Soldier Recalls Lieutenant Allowing Holiday Feast in Army

Away from home for a whole year, reveille at 6 a.m., an unaccustomedly strict daily routine, and grueling training—these are the everyday realities of an army soldier. Who among men is getting teary-eyed now? From personal experience, I ask you, do holidays like birthdays and New Year«s actually change anything? In truth, it depends on your luck. Our article»s protagonist has warm memories of celebrating New Year«s in the army. The »culprit« was a lieutenant who went out of his way for his charges. What follows is in the words of Kostya (name changed. — Ed.).

First, I should say where I served: in the 63rd Tank Regiment of the 150th Motor Rifle Division. A year in the army is genuinely a very tough test for every soldier. After that statement, I«m ready for arguments, like, »oh, big deal, found some difficulties.« But no, you»re far from your family, and it doesn«t matter if you»re eighteen or thirty-two. I think leadership«s primary duty is to ensure people don»t feel lonely and forsaken on a bright holiday like New Year«s.

I spent practically my entire service, you could say, in an office. My buddies and I in the personnel department pushed papers, scribbled reports, worked under constant inspections, and rarely left the office. Our commander was the head, and we were the hands. Definitely no soldierly romance from the movies here—I don«t know if that»s good or bad. Just pure bureaucracy. So, when New Year«s approached, a real wave of homesickness hit. All thoughts were of home, family, the Christmas tree. A holiday? Not a chance—just another duty day.

But no. The lieutenant called us over one day and said, «Your office for the holiday night, just make sure everything»s in order by morning.« We couldn»t believe our ears at first.

And so began the «forced» decorating—paper snowflakes on the window, «Happy New Year!» on the door. We pooled what money we could and laid out a decent spread. The table held what was luxury for the army: sausage and cheese, and even tangerines. We even found something to toast with in our army mugs. We sat there, none of that statutory hierarchy that evening—no «grandfathers» (senior conscripts) or «freshmen» (new recruits), just regular guys. We chatted about what we«d do back home, recalled funny incidents from the year. And all thanks to the lieutenant. It»s a harsh system, but there was such coziness that evening; I didn«t feel lonely once.

As for the other guys, they also chipped in and celebrated in their own company. Those were the ones in other units, not working at headquarters. They, of course, had a much bigger crowd, not just a couple of guys like us. Honestly, I can«t give details, but I heard it went well for them too. As they say, no one complained, there weren»t even any fights. A holiday is a holiday, even in the army; it brings people together in its own way.

I have special respect for those who served with us, having arrived from the new republics—older men with families. They hadn«t seen their own children for a year... I want to give them their due—not everyone would make that choice. They have real responsibility.

New Year«s is an extremely important milestone for every »little soldier.« Those who served, do you agree? For me, it was precisely at that moment that the realization hit: This year, I am definitely coming home! I felt a calm like never before in the previous months. By the way, my buddies and I still keep in touch and are friends; for that, I»m grateful to the army.

And right now, I«m putting into practice what I»ve long planned. I told the guys back in the office that I would travel. I«m sitting and writing these lines thousands of kilometers away from that place, waiting for a flight to Colombia. I live by the motto: »You came into this world, don«t die without seeing it.»

And where are some unusual places you«ve spent New Year»s? A UFA1.RU photographer, for example, celebrated the holiday at a remote outpost on Mount Taganay—in a hut deep in a thick, snow-covered forest. Read about his experience here.