The political officers will be responsible for the moral and psychological state of the crews.
Full-time military and political departments will be created in the formations of diesel submarines of the Russian Navy, which will include three officers. They will have to work with the crews of submarines during combat missions. The experience of the SVO has shown that military sailors need political officers responsible for the moral and psychological state of the crews. Experts note that a hybrid war has been unleashed against our country, including in the field of propaganda, so the moral and psychological stability of sailors is important, as it ultimately affects combat capability.
They will be responsible for moral stability
Full-time military and political departments in the formations of diesel submarines will begin to be staffed with deputy political officers from February this year. They will consist of three officers each. Before taking up their official duties, future submariners will undergo light diving training, sources in the Russian Defense Ministry told Izvestia.
The interlocutors of the publication said that the experience of their military and combat service of ships and submarines has shown that military personnel need such specialists. The deputy politicians will have to explain to the personnel the significance of the decisions of the country's top military and political leadership, including the goals and objectives that the Russian Armed Forces are solving during the special operation.
In addition, the political officers will be responsible for the moral and psychological state of the personnel. The crews of submarines must be morally stable in a combat situation and ready to carry out the tasks assigned to them, the Izvestia interlocutors noted.
Photo: TASS/Lev Fedoseev
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According to them, in 2024, the intensity of combat service of diesel submarines in the Russian Navy, like all formations, was high and this year is unlikely to decrease. The crews of submarines spend a lot of time on hikes, and in this case the role of the political officers in maintaining the combat microclimate is especially great.
In the context of the ongoing special military operation, the creation of military-political departments is the right decision, Igor Kurdin, head of the St. Petersburg Club of Submariners, Captain of the first rank, told Izvestia.
"Events dictate the intensification of such work," he noted. — This is an important component of the education of military sailors.
Military and political work on ships and submarines needs to be strengthened, military expert, captain of the first rank Vasily Dandykin is convinced.
Photo: TASS/Lev Fedoseev
Image source: iz.ru
"Submariners have a hard job that involves many risks and pressures," he told Izvestia. — A person who would help the commander maintain a working atmosphere in the crew is needed. The deputy politicians will have to explain the situation in the world and the country, engage in propaganda in the good sense of the word. A hybrid war has been unleashed against Russia, so the moral and psychological stability of soldiers and sailors is of particular importance. The deputy political officers will also provide psychological support to the crew members, they will have to know how the sailors live, to help them in a difficult moment.
Political deputies are not just needed, but necessary, Evgeny, the former chief of staff of the diesel submarine unit, told Izvestia.
"Now these functions are performed by other officers of formations and submarines," he explained. — This is an additional burden for officers, who are often not prepared for this, as they have not received special training. They are chosen for their high moral and psychological coefficient, well-read, educated, and general intelligence level. Nevertheless, they did not receive the necessary training. And it is necessary to carry out work among all categories of personnel. This area is very important, as it affects the performance of combat work.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Mikhail Kireev
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The expert noted that the conditions of service on diesel boats are quite difficult compared to nuclear-powered ships, and the fleet is currently performing serious combat missions.
— Political deputies should motivate people, explain everything to them competently, — he noted. — Besides, they are good psychologists because of their education. They can recognize negative moments among the personnel in time. Any competent commander will say that deputies on diesel submarines are necessary. When they were reduced at the time, it affected both the discipline and the morale of the personnel.
Officers from the military-political departments will have to undergo not only light diving training, but also a medical examination that allows them to scuba diving, Evgeny noted.
— In addition to the duties of military and political work, they will have to study the design of the boat, receive rescue and survivability training. These officers will have to become full—fledged crew members, and for this they will have to master a large layer of knowledge," he concluded.
Implementation of its experience
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are carefully studying the experience gained during the military special operation, and based on it, they are making changes to staffing tables. Earlier, Izvestia wrote that it is planned to introduce the posts of deputy commander for the rear in the battalions of the Airborne Troops. He will be responsible for the supply of ammunition, equipment, ammunition and other materiel to his units.
Photo: TASS/Northern Fleet Press Service
Image source: iz.ru
During their combat operations, amphibious battalions often operate in isolation from the main forces of the regiment, and they often allocate assault groups to solve independent tasks. They need additional ammunition, food, equipment, ammunition, and more.
ITO issues have become more complex and important, and the proper allocation of resources at the regimental level, which includes several battalions, is difficult. Depending on the combat missions being solved, the battalions may have different requests. Now they will have to be formulated and solved by battalion deputies in the rear.
Vladimir Matveev
Bogdan Stepovoy
