PSKOV. May 28 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian Airborne Forces Commander Georgy Shpak said on Wednesday that the 76th airborne division, Russia's first unit to be fully manned with professional servicemen, still lacks over 2,000 professionals.
"The unit still needs to select 2,153 persons among those who apply for the positions of sergeants and privates," Shpak told a conference hosted by the 76th division. The conference is chaired by Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov.
"The selection plan is fulfilled by 22.5 percent," Shpak went on. "The experience gained during the experiment shows that the main reason behind the low manning level in units manned with professionals is the applicants' unwillingness to sign contracts because of poor salaries and the necessity to live in barracks," he said.
Citing results of the poll conducted in the 104th paratrooper regiment of the 76th division, Shpak said that "professional service did not size up to the expectations of 62 percent of servicemen, and 91 percent of people of this category named low salaries as the main reason." "Moreover, 72 percent of servicemen are not satisfied with social conditions of service, including lack of housing," he stressed.
Shpak called on Ivanov to postpone the deadline for manning the 76th division with professionals to October 1, 2003. Originally it was planned to complete the division's manning before May 1.
"I suggest completing the manning of the unit with professional servicemen by October 1, 2003, on the condition of completing preparations of the barrack fund and personnel accommodation by September 1, 2003," he said.
Shpak noted that the 104th paratrooper regiment is to leave for Chechnya in mid-June.