Russian Language Sustainment Resources

Russia has a rich cuisine, strongly influenced by what is produced locally in Russia. Popular dishes include Пельмени (dumplings), Блины (the Russian version of crepes), Борщ (Borsh/beet soup), and Щи (cabbage soup). A few places to find recipes are:

• Кухарка/Cook
• Кулинарные Рецупты от Скрипкиной Анастасии/Culinary recipes from Anastasia Skripkina 
• Арт Ланч/Art Lunch

For information on the Russian entertainment industry, see:

• Esquire: The American magazine, published in Russian
• RuTube: The Russian version of YouTube
• Москва ФМ/Moscow FM: A major radio station in Moscow, which has some of the most popular songs in Russia on it, including a Top 100 list. 
• Russian radio stations can be found here. A full list is available on Wikipedia.
• Комикс/Comics: A site for Russian comics 
• Анекдоты/Jokes: A site full of jokes in Russian 

Russia has a literary tradition stretching back hundreds of years, producing names such as Tolstoy and Pushkin.

Additional resources:

• Русская Виртуальная Библиотека/Russian Virtual Library
• Литературное Радио/Literature Radio: News on contemporary Russian literature
• From Ends to the Beginning: A project run by Northwestern University, that provides recitations of poetry and translations 
• The Bible

Russian books are also available for purchase on Amazon, Google Play, eBay, and most other eBook locations. Additionally, Ozon, Alib.ru, and Petropol sell books in Russian. 

Russian history is both ancient and tumultuous, stretching back to the times of the Kievan Rus. As a result, the country hosts countless museums with collections on a variety of topics. A few good examples of museums and history include the Эрмитаж/Hermitage Museum, Russian Museum, Seventeen Moments in Soviet History, and UNESCO.

Russia also has a history in art and theatre, producing world-renown painters, sculptors, playwrights and ballerinas. For more information on these topics, see:

• Mariinsky Theater
• Tretiakov Gallery
• Moscow Museum of Modern Art
• Большой Театр/Big Theater

For information on Russian science, as well as language references relating to STEM, see:

• Элементы/Elements
• Human Biology
• Наука и Жизнь/Science and Life

UW – Madison has a ton of fantastic resources that can be used to aid Russian Learning, as well as several programs that have their own resources both on-campus and online.

• CREECA: The Center for Russian, Eastern Europe and Central Asia (CREECA) publishes podcasts that feature experts in the region, as well as hosting events on-campus during the semester.
• Русский Стол/Russian Table: An on-campus weekly event where students can practice their Russian in a positive environment. 
• Russian Flagship Program: A federally funded program that provides intensive Russian learning for undergraduate students. The program has its own list of resources for language learning.
• UW—Madison Libraries: UW Libraries have a multitude of Russian language texts and films on a wide array of topics.

The Air Force created International Affairs Specialist (IAS) Program to meet changes in the international security environment, which is demanding increased international insight, foreign language proficiency, cultural understanding, and political-military experience. IAS is open to active duty and reserve Air Force Officers and Enlisted members.

Air Force IAS combine professional military skills with an intimate, nuanced understanding of the history, language, culture, geopolitical, geostrategic, and political-military issues of the countries and regions in which the Air Force operates. They employ this unique combination of knowledge, language skills, and regionally-concentrated/contextual understanding in which air, space, and cyberspace power is applied to integrate this into plans and operations, and build increasingly effective relationships and regional partnerships that are critical enablers to the expeditionary air, space and cyberspace mission.

The program is composed of two fundamental elements; Foreign Area Officer (FAO) and Political-Military Affairs Strategist (PAS). Fully consistent with standing force development concepts, officers are typically identified at the mid-career point for development in the IAS program. These programs are only open to line of the Air Force officers. Chaplains, judge advocates and medical officers are not eligible to participate. Medical officers may participate in the International Health Specialist program. AFR officers are accessed into the program via FAO direct crossflow.

Political-Military Affairs Strategist (PAS) is a one-time, career-broadening assignment that exposes officers to the political-military affairs world. This service-specific program most often begins in conjunction with intermediate developmental education. Selected officers acquire a broad knowledge of politico-military affairs through developmental education and subsequently serve in a single PAS “pay back” assignment. PAS officers develop a unique skill set that translates across Air Force specialty codes (AFSCs), garnering a strong understanding of interagency partnerships key to operations and planning across the political-military spectrum. These officers typically serve on U.S. headquarters staffs where their broad knowledge of political-military affairs allows them to be highly effective action officers.

