Fulltext search in archive

The shift from vocational military service to all-volunteer force (AVF) could be regarded and treated as any other scholarly assignment of project management, so we can get a better look at its bugs and risks. The author applied the Valentas classification of innovation upon this AVF project in the Czech Republic and demonstrates what are main risks for its sustainability. He sees the first cause and effect in the reality that this shift lacks sufficient support by social sciences and humanities. Since 2003, only six per cent of scientists/scholars employed by the Czech Ministry of Defence have been supporting this great change. It is not enough and it makes certain incompetence within defence ministry to reach the factual aim of this move and AVF produces more and more difficulties. According to the author, the professionalization of forces in our country has not meet its main purpose--to raise professional qualities of military personnel, in spite of the fact it originally used to be the prime objective of this process.

The Association of Officers and Warrant Officers is a voluntary civic society directed and planned by the Central Council. It is the professional association of officers, former officers, and spouses, civilian employees and friends. Its activities cover a broad range of special-interest clubs. It cooperates with similarly oriented associations in NATO countries. The association has a long history of effective professional activities. The author enumerates performances done this year, namely the Paintball Czech Army Cup 2009 or demonstrations of combat engagement of a multinational squad to destroy the attack of terrorist groups. They produced multimedia compact disc "Pictures from Czech History 1914-2004" and organized the conference "The Youth in Present-time Czech History: Risks and Hopes" and are preparing another audio-visual teaching aid "Czech Society in Modern Europe: Destiny, Ties, Retreats and Approaches", made for all elementary and secondary schools.

The Shadow of Nucler War over Europe (19451968). In spite of general expectations, even after the end of the Cold War the world can't get rid of atomic threat. Interest in nuclear problems has increased in the last few years. Among new books dealing with this problem belongs also the monograph by Josef Fučík "The Shadow of Nucler War over Europe: The Strategy of Military Blocks, Operational Plans and the Role of the Czechoslovak People's Army in Central European Theatre in 1945-1968". In the 60's, the last century, the danger of nuclear confrontation was extremely high. The Soviet Union accumulated large atomic potential, the fact that disabled American strategy of flexible response. On the other side, this fact led the Americans to strengthen conventional forces, not welcomed by American Western Allies. Nowadays we can see similar situation, in case of unwillingness of West European nations to support American activities, e.g. in Afghanistan.

The Czech Republic became involved in ISAF in 2002, among others we sent there both field hospital and field surgical team; later meteorological group, traffic control group with EOD team began to serve at the Kabul International Airport. In 2004, the 601st Special Force Group was engaged in Enduring Freedom operation, Czech soldiers served in German Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), positive role was played by Czech Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team. Another successful mission was establishing PRT Logar, supporting social, economical development in this province. New common features of PRT, helicopter OMLT, EUPOL mission, partly SOG is the concentration on building Afghan capacities, namely ANSF (Afghan National Security Force) and public administration. Together with their deliberate support, it has multiplying effect, as assistance and training bring more effects than mere fulfilling standard military tasks, guarding e.g. Dutch base.

The artillery of the Army of the CR is indispensable part of Czech armed forces. It will take part in operational activities, in the frame of EBAO concept (Effect Based Approach to Operations), acting in contact with various task forces. To meet those objectives, it must reach highest level of modulability. The article depicts all variants of effective augmentation by artillery firepower, artillery reconnaissance, and close artillery support. It enumerates all possible combinations of this reinforcement. Backed by those acquired specifics, the authors further extrapolate demands for automated control system of artillery fire support.

The article deals with the Declaration on Alliance Security issued in Strasbourg on 4 April 2009. The author enumerates its main items: reform of NATO structures, improving ability to meet the security challenges, strengthening cooperation with other international actors. Today we are facing global threats, such as terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; our security is increasingly tied to that of other regions. Deterrence, based on an appropriate mix of nuclear and conventional capabilities, remains a core element of Alliance overall strategy. NATO will continue to play its part in reinforcing arms control and promoting nuclear and conventional disarmament in accordance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, as well as non-proliferation efforts. The author is a strong supporter of Obama's idea of world without nuclear weapons; he hopes that this notion will be also reflected in preparing NATO strategic concept. They are also further points to be stressed, e.g., a cooperative partnership between NATO and Russia.

