It is true that history develops in a spiral. In the same way, human destinies, these small personal stories that later form a large human chronicle, represent a similar configuration in their geometry. For some, it is steeper, for others it is smoother. I must admit that the ladder of life, which goes up like an arrow, personally does not cause me much respect. And what's more, there are concerns for the ultimate well-being of the quick-fire escapee to the top. No matter how hard you fall later. But to those who go to their life and professional heights, firmly checking the step, not jumping over the steps - to such people I have a special favor. Because behind their regularity - accumulated wisdom and life experience, human knowledge and high professionalism.

My hero - Lieutenant Colonel Vasily Dontsov is just from this, the second category.

"Too late..., "

Now he is the deputy commander of the special purpose brigade for educational work. The figure is authoritative, colorful, and well-respected by all.

And Vasily Alexandrovich received lieutenant stars for shoulder straps when some of his peers were already trying on major ones. So life turned out, I entered the military school as a mature person, having experience of both urgent and long-term service. After graduating from school, ensigns managed to become a senior officer in the same company where he once began his military career as a green recruit. By the way, such significant returns will be more than once in his life, but more about them later.

Such a late start, as Lieutenant Colonel Dontsov himself now believes, did not become a hindrance for him either in the army formation or in service growth, but rather served as a springboard for reliability, developing a style whose essence is "measure seven times - cut once". He remains loyal to this day.

Thoroughness in the character of Dontsov. However, the Cossacks-stanichniki from his native Krasokovskaya, in the Rostov region, did not really welcome children with laziness. So it was customary for boys from an early age to help with the housework, and to have time to drive the ball on the outskirts, to spin on a homemade crossbar. Apparently, it was, it was-whispered the same voice of blood: whatever one may say, a Cossack must prepare for a military task. And in Novo-Cherkassk, where the Dontsov family later moved, Vasily did not leave his attachment. As soon as he had a free minute, he picked up his boxing gloves and went to the gym. Even before being called up for service, he repeatedly performed at boxing competitions. He used his free time in the army in much the same way, especially when he became a cadet at the Leningrad Higher Military and Political School. Maybe that's why, after graduation, he was offered the position of deputy political officer of a sports company in the Sports Club of the army of the Carpathian Military District. Another would have been happy and thanked fate and the staff authorities for the dust-free service in general. And this one was stubborn. Give him special forces and that's it. In the personnel department, the obstinate lieutenant was a little surprised, but still his insistent request was granted. So he realized his long-standing dream-he became not just an officer, but a special forces officer.

"The specifics of service in our units are special," says Major Alexander Olifirenko, a brigade staff officer. - Somewhere service paths intersected-roads. And if you consider that the stars on our shoulder straps are almost all made of hardened metal - they have passed the fire of hot spots-you can understand that we know almost all the inside stories about each other. In combat, in extreme conditions, a person is opened like a book. Take it and read it. So no one ever said a bad word about Dontsov. Although his position, as you know, is not respected by everyone. Still, the trail from political organizations in the army is still tangible.

At the end of his lengthy monologue-characteristics, the staff officer added briefly:: "Vasily Alexandrovich is a man of action, and not a master of empty words to let go. He should be the commander..."

We will leave without comment the assessment of Major Olifirenko. Everyone has their own view. Something else is important here. Dontsov is respected by all his colleagues: in the price of his quality as a person, as a class specialist, and as an officer.

...By the end of 1995, the situation in many regions of Chechnya was not very favorable for the federal forces. It was not without some difficulty that I managed to maintain a proper mood in such an environment. What to hide, there were people who frankly decided, if possible, just to leave the room. Lieutenant Colonel Dontsov, who at that time was acting as deputy commander of the military group of the Ministry of Defense for educational work, also had to meet with such people. The most annoying thing is that among the negligent were sometimes officers from, so to speak, "their own department". There was a case: Vasily Alexandrovich did not have time to appear in one of the field camps, as the commander of the unit immediately began to talk about the senior lieutenant, the educator officer, whom he did not like.

"Every man counts," the colonel said, " and this guy isn't much use. People say that if you want to fail the case, entrust it to Volkov.

Not to say that the commander of the unit completely discouraged the acting deputy commander. But after such an unflattering assessment of a young colleague, it was probably not easy to resist the desire to properly "comb" that one.

Apparently, the senior lieutenant himself assumed something similar. Volkov greeted Dontsov with a wariness that was evident in his forced smile and words:

- Will you educate them? Or just by the header?

"Don't get cocky, First Lieutenant. What kind of punishment would you prefer-transfer to a new duty station?

Volkov did not expect such an appeal, he completely faded away. Vasily Alexandrovich pulled up a rough-hewn stool and sat down firmly.

"We'll always have time to punish you if we need to, so let's deal with you in a good way first."

I can't say for sure, but I have a certain hope that the young officer will remember the conversation for the rest of his life.

The lieutenant colonel and the senior lieutenant talked for an hour. Volkov initially tried to be impertinent, to explain to Dontsov "his truth". They say that everything around us has turned upside down, everything is wrong in the Kingdom of Denmark, so what's there?.. Vasily Alexandrovich did not interrupt him, but gave him an opportunity to "blow off steam" and speak out. And then, as he had long been accustomed to, he slowly sorted out his arguments, the essence of which in the end came down to one simple conclusion: we must do our job honestly and conscientiously.

