Everyone knows that every profession in the country has a certain professional holiday, but do we know when Military Builder’s Day is, because in 2021 this event falls on August 12th. Although the event is not celebrated on a grand scale and with honors like Airborne Forces Day, it is celebrated every second Sunday in August. In Russia, on this date the country also celebrates Builder's Day.
The military builder has long been a respected person
What holiday is it?
It is worth noting the enormous work that these troops performed. But historically, the “stroybat” (construction battalion) was perceived by conscripts as not the most successful and prestigious place of service. The fact is that the construction troops only indirectly concerned the army and military affairs. However, without their labor there would not have been many construction projects that are not only of industrial significance, but also of defense significance. If your loved one once served in these troops, choose an interesting gift for him.
This is how long-term military structures, military bases and departments were built. Young men with health problems, those who had poor command of the Russian language, or those with previous convictions were enrolled in the military construction detachments.
This is what a military builder's award medal looks like
There seemed to be hazing, but there seemed to be no
There was no hazing in the Chernobyl construction battalion - there were mostly adults, men who had previously fought or had already served. But hazing flourished among conventional troops. Among the conscripts there were not only representatives of completely different strata, but also people from different republics of the Union - “internationality” complicated the situation.
Historical basis of the holiday
Another ironic name for the “construction battalion” - royal troops - came about as an emphasis on the large number of personnel of such formations. The attitude towards them was rather ambiguous - conscripts did not want to serve in them, and the military-defense leadership advocated the liquidation of such a military unit.
History dates back to the times of the USSR, from 1942. Then the country's leadership decided to create a unit that would carry out the restoration of facilities liberated from the fascist invaders. Although the term “construction battalion” has not been officially used since the 70s, it exists in the meaning of military jargon. There are two origins for the name "royal troops".
- One was due to the large number of personnel. In the 80s, the number reached 400 thousand and exceeded the number of all other military personnel combined.
- According to other sources, the name is associated with the name of the designer Sergei Korolev. At that time, all the cosmodromes of the republic were built by the hands of “construction battalions”.
Although construction battalions were not widely popular among recruits, they had significant financial advantages for serving in the ranks of construction workers. Salaries were an order of magnitude higher than in other troops. Although the amount for food, clothing, laundry and hygiene services was calculated from her, the amount of payment reached 180 rubles, and for some high-altitude workers - up to 250. The money accumulated in the employee’s account. Before the end of the service, the amount was about 5 thousand rubles. Now, on this holiday, you can also give a cash gift in an unusual form.
Caricature on the topic
Financial support
Let's continue to learn more about what a construction battalion is? Salaries for military personnel of this type of troops ranged from 110 to 250 rubles per month. The final figure depended on the fighter's specialty. The most “expensive” professions were considered to be crane operators and excavator operators. The cash allowance was accumulated in the serviceman’s account, issued upon transfer to the reserve.
In case of emergency, a fighter could send money to loved ones, with the permission of the commander at the appropriate level. During his service, a person could accumulate several thousand rubles. In addition, construction battalion members often worked part-time at “hack jobs.” The fee for one working day was about 10-15 rubles. Warrant officers and officers of these units received benefits that allowed them to quickly solve existing housing problems.
Enlisted in the VSO (military construction detachment)
The personnel were recruited from graduates of construction educational institutions. Young people from rural areas, which were ruled from an early age with hammers and axes, were also enrolled in the VZO. Troubled guys with a criminal record most likely ended up in the ranks of construction workers. Nationality also played a role in enrollment. 90% of employees were from the Caucasus or Central Asia. There is an opinion that poor spoken Russian speech became the reason for serving in the VSO. On this basis, there are many anecdotes related to construction departments. Humor was caused by the formation of personnel.
Interesting: If a guy’s health did not allow him to serve in the army, he was sent to construction units. According to military law, the rights and responsibilities of construction workers were stipulated.
During hostilities, construction detachments are required to perform the duties of infantry units. Theoretically, basic training should be provided according to the program, but it was a formality so as not to interfere with the workers performing their direct duties.
The troops were subordinate to the defense department. It was engaged in the distribution of military builders to civilian ministries as labor. And the work done was credited to military service.
When the day of the military builder comes, in 2021 it fell on August 12, it is worth remembering all the services of the military army and builders to civilians. The battalions carried out serious tasks in the construction of defense and social complexes.
Builders have their own specialized equipment
Construction battalion in Tsarist Russia and the RSFSR
The Tsarist Russian army included auxiliary troops engaged in the construction and repair of various facilities. They were formed in 1881. They included telegraph, workers and railway units. These troops took part in the Russian-Japanese and World Wars. Engineering units in the Russian army have always existed: during the times of Kievan Rus they were called the Pososhnaya Army, and under Peter I - Sappers. In 1917, all VCh were disbanded.
