Czech Military Review, 2009 (vol. 90), issue 4
Time to look backNonreviewed - Other
Arm. gen v. v. Ing. Karel Pezl
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 3-4 
There are anniversaries inviting us to stop to think about the last twenty years. In fact, this period covered the same time as the pre-war Republic had been in existence. The occupation Russian army was forced to withdraw, the first security and defence doctrine of the independent Federal Czech and Slovak Republic was implemented, armed forces changed their structures into brigade ones. We took part in the First Gulf, a total of 9,000 ex-career soldiers were legally rehabilitated. The former Czechoslovakia was divided into two republics. There were again and again reductions in numbers, budget cuts. In spite of difficulties, we joined the NATO alliance....
The Development of Security Policy and Strategy of the Czech Republic 1990-2009Reviewed
Ing. Vladimír Karaffa, CSc., PhDr. Miloš Balabán Ph.D., PhDr. Antonín Rašek
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 5-22
This study is based on a paper presented at the conference with the same heading taking place on January 8, 2009. First, the authors enumerate starting points of Czech defence and security polity together with key factors influencing their developments. The whole scale of new threats-from WMD and ballistic proliferation to cyber attack and even non intentional threats like climate change and pandemia-are to be addressed not only in NATO but also in the EU. Existing states of affairs are gradually reflected by Czech security and defence documents: Security Strategy 1999, 2001, 2003; Military Strategy 1999, 2002, 2004, 2008. In this historical context...
Ten Years Since We Joined NATONonreviewed
PhDr. Zdeněk Borkovec
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 23-28
This year we marked the 10th anniversary of our full membership in NATO. We've verified that the nation can become a "full fledged member" in eight or ten years at earliest. Signing the treaty, you became "only" a freshman. You must learn everything, from "consensus building" to forming informal coalition. The author of this article, Deputy of the Czech Permanent Representative to NATO, summarizes the history of fulfilling the membership's prerequisites and following difficult process of implementation of fundamentals and requirements, e.g. the so-called NATO legal acquis (Status of Forces Agreement), Planning and Review Process, setting Force Goals,...
Reflections over the Transformation of Czech ArmyNonreviewed
PhDr. Antonín Rašek
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 29-37
The basic question of Army transformation was the fact that it was not constituted upon the statehood principle that gives precedence to politicking individual parties. The ultimate goal of this transformation was to build forces loyal to democratic republic, but during the last ten years the top personnel at the Ministry of Defence changed several times, leaving the Army with restricted means, without precise laid down tasks and goals. Uncontrolled interventions into forces structure, reducing numbers of military personnel, lead to balance on the verge of collapse. The basic goal to develop Czech national security and defence policies did not fell...
Conceptual Changes in the Army after 1989Reviewed
Ing. Josef Procházka, Ph.D.
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 38-49
The basic task of the post-1989 period was to formulate a security policy and a strategy ensuing from it. The strategy had to be based on a synthesis of the international policy concept, defence concept and internal security concept to ensure that defence would not be seen solely as the task of the army and the Ministry of Defence, but of the whole state and society-of every citizen. In this article his author evaluates some aspects of the armed forces transformation in process of adaptation. He assesses these changes with regard to approved strategic and conceptual documents that significantly determined this gradual transformation process. He identifies...
The Czech Dilemma: Integration of National Security System and Transformation of Operational Capabilities of National Professional Security StructuresReviewed
Pplk. Ing. Bohuslav Pernica, Ph.D.
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 50-60
The security environment is permanently changing. A national set of risks has increased after joining the EU and NATO and EU enlargement. The Czech Republic is obligated to integrate national security capabilities into NATO and the EU. To fulfil its responsibility, the Czech Republic ought to use the capabilities-based planning for further transformation of national security sector. This NATO concept ought to be in use not only within the MoD, but also at other ministries tied or responsible for national security. The national security sector must be planed, programmed, budgeted and transformed like a body. The article deals with the problem of unifying...
Will Europe Defend Itself without Americans? Reflections over Europe Security "Twenty Years" AfterReviewed
PhDr. Miloš Balabán, Ph.D., PhDr. Antonín Rašek
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 61-70
There are many items in American foreign policy the Europeans do not agree, namely its tendency towards "strong world leadership". On the other hand, the Americans would prefer stronger Europe, namely in time of world's economic crisis when US defence expenditures are practically frozen, and when pre-emptive strategy by president Bush exhausted most of American sources. Even the Europeans feel that they should profile themselves as independent, strong power, but their Common Foreign and Security Policy is still more political declaration than really military strategy. Many security experts suggest that the Lisbon Treaty excludes NATO membership as...