The author, director of military hospital base, reacts favourably to the article mentioned above. He would like to add something from the practical point of military commander. In his unit, there is a deficiency of attested graduated surgeons, whereas there are a lot of graduated nurses, rescue workers, because of a wide offer of civil colleges and universities. They study in their leisure time and thus gain higher educational background. In consequence, his unit does not need graduates from Defence University in Brno. He comes to the conclusion that necessary commissioned officers could be recruited from among ranks of non-commissioned officers or sergeants, by means of additional schooling and scholarships, or by recruiting graduates from civilian colleges and universities.

The idea of this enquiry into Czech Army logistics was to prove that even under hard conditions originated in permanently changing army concepts, the army logistics still keeps its high standard and responsibility. During transformation, an appropriate organization structure has been created, with working mechanism of logistics support, using motivated and rationale source exploitation. The purpose of an array of transformation in defence sector was to introduce not only new and effective army structure, compatible with NATO armies, but also to change the system of fi nancing forces. The funding ought to be more economical. The article is backed by a longterm study and observation of logistics development in defence sector.

Official objectives of war on terrorism are as follows: we must face theorist threats, prevent terrorist strikes; suppress the power of terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda. War on terrorism is not a classical or conventional warfare; the term is wide-ranging, covering longterm strategies of national importance. The war on terrorism and employed means are also a source of controversy. It is a question of adequacy of used tools. It is necessary to implement the new strategy of improving conditions in Muslim countries to eliminate their background supporting negative religious and political attitudes towards democracy. Outlined ways of "smoothing edges" in economical, social spheres can noticeably change hateful attitudes of Muslim population towards values of Western democratic society.

Problems of crossing abilities are most often defined as the ability of wheeled and tracked vehicles to move on damaged, unrepaired communications or terrain. This ability is determined by the construction of vehicle, terrain qualities, and their classes. Less known are problems of reverse driving. In this case, we do not examine crossing ability, but investigate the capacity of terrain to decompose an overall load of moving vehicle. It is a part of tasks performed by engineer reconnaissance for force movements, as troops make use not only neat communications, but also rough terrains, off main routes. Diagnoses of this kind are performed by the Department of Engineer Technologies, Defence University Brno. Many examples are presented in the American Field Manual "Planning and Design of Roads, Airfields, and Heliports in the Theater of Operations-Road Design".

The security environment is permanently changing. A national set of risks has increased after joining the EU and NATO and EU enlargement. The Czech Republic is obligated to integrate national security capabilities into NATO and the EU. To fulfil its responsibility, the Czech Republic ought to use the capabilities-based planning for further transformation of national security sector. This NATO concept ought to be in use not only within the MoD, but also at other ministries tied or responsible for national security. The national security sector must be planed, programmed, budgeted and transformed like a body. The article deals with the problem of unifying security concepts across Czech public administration. The author points out that our operational capabilities are influenced among others by the lack of labour force at the Czech national labour market.

In April and May this year, several articles or essays appeared in civilian media, introducing misleading information that in the near future, the ranks of ordinary servicemen (privates, corporals, sergeants) are coming back, as they were abolished after introducing professional forces. Such proclamations are not quite true, because ranks of private, corporal and sergeant, were earmarked by legal rules above all for soldiers in their compulsory or compensatory military services, i.e. they were not abolished after 2004. There are a lot of similar uncleanlinesses as far rank corps are concerned and therefore the main attention of this article is concentrated on changes that in connection with Act No. 221/1999, Coll., Professional Soldiers, amended and updated in 2009, has come into being.

