An Officer is a Noble Profession

I am Victor Sokolov. I was born in the family of a serviceman. My father is a commissioned officer. His rank is a lieutenant-colonel. 20 years ago he graduated from the Higher Military Engineering Command School with merit and began his military service in an engineer battalion. He was a lieutenant and commanded a platoon. In two years my father was promoted to the rank of a senior lieutenant and a little bit later to the rank of a captain.

In 1986 his engineer battalion took part in the elimination of the effects of Chernobyl catastrophe. The battalion personnel had to decontaminate the area of the Chernobyl nuclear power station and provide reactor shielding. Many soldiers and officers were awarded medals and orders for this mission. My father was awarded too. Besides, he was promoted to the rank of a major.

Five years later my father took his entrance examinations to the Military Engineering Academy. He passed his exams rather well and became a military student of the faculty of civil defence. Upon his graduation from the Academy my father was promoted to the rank of a lieutenant-colonel and sent to the Civil Defence Forces.

My elder brother is an officer too. He serves in the Far East. His military service is rather difficult but very interesting. My brother is a senior lieutenant. He commands a company.

My mother is a military doctor. She is a major. She works at a hospital. My mother provides medical assistance to the servicemen.

I’m proud of my family and I’ll do all my best to be an officer myself.

Active Vocabulary to Text В

serviceman – военнослужащий

soldier – солдат

commissioned officer – кадровый офицер

lieutenant-colonel – подполковник

personnel – личный состав

to combine – сочетать

to decontaminate – обеззараживать

to do all one’s best – делать все возможное

to be awarded – быть награжденным

combat – боевой

Questions to Text B

1. What are Sokolov‘s parents by profession?

2. What military educational institutions did Sokolov‘s father graduate from?

3. What is the rank of Sokolov‘s father?

4. When was Sokolov‘s father promoted to the rank of a lieutenant-colonel?

5. When did Sokolov‘s father begin his military service?

6. What forces did Sokolov‘s father serve?

7. What was the first military post of Sokolov‘s father?

8. What units and subunits did Sokolov‘s father command?

9. Did Sokolov‘s father take part in the elimination of the effects

of Chernobyl catastrophe?

10. What does Sokolov‘s mother do?

PART II

CIVIL DEFENCE SYSTEM OF RUSSIA