Defence Research and Development in 1989-2009Reviewed
Doc. Ing. Josef Janošec, CSc.
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 71-86
After a short review of defence R&D history, the author concludes that our country used to reach world's level in some fields: passive warning systems, NBC protection, military surgery, explosives. After the change of political system in 1989 we began to dispose Czech military industries. The only scientific place to left is Defence University Brno, but it is an institution more or less concentrated on education. It is almost impossible to maintain pace with foreign defence industry. In the article there is an exhaustive list of military plants, institutions after 1989, together with the date of their closing down. It is followed by research orientation...
Security System Reforms: Support to Comprehensive Approaches of EU Crisis Management is also Czech CauseMilitary art
Plk. gšt. Ing. Jaromír Zůna, MSc.
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 87-100
In spite of the fact that it is a new concept, it presents one of key methods of international engagement in crisis areas the EU prefers. Its main components are crises prevention and securing stabilization. Security tasks are composite problems solving one of main state functions: to guard external and internal security together with principles of civil control. This essay among others aims to explain practicability of the EU's concept of preventive engagement as a tool of implementation of the European Security Strategy, further it describes European concept for crisis management missions in the field of civilian administration supporting security...
Mission of the Czech Republic in Afghanistan: The Trial of New DimensionsMilitary art
PhDr. Libor Stejskal
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 101-106
The Czech Republic became involved in ISAF in 2002, among others we sent there both field hospital and field surgical team; later meteorological group, traffic control group with EOD team began to serve at the Kabul International Airport. In 2004, the 601st Special Force Group was engaged in Enduring Freedom operation, Czech soldiers served in German Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), positive role was played by Czech Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team. Another successful mission was establishing PRT Logar, supporting social, economical development in this province. New common features of PRT, helicopter OMLT, EUPOL mission, partly SOG is the...
Life Cycle of ACR Base in Missions AbroadMilitary art
Mjr. Ing. Eva Zezulová, Ph.D., mjr. Ing. Jiří Štoller, Ph.D., pplk. doc. Ing. Pavel Maňas, Ph.D.
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 107-113
The article is focused on the Czech military bases during mission abroad and introduces new term "Life Cycle of Military Base". Every system has its own successive stages through which it passes; concept that compares the cyclical nature of organizations, systems, is called life cycle. The Reach-Back concept divides lifetime of the military base into seven phases: Assignment (task, goals), Preparation, Proposal (draft), Designing, Building, Running and Cancelling. The definition and description of all phases of the Life Cycle of Military Bases is an important contribution to solving series of problems connected with designing, building, running and...
Military Grade Structure During 1989-2009: How Many Officers Are Enough? (20 Years of Rank Structure Transformation)Opinions, controversy
Pplk. Ing. Bohuslav Pernica, Ph.D.
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 114-123
The important part of the forces transformation deals with the problem reducing in numbers of officers, namely field officers and general corps in the Czechoslovak Armed Forces and lately the Army of the Czech Republic. The main cause of this reduction was new concept of military career, as before the transformation it used to be a lifelong profession. The downsizing started in 1990 and it ought to have been finished by the end of the first period of the Czech Armed Forces Reform, as of 2008/12/31/, but it appears that downsizing is endless. The author quotes figures concerning numbers of officers; several rank charts and tablets with corresponding...
The Accession of the Czech Republic to NATO: On the American RoadOpinions, controversy
Mgr. Jakub Kašík, Bc. Tomáš Kučera
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 124-128
The Europeans would like to preserve an irreplaceable role of Americans in European security problems. On the other hand, NATO represents for the US a political and military means for American involvement in this region. The whole project of North Atlantic cooperation was drawn according to US demands, not to the contrary. So was the NATO transformation after the Cold War. For the Czech Republic is the bonding with the US the security priority number one. First, we joined the Partnership for Peace, as a primary step, previous to full membership in the Alliance. During wars in the former Yugoslavia in April 1992, we proved our loyalty by sending a joint...
From Model Formula to Verification and Practical Implementation of Economic ControlInformational pages
Ing. Svatopluk Kunc
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 129-138
The purpose of this study is to analyse system of economic control at a level of expense institution of the ACR in comparison with theoretical approaches and experiences of civilian company economics and the practice of NATO armies. The author wants to postulate necessary prerequisites widening the space for rationale economy behaviour and decision-making of leading army management. He creates an economic model constituting methods, proceedings, tools of economic control in all phases of budgeting and accounting processes, behaviour of the whole economic system of defence department. The case study is based upon the presentation delivered at the international...
