Training Day 2007: a Link between Civil Society and National Armed Forces
The Italian “Training Day” has reached its third edition and has proved to be optimal to connecting the armed forces with new generations. Physical activity turned out to be a very favourable vehicle of communication towards an increasingly motivated motivated audience.
That is briefly the positive outcome of the year’s 2007 edition of this technical and sporting competition that took place this year on April 27th at range in Mompiano, Brescia. There was a large turnout of students belonging to most of the high schools in Brescia (Lombardia) and its provinces.
The Training Day was conceived and founded in 2005 by Mr Roberto Viani - officer of select reserves, member of UNUCI (the Italian Reserve Officers Association) and teacher at “Bianchi Technical High School”, along the lines of similar initiatives of other NATO European countries over the past several years.
The Training Day consists of a selection of technical and cultural tests, including a mapping assessment, a first aid test, a vehicle recognition test, an English language translation exam, a test on international law, along with an easy obstacle course race and a six km hill march. The participants also had a try at shooting with a 22-gauge shotgun and airguns, while the most exciting atmosphere was created through a mock combat battle with a soft air activity.
*The challenge to bring in Italy such a unique event has been modelled after the French examples of the JAPD or the “Journées des Lycéens” – that is the days of secondary-school students – which are organized in France on a larger scale. We have passed from the “Army Cadet Force” in UK, to our first experience which saw the presence of 40 students belonging to Bianchi High School”, and finally to our latest edition at which many students of about ten private and public schools of the province of Brescia took part. The event has also included an elaborate course of theoretical and practical lectures which have involved the young participants, taking place in the Military District of Brescia and the Shooting Range in Mompiano for a total duration of 4 months.
The support of the Military District of Brescia has been essential as it has welcomed the proposal with great enthusiasm. Yet other Local Associations of the Army, such as UNUCI and the National Association of Alpine Troops, have also plaid a major role in logistic support.
The attendance of the staff working in the Armed Forces has greatly outnumbered last year’s edition. There was the presence of representatives of the Local Military District and also soldiers of the “Genio Guastatori Regiment” in Cremona, who participated at the second consecutive year, as well as members of the “Monte Cervino” Italian Alpine paratroops.
There was the consolidated presence of members of the Red Cross of Bergamo which were perfectly combining with the activity of the planning board.
The Amateur Sports Association of the Officers of the Reserve list in Brescia includes among its members officers of the reserve who are available for the recall to arms, and belong to the newborn reserve officers in accordance with the recent reform of our national Armed Forces.
The Professionals, man and woman, recently appointed Officers from the civil life in the Selected Reserve Officers Group, plays a very important role in the Auxiliary Forces of the Army because of their professional experience and capabilities acquired in their own job and working environment. They are also an important link between civil society and the world of Armed Forces.
After the radical transformation of our military service which is now only characterized by military professionals, the officers of the reserve plays an important role in the recruitment of new young military forces.
A growing attention on this initiative by local civil and military authorities let us hope to a more developed cooperation between Active Duty and Reserve Personnel.
That is the aim of a more intense integration in order to get the best common result.