Information Operations Officer (Air Force Specialty Code 14F): Information Operations Officers mix knowledge of psychology, sociology, and marketing combined with knowledge of non-lethal information related military capabilities to plan influence operations (ex. targeting a general or specific populace). 

Daily duties include online reading and research (60%), collaborative writing with a team (25%), and administrative duties (15%).

Traditionally, this job is an analyst-level research position, but Team Lead and Flight Commander is also a possible role leading between 5-10 personnel. 

Suggested coursework to prepare for 14F includes Psychology, Sociology, Advertising/Marketing, Communications, foreign languages, or anything that will help when crafting messaging of any kind or understanding cultural communications. 

Intelligence Officer (Air Force Specialty Code 14N): Intelligence Officers provide strategic, operational, and tactical intelligence to leaders and operators to make informed decisions that better prepare and shape our military to enable successful counter-strategies and execution of the mission. Intelligence Officers provide analysis and subject matter expertise to decision-makers through six disciplines: geospatial intelligence (GEOINT), human intelligence (HUMINT), measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT), open-source intelligence (OSINT), signals intelligence (SIGINT), and technical intelligence (TECHINT). Additionally, they lead and perform intelligence activities across the full range of military operations (cyber, flying, space, special operations, targeting, counterdrug, counterterrorism, etc.) in support of Global Integrated Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR). ISR operations are conducted through a five-phase process known as PCPAD: planning and direction; collection; processing and exploitation; analysis and production; and dissemination.

Daily duties may include reading reports, networking with fellow Intelligence Officers, refining data, building briefs, briefing warfighters and decision-makers about analytical predictions on what adversaries might do, and creating scenarios for warfighters. 

During your first four years, you can expect to lead between 1-100 personnel. Your roles will typically include being an Analyst, Team Lead, Flight Commander, Intelligence Cell OIC, Shop Chief, Deputy Chief, or potentially to serve as an Executive Officer.

Suggested coursework to prepare for 14N includes Political Science, History, International Relations, Radar Theory, Foreign Affairs, Critical Thinking, Cultural Sensitivity, Military History, and Public Speaking/Communication courses. 

Security Forces Officer (Air Force Specialty Code 31P): Security Forces Officers lead, manage, and direct Security Forces activities. Security Forces Officers protect installations and weapon systems, provide force protection, antiterrorism measures, provide law and order, investigations, installation access control, and integrate defense. Security Forces Officers may be required to use deadly force. 

Daily duties may include managing flight operations and shift rotations, conducting guard mount procedures, relaying information, conducting security routines, running exercises, communicating with your team and leadership, and training. You will work between 10-14 hours a day. 

During your first four years, you can expect to lead between 65-300+ personnel. Your roles will typically include being a Flight Commander, Group Executive Officer, Squadron Supply Officer, and Operations Officer. 

Suggested coursework to prepare for 31P includes Criminal Justice, Foreign Affairs, Team-Building, and Communication courses. 

Special Investigations Officer (Air Force Specialty Code 71S): Special Investigations Officers provide professional investigative services for commanders of all Department of the Air Force activities. Their mission is to identify, exploit, and neutralize criminal, terrorist, and intelligence threats in multiple domains to the United States Air Force, United States Space Force, Department of Defense, and the U.S. Government. 

Daily duties may include reviewing cases, documenting evidence, interviewing leads, updating case files, processing crime scenes, briefing leadership, and monitoring your email.

During the first two years, a 71S typically serves as a field agent on cases. At the two-year mark, you may deploy, enter a specialized position (ex. Forensics, Cyber, etc.), or go to a staff position at the OSI Headquarters. As a Captain, you may lead 5-20 agents.

Suggested coursework to prepare for 71S includes criminal justice courses specializing in forensics, counter-intelligence, fraud etc. 

Public Affairs Officer (Air Force Specialty Code 35X): Public Affairs Officers serve as a link between the Air Force and taxpayers, elected officials, Airmen, families, and adversaries to share information regarding both strategic and everyday issues. This enables the Air Force to accomplish strategic objectives across the world through communication and information. 

Daily duties may include working with various units across the base to create and publish products with information tying into the larger strategic goals of the unit, wing, MAJCOM, USAF, and DoD based on the national defense strategy and other strategic documents. To accomplish this, a Public Affairs Officer can expect to attend meetings, prioritize ideas/requests, ensure Public Affairs effort meets established communication goals, and advise commanders on various communications efforts. 

