Your thoughts on the Russian military recruitment video

Capt Brandon Charters — Fri, 09 May 2014 00:10:39 -0400

Interested to hear everyone's thoughts on the recently released Russian military recruitment video. How does it compare to our US Army / USMC versions? Do you like it? Many have said it portrays a more 'real' picture of military service. Others have said it's Russia being dark and evil. What do you think?

Russian Military Recruitment Video Embraces Dark Side

A Russian military recruitment video has surfaced, and it's unsurprisingly dark and ominous. Did you expect a cheery and patriotic pitch to service from the former Soviet state? According to a translation, the video shares the new slogan the Russian military is using to attract...

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2014 12:23 AM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 May 2014 00:23:02 -0400

Capt Charters, thanks for sharing this, very interesting recruitment video!

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2014 12:31 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 May 2014 00:31:18 -0400

We should take notes

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2014 1:11 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 May 2014 01:11:34 -0400

eh, not impressed. i need subtitles

Response by Cpl Ray Fernandez made May 9 at 2014 2:53 AM

Cpl Ray Fernandez — Fri, 09 May 2014 02:53:20 -0400

It reflects the culture. They've always been a bit paranoid about the west and fear an invasion from us. Sounds strange that we spent so much time fearing the same from them but they are pretty xenophobic.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2014 7:34 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 May 2014 19:34:26 -0400

Can't understand what they are saying, but it would definitely appeal to a young "warrior" type.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made May 9 at 2014 9:48 PM

SSG Laureano Pabon — Fri, 09 May 2014 21:48:02 -0400

We should take notes

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2014 10:33 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 May 2014 10:33:59 -0400

it really depicts what the "elite" level of troops would be like but people should stand up and take notice.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 10 at 2014 6:48 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 10 May 2014 18:48:27 -0400

Didn't watch it but I have seen plenty of pictures/videos from Spetznaz Training and they pull no punches. Even the worst Hazing that happend when I was in could not compare to what I have seen done to their Spetznaz in training. Now I count a couple of Spetznaz as coworkers and friends but Damn! I'll pass on that crap!

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made May 11 at 2014 11:13 AM

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz — Sun, 11 May 2014 11:13:11 -0400

Looks a lot like our own recruiting adds... sorta like "This is what its like... do you have what it would take to do this?" view of military service.
Pulls me back to the time when I first went in the military, when we believed that eventually, we might have to face the Russian Military in battle.
I don't see this video as dark and evil, I see it as great cinematophography, done in shades of gray to give the brain that view that 'this is serious... '
It does, however, make me realize that this is not a good time for America to be gutting its military.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2014 3:48 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 May 2014 15:48:23 -0400

I would say it is a decent recruitment video. It is definitely not a game changer. It is not dark nor evil. I definitely disagree that it present a more "real" depiction of service. The bottom line, not every soldier will serve in the VDV, a Spetsnaz Unit, or some other high speed hooah hooah unit, not everyone wants to be. Much like in our Army not everyone will be a Ranger or SF guy. Our ads are the realistic ones, they present the benefits of being a soldier and show how service can positively impact your career and education. This add shows none of that, it just show a typical Slavic narrative of the young Slavic man leaving his wife to defend the fatherland from bandits. It really isn't all that patriotic as it lacks overt imagery. Where is the tri-color flag? You finally see the Russian Armed Forces logo at the end.
What is realistic about being an airborne sniper? Where is the officer or nco yelling at him? I didn't see and dedevshcina represented. This is an add for a video game. Showing the benefits of service is the best way to recruit competent people to your ranks.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made May 12 at 2014 11:42 AM

CMDCM Gene Treants — Mon, 12 May 2014 11:42:15 -0400

Really well done. On the same level as our SEAl, Marine, SF, recruitment advertising videos. I have to wonder where and when it is played? Is this a Television ad, High School, College, or where does it play? This is really well done and would appeal to any young macho man. Especially effective in recruiting those looking for a special forces way of life! Go (Russian) Navy!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2014 10:08 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 May 2014 10:08:22 -0400

It definitely has some badass visuals and good tag lines! "without an enemy there is no battle, and without a battle there is no victory. But in reality, the main enemy … is you, the you from yesterday.” That's damn motivating right there! Now, I know they haze the $#!@ out of you as a Spetznaz recruit, but I must say, I find it a bit better than the videos of us charging empty deserts and delivering aid packages. It's been years since we climbed mountains and slayed dragons...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2014 10:15 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 May 2014 10:15:01 -0400

Personally, I would like to see something along the lines of a "mad minute" or some door breaching with C4 in our recruting videos. Deep down inside, didn't most of us sign up because we really wanted to blow things up and shoot guns?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2014 3:28 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 May 2014 03:28:52 -0400

Really thats all they got? We have dragons to kill, mountains to climb, and diving boards to jump off.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 20 at 2014 3:06 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 03:06:16 -0500

I have so many responses.......

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Nov 20 at 2014 6:08 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 06:08:14 -0500

Nice find! I think they hit it spot on.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2014 6:33 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 06:33:06 -0500

Pretty much like ours in my opinion.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2014 6:38 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 06:38:07 -0500

I like it, it cuts to the point unlike ours where we spend more time advertising the benefits of service rather than the duty. College, helathcare, vacations, etc... All benefits but that's not why true soldiers serve

Translation:
“Who you were yesterday doesn’t concern anyone anymore. What do you know about yourself? What are you capable of?” “The questions may remain without answers, but would you be able to sleep well?”

“To know yourself is to know the limits of your abilities. To hell with limitations! Are you ready to break yourself, every day? Here pain makes you stronger, scars are a daily occurrence. Here you decide to prove something to yourself.”

“This you try to see in each shadow of your enemy, because without an enemy there is no battle, and without a battle there is no victory. But in reality, the main enemy … is you, the you from yesterday. Your mission: Track down the enemy, catch up with him, overcome, become better than him and return as a victor. Because tomorrow is the first day of your new life.”

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Nov 20 at 2014 5:40 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 17:40:56 -0500

I thought Russia still used conscription....

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2014 9:48 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 09:48:02 -0500

The video was badass, and the translation makes it even better.

The quote
“Here pain makes you stronger, scars are a daily occurrence … without an enemy there is no battle, and without a battle there is no victory. But in reality, the main enemy … is you, the you from yesterday.”

is awesome and so very true.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2014 1:58 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 13:58:12 -0500

Looks like an add for "Call of Duty" to me.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 21 at 2015 12:21 AM

COL Charles Williams — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 00:21:50 -0400

You do know, they have a conscript Army....

More propaganda from the kings of propaganda...

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2015 4:02 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 16:02:27 -0400

Bad-a$$ery!! I like it!

Let's be honest, any time the media taps into the hard-body, energetic, purposeful, SOF-looking mission, it will grab attention.

Wait, what are we talking about? Lol.