the path of a serviceman

It was difficult at first. But in the heat of the moment, I realized that I no longer felt the weight of the body armor and helmet.

Today we had an important event. I can’t say it was a joyful one, after many hours of lectures on criminal responsibility.Today we were issued weapons.

I really want to write about one person. He is our instructor at the training center.

Today began at 1:20 a.m. with an air raid siren. I sat in the shelter and thought, “Damn, today at 4:50 a.m. we’re going on duty in the kitchen…”

Today we got up at 6:00 a.m., did calisthenics with an emphasis on lying down, running, etc.

My vacation before training has come to an end. Last night, Vika wrote to me: “Come to the base urgently tomorrow, you are leaving on January 17.”

After taking a psychological test and submitting all the other documents, I was sent home. No one told me exactly how much time I had or when I would be sent away.

I had freedom within certain rules, and I had responsibility. Freedom within rules and responsibility is a wonderful combination. And there was no fear of punishment or penalties.

Watching them, I came to a revolutionary realization—TCR guys are people too.

In the questionnaire test, she said that it was better to answer honestly, not to try to find the “right” answers. She said that there were no “right” answers.

Finally, the day came when I had the opportunity to complete the MMC and go home before departure. We went to the MMC.

I suddenly realized something. That we ourselves choose how we relate to our responsibilities. And that determines how interesting they will be for us.

Today was an interesting experience regarding rumors. During my entire stay at the base, I heard quite a few frightening comments from Serhiy about training.

Today, unfortunately, I heard the reality about our mobilization directly from the mouth of the “victim.” Alexander did not have his military documents, and the TCC employee asked him to go to the office for half an hour to clarify the details. For half an hour…

In a book about how to become happy, I read that to be happy, you must think first and foremost about society, follow the rules, and fulfill your responsibilities. Apparently, this book was right 🙂

My first experience can be summed up as follows: it’s better to work yourself, otherwise you’ll be forced to.

I got the feeling that this person didn’t value his own life or the lives of others. This was another example of the type of people in our army…

The registration process for contract soldiers is much more difficult than for those who have been mobilized. They say that those who have been mobilized only need to have a passport and identification code 🙂

Sitting in the TCC office, I heard from the TCC staff themselves that contract soldiers have more freedom. That those who are mobilized can really be sent anywhere.

I talked to one guy who was a stormtrooper. He said that even now he was ready to return to the trenches. This shocked me. He explained that he simply had nothing to lose and then added “for now.”

I understood that in order to truly become a clerk and, most importantly, remain one, I needed to perform my duties well. That way, I could prove that I was worthy of being appointed and retained as a clerk.

On Thursday, I met with Vika and decided to take the job she was offering me.

I started writing down the UAV operator job postings that had the fewest requirements. Then, after getting myself ready and gathering my courage, I started making calls.

I found myself in a very unpleasant situation. My plans and hopes that I could be fit for service in the rear were shattered.

Over the weekend, I made appointments with the necessary doctors in advance. Namely, an ophthalmologist and a neurologist. The hardest part was finding an opportunity to get an MRI. For some “inexplicable” reason (the mobilization law), MRI appointments at all hospitals were booked up a month in advance.

In fact, I have, and always have had, a sincere desire to help Ukraine. But when you imagine a reality in which my daughter’s father returns “in pieces,” or without some “pieces.”

It was the beginning of a new stage in my life. I woke up, And I saw a message from my wife on Telegram:“I have some sad news…The village council just came to your house with a summons.”