Bread, guns, and tanks

**~~SA2003~~** · 21 Sep 11,, 01:55

The life of a Cossack kid

My mother raised me in Moscow, away from my Cossack father's culture, so I did not grow up like this, like a real Cossack warrior. Sometimes, I think that's a terrible shame. Cossack life is fun, especially as a child :D

**Officer of Engineers** · 21 Sep 11,, 04:04

Boy scouts

**~~SA2003~~** · 21 Sep 11,, 04:06

Originally Posted by Officer of Engineers

Boy scouts

Pretty much. Only on a T-80 lol

**Pedicabby** · 21 Sep 11,, 04:26

I wish we had got to play with tanks when I was a boy scout. Looks a lot more fun than flogging apples.

**~~SA2003~~** · 21 Sep 11,, 04:36

Originally Posted by rickshaw92

I wish we had got to play with tanks when I was a boy scout. Looks a lot more fun than flogging apples.

Indeed

**YellowFever** · 21 Sep 11,, 05:41

Whoa...and who says Russian redneck kids don't have as much fun as American redneck kids..

**~~SA2003~~** · 21 Sep 11,, 05:59

Originally Posted by YellowFever

Whoa...and who says Russian redneck kids don't have as much fun as American redneck kids..

Like I said, the dream childhood I never got to have

**Dreadnought** · 21 Sep 11,, 22:13

Originally Posted by YellowFever

Whoa...and who says Russian redneck kids don't have as much fun as American redneck kids..

In America, the Farmers daughters are usually hotter looking....

**~~SA2003~~** · 21 Sep 11,, 22:21

Originally Posted by Dreadnought

In America, the Farmers daughters are usually hotter looking....

You've never seen a Cossack girl before, have you? lol

Enjoy

**Doktor** · 21 Sep 11,, 22:26

No drinks?

Seriously what's good in giving kids AK-47 (or whatever that assault rifle is) and putting them in a tank. At least half of them had helmets.

**bigross86** · 21 Sep 11,, 22:29

Great, she can dance with swords, but I know a couple dozen girls that can do the same thing, whether it be with swords, firesticks or just plain juggling. Question is, does she know what to do with those swords aside from dance with them?

**Doktor** · 21 Sep 11,, 22:30

You mean for chopping meat and preparing salads?

**bigross86** · 21 Sep 11,, 22:33

I'm so proud of my minions sometimes...

Go ahead, next Yellowbelly insult is all yours!

**~~SA2003~~** · 21 Sep 11,, 23:04

Originally Posted by Doktor

No drinks?

Seriously what's good in giving kids AK-47 (or whatever that assault rifle is) and putting them in a tank. At least half of them had helmets.

They are being trained as soldiers. Cossacks prepare their young for military service very early on. Among those people, it is a big deal. When representatives of a young man's family come to meet family of a young woman to ask for marriage, first questions are always about his military record: did he serve (if not, there is probably no chance at all), which branch (Specnaz being most repsected, then Airborne, then Marines/Naval Infantry, then Army recon units, then, believe it or not, submariners and Air Force pilots, then regular infantry, then sailors), how long, where (hot spots?). There is a show on Russian TV, Davai Pozhenimsya, "Lets Get Married", match-making show. 3 grooms compete for bride, or 3 brides for groom. On last New Year, they had a Cossack episode. Cossack girl, Ulyana, 18 years old

First groom, Pyotr, 23 years old, served in the Air Force, as a mechanic

They kind of looked at him: "Eh... Maybe."

Next candidate, Igor

Can't remember his age. Served with a Border Troops Coast Guard unit. Helped take down a gang of poachers in the Black Sea. Him, they looked at with a bit more respect.

And then, Terek Cossack Pavel Shulsky enters the stage

and they read out his dossier, like they always do for all the candidates, all the information, biography, with pictures. 20 years old. At 16, became Master of Sport in kickboxing, won his krai (province) youth championship. Served 2 years: specnaz, Chechnya

wounded twice, helped kill a noted rebel leader (they did not say which), received title Hero of Russia fighting his way through enemy fire to rescue a wounded and surrounded comrade. Etc. The girl's father stood, shook his hand, and said "Son, I want you in my family." The girl looked like she was in love. In the end the choice was obvious

See, that is the way over there. In other places, a girl waits for a Prince Charming ona white horse. Cossack girls wait for a war hero with battle scars and a chest full of medals

So for boys in that society, military service is the most important part of life.

Originally Posted by bigross86

Great, she can dance with swords, but I know a couple dozen girls that can do the same thing, whether it be with swords, firesticks or just plain juggling. Question is, does she know what to do with those swords aside from dance with them?

Originally Posted by Doktor

You mean for chopping meat and preparing salads?

There is lots she can do with them. You have no idea

**Doktor** · 21 Sep 11,, 23:20

Call it cultural differences, but I still have issues with kids playing with assault rifles and live ammo.

Those same kids have to wait to turn 18 to get a driving license, right?