Pioneers.

This is coolbert:

"During a time of peace, prepare for war" - Cicero.

A Mark Felton You Tube production and thanks to same.

"East German Boy Scout Tank Unit"

 

"The incredible story of the Pioneer Panzer Brigade, the East German Boy Scout Tank Unit of the 1970s and '80s."

Scouting but more more than scouting as normally, generally and ordinarily understood.

Go see the video:

East German youth scouting armored corps. Replica 1/3 scale Soviet tanks of the T-34 variety and assault guns apparently of the ASU-85 type [also 1/3 scale] used for training and inculcating martial ability at the most basic of levels. Driving a vehicle, signaling with flags as would armored troops, servicing a vehicle, etc. Those replica tanks are hardly toys! Headgear that padded type helmet true Soviet style armor troops issue.

See additionally Chinese CHILDREN practicing firing mortars: https://youtu.be/SQ-62uDoUGQ. Not really toys. Realistic mortars firing a realistic mortar round.

coolbert.