Physical Training, Military

the educational discipline concerned with the development of physical fitness and skills in the armed forces. In the Soviet armed forces, physical training is part of the general system of military education and training and is especially important in combat training. It is intended to promote the health of servicemen and cultivate their physical endurance, strength, agility, bravery, decisiveness, and ability to orient themselves and react quickly. Physical training also increases their ability to perform tasks swiftly and accurately despite fatigue and emotional stress and to use weapons and various techniques as effectively as possible during combat.

Physical training includes daily morning calisthenics (mandatory since 1923) and sessions in gymnastics, running, hurdles, hand-to-hand combat, skiing training, swimming, athletic games, and rowing. It also includes physical exercises that can be performed under conditions of restricted body movement, before working a shift using technical equipment, and while marching to and from combat training.

Physical training is coordinated with applied combat training. In their free time, units also engage in athletic training, sports competitions, and athletic games. The content, forms, and methods of physical training are determined by programs of combat training, physical-training manuals, and special directives. The organizational and methodological supervision of physical training from the regimental level and higher is the responsibility of staff physical-training and sports specialists and corresponding commanders.