More and more often we hear that Italy to return to play that dominant role at the international level should focus on the excellence that can boast, from fashion to design. Extreme quality, precision, attention to detail: these are the characteristics that distinguish our strengths.
Since 10 years, the 4 regiment of Alpine paratroopers, heir of the historical battalion of the same name that fought bravely in the campaign of Russia during the Second World War, is among the excellences of our army.
The Quarto, part of the departments for special operations, is the only regiment of our armed forces that assigns the status of "Ranger" operator. A coveted award for which every Alpine parachutist trains for 72 weeks for a total of two years. From November of the 2013 at the helm of the regiment Colonel Pietro Addis took over Colonel Salvatore Paolo Raddizza, class' 67 who tells and explains the main activities of his regiment.
Colonnello Radizza, since November 2013 has replaced the colonel Pietro Addis at the helm of the 4 ° rgt. alpine paratroopers "Monte Cervino". Can you tell us about your professional career?
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Together with the 185 ° regiment reconnaissance acquisition targets Folgore and to the 26 ° department helicopters special operations, the 4 ° is part of the FOS. What are the main activities of the regiment?
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As the chosen body, what is the procedural process to be able to be part of it?
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The 4 ° is distinguished by the other regiments of special forces for the "Ranger" qualification that its operators achieve. What does this training path include?
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What is the percentage of abandonment of aspiring Ranger?
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Moving on an operational level, the regiment was used in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Given the nature of these conflicts, how important is a high specialization of deployed units?
<These latest conflicts have shown how the threat is multifaceted. Therefore, threats of a different nature must be accompanied by suitable training to recognize the variety of the latter. The training has therefore been re-calibrated to give much more capabilities to the individual operator in the field. Allow me to make this comparison, perhaps a little forced, to try to understand the role that every ranger can play in the field: the Americans have identified in the "strategic corporal" - strategic corporal - that figure of a fighter who with his action can have a strategic impact.
Each ranger therefore has a whole range of skills and abilities, from the use of special materials and means, to a high ability to interface with the counterpart - a very careful and priority aspect in modern conflicts - so his role on the field is well beyond that of the ordinary fighter. There is also a linguistic aspect, with a focus on English but not only. We have staff in Somalia, and our team leader has taken an Arabic course, to be able to get more into the part. In Afghanistan, our staff mentor and support the entire Afghan component. There must be an empathy, a pre-disposition to support these populations>.
Italy is starting the withdrawal operations from Afghanistan. Soon there will be presidential elections and will be the "test of nine" for the Afghan government. Do you think that ISAF has achieved its goals in more than ten years? And how do you evaluate the work of our troops?
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Our troops were among the main Western forces with the task of training the FF.AA. Afghan.
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Given his experience as a liaison officer at the DCDC, how important is the collaboration both in the training phase and in the operational areas, among the different units deployed?
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Putting precisely in an international perspective what is the level reached by the men of his regiment, comparing them to other special departments of other nations?
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Given the periods of crisis, the Defense budget continues to suffer substantial cuts. Has your department suffered cuts? If so, have they influenced the operativity and training of men?
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However, we are moving from armies composed of many units to increasingly narrower armies but with a level of extreme specialization. Do you think that the future will follow this trend?
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Do you think, however, that the increasingly unbridled technology of the vehicles will gradually lead to the escape of the figure of the soldier?
<“Boots on the ground” as the Americans say. The facts prove this and the recent conflicts are proof of this. What I can say is that however the Ranger is an Alpine paratrooper. Therefore it shares a capacity for intervention in the three elements: amphibious specialty, use in the mountains, ability to insert from above. In the end, the word "infantryman" is a stretch for my men>.
What advice can you give to a recruit who plans to join the regiment?
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The Alpini are one of the few army bodies that always receive respect and are always well-liked by society. How do you explain this?
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In conclusion, can you tell us an anecdote of your career?
<Memories often end up in the drawer and fill with dust.
There is a very recent memory related to my experience at the Fourth. As I said, I spent most of my career at the Julia Brigade, then in Alpine infantry regiments. I met people, both as commander and man, with whom they were born of beautiful relationships.
About a month ago, following an activity we conducted with the regiment on the Adamello, where we fielded a large group of students, operatives and instructors, we also left the door open to operators from other alpine brigades. .I have seen people known in my past experiences who have complimented me on seeing the potential of my soldiers. And when the compliments come from outside people, they are the most aseptic and genuine that a commander can hear and they appreciate the importance of the "toy" he has in his hands. These praises made me think a lot about how this regiment in ten years of life has made giant steps and is still running towards goals that not even we know>.
On the other hand “Never Strack” - or “Never Tired” - is the motto of these soldiers. Two words that should be an example for all of us who sometimes lose the strength to fight and improve.
Nicolò Marangoni
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