During your first four years in 35X you can expect to be a Chief of Public Affairs at a Wing Headquarters, leading approximately 15 people. 

Suggested coursework to prepare for 35X includes anything heavy in writing: English, Journalism, Creative Writing etc. 

Special Forces Officer (Military Occupational Specialty 18A): As a Special Forces Officer, you’ll lead a team in missions, including counter-terrorism, direct action, foreign internal defense, intelligence gathering, and unconventional warfare. You’ll have several duties, including training, resource management, mission and logistics planning, and working with U.S. and foreign government agencies.

Signal Officer (Military Occupational Specialty 25A): As a Signal Officer, you’ll lead the Signal Corps, which is responsible for the Army’s entire systems of communication. You’ll plan and execute all aspects of communication on a mission and will be critical to the Army’s continued success. You’ll maintain the Army’s voice, data and information systems, make tactical decisions, and engage Signal Soldiers at all levels of command.

Military Police Officer (Military Occupational Specialty 31A): As a Military Police Officer, you’ll be responsible for ensuring the safety and protection of Army personnel, equipment, and resources. You’ll control and secure terrain inside and outside military installations, as well as manage, supervise and control secured areas. Additionally, you’ll supervise police intelligence missions, help train local law enforcement teams, lead small, tactical military police units, and function as an advisor to the Army Reserve and Army National Guard.

Military Intelligence Officer (Military Occupational Specialty 35A): As an Army Military Intelligence Officer, you’ll be responsible for all collected intelligence during Army missions. You’ll provide essential information that can often save the lives of Soldiers fighting on front lines. You’ll command and coordinate Military Intelligence Soldiers and combined armed forces, assess risks, and act to neutralize intelligence threats.

Psychological Operations Officer (Military Occupational Specialty 37A): As a Psychological Operations Officer, you’ll be a master of persuasion and influence, and an expert in political trends, cultural trends, and attitudes of the people in your given area of operation. You’ll utilize your understanding of social psychology and individual and group dynamics to influence individuals, groups, and populations.

Civil Affairs Officer (Military Occupational Specialty 38A): As a Civil Affairs Officer, you’ll act as a liaison between the Army and civilian authorities and populations. You’ll perform strategic and tactical civil affairs operations and combined armed forces, both overt and covert, in peacetime or when activated for crisis or war. You’ll also coordinate employment of civil affairs Soldiers at all levels of command in U.S. and multinational operations.

Public Affairs Officer (Military Occupational Specialty 46A): As a Public Affairs Officer, you’ll advise senior leaders in a variety of public affairs decisions and provide media training to ensure clear and compelling communication. You’ll work closely with the domestic and foreign media to keep the American people and members of the Army informed and confident in new policies, initiatives, and developments. You’ll also create and execute communication plans that collectively set the narrative for the Army.

Health Services Plans, Operations, Intelligence Security and Training Officer (Military Occupational Specialty 70H): As a Health Services Plans, Operations, Intelligence Security and Training Officer, you will be responsible for creating a plan for field medical operations and evacuation in the event of an emergency. You will direct and coordinate staff functions relating to health services plans, operations, intelligence, security, and training.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer (Designator Code 114X): Americans live for fireworks on the 4th of July. The other 364 days of the year, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Officers and Technicians are doing all they can to prevent them. Using advanced tools like cutting-edge robotic technology and explosives chemistry, this elite group performs missions that require immense bravery—from jumping out of airplanes to blowing up underwater mines. This job is no cake walk—you have to be smart, tough, quick-thinking and cool under pressure—and you have to do it all in a 70-pound bomb suit.

In their career, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officers can expect to detonate and demolish hazardous munitions, pyrotechnics and outdated explosives, neutralize various ordnances such as sea mines, torpedoes or depth charges, work with cutting-edge technology to remotely disable unsafe ordnances, perform parachute or helicopter insertion operations, support law enforcement agencies, clear waterways of mines in support of the Fleet, lead and train enlisted Sailors in their unit, and lend their skills and support to other military units or offices, such as the U.S. Secret Service or the U.S. Department of State.

Public Affairs Officer (Designator Code 165X): Public Affairs Officers (PAOs) are masters of communication, defending our fleet from misinformation and negative publicity. Working with Mass Communication Specialists, it is the job of PAOs to help America’s Navy shine in the spotlight of our nation, ensuring we always put our best selves forward.

