Quote: "The Soviets had a system of Primary Military Training (NVP). In a typical lesson schoolchildren would be shown how hand grenades and mines worked, and taught to strip and reassemble Kalashnikov rifles."

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2009-06-12 07:30:17 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

But if this is "training" of an educator, I am not so sure.

Любой начальный курс будет "foundations". НВП, как я очень хорошо помню из моего советского прошлого - это не курс молодого бойца (Леша, спасибо за аналогию!!!), а ВВОДНЫЙ курс в военную подготовку.

Пример (в котором речь идет о том, как воспитывались мальчики во Франции, но в применении к необходимости начальной военной подготовки для американских подростков в период 1-ой Мировой войны):

PATRIOTS IN THE MAKING

WHAT AMERICA CAN LEARN FROM FRANCE AND GERMANY

BY JONATHAN FRENCH SCOTT, PH.D.

INSTRUCTOR IN. HISTORY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY THE HON. MYRON T. HERRICK FOBMER AMBASSADOR TO FHANCE

D. APPLETON AND COMPANY NEW YORK LONDON 1916

"TV COPYBIGHT, 1916, BY D. APPLETON AND COMPANY]


The French have understood, however, that in laying the educational FOUNDATIONS for the task of national defense it is necessary to do more than arouse the spirit that would brave danger and death in time of war. The youth must be led to bear willingly during peaceful years the heavy and painful burden of preparation for the coming conflict. Courage, enthusiasm, and self-sacrifice would be powerless against a hostile army, organized and trained. […] Much of this knowledge was inculcated, of course, during the years of compulsory military training; but its foundation was laid in the school. […]The foundations of military training are laid in the school. Education is compulsory between the ages of 7 and 15, and during this period the boys are required to undergo a stiff course in calisthenics and other physical exercises. […]
I am not of those who believe that any one country is planning our destruction. But if from the kaleidoscope of events war should evolve, we must be ready to meet it. If eternal vigilance is the price of liberty in a democracy, then none too soon can we begin to give our future citizens some adequate idea of the problems which face us as a world power; none too soon can we begin to foster that spirit of courageous devotion to the Fatherland which is serving France so well in her hour of trial.