Six weeks in Vyškov
In the end I completed only five weeks (due to the pandemic). In this post I'd like to summarise my impressions and observations from the course. You will definitely leave all your bubbles, comfort zones, and conveniences behind.
The first week is about adaptation — a lot of time in the classroom and outside just drill (marching, forming up, and turns). Not forgetting morning exercises and the initial physical assessment (sit-ups, push-ups, and running). The second week brings more classroom time (topography, protection against weapons of mass destruction, shooting fundamentals) and outside — more drill and exercise. The third week is all about shooting (pistol, submachine gun, and grenade throwing practice), marches (from the range back to the barracks before the north gate closes; navigating back to the company using assigned MGRS coordinates). The fourth week is dominated by tactics, marches, and preparation for machine gun and RPG shooting. The fifth week is final run-throughs before the live shoots (machine gun, RPG, grenade throw) and preparation for the combined exam (written, practical, and physical). The sixth week, unfortunately, we didn't complete — it would have brought a full field exercise (building an improvised shelter, wilderness survival) followed by the graduation ceremony.
If I were to summarise some tips in bullet points they'd be:
- train for walking under load (13+ kg)
- exercise (sit-ups, push-ups, running)
- hydrate (you'll often be dehydrated — especially critical in summer — you sweat it out)
- wear technical base layers (compression shirts are also great)
- before sleep, prepare for the next day (clean boots are the foundation)
- try to sleep as much as possible
- look after your feet (fungal infections, blisters)
- keep your kit in order (so you're not dealing with extra problems in the evenings)
Those five weeks were quite intense and demanding (both physically and mentally). Without great roommates it would have been very tough (thanks guys!). Of course a well-functioning platoon is fundamental too — when you can help each other out, support each other when things go wrong or celebrate when they go right, it's great. You realise that pride and patriotism are not empty phrases. You get a taste of a fraction of what professional soldiers do every day… enormous respect and admiration. And last but not least, you meet great people — instructors — with loads of experience (not just from deployments) that they want to pass on to you.
P.S. Private Toman kept a diary — links are below (including photos)