In an organization as large and complex as America’s Navy, it’s critically important to manage the flow of news and information for the Navy, the media and the public. Public Affairs Officers choose the best media to deliver information, respond to reporters and provide vital insight to top-level Navy decision-makers. With a growing world of digital media and lightning-fast news cycles, it’s up to you to make the right message always gets across.

In their career, Public Affairs Officers can expect to supervise the writing and delivery of press releases and reports and provide information to news media and civic organizations, brief military personnel before they meet with the public and news media and schedule and conduct news conferences, oversee the content and production of radio and television programs, newspapers, magazines and websites, advise the operational Commander to shape vital decisions and communications with three main audiences: media, internal Navy and the public, and manage the work of enlisted personnel, including writers, photographers, videographers and graphic designers.

To qualify for 165X, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in a communications field, such as Journalism, Advertising, Radio/TV, Cinematography, Speech, Marketing, Motion Picture Production, Industrial Relations or Photojournalism.

Cryptologic Warfare Officer (Designator Code 181X): Few will have the deep understanding of codebreaking like a Cryptologic Warfare Officer (CWO). As a CWO, you are an expert in all facets of Information Operations (IO), making sure our fleet is capitalizing on the information vulnerabilities of our adversaries. Create warfighting options for Fleet Commanders, advise decision-makers at all levels and achieve military objectives in cyberspace. In this job, your knowledge of the cyber battlespace is unmatched.

In their career, Cryptologic Warfare Officers can expect to collect, process, analyze and report real-time signal intelligence, conduct computer network operations, develop and acquire cutting-edge exploitation and defense systems, plan and deliver information warfare effects during exercises and operations, lead Information Warfare personnel across a variety of military operations, and oversee the work of Cryptologic Technicians – Enlisted Sailors (no degree required) who serve as specialists in cryptology.

To qualify for 181X, candidates must earn a four-year degree in a technical field, preferably in one of the following: Information Systems, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Operations, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, General Engineering.

Information Professional Officer (Designator Code 1825): As an Information Professional Officer, you lead your team of Enlisted Information Systems Technicians to ensure the delivery of communications capabilities by operating, maintaining and securing our networks around the globe. Assist with top secret cyberwarfare missions and discover tactical and strategic advantages afloat and ashore. IPO is a big job, but your team will always have your back.

In their career, Information Professional Officers can expect to lead the Naval network warfare missions in developing tactics and procedures to realize tactical, strategic and business advantages afloat and ashore, drive interoperability with joint, allied and coalition partners, build professional excellence through education, training and certification and milestone qualifications, optimize organizational effectiveness through cutting-edge technologies, knowledge management techniques and a culture of innovation, help to develop and deploy information systems, command and control and space systems, serve as a key part of the Information Dominance Corps in its mission to gain a deep understanding of the inner workings of adversaries, and oversee the work of Information Systems Technicians – Enlisted Sailors (no degree required) who serve as specialists in information technology.

To qualify for 182X, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in a technical field, preferably in one of following fields: Information Systems, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Operations, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, General Engineering.

Intelligence Officer (Designator Code 183X): If you’re an Intelligence Officer, you serve at the forefront of national security. Analyze top-secret information, interpret spy reports and direct the analysis of top-secret satellite imagery. While others may see nothing, you’ll be able to use keen analytical abilities to perceive patterns in internet chatter. And as an IO, you’ll be the first to ascertain the implications of the latest intelligence. Do you have the brains and bravery for the job?

In their career, Intelligence Officers can expect to lead the planning, development, testing and deployment of information systems crucial to the intelligence process, monitor and analyze maritime activities that pose a threat to national security, such as drug smuggling, illegal immigration, arms transfers, environmental mishaps and violations of UN sanctions, deliver real-time operational intelligence assessment to high-level decision makers, plan intelligence operations including threat analysis for pre-strike missions and direct action missions, manage intelligence systems, enable the collection of human intelligence, and oversee the work of Intelligence Specialists – Enlisted Sailors (no degree required) who help convert information into intelligence.

Candidates seeking an Intelligence Officer position should preferably have a degree that focuses on areas of study such as: International Relations, Political Science, Government, Engineering, Physical Science, Natural Science, Computer Science or other academic fields related to Intelligence.

Regional Area Officers (RAO) possess the regional expertise (academic and/or experience based) to serve as political-military (pol-mil) officers.  RAO training does not include language study or regional travel. The AMOS may be awarded based on either regionally focused postgraduate academic study or extensive pol-mil experience in a region that results in a level of regional expertise equal to graduate-level study.  Because of this, RAOs serve in billets that demand a comprehensive understanding of a region but do not require foreign language skills.  The vast majority of these billets will be on operational or strategic level staffs.