In 1918, the so-called rear militia was formed in the young Soviet Republic. It often included former nobles, tsarist officers, priests, wealthy peasants and other categories of citizens who were considered unreliable by the Soviet authorities, and therefore did not have the right to serve in the combat units of the Red Army. In the 30s, units of the rear militia were part of the People's Commissariat of Heavy Industry, Communications and Road Administration.
This state of affairs continued until the beginning of 1937, when the Directorate of Construction Units of the Red Army appeared on the basis of the rear militia. Soviet military builders are responsible for many facilities erected in the pre-war period, including industrial enterprises, communication lines, roads and residential buildings. In addition, the VCh participated in all wars and local conflicts that the USSR waged at that time.
The other side of the coin
Neither the military leadership nor the civilian population approved of the existence of a military construction battalion. Despite their number and distribution, such formations were prohibited by the laws on conscription and the Constitution of the USSR. There was often sharp dissatisfaction among conscripts who were sent to serve in the VSO. They understood their position when they were considered a productive force, which was used outside the army. They often expressed their dissatisfaction in the form of disobedience or even desertion.
This kind of formation was ineffective. It was proven that the work activities of such units were not organized. Several factors contributed to this.
- The construction soldiers were poorly provided with material and living needs. Therefore, the productivity of workers was also low. This fact also aggravated situations with rowdy behavior, fights, violations of public order, and disobedience to superiors.
- There was a case when the inspection commission discovered a discrepancy between sanitary and hygienic living standards and the conditions in which employees lived. Then the workers slept in clothes at a temperature of +3°C. They did not visit the bathhouse for a month. Food was prepared outside in severe frosts. They were not given felt boots; they wore boots and suffered severe frostbite on their extremities.
Soviet builder is busy
Examples of event scenarios
The holiday is celebrated in the summer, so preference is given to scenarios with trips to nature. Construction-themed quests are especially popular.
The teams are offered a map of the area and given tasks to find the components of the future construction project. Hidden in different parts of the territory are bricks with symbolic names: “foundation”, “window opening”, “stairs”. The team that finds all the pieces first begins construction. The winners are the builders who were the first to put the facility into operation.
Traditionally, concert programs are organized where local groups perform. After the artist’s performance, comic auctions are held for builders, small lots are offered with a predetermined price. Typically, money from auctions is donated to charity.
The performances are interspersed with quizzes using a construction theme. Between performances, relay races and competitions for construction using the proposed materials are held for builders. For teams of 150 or more people, team building activities are organized with trips to booked recreation centers. For large events, specialist organizers are invited who have thematic props. For team building, they often offer volumetric construction, the creation of an enlarged puzzle, bicycle racing or go-karting.
Hot areas
There is an opinion that serving in the construction troops is safer than anywhere else. That's a moot point. "Stroybatovtsy" were sent to eliminate the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. They accounted for more than 70% of all liquidators. A couple of years later they were sent to clean up the consequences of the earthquake in Armenia and rebuild the settlement. They also served in Afghanistan. They were faced with the question of quartering military personnel. The towns had to be equipped with appropriate infrastructure, civil and military-administrative buildings.
Initially, the soldiers lived in tent shelters with basic amenities. This had a bad effect on the combat readiness of the army. The VSO quickly provided the soldiers with utility buildings and fortifications along the perimeter of the military headquarters. Ammunition warehouses and airfields were built. During the stay of the construction teams in Afghanistan, which was more than 6 years, hundreds of towns with all the necessary infrastructure were built. The construction of roads and bridges was under the care of domestic military builders.
Information: The detachments were sent abroad to build facilities for the republic’s military forces. With their help, not only space industry facilities were built, but also machine-building plants, the aviation industry was set up, and water vessels and underwater tankers were repaired and built. They built about 17 million square meters of public comfortable housing, more than 2 thousand kilometers of highways of republican significance.
Monument to a military builder
Unfit? Buildbat!
Young people were not selected for the Soviet construction battalion to learn shooting and other military skills. Therefore, they took there everyone who was limitedly fit for service due to health reasons. If you had a criminal record on minor charges, they would also take you. But the main backbone was made up of village boys and graduates of construction schools. However, in many regions, almost 100% of the construction team were citizens of Asian and Caucasian republics. It was no coincidence that they ended up in construction battalions.
The main reason why immigrants from Asia and the Caucasus were sent to Soviet construction battalions was the language barrier. During combat training, he could play an evil service. In construction, ignorance of Russian had no role. The commander just needed to show the private what to do. If there were Russian guys in such a detachment, then they were in a clear minority. Compatriotism and hazing flourished in the construction battalions. Former criminals quickly subjugated their weak-willed comrades. And the “foreigners” got me hooked on drugs. By the end of the service, some came home as hardened drug addicts. And some never returned at all.
