Take a look inside a Russian school where students learn to shoot assault rifles along with normal classes
Courses include weapons training, physical drills and overnight camp-outs
By Alex Lockie and Abby Jackson
At The General Yermolov Cadet School in Stravropol, Russia, academics and military training occur side by side.
The state-run school, named after Alexei Yermolov, a former Russian general and hero of the Caucasus War, blends a normal academic course load with physical drills, weapons training, and overnight camp-outs.
Information about the school is sparse, but images in a Reuters photo package offer a unique glimpse into the daily lives of students, also referred to as cadets.
Take a look below for a glimpse at how the cadet school moulds Russian youths into soldiers.
The cadet school, located in southwestern Russia, is co-ed.
When students have overnight trips they bunk up.
They train near a boot camp of the Russian Knights, an aerobatic demonstration team of the Russian Air Force. Here, a student fires a rifle.
Cadets are responsible for their gear, including rifles. This cadet disassembles a Kalashnikov assault rifle.
Physical training is a big part of the students’ schooling.
They spar for conditioning.
And learn proper rifle form.
There is also a religious aspect to the school. Students pray before their meals and attend chapel.
Though training is intense...
...they’re still just kids.
