He was a squad leader in the infantry at a time when there was nothing to shield you from enemy drones. He went AWOL (SZCh), worked as a civilian for a few months, and then came back — through a reserve battalion. That is where a recruiter of the 141st Separate Mechanized Brigade noticed him. Today the senior sergeant with the callsign “Super Did” (“Super Grandpa”) is an EW operator who protects the infantry from enemy drones himself. His story is about a second chance, a team that never lets you down, and the fact that age decides nothing here.

In brief

  • Who he is: a senior sergeant of the 141st SMB with the callsign “Super Did”, an EW operator working on video interception. Before the army he made furniture.
  • How he joined the brigade: after going AWOL he came back through a reserve battalion, where a 141st SMB recruiter noticed him.
  • Can you return from AWOL now: yes. The simplified programme via the Army+ app ran until 20 September 2026; after that the general procedure applies — through the Military Law Enforcement Service and reserve battalions.
  • Liability: according to the Ministry of Defence, a service member who goes AWOL for the first time under martial law may be released from criminal liability. The final decision is made by a court.
  • Age: in EW what matters is technical aptitude and attention, not physical strength. Volunteers aged 60+ can sign a one-year contract if the military medical board finds them fit.
  • Help lines: Ministry of Defence hotline 1519, 141st SMB recruiting — +380 73 141 48 08.

“Practically defenceless”: infantry with no cover

In civilian life “Super Did” made furniture and, in his own words, was very far from electronic warfare. In 2024 he was mobilised and ended up in the infantry as a squad leader.

«Back then we were basically in those trenches, practically defenceless. There was no such thing as cover from UAVs, like EW»

«Super Did»

AWOL and a second chance

He talks about the hardest part of his story directly, without excuses:

«I had to leave, several people went AWOL there. I spent a few months on civvy street, worked. Then, as they say, I got caught»

«Super Did»

Next came a reserve battalion. That is where everything changed.

«Then there was the reserve battalion, a few days there. And there was a recruiter from the 141st brigade who saw something in me»

«Super Did»

The recruiter saw not a mistake but a person who could be useful. That is how “Super Did” ended up in the EW company of the 141st SMB.

A team that never lets you down

What “Super Did” talks about most is not equipment but people.

«The team is made up of very sensible, very smart, professional people»

«Super Did»

The commander, he says, is “all right” — above all in how he treats people. Command tries to schedule leave, so soldiers go on leave regularly.

«If the team is well formed, that in itself means one for all. People here don’t let you down»

«Super Did»

“I see what the enemy pilot sees”

In the EW company, “Super Did” says, newcomers are first tried out on video interception — and it “clicked” for him.

«I see the picture the pilot sees. I have to find that place on the map by the terrain. Then the jamming operator gets the data»

«Super Did»

The jamming operator then “lands” the enemy drone or launches a means that takes it down. Sometimes “Super Did” also stands watch at the Kaskad-R reconnaissance system, which conducts long-range reconnaissance of the enemy’s reconnaissance and strike fixed-wing drones.

«I see the picture the pilot sees, and I see the result — how they fall. That’s when I realised EW really works»

«Super Did»
Camouflaged antenna of a 141st SMB electronic warfare system among the trees

Now he is the very cover he lacked so badly in the trenches. More about this role — on the EW Operator vacancy page.

Age is not a barrier

The callsign “Super Did” speaks for itself. And his story shows that in EW age is not what decides.

  • What matters in EW. According to the Ministry of Defence, this job does not require exceptional physical strength. The key qualities are intelligence, technical literacy, perseverance and analytical skills.
  • 141st SMB requirements. The EW Operator vacancy lists age from 18, fitness for service, mandatory digital literacy and a willingness to learn. Technical skills are an advantage.
  • Service after 60. Since February 2026, volunteers aged 60 and over can sign a one-year contract under martial law, provided the military medical board finds them fit. Men aged 60+ are not subject to mobilisation, so this is purely a voluntary choice.

“Super Did” also explains what the EW company needs: there are many technical tasks — installing equipment and keeping the systems running. The systems are autonomous, with generators and inverters, and all of it has to be looked after. Those who know electrics may also fit the Diesel Generator Electrician vacancy.

Unmanned ground vehicle with a fibre-optic cable reel — equipment maintained by 141st SMB soldiers

How to return from AWOL in 2026

This section is a short explanation based on Ministry of Defence materials, not legal advice. Every situation is different, so call the hotline 1519 or consult a lawyer.

The simplified programme has ended. Until 20 September 2026 inclusive, those whose AWOL was recorded before 12 June 2026 could file a report via Army+ and choose a unit themselves. This programme no longer applies.

What to do after 20 September. Return follows the general rules — through the Military Law Enforcement Service (VSP) and reserve battalions:

  1. Contact a VSP body — the central, territorial or zonal directorate.
  2. Get information about reserve battalions from the VSP and, if available, a referral to one of them. Or go directly to a reserve battalion from the VSP list.
  3. Within 3 days the reserve battalion commander issues an order enrolling you in the list of temporarily arrived personnel, checks the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations and notifies your previous unit.
  4. For further service, recommendation letters from combat brigades that need people are taken into account. After 20 September you can no longer choose a unit yourself.

Criminal liability. Under Part 5 of Article 401 of the Criminal Code, a service member who goes AWOL for the first time under martial law may be released from criminal liability. This requires a report, the written consent of the unit or reserve battalion commander to continue service, and a petition to the investigator, prosecutor or court stating the intention to return. The final decision is made by a court.

Repeat AWOL is a different story. According to the Ministry of Defence, repeat AWOL or refusal to return means a pre-trial investigation, a preventive measure and a court verdict, up to 5 to 10 years of imprisonment.

Pay. Monetary allowance is restored after enrolment in the unit’s lists. The Ministry of Defence warns that under the general procedure the wait is longer than under the simplified programme.

How the 141st SMB can help

“Super Did” did not look for the 141st — the 141st found him in a reserve battalion. If you want to return to service and are looking for a team where “people don’t let you down”, call the 141st SMB recruiters: +380 73 141 48 08. Tell them about your situation and experience — a recruiter will tell you where to start.

Browse the brigade’s vacancies — some roles depend on technical aptitude, like “Super Did’s”, rather than age or physical strength. The general enlistment procedure is described in How to join the 141st SMB.

“Not everyone manages, but it clicked for me,” says “Super Did”. See if it clicks for you.

One for all.

FAQ

Can you return from AWOL in 2026?

Yes. The simplified programme via Army+ ran until 20 September 2026. After that, return follows the general procedure — through the Military Law Enforcement Service and reserve battalions.

What if it is my first AWOL?

Contact the VSP or a reserve battalion. Under Part 5 of Article 401 of the Criminal Code, a service member who goes AWOL for the first time under martial law may be released from criminal liability. You need a report, the commander’s written consent and a petition to the investigator, prosecutor or court. The court decides.

Can you choose a brigade after AWOL?

After 20 September 2026 you cannot choose a unit yourself. However, according to the Ministry of Defence, recommendation letters from combat brigades that need people are taken into account.

Do they accept people over 60?

Yes, voluntarily. Since February 2026, volunteers aged 60+ can sign a one-year contract under martial law if the military medical board finds them fit.

What does an EW operator do?

Detects the signals of enemy drones and communications, determines where they operate from and jams them. On video interception the operator sees the feed from the enemy drone and finds that place on the map.

Who can I contact about returning from AWOL?

Ministry of Defence hotline — 1519. 141st SMB recruiting — +380 73 141 48 08.

Sources