Today, on May 29, Belarus celebrates Military Motorist Day and the 116th anniversary of the formation of the motor troops.
Exactly 116 years ago, on May 29, 1910, by decree of Emperor Nicholas II, the 1st Training Motor Company was formed in the Russian Empire to train military drivers and other specialists in the automotive service. This event marked the beginning of the development of military automotive technology in the army.
In the early 20th century, the use of automobiles for military purposes was limited, and horse-drawn carts were primarily used for transporting weapons, ammunition, and food supplies. However, as technology advanced, automobiles gradually began to replace horse-drawn vehicles. By the beginning of the First World War, the Russian army had 711 cars and 101 motorcycles, which gave it a significant advantage on the battlefield.
During the Soviet period, the automotive units were heavily developed, and during the Great Patriotic War, military drivers made thousands of trips under fire, delivering ammunition and evacuating the wounded. The legendary Road of Life across Lake Ladoga was largely a feat of military drivers. By Order of the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Belarus Andrei Ravkov dated November 15, 2016, No. 1520 "On Establishing the Date of the Annual Military Motorist Day," May 29 was declared a public holiday.
Today, in sovereign Belarus, motor units are an integral part of the logistics support for the Armed Forces, and their specialists are renowned for their reliability, endurance, and ability to operate vehicles in any conditions. In modern Belarus, the Day of the Military Motorist is celebrated with great fanfare, including military parades, awards ceremonies, and obstacle course demonstrations. Traditionally, meetings are organized with veteran motorists, who share their memories of service.
The Belarusian National Technical University trains specialists at the Military Engineering Faculty at the Department of Military Automotive Engineering in the specialty "Operation of Ground Transport and Technological Machines and Complexes". During training in this specialty, cadets master the schemes and principles of operation of various vehicles in service.
"During their training, each cadet in this specialty receives a category B and C driver's license. Upon graduation, officers hold positions ranging from platoon commanders to heads of vehicle services," said Colonel Yaroslav Goncharenko, Head of the Department of Military Automotive Equipment.
The profession of a military motorist is essential in the Armed Forces, as no unit can function without vehicles.
However, becoming a professional and competent specialist in this field is not an easy task. It requires technical knowledge and a passion for automotive technology. The faculty of the Military-Technical and Automotive Faculties, as well as the modern educational and material base of the BNTU, help students become professionals in their chosen field, – said Yaroslav Grigoryevich.
According to the Lieutenant Colonel, the current generation of military motorists at the Military-Technical Faculty of the BNTU continues the glorious traditions of their heroic predecessors, making a significant contribution to improving the combat readiness and mobility of the Armed Forces, thereby ensuring the military security of the state.
We would like to congratulate all military motorists, cadets, teachers, and veterans on this holiday. We wish you good health, reliable equipment, and a peaceful sky above your head!
