On the 25th Anniversary of Our Army I Broke a World Record: Armenian Peacekeeper (EXCLUSIVE)

• 01.28.2017, 11:27
•  Armenia

On the 25^th anniversary of the army of the Republic of Armenia "Armedia"IAA talked to Lieutenant Grigor Tadevosyan about the service of Armenian peacekeepers in peacekeeping missions .

- What made you become military servant? Why did you choose peacekeeping forces?

- Since 2005 I have been serving in a peacekeeping brigade. I have been involved in peacekeeping missions twice in Kosovo and twice in Afghanistan.  In Albania and Germany, I took part in military exercises. From the very beginning I loved military career. Perhaps this is conditioned by the fact that my father was also a soldier, and in the 90s, he took part in the Artsakh war. Accomplishing my compulsory military service, I had a wish to continue my service. I learned about peacekeeping brigade and decided to join it.

- What are the main skills that you gained serving as a peacekeeper? What were difficulties?

- During my military service, I have developed my physical abilities. I managed to be recorded in a "Hero Book" (Դյուցազնագիրք –Armenian record book) doing 99 lifting in three minutes on a horizontal bar (just one more lifting would be enough for the world record). On January 27, on the eve of the 25^th anniversary of our army, I managed to break a record doing 68 lifting in a minute (in Guinness World Records there was 67 lifting). During the military service the main difficulty for me was being far away from my family. 

- What are the main features that make Armenian peacekeepers different from others?

- Armenians differ from other peacekeepers by being sociable. When the service day of the foreigners ends, they go to sleep. While Armenians stay awake, communicate with each other - we live as a united family.

I remember we were on a duty during New Year holidays, Armenian peacekeepers gathered to celebrate. Our positive, "Armenian-like" mood attracted German’s attention, who left their affairs and joined us.

Armenian peacekeepers receive many congratulation letters for a good military service. While conducting military service on the Serbian border the commander of the brigade decided that if there was no Armenian in a brigade, they will not start their military service.

- What were your main duties?

- In Kosovo we engaged in patrolling, base defense.  In Afghanistan we were responsible for the defense of an airport and a base. In general, daily agenda of a military service (24  hours) are divided into three parts: eight hours of the day we are in a military service, another eight hours we have time to care about ourselves, while the rest eight hours we sleep.

What are your wishes on the 25 anniversary of our army?

Safe military service and let the ballets fire only in a training ground.