Diary of a Private

From civilian life to Vyškov. An authentic diary from an environment that women (and often even men) rarely get a glimpse into. Honest, raw, and yet full of humour, determination and strength. Voluntarily. Unknowingly. Forever. I just wanted to fulfil a childhood dream. To take a peek. To take part in a voluntary military exercise, to experience the basic training course in Vyškov for the Active Reserve and volunteers, and then to return to civilian life.

But the army won me over before Zmrd could say: “Attention!”

You don’t know who Zmrd is? He's the iconic Vyškov instructor, a renowned recruit-crusher. And even though I had diligently prepared in advance – both physically and mentally – there were moments that you simply can't prepare for. The training pushed me to my limits, but it was there, at rock bottom, that I discovered what I was truly made of and how much the army meant to me. On my journey into uniform, I met heroes and villains, hit rock bottom and reached the top. And when, after weeks of toil, I could finally breathe again, new doors opened before me. To a world that will forever remain a part of my life.

An authentic diary from an environment that women (and often even men) rarely get a glimpse into. Honest, raw, and yet full of humour, determination and strength.