Krapovy beret is a symbol and pride of special forces. However, in order to get a maroon beret it is necessary to pass a series of difficult tests, proving their physical and psychological preparation.
Krapovy beret is not only a headdress, but also an indicator of the high level of training of a special forces officer. Every year, fighters of special forces take an exam in order to prove their ability to overcome difficult trials.
Preliminary test
Any soldier serving under a contract or conscription may pass an examination for wearing a maroon beret. For this, it is necessary to serve in the special forces for at least six months, to obtain a positive response from the commander, and to have excellent marks in academic subjects.
A preliminary test is carried out 2-3 days before the main exam. It consists of a 3 km run, pull-ups, and a test, which includes resting and crouching, push-ups, abdominal exercises, jumping out of a crouching position. All these exercises are repeated seven times.
Main test
Within one day, applicants must overcome seven challenges: a march, a special obstacle course, training for the assault on tall buildings, acrobatics and hand-to-hand combat.
The first stage of the test is a march. A prerequisite is to overcome a water barrier. Depending on the order of the commander, it may include shelling, evacuation of the wounded, overcoming various barriers and blockages, and performing physical exercises. The total time allotted for the march is set based on weather conditions and terrain, but should not exceed more than two hours.
The next step is to overcome the obstacle course in extreme conditions. It is performed immediately after a march without the right to rest. Charges and products of the RDG-2B are installed on the strip. A prerequisite is the smoke of an obstacle course.
The third stage of testing includes high-speed shooting against a background of body fatigue. The time allotted for shooting is not more than 20 seconds. To perform this special exercise, applicants are sent to the firing line.
The fourth stage consists of an assault on high-rise buildings using launching equipment. The fighter begins the test from a window on the fifth floor. At the command of the commander begins to go down. Having reached the window on the fourth floor, he is obliged to make several shots from the machine gun. In the window opening of the second floor, he should knock out the layout of the frame with his foot and throw a grenade there. After that it descends to the ground.
The reference time for this test shall not exceed 45 seconds.
At the fifth stage, applicants must complete a set of acrobatic exercises. It includes: kicking with a somersault and somersaults forward from the springboard, lifting the body from a supine position.
Then follows the stage of the complex of special exercises. The test subject is required to perform correctly, without errors and stops, in strict sequence, and with high quality strokes.
The final stage includes hand-to-hand combat. The training match lasts no more than 12 minutes, non-stop, with a change of partners. A person who has actively acted and has not received a knockout is recognized as having passed the test.