The Association of Officers and Warrant Officers of the ACR has been oriented on the Youth since 2004Informational pages
Maj. Gen. Ing. Stanislav Chromec, CSc.
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 139-141
The Association of Officers and Warrant Officers is a voluntary civic society directed and planned by the Central Council. It is the professional association of officers, former officers, and spouses, civilian employees and friends. Its activities cover a broad range of special-interest clubs. It cooperates with similarly oriented associations in NATO countries. The association has a long history of effective professional activities. The author enumerates performances done this year, namely the Paintball Czech Army Cup 2009 or demonstrations of combat engagement of a multinational squad to destroy the attack of terrorist groups. They produced multimedia...
Missions and Tasks of ACR Logistics Since its Establishment till PresentMilitary professional
Prof. Ing. Petr Hajna, CSc.
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 142-148
The author discusses the issues surrounding the construction of modern logistic support for the Czech Army as it transforms from a conscript to an all professional force of agile, light forces, with high reliability and low support requirements. The basic philosophy is to create comprehensive system that would offer complex service for a commander in the field of materiel, technology and medical services. The logistics reform must be supported by enhancing communication systems (Information Logistics System) and by seeking the ways of rationale savings, to reach the highest level of compatibility with logistics systems of other NATO nations. "Time...
Information Process as a Part of Command and Control System (Parti)Military professional
Pplk. Ing. Petr Ryp
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 149-153
The change of security situation in the world, international ties and last but not least changes in operational environment, exploitation of new technologies are reflected by changes in defence planning, military organization, forces engagement and operational assessment. Time, flexibility, cooperation in coalition operations, interoperability in technology spheres play incommutable roles together with trained personnel. Command and control (C2) is self-contained system depending on many factors provided by the so-called System of Communication and Information. At present it is the very base for information collection, decision-making process, preparing...
Military Missions Abroad and Partnership Life (FindingsfromArmySociologicalResearch)Military sociology
Mgr. Nataša Ballová, Radomír Saliger, Ph.D., Jiří Hodný, Ph.D., pplk. PhDr. Ing. Jiří Pavlát
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 154-167
It is an information study about sociological research completed among Czech servicemen, former members of military missions abroad, under the aegis of the rector of the University of Defence. The research goal consisted in finding causal relationship between missions and breakup rates. Among others it was determined that for breakups were predispositions even before partners went to missions abroad. A total of 3 % stated they wanted to escape from family problems. Partnership after returning home broke up in 15.6 % of questioned veterans. Research should provide cornerstone data for a proposal of concrete measures for reducing divorces and partings....
Terminology Problems and Language Preparation at the University of DefenceLanguage preparation
PhDr. Jana Kozílková, CSc.
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 168-172
This essay presents the development of opinions on the role of language training of students and learners of foreign language (officer candidates) within the development of speech and understanding capabilities in recent years. It analyses the ratio of general and special languages at military system of language preparation. Increased attention is paid to the acquisition of the so-called special competencies. The article also mentions the activities of educators in the field of terminology. The most stimulating and demanding is a stress upon professional communication at magisterial stages of university education. In conclusion, further trends in given...
A Look at Our Army Ten Years AgoHistory pages
PhDr. Antonín Rašek
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 173-184
At that time, the base for plural societies in Eastern Europe was founded. Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary joined NATO defence alliance. Serious global threats of economic, military, ecology, social, ethnic, religious, criminal characters were lasting. The important question of proliferation of mass destruction weapons was raised. The analyses of security situations in Europe and the World respectively proved that armed conflicts were mostly internal, in a form of civic wars, but demographically endangering bordering countries. Those threats were only discussed, namely nobody fully realized the threat of terrorism. Defence budgets were reduced,...
Colonel (ret.) JUDr. Otto Klíma - Veteran of World War II, the LawyerPersonal data
Col. Petr Majer
Vojenské rozhledy / Czech Military Review Nr. 4/2009: 185-186
After forming Czechoslovak military units abroad he served in Egypt, where he was engaged in the battle of Tobruk, a lengthy confrontation between Axis and Allied forces in North Africa during the Western Desert Campaign of World War II. He went through higher training in Scotland, after the Allied invasion of Normandy he took part in the siege of Dunkerque harbour where 12,000 German soldiers of Wehrmacht were concentrated. In 1945, in the rank of Staff Captain, he became career soldier in military judicial service. After communist coup d'etat he was suspended, stripped of honours, degraded from the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to the rank of retired...