Married couple among Active Reserves soldiers specialising in CBRN

16 Active Reserves (AR) soldiers joined the Gemer-Malohont-based CBRN Battalion Rožňava for a two-week training programme on 21 September 2020.

During the first week at AR training, the reserve personnel honed their basic soldiering skills at the Training Centre Lešť. “As part of Skill At Arms (SAA), the reservists fired not only the Model 58 Assault Rifle but also a pistol for the first time. They were also instructed on tactics, topography and other areas. During Week 2, the reservists familiarised themselves with specialist issues at the CBRN Training and Testing Centre Zemianske Kostoľany,” said Cpt Lucia Machajdíková, the officer in charge of the AR CBRN training.

Among them were ex-service personnel, Voluntary Military Training (VMT) soldiers and former conscripts. While some attended the AR training for the first time, others for the third time already. This was the case with Pte in Reserve Jana Barusová and Pte in Reserve Mário Švolík. This year Pte in Reserve Jana Barusová completed the training along with her husband Marek.

Pte in Reserve Jana Barusová said: “Last year I attended Voluntary Military Training (VMT). It appealed to me very much and that’s why I decided to join the Active Reserves. So, here I am. This is the third time for my husband and he has been supportive of me.”

Mário Švolík, IT quality manager, said: “I noticed there was an advert broadcast on the radio and on TV. I signed up for the Active Reserves to break away from stereotypes at work and try out something interesting. I don’t regret it.“ For his compulsory military training, he was assigned as a conscript to the Guard of Honour. Later on, he opted for CBRN as his chosen specialisation in the Active Reserves because it is useful, especially during the pandemic. “In addition, if any industrial incident occurs, it is good to know how to respond to such a situation,“ he added.

While at the CBRN Training and Testing Centre Zemianske Kostoľany, the AR soldiers became familiar, among others, with toxic chemical detectors and signalling devices and learnt about how they worked and how to operate them. They did so under simulated near-real conditions out on the training area. The toxic chemicals used in the training were simulant agents, yet they worked as if they were real. It is notable that the emphasis was placed on safety procedures and proper use of personal protective equipment, including the SARATOGA protective suit and the OM-99 Respirator. 
 
Among those named as the best reservists were Sgt 1st Class in Reserve Pavol Sedlák, SSgt in Reserve Ján Ticháň, SSgt in Reserve Rastislav Staňa and Pte in Reserve Jana Barusová. They confirmed they would be delighted to meet again for the fourth edition of the CBRN Active Reserve training next year.