the KGB boys

I suppose the male equivalent of the generals daughter would be the various kgb men whom I have among my acquaintances/students/ colleagues here. There are several of them. Many come from military of KGB families as well, since in the soviet union it was common for children to follow their parents careers. Many generals were the sons of generals, and then married the daughters of other generals, and so on. I like talking to the KGB guys since they can tell very interesting stories about a social strata that no longer exists. They all have certain traits in common, such as a sober demeanour that never show if the person is happy or bored or annoyed. Vladimir told me how he got into the KGB school. He wanted to sit the entrance exams both there and at mgy. But the KGB school exams were first, and during the exam day, he had his documents confiscated by the officials, which meant that he couldn’t sit the exams at mgy at all (since you are not allowed in without documents). Thus he was forced to go to the KGB school. There were many aspects of that no one told him about during the interview and exams. He didn’t know he would spent 8 years wearing a uniform and living 4 to a room in dormitory. Never mind the exercise and psychological training that accompanied such a course. The good thing was that the KGB was the one part of soviet military style service that was free of hazing. Such things were not tolerated, and in any case Vladimir claims there was no time for that sort of stuff, the students worked non-stop and often didn’t sleep more than 3 hours a night. Oleg agreed. He says some guys who had completed service in the army tried to bring hazing to the KGB academy, but they failed. Vladimir and I argue constantly about the law. He claims that laws must exist, but he doesn’t need to follow them. I say that laws don’t work unless everyone in the country adheres to them. But he complains that in Russia some people will always be exempt, and he plans to be one of them. Laws are for stupid people who cant get around them. He knows, having seen the system for the inside. But if people like him continue to break the law with impunity, how will order ever be installed in this place? But then some people don’t want order, they flourish in its absence. Although oleg and Vladimir don’t like laws, they rigidly adheres to all traditions. My chair is always pulled out, my drinks are paid for, and I am escorted home after dark. Vladimir got married in December and became a father in June. He admits he didn’t want to get married and doesn’t love his wife. But he pays her bills and has already bought his infant son a flat. That is what is expected of him, and he doesn’t question it. Of course, in the best Russian tradition he will get divorced in a year or two and the whole scenario will replay with some other woman. Oleg is a serial husband as well. Perhaps it is again the KGB connection again. Oleg claims that in the KGB, all potential wives had to be subject to a background check and screening, and often a guys first choice would be rejected, so he would have to choose another…hardly and ideal situation, but obviously in those days no one was asking questions.