Nowadays
In Russia, all military construction units and formations were disbanded. Liquidation began in 1992 and lasted until 2006. VSO no longer exists, and the construction of all construction projects is carried out by non-state enterprises. Only the use of workers from neighboring countries remains popular and widespread. Such hired workers are much cheaper with high labor efficiency. And to treat your employees, you can prepare delicious cold cuts.
It so happened that, traditionally, no mass events are held when Military Builder's Day comes. In 2021, according to the calendar, this fell on August 12. You can also see information about the upcoming Unity Day.
What are the signal troops called?
Signal troops is a general name for the branch of special troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, which exists separately in all three types of armed forces. Signal troops are designed to deploy communication systems and provide command and control of troops (forces) in peacetime and war.
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Who celebrates Builder's Day
The professional holiday began to be celebrated in 1956 on the initiative of Nikita Sergeevich Khrushchev. Since 2011, it began to be considered federal. At that time, the whole country was covered in construction. The profession has risen to the same level as such specialties as a doctor or a teacher. Many hospitals, schools and residential buildings appeared.
Today the holiday concerns all those who in one way or another relate to the construction of structures and buildings. This area includes:
- erection;
- demolition;
- reconstruction;
- restoration;
- major and current repairs.
The celebration is celebrated by employees carrying out design, installation, and organizational work. This also includes:
- plasterers;
- masons;
- designers;
- welders;
- installers;
- painters;
- plumbers;
- engineers;
- tilers.
- crane operator;
- interior designer;
- design manager.
The next Builder's Day in 2021 will be celebrated not only by workers in this field, but also by its veterans, as well as students of relevant universities.
There is a separate holiday for architects. It is celebrated on the first Monday of October. However, it is customary to congratulate people of this profession on the second Sunday of August.
Recommended Gifts
Builders accept gifts throughout the day. They also present significant things to their colleagues.
Construction helmet
One of the most common themed gifts for builders. Many people put inscriptions in the center of the helmet or make special engravings. Family members give helmets made of unusual materials or buy a construction helmet and fill it with the hero of the occasion’s favorite candies.
Set of tools
The choice of type of tools depends on the type of activity of the builder. The painters are presented with a set of brushes. Repairmen are given a suitcase with a drill and drill bits. Installers are given sets of screwdrivers.
Thermos and mug
For those who often work outside, it is customary to give thermoses or thermal mugs. Select copies with inscriptions that will remind you of the donor.
A uniform
A practical gift is a set of uniforms. For men, purchase universal sets that fit in size. They order personalized jackets, windbreakers, T-shirts.
Souvenir
Builders are often given themed souvenirs:
- a figurine in the form of a trowel;
- decanter for alcoholic drinks with the company logo;
- a pen or writing utensils with the symbols of the plant;
- table stand in the shape of a builder in a helmet.
Original poster
Those who know the builder well make original posters. They collect interesting photographs and write captions. Most often they use photographs from construction sites, with the wishes of colleagues and former employees.
Rain Cape
For builders who work outdoors, a polyethylene cape would be a good gift. They have special water-repellent inscriptions on them.
Lunch container
A practical gift is a set of lunch boxes. They are accompanied by a thermos for a hot first course. For a complete set, purchase personalized cutlery sets.
DIY gift
They make original bouquets of sweets with their own hands, which are wrapped in specially printed forfeits with construction symbols. Bouquets are decorated with various details.
How to decorate a cake
They make cakes for every taste for builders. Helmets formed from dough and decorated with cream are placed on a mastic covering. Particularly popular are cakes in the form of an object that the team has been working on for the entire previous year.
Those who build bridges are given cakes with edible bridges made from crackers, photographs of the objects are printed on a special pastry printer and placed in the center of the cake.
Popular competitions on this day
Over the years of celebration, certain traditions have developed. The most fun days are the days of builders, where competitions are held, ending with the presentation of symbolic prizes.
Skyscraper
Traditional competition for two teams of builders. Each participant draws a brick on a piece of whatman paper, and in this way the team “builds” their skyscraper. After time stops, the bricks are counted and the winner is determined based on the prevailing number.
Castle in the air
Two teams of builders build a castle using balloons and tape. Those with the highest tower win. The competition is made more difficult by giving teams deflated balloons. In this case, several team members inflate the balloons, and the rest begin construction.
Sweet Tower
Cookies, sweets, fruit slices, cream, cream, and jam are prepared for the competition. Towers are built from prepared materials. Victory goes to the one whose structure does not fall. This is an interesting competition, for which people do not divide into teams and do not leave the tables.