"You know, Volkov," the acting deputy commander ended the conversation quite unexpectedly, " I decided to vouch for you to the commander.

He hesitated.

"Don't let me down?"

How can I answer this question? I didn't find Volkov right away. He only shook his head. No, they say, I won't let you down.

Since then, Dontsov did not miss the opportunity to visit this part on occasion. A month and a half or two later, on Dontsov's next visit near Shatoy, Vasily Alexandrovich found the commander filling out some forms.

- Here, I write presentations for awards for distinguished people, - he explained. - Including your "godson". How the guy was switched. Do you know the cherished word, Vasily Alexandrovich?..

Dontsov smiled and shrugged: it's such a job. We didn't talk about it again.

"Undereducated..."

Some of the zealous service personnel will not understand it. Dontsov twice refused offers to enter the academy. Already the documents were drawn up, and calls were received for him, and knowledgeable people estimated his chances of becoming a listener as one hundred percent. But both times, after hesitating, Vasily Alexandrovich postponed moving to the Mother See until better times. No, the opportunity to continue his education and thus probably secure a faster career, like any normal person, he appreciated. Only he valued even more the opportunity to strengthen his professionalism in business, in everyday and difficult special forces work.

First, the alternative was Afghanistan. The command in the choice of Dontsov was not slow, but he preferred to go "across the river". He earned the respect of his comrades not so much by talking well, although they were also useful, as by the fact that he never sat in a staff tent. He tried to establish "educational" contact with his subordinates during combat exits, raids, escorts of columns. There he sought to be useful both as an "engineer of human souls" and as a professional paratrooper. One day, the unit in which Dontsov went out on another raid was ambushed near Makur.

It turned out that Dontsov, after the commander of the raid squad was wounded, turned out to be the senior officer. He, together with Major Evgeny Sergeev, then had to make a decision on which the lives of dozens of our guys depended. They made the right move, unexpected for the enemy. Concentrating their strength, they rushed not into the valley, but towards the mountains. They jumped out, and then the "turntables" arrived in time.

Since then, Dontsov has been in serious trouble more than once. But he firmly learned that an officer-educator, if only he wants to be considered a professional by right, simply must not only know each subordinate in detail, be ready to mobilize his best qualities in a critical situation, but also have at the level of command training, possess general military skills and knowledge.

All this comes with experience, acquired through study. It can be different... Vasily Alexandrovich reluctantly recalls the second refusal of the offer to enter the academy. The situation turned out to be banal in everyday life, but for Dontsov himself it was a touchy one. The battalion commander, for whom he was a deputy, at the time of the perestroika struggle with "this case" caught the eye of a visiting inspector while drunk. Well, as usual, quickly issued a "case", the battalion commander was punished. And Dontsov, although no one blamed him for anything, considered it impossible for himself to become a student of the academy.

"Nothing," the deputy brigade commander smiles, " field universities are also worth a lot.

..Professional

As it turned out, Lieutenant Colonel Dontsov had already served in this special forces brigade. However, that was almost ten years ago. And then there was a brigade in Afghanistan. And Dontsov did not serve as a deputy brigade commander, but only as a modest deputy political officer of one of the divisions. Therefore, I accepted the new appointment with joy. How I got home. Although he got a solid farm,

well-groomed, however, it was not so easy to settle down in a new role. Units of the brigade had recently left Chechnya, which meant that it was necessary to take part in solving social and domestic issues, to deal with the problems of psychological and medical rehabilitation of military personnel in need.

Day and night Dontsov disappeared in the brigade. My wife even grumbled sometimes: "I would worry about my own housing, we have been living without our own corner for many years." So no, Vasily Alexandrovich, if he addresses the military leadership or the local authorities with some business, then first of all he starts talking about subordinates. How, for example, is it better to support the veteran of the brigade Albert Zaripov, who became disabled after being seriously injured in a hot spot? How to help private Artur Tretyakov, whose mother suddenly fell ill...

Most of the officers and their families live in a small military town near the brigade's location. Therefore, all social and domestic problems are visible. A deputation of women came to Dontsov one day. So, they say, and so, Vasily Alexandrovich, the nearest regional center is more than ten kilometers away, you can't take kids to the garden. Dontsov - to the brigade commander. How much effort and nerves had to be expended before the decision to open a kindergarten in the town was settled "at the top". Now the children are looked after, many wives of officers and ensigns have managed to find a job.

And recently, Lieutenant Colonel Dontsov was offered to make such a choice. We'll give you an apartment as a priority, they say. But the position should be vacated - it's time for the young to give way.

The family council wasn't easy. Vasily Alexandrovich's household was easy to understand, and they advised him to agree. Dontsov listened to them in silence. I've been thinking for a long time. Then he put his arm around her shoulders and looked into her eyes:

"Can we serve again?" Do you know where I'm going without my job?..

My wife just waved her hand: you, an old soldier, can't be changed... So maybe you shouldn't?

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