The change of security situation in the world, international ties and last but not least changes in operational environment, exploitation of new technologies are reflected by changes in defence planning, military organization, forces engagement and operational assessment. Time, flexibility, cooperation in coalition operations, interoperability in technology spheres play incommutable roles together with trained personnel. Command and control (C2) is self-contained system depending on many factors provided by the so-called System of Communication and Information. At present it is the very base for information collection, decision-making process, preparing variants of operation for both commander and his staff. Among others the author writes about Network Enabled Capability system introduced into Czech armed forces. C2 programme is also a part of educational curriculum at Defence University Brno.

Such exercises are regular part of European exercise process that in periodical cycles examines individual capacities of solving crisis situations, conducting crisis operations under methods developed by the EU. European training process does not cover only the preparation of military units, but also those of civil elements (police, rescue teams, diplomats). Since 2007 the exercises have been ran according to a common scenario "ALISIA", with the purpose to practise crisis operations control by commanders and staffs of EU nations, without any means and elements or support by NATO. European exercise process allows to the EUMS to organize and harmonize two exercises of solving crisis situations in a year. Five members of the Czech Army took part in the exercise MILEX 09 last year. They were involved in the operational planning process at the EU OHQ Specialist Staff, CJ2, CJ4, CJ5 and CJ7 departments. The article is mostly based on the experiences of Czech offi cers at the EU OHQ LARISSA.

The reviewed book analyses the local wars of the last decades and demonstrates that the problem number one is not their military solutions, but consequent peace arrangement. It is not only a case of Iraq, the authors mention the role of France/US in Vietnam, Russian activities in Chechnya and Afghanistan, Israel in Lebanon, Allied forces in Kosovo. For that reason we can welcome this publication, written and published by the team of authors from the Institute for Strategic Studies, University of Defence, Brno. The book summarizes the experiences from conflicts above, namely the lessons from Iraq. The end of armed conflict in 2003 meant simply the transition to another conflict. A very serious and open problem is the question, whether the system of democracy is suitable for Muslim world. The situation in this country could be openly labelled as a civil war. The authors predict even the desintegration of Iraq into three independent countries. Iraqi conflict is an example of asymmetric warfare, in which more soldiers died in time of "peace" (to this date 3,600 soldiers) than during military operations (139 American soldiers).

Event though our forces are all-volunteer forces, in time of danger and war Czech citizens are bound to serve in armed forces, they biased to be drafted. In 1989 the total of 78.2 per cent were able to serve in the forces, in the following years there was a deep decline in numbers; in 2003 only 43.7 per cent of the conscripts (draftees) were able to meet the requirements of medical classification. Proposed numbers were met only by 20 per cent, as large portion of conscripts declared to be conscious objectors (according to the Act adopted after 1989). It is estimated that only 25 per cent of reserve soldiers are able to serve in time of need in the ACR. The only solution, the author proposes, is to amend the Act 585/04 (Defence Act) by several provisions mentioned in this article. At present, the manpower of the Police of the Czech Republic is twofold higher that numbers of Czech military personnel in time of peace. The Police fulfil large proportion of defence and security tasks, so the author proposes to incorporate some paragraphs dealing with the police force into our Defence Act.

In April 2006, there was another symposium dealing with military professional terminology. Its main purpose was to evaluate experiences with introducing standardized terminology, their levels. Established in September 2004, the Terminology Committee introduces current NATO terminology into all branches of defence department, by means of Standardization Information System. At present, the Training and Doctrine Directorate in Vyškov studies the chance to develop similar database for operational terminology.

Military Mobilization is activation of military forces for imminent threats, and redirection of economic and social activities to support a military effort. As the ACR does not use conscription (forced military service-the draft); instead, everyone in the Czech Army enrols voluntarily. The regular service is accompanied by the Reserves (voluntary and regular). Those interested in joining the ACR or Voluntary Reserve Force must complete an application, take an aptitude test, and undergo a physical fitness examination. Recruitment personnel use the results from the application process to determine whether an applicant qualifies to serve. Army reservists are trained to reinforce the regular force and to perform active duty during the state of was and selected peacetime operations, natural disasters, and industrial hazards. By means of several charts the authors explains details on ACR war deployment, recruiting process, scheme of preparation and execution of mobilization. The present system is flexible, it enables to react to security threats and fulfil the objectives resulting from vital interests of the Czech Republic.

