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Young Man Leaves Australia, Joins Armenian Armed Forces
- POSTED ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2014POSTED IN: NEWS
By Bairamian | February 18, 2014
There are stories that show the exceptional devotion to the Armenian
homeland among a new generation of young Armenians who realize that
the future of Armenia is their responsibility and is a matter of their
individual contribution to the future of the nation. This is one of
those stories.
Tigran Petrosyan is a young man who lived in Australia for five years
and recently repatriated to Armenia. He is currently serving in the
defense units of the Armenian Armed Forces. He is stationed in
Artsakh.
The following is theGampr's translation of the Razm.info interview.
Razm.info spoke with Tigran Petrosyan, an Armenian repatriate from
Australia who is currently serving in the Armenian Armed Forces in
Artsakh.
After living in Australia for five years and receiving a college
education, the 20 year-old Petrosyan chose to return to his homeland
and establish permanent residency there. Thereafter, he was drafted
into the army as is required by law.
Razm.info: You've decided to return to Armenia and live here. What is
the reason behind your decision?
Petrosyan: After living outside Armenia for five years, I felt like
something was missing; I didn't feel happy, although I had whatever I
needed: I studied at a good university, I had a good job. But after
thinking about it long and hard, I decided to return to Armenia, live
here, and start a family.
I didn't have any legal issues [in Australia or Armenia]. Rather, I
decided on my own to return to my homeland. My conscience is at rest,
I feel better - better even than in Australia. And, in all honesty, my
life here is better.
Razm.info: And had you thought about serving in the Armed Forces?
Petrosyan: Yes, of course. I had thought about it and was ready to
serve. I had never given any thought to skipping military service. If
I had, I wouldn't have even returned.
Razm.info: How long before you started your military service did you
return to Armenia? Did you see any changes [in the country]?
Petrosyan: I returned in the summer of 2013. About 4-5 months later, I
was drafted into the military. As far as changes, yes, of course there
were actual changes. I think that after my military service, I'll see
even more of them.
Razm.info: After living in a foreign country for so many years, how
was the process of getting used to being called to military service?
How were you able to adjust to the lifestyle change?
Petrosyan: Although I was gone for about 5 years, even abroad I tried
to live as an Armenian. That is, I didn't cut myself off from my
roots. So, my return wasn't a shock but the years away had surely left
their mark.
The pre-military service preparations and tests took a bit long. In a
few instances there were some mix-ups and confusion which were a
result of my expired passport. In the end, after the bureaucratic
hurdles, I was able to leave for my service.
Razm.info: You are now a military service member, you've given the
soldier's oath. How do you feel?
Petrosyan: I'm very proud and happy. A soldier's oath has a special
place in any man's life and I'll remember [mine] for a long time.
Razm.info: What are the main difficulties of military service?
Petrosyan: Honestly, I've been here for a few weeks already but I
don't have anything bad to say - I haven't yet encountered any serious
issues.
I like the food. I'm especially pleased with our uniform. I'd like to
start shooting exercises as soon as possible. Until now, there have
only been positive emotions on my end - again, I'm really happy. The
only yearning I have that I'm reminded of often is that for my family
since I've been away from them for so long; that feeling is always
with me.
Razm.info: You said you liked the food in the Army. What's your favorite?
Petrosyan: I think I'd say my favorite is the bread and cheese we're
served for breakfast.
Razm.info: And how have you adjusted to waking up early?
Petrosyan: In Australia I'd wake up around 5:00AM so here it's a bit
more humane (smiles).
Razm.info: Which weapons [or, military equipment] do you like the most?
Petrosyan: I love cars and my expertise is in that area so naturally,
I'd like to be a driver [of military vehicles]: Ural, Kamaz, or Satko
trucks. I also really like tanks.
Razm.info: What would say to conclude?
