It’s interesting. My only quibble is that neither the Soviet Union nor Russia have ever been big on “NCO’s”. At least, not in the way we would normally understand them in the West.
“It’s interesting. My only quibble is that neither the Soviet Union nor Russia have ever been big on “NCO’s”. At least, not in the way we would normally understand them in the West.”
That is very true. NCOs are the backbone of a military. Moreover, in the US military delegation of authority and command is routine, such that the mission is understood throughout, and lower echelon troops have the wherewithal and flexibility to carry out and complete the mission absent superior officers.
Poor logistics, a weak NCO system, and a lack of regular training for reservists are major weaknesses of the Russian army. This “partial mobilization” will generate internal oppostion but little in the way of new combat power. At most, the measure will provide a stream of older, poorly trained men to feed into existing units that have been depleted in the fighting. That may help to stabilize Russia’s front lines, but it will be politically destructive to Putin’s regime.