There is a substantional difference between reformation and transformation. The latter represents a qualitative change or the re-creation; while the former is only a change, redressing, correction of errors or faults. In Czech military press, the basic principles of NATO transformation were described several times. Since 2004, when the document "Strategic Vision: The Military Vision" was published, many other documents have been released: Comprehensive Political Guidance (CPG), Guidance for Military Implementation of CPG, Concept for Alliance Future Joint Operations, NATO Task List. Every operational concept has to evaluate all factors from various fields. The method is expressed by the short DOTMLPF, which stands for Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and education, Personnel and Facilities. The Concept Development and Experimentation is of multinational character and is the most successful transformation tool within NATO countries, namely in the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Norway, etc. Lessons Learned system supplies feedback between national forces experiences and concepts, via DOTMLPF. The key role is played by the Joint Analysis and Lessons Learned Centre in Lisbon, Portugal.

While evaluating spending activities of defence department, it is required to make an audit of results and outputs, besides ordinary accounting and documentation controls. This standard is defined by the European directive for the implementation of audit standards INTOSAI. The author, who is an expertmember in various economy commissions, can seriously declare that the Czech Army is a pioneer institution in the field of monitoring public expenses, namely in comparison with civilian spending ministries.

We are aware of new and still increasing risks in the world, particularly in connection with the increase in terrorist activities. Broadly speaking, in building our professional army we enforce quality and efficiency, even with restricted means and sources, respecting our potential and on the basis of evaluation of interests of the Czech Republic, engagement in peace, stabilisation and other missions organised by NATO, the EU, or the UN. The author recapitulates all legislative acts, documents and papers, dealing with Czech military strategy, namely the Czech Republic's Military Strategy approved by the governmental resolution No. 578, June 9, 2004, that details principles of our defence policy. Now the author proposes to revise our military strategy in the year 2007, for-first: we successfully completed a phase called Initial Operating Capability; second, from this standard we can unroll further activities: operational engagement of brigade task force; third, in this very year we are evaluating transformation objectives for 2007-2011 (2012). Based upon this level of knowledge, we shall be able to draft new concepts of military strategy, e.g. to substitute current military strategy by defence strategy. The topic is open to discussion.

The conscription is a system of compulsory enrolment of men and women into the armed forces. Conscripts may be called to serve in time of peace in order to train for war; they may be called into uniform in time of emergency. Conscripts are distinguished from volunteers and professionals, as well as from mercenaries, who offer their service to any government solely for pay. Recent general discussion regarding reducing duties to perform military service in the Czech Republic between 2000 and 2005 has indicated that the sense of citizens' responsibility for the defence their country is limited, in public eyes, to the conscription only. In reality, the sphere of citizens' defence liabilities is much broader. The comprehensiveness of this issue comes to light particularly when we compare the practice in this area in different NATO nations. In this particular case, the article indicates one of possible solutions to these efforts, i.e. a systemizing approach.

This piece of writing is a polemic with the article by Maj. Pernica "System of Planning, Programming, Budgeting (and Flogging a Dead Horse)? in Vojenské rozhledy 4/2005. Allegedly, the criticized article quoted some misleading statements, based on financial records, inappropriate for this purpose. Ing. Dušek does not agree with its general idea, introduced out of contexts. The Planning, Programming and Budgeting System was introduced by leading economy experts (e.g. university professor Mr. Ochrana, School of Economy, Prague). Some deficiencies and shortages are inevitable, but as a whole, the PPB system works. Statistics is a dynamic science and statistical data are to be judged only in connection with statistical methods used in years in concern. For example, in answering the Defence Planning Questionnaire, we were asked by NATO authorities to transfer entries for leasing Grippen aircrafts from modernization and development items to the operational item. Consequently, the percentage of investment purchases decreased. The same goes for the percentages of National Gross Domestic Product spent for military budget, and so on. Moreover, MoD financial department put several useful proposals how to make financial flows more clear, but the were refused by the government.