Petrosyan: [To fellow soldiers] Happy military service and happy return to all!
http://www.armenianlife.com/2014/09/02/young-man-leaves-australia-joins-armenian-armed-forces/
- POSTED ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2014POSTED IN: NEWS
By Bairamian | February 18, 2014
There are stories that show the exceptional devotion to the Armenian
homeland among a new generation of young Armenians who realize that
the future of Armenia is their responsibility and is a matter of their
individual contribution to the future of the nation. This is one of
those stories.
Tigran Petrosyan is a young man who lived in Australia for five years
and recently repatriated to Armenia. He is currently serving in the
defense units of the Armenian Armed Forces. He is stationed in
Artsakh.
The following is theGampr's translation of the Razm.info interview.
Razm.info spoke with Tigran Petrosyan, an Armenian repatriate from
Australia who is currently serving in the Armenian Armed Forces in
Artsakh.
After living in Australia for five years and receiving a college
education, the 20 year-old Petrosyan chose to return to his homeland
and establish permanent residency there. Thereafter, he was drafted
into the army as is required by law.
Razm.info: You've decided to return to Armenia and live here. What is
the reason behind your decision?
Petrosyan: After living outside Armenia for five years, I felt like
something was missing; I didn't feel happy, although I had whatever I
needed: I studied at a good university, I had a good job. But after
thinking about it long and hard, I decided to return to Armenia, live
here, and start a family.
I didn't have any legal issues [in Australia or Armenia]. Rather, I
decided on my own to return to my homeland. My conscience is at rest,
I feel better - better even than in Australia. And, in all honesty, my
life here is better.
Razm.info: And had you thought about serving in the Armed Forces?
Petrosyan: Yes, of course. I had thought about it and was ready to
serve. I had never given any thought to skipping military service. If
I had, I wouldn't have even returned.
Razm.info: How long before you started your military service did you
return to Armenia? Did you see any changes [in the country]?
Petrosyan: I returned in the summer of 2013. About 4-5 months later, I
was drafted into the military. As far as changes, yes, of course there
were actual changes. I think that after my military service, I'll see
even more of them.
Razm.info: After living in a foreign country for so many years, how
was the process of getting used to being called to military service?
How were you able to adjust to the lifestyle change?
Petrosyan: Although I was gone for about 5 years, even abroad I tried
to live as an Armenian. That is, I didn't cut myself off from my
roots. So, my return wasn't a shock but the years away had surely left
their mark.
The pre-military service preparations and tests took a bit long. In a
few instances there were some mix-ups and confusion which were a
result of my expired passport. In the end, after the bureaucratic
hurdles, I was able to leave for my service.
Razm.info: You are now a military service member, you've given the
soldier's oath. How do you feel?
Petrosyan: I'm very proud and happy. A soldier's oath has a special
place in any man's life and I'll remember [mine] for a long time.
Razm.info: What are the main difficulties of military service?
Petrosyan: Honestly, I've been here for a few weeks already but I
don't have anything bad to say - I haven't yet encountered any serious
issues.
I like the food. I'm especially pleased with our uniform. I'd like to
start shooting exercises as soon as possible. Until now, there have
only been positive emotions on my end - again, I'm really happy. The
only yearning I have that I'm reminded of often is that for my family
since I've been away from them for so long; that feeling is always
with me.
Razm.info: You said you liked the food in the Army. What's your favorite?
Petrosyan: I think I'd say my favorite is the bread and cheese we're
served for breakfast.
Razm.info: And how have you adjusted to waking up early?
Petrosyan: In Australia I'd wake up around 5:00AM so here it's a bit
more humane (smiles).
Razm.info: Which weapons [or, military equipment] do you like the most?
Petrosyan: I love cars and my expertise is in that area so naturally,
I'd like to be a driver [of military vehicles]: Ural, Kamaz, or Satko
trucks. I also really like tanks.
Razm.info: What would say to conclude?
Petrosyan: [To fellow soldiers] Happy military service and happy return to all!
http://www.armenianlife.com/2014/09/02/young-man-leaves-australia-joins-armenian-armed-forces/