8 of March is a traditional women’s day. It is a day when everybody admires of women, gift them presents and pay compliments. It must be done every day, not only on special days. Look around: how many women work hard and do life-and-death things? How many women work equally with men, sometimes even harder? Modern Ukrainian woman is an honor, intellect and huge potential. One of these women is Olena Dzhemyla, mental officer supporter who temporary acts for deputy battalion commander coordinating with workforce. She always keeps fit; the woman-officer perfectly combines caring for loved ones and soldiering. Today she’s just a beautiful lady!

“I’ve graduated from Kamianets-Podilskii State University, my aunt and uncle have lived here so by the twist of fate I got in Zhytomyr. Serving in army, I’ve started from radiotelephone operator of mortar bank. It’s a hard work: I had to carry five reel units around through fields; you take a unit and get on with it! (Laughs). Those times my weight was 88 lbs, bag of bones. Moreover, I’ve been on a firing range for almost a year among men. It’s hard for a girl after Pedagogical University. After I’ve worked a case handler for 7 years, I was so-called clerical worker and officer rank I’ve only got two years later.”

“War has made it clear that I don’t want to do any office work connected to dealing with documents. I wanted to change something in my life, work with people.”
“As a matter of fact, I have second degree, but pedagogical education is incredibly important: military men are children, wearing uniform. (Laughs).
“I’ve found my destiny in army. When it was a conflict connected with Tuzla, my future husband was delivered to our military base. Firstly he was just coming to the room, and then offered to meet. That’s how we become a family.”

“On one hand, it was difficult when both of us were doing the one thing: children see neither mother nor father but on the other hand, it’s better because you realize troubles of your life partner, round him out and support even more.”
“A woman must give her man a faith in himself. It’s for sure!”
“We try to do everything together. I always monitor as a real guide. My husband supports all my activities as well, he has no other choice.”
“Women in army are definitely necessary, even though not on all positions. When you are there for 15 years, you understand everybody as no one else. You understand every trick of this hard work. I’m sure now: it’s my field.”
“Will my children be military? I wouldn’t like to impact on their choice, but speaking by potentials…(Laughs) Elder one probably won’t become, but younger is a real commander. It’s for sure!” (Laughs)

“It’s very important when parents are there for you, even though they have never interfered in my decisions and haven’t influenced on my choice. I always did it myself and was responsible for all decisions I made. I wasn’t very obedient child, so now I really understand my mom.”
“It wonders me when daughters-in-law have bad relationships with their mothers-in-law. I have a wonderful mother-in-law, I adore her. She is a teacher in primary school, very creative person who loves theatre and writes poems. Ministry of education has ordered her educational literature. We’ve got on track in one go. She’s incredible: nice mom and great grandma. My oldest son is very talented; they’ve visited all possible museums and exhibitions in Kyiv. His talent these are her genes. He likes classic music which is extrinsic thing for up-to-date kids, records videos on his phone. It all comes from granny and she’s proud of it. She also supports me, not even the side of her son but mine. She’s extremely wise person! Her age is an immense wisdom.”

“Soldier mustn’t be hungry. Nowadays they earn good money, but I don’t think everybody is running to get some piece of it. There are a lot of patriots, people start serving in army consciously. There are guys with several degrees, knowledge of foreign languages. I know one soldier who knows 7 languages. Seven! These are not just people, who don’t know where to go and how to realize their potential in life. No, many people are responsible and forces have become by head and shoulders above!”
“I’d like the image of officer to associate with well-deserved person of superior quality, embodied in words “I wish you good health, sir!”

Translated by Aliona Matushevich