep and snored in a heroic front-line dream.
And Sasha Matrosov was also going to sleep. He simply could not wait for this moment - he was shaking and sleepy before.
He trod out a small hole under the tree, put his knapsack at the head of the bed, and already lay down, already settled himself comfortably, already pulled his hands deeper into the sleeves of his overcoat, and his eyelids were already closing sweetly when he heard a familiar, slightly muffled voice above his head:
Komsomol members!
"They're calling Komsomol members," Sasha thought through half-asleep. And for a moment he fell soundly, truly asleep. But something seemed to push him - he immediately woke up and opened his eyes: "Fu, damn it! It's my name!"
Three months in the war is a lot. During this time, Sasha turned from a boy into a man: he learned to shave, managed to visit an infantry school, became an excellent submachine gunner, walked tens and hundreds of kilometers with his unit, participated in several battles and battles, lost many friends and killed even more enemies. from his PCA. He experienced a lot and seemed to get used to everything. But now three months have passed since he wears on his chest, in the secret pocket of his tunic, a small light gray book with a silhouette of Lenin on the cover, and somehow he still cannot get used to the fact that he is no longer just Sasha, not just a cadet or fighter of the guards unit, and a Komsomol member Sasha Matrosov.
Komsomol members! Hey! - Trying not to shout too loudly, so as not to wake the sleeping ones, the same voice repeated.
Well? Sasha raised his head with difficulty. - I am a member of the Komsomol.
It was still very early, and in the predawn twilight he did not immediately recognize the company's Komsomol organizer, Lieutenant Bryakin.
Is that you, Matrosov?
Come on, old man, get up, wake up guys. We call the meeting.
There is, comrade lieutenant, - Sasha muttered and, making an effort, tore his head from the knapsack and sat down. His head was spinning.
Come on, perky, - repeated the lieutenant. - In three minutes, so that everyone is at the headquarters.
Yes, - Sasha repeated, made another effort, jumped up and felt how everything inside him ached and crunched.
The lieutenant disappeared behind the trees. Sasha stretched himself and yawned loudly, for the whole forest.