Officers of the department of military training of UzhNU believe that patriotism should be instilled since childhood

25 years ago, when Ukraine began its independent way, very few people could imagine what would happen in a quarter of a century. The war that broke out so suddenly, is still taking the lives of the best sons of Ukraine. A very high price has already been paid for the future of the country. Civilian and military volunteers, soldiers and officers are making a lot of effort for us to live in a free country.

On the eve of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Day we are talking to the head of the department of military training of UzhNU Colonel Vasyl Oliynik and a lecturer of the department, Major Mykola Goman. Men know military life inside out and say that military experience helps them in training and bringing up real officers.

 "Students who choose military profession should know it in their  hearts"

The head of the department says that his military experience helps him at work. "When we started creating the department many people said that we would fail. For some reason, there was an opinion that there wouldn’t be a lot of people wishing to get military profession, especially taking into consideration Transcarpathian mentality. On the one hand, we feared too, of course, but, on the other hand, we saw the demand. In about a month after the department had been opened, there were 120 people wishing to study military affairs. And in the second year, we already had a competition. There were more than 300 applications registered, although we could admit only 150 people. Students wish to gain knowledge in military affairs, and there are sound reasons for it."

 Colonel Oliynyk notes that students of the department are aware of and familiar with the current situation. The results of psychological and sociological surveys show that 90% of students completing their study at the department this year, are ready to fulfill their military duty. "Our students are morally configured and psychologically hardened. We regularly inform them about the events in the East of Ukraine, hold meetings with participants of anti-terrorist operations. Personal military experience of the officers, working for the department as lecturers, is very important, because they, like nobody else, can tell about the army as insiders. Every three months our students meet with the military chaplain and can ask the questions they are concerned about."

"The department educates highly qualified officers"

 Mr. Goman is sure that his combat experience helps him in teaching and communicating with students. "The knowledge we get at schools and universities is only theoretical. When a person has got experience of military service, the conversation is absolutely different." Major Goman is convinced that the existence of such department at our university is a very important factor, because it prepares a wide range of experts, including scouts, infantry, artillery and military psychologists. "Even if there is another wave of mobilization and officers are needed, the specialists graduating from our department will be able to efficiently perform expected tasks. I am sure about it"- says Mr.Goman.

The military believes that it is necessary to start instilling patriotism in kindergartens, and continue doing it in schools and universities. The level of education and patriotic consciousness of the Ukrainian people has increased twice for the past two years, and nothing will change the situation. The most important thing is to pass it over to future generations.

 Colonel Oliynyk and Major Goman have different experience of military service, but they both say that in the last few years the way of thinking and consciousness of the Ukrainian people changed, they got rid of pseudo-fraternal slag. Each of those who defended their homeland with arms against the occupier, who used to be called our brother, will never make friends with their offenders and teach their children to do so. The militaries say that the Ukrainian nation overgrew Soviet views, and is ready to move forward, and most importantly, the patriotism that has started blooming in our hearts like cherry blossom, will never lose its beauty and strength.

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