There are two avenues into the RAO community:
(1) Study Track.  Selected by the Commandant’s Professional Intermediate-Level Education Board (CPIB), this program includes 18 months of Graduate Study in National Security Affairs (NSA) curriculum at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) and the completion of a graduate thesis.  Upon graduation, RAOs will be immediately utilized in a RAO coded billet and will have an obligated active duty service time of no less than 36 months from the date of graduation from NPS. The RAO study track is only open to Majors and Majors (select) with nine to 15 years of commissioned service.
(2) Experience Track.
(a) Marines who possess a graduate degree or sufficient regional experience may qualify for the RAO MOS without significant further training.  Experiences such as study abroad, prior Marine Security Guard, religious missionary work, Peace Corps work and extensive travel abroad may be considered on a case-by-case basis as a factor in determining qualification.  The graduate degree requirement may be waived on a case-by-case basis for individuals with 18 months of regional experience, to include significant interaction with foreign populations.  The Director, Strategy and Plans Division (PL) is the approving authority.

Intelligence Officer (Military Occupational Specialty 02XX): This field includes a variety of jobs where Marines are responsible for gathering, processing, and disseminating sensitive classified information. These specialties include geographic intelligence, counterintelligence, image interpretation, and analysis. To qualify for these roles, you must have mastery of analytical and technical skills as well as communication, computer, and clerical skills.

Entry-level Marine Intelligence Officers will be given specific training within one of the following disciplines: Ground (0203), Human Source (0204), Signals (0206) or Air Intelligence (0207). These officers will gain unique opportunities for leadership, deployment and training. Once the rank of Major is attained, all of the disciplines merge together as the officer becomes a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Intelligence Officer. After three years of experience and completion of MIOC (MAGTF Intelligence Officer Course), you will be designated as a MAGTF Intelligence Officer, with leadership opportunities in both joint and Marine Corps billets.

Infantry Officer (Military Occupational Specialty 0302): Infantry Officers are the commanders or their assistant sin infantry and reconnaissance units in Marine Air-Ground Task Forces (MAGTF). They plan, direct, and assist in the deployment and tactical employment of MAGTFs and any subordinate infantry and reconnaissance units. Infantry Officers are responsible for the discipline, morale, and welfare of their unit’s Marines. To fulfill these responsibilities, they evaluate intelligence; estimate the operational situation; and formulate, coordinate, and execute appropriate plans for offensive/defensive maneuver, reconnaissance, fire support, nuclear, biological and chemical defense, directed energy warfare, communications and operational logistics and maintenance.

The infantry officer course at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia is one of the most grueling in the U.S. armed services. Some years the washout rate (those unable to complete it) is as high as 25 percent.

Communications and Strategy Operations Officer (Military Occupational Specialty 4502): The CommStrat Officer develops communication plans; communicates with internal, domestic, and international audiences; and oversees the execution of plans and activities by 45XX occupational field Marines in support of operational and Service communication objectives.

Typical duties to support the occupational field’s mission to build understanding, credibility, and trust with audiences critical to mission success include, but are not limited to: advising commanders and staffs on communication strategy matters; conducting research to develop an understanding of the information environment, key audiences, and problems and opportunities; incorporating research findings into planning and decision-making; participating in operational and Service planning; leading communication planning, integration and synchronization; developing annexes and appendices to operations orders; engaging with internal, domestic and international audiences via traditional news media, social media, and face-to-face communication; overseeing the development and official release of written and visual information products; identifying and developing approaches to mitigate potential or emerging risks to the Marine Corps’ reputation or mission accomplishment; conducting crisis communication; and assessing and evaluating communication plans, products and engagement activities. CommStrat Officers also provide training to all levels of command and build communication strategy and operations capacity among partner nations.

Military Police Officer (Military Occupational Specialty 5803): Military Police Officers provide essential support to their commanding officers with all facets of law enforcement. Officers begin this MOS either on-base, providing security and law enforcement, or on deployment, supervising maneuver and mobility operations and internment operations, as well as providing area security and law enforcement. Marines in this field may also be involved in antiterrorism or the handling and safeguarding of prisoners of war, refugees, or evacuees.

Marine Officers attend the Military Police Basic Officers Course in Fort Leonard Wood, MO which lasts 9 weeks.