Unanswered Questions
18, Ukrainian-American dual national. Very limited Ukrainian knowledge. Hoping to make it over by the end of the year and join the effort as an assaulter or whichever infantry role is most needed. I’ve done several weeks’ worth of searching for what I need to know on here, but I still have a few unanswered questions.
- Making it in Azov
Joining Azov has been a dream of mine for a while, and I want to maximize my chances of being accepted. I know they’re selective and weed out a lot of people, so I’d like to know what the best mindset is to get in and make it through training and probation. (I already know not to bring an ego along; I’d want to support the guys around me the best I can.)
- Interview
How detailed should I make my reason for joining (I’m afraid to overshare and have them think I’m going for reasons that could potentially be perceived as selfish, IE. Going over to Ukraine to give my life a better purpose, and planning to stay permanently after the war. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but I want to be safe with this part.)
I have a bit of social awkwardness from my high-functioning autism, over phone/video calls in particular. Should I address this to them, and will it be a major factor in whether I get accepted or not?
- Medical
Will minor pectus excavatum with some uneven rib flaring disqualify me from service in a unit like Azov? I’ve seen American doctors about it and they say it’s just cosmetic; it does not noticeably affect my PT, which I‘ll be focusing on improving over the next 6 months. (It’s my only medical concern and I don’t want to be denied last-minute when I’ve invested all I have into going here.)
- Unit Flexibility
Given that I have Ukrainian dual citizenship, will I be given the same flexibility to choose a unit that foreigners under contract have, or can they just funnel me into a random meat grinder unit within the army? The fact that I won’t be able to leave the country doesn’t bother me - I don’t plan to - but I’d prefer to spend the rest of the war with people I can depend on.
Apologies for the lengthy post, I just wanted to elaborate as much as possible.