Today we use the Space for military and commercial satellites of passive, non-offensive character. The prospective so-called militarization of Space has qualitatively higher level. It means that offensive means will be located in the Space, probably as part of ballistic missile defence. Antisatellite systems began to be tested in 1959 (US), in 1968 (USSR), or in 2005 (China) respectively. The US administration places emphasis on limited character of created antimissiles defence. In fact, the presentday laws do not ban situating cosmic weapons in the Space. But whereas the United States regards existing agreements concerning the Space as sufficient, explicitly the Russian Federation and China point out that e.g. the Cosmic Treaty of 1967 is inadequate and insufficient and therefore among others they block the signing of Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty, important for the USA. The author presents and summarizes main treatises concerning the Space: Outer Space Treaty (1967), Convention on the Registration (1975), Moon Agreement (1979) and others, all of them hardly known to ordinary citizens.

NSIP-NATO Security and Investment Programme presents an outstanding field of cooperation among Alliance nations and are the fundamental pillar for planning their common defence. The programme serves for securing necessary sources for investments in building, renovation and establishing air and navy bases, strategic depots, core radar systems, and the like. It also supports individual national commands. The article shortly summarizes the history of NSIP, cites examples of its implementation and formulates proposals how to better utilize common sources of this programme. The Czech Republic belongs among states that still enjoy benefits from common funds, particularly in the connection with the building backbone NATO airports. The genuine contributors are Canada, the U.S., and Belgium; at the head of benefit states are Turkey, Greece, and Portugal. It is recommended for Czech representatives at the HQ Allied Command Transformation to increase number of them in decisionmaking staff elements to prevent administrative complications with allocation of approved investments.

The authoress deals with the question of financial resources the AČR will be able to spend on issues tied with state defence, i. e. for the needs and demands of defence department. In fact, its sources represent the main base for the support of the Czech armed forces. To predict the volume of financial means allocated for the forces is problematical, questionable. We must be prepared for further budget cuts, we must prepare B-scenario for the worst situation.

"Légion étrangere" is a unique elite unit within the French Army established in 1831. It was created as a unit for foreign volunteers. It is known as an elite military unit whose training focuses not only on traditional military skills, but also its strong esprit de corps, including learning French, as its men come from different countries with different cultures. Consequently, training is often described as not only physically hard, but also extremely psychologically stressful. Particular attention is given to the integration of the young recruits. Teaching of the French language occupies a central part of the training, and it is helped by the original training methods of the Legion, the Képi Blanc method, the authors describe in this in this article. They collected data on it during their visit to France (Fort de Nogent) in March 2007. During the four months of training, the Legionnaires work in small groups of two or three, composed of one French speaker and two foreigners. The French speaker helps his comrades when they have trouble understanding something, and part of his accomplishments in this training is assessed by the success of those he was tasked to help.

The year 2005 is a breaking one from the perspective both state and military, as new law amendments were adopted, then abolishing compulsory military service (beginning of fully professional forces), and drafting new strategical and concept documents. The relevant document of antidrug policy in the military is constituted by the Order of Defence Minister No. 20/2005: The Prevention of Socially Undesirable Developments. The main stress is put on the prevention of drug addiction, which is framed into common complex fight against alcoholism, addiction, drug abuse in order to we could ensure full effectiveness of our forces. We can use several methods how to implement drugs prevention: by administrative and legal measures (dry laws), economical stipulations (budget means for anti-drugs policy), organizational means (supportive plans such as DROGUES system or LABS, DOGLEG programmes). The author proposes to introduce the so-called zero toleration into army recruiting policy.