Pryzhok

Kuznetsov Class "Pryzhok" is the main carrier of MGCS. Fielded in 2004, for 5 years, funds were raised in order to modify the Kuznetsov Class into a carrier school. It is considered one of Russia's biggest school ships, with Vladivostok's Own Carrier School's Kirov-Class battle cruiser and Night Witches Girls' Academy Moskva-Class carriers trailing behind.

## History

Pryzhok was meant to enter service with the Leningrad Naval Academy in 2000, but instead of immediately being fielded, it was decided that the carrier would be converted into a full size school ship. Funds were raised over 4 years, with the school attaining their goal by early 2004. The Pryzhok was then fielded on it's maiden voyage with a single group of 50 naval students in 2004, just before the vessel was considered a real school ship.

In 2005, Pryshok officially opened it's doors to Suvorovite students, and started the 3 of the largest programs on board for the first time. As students came and went, the carrier has gained it's reputation as a well doing carrier school, ranking in the top 1% of the world's water-based floating cities.

The name Pryzhok comes from the Russian word "прыгать" in the imperative, "Прыжок," which means "Jump!" referring to the ski-jump ramp at the end of the carrier's runway. This name was suggested during a naming competition throughout the Leningrad Naval Academy's student body of 1999, and somehow won the popular vote that year.

## Amenities

Moscow Guards has a variety of amenities for students to enjoy during their downtime aboard Pryzhok. Open from 05:00 to 00:00 every day, they help promote a healthy lifestyle for students aboard the main carrier.

#### *Swimming Pool*

> As per the regular schedule of the program, it is required that all students hold a specific degree of ability to swim. Students will often take swimming as a course during the summer months aboard the boat.
>
>

#### *Ice Rink*

> During the winter months aboard the carrier, hockey is a passtime for many of the students. With that, a rink is available on board, ready for the use of any student. The rink may be used any time of the day, so long as the student has their ID card with them. Ice skates are supplied with their school uniforms, but rentals are open for visitors.
>
>

#### *Gymnasium*

> As sport and recreation are ways that students may pass their time aboard, there is indeed a gymnasium and a fitness centre that students are allowed to use when organised sports are not in session.
>
>

#### *Shooting Range*

> Moscow Guards takes marksmanship and gun discipline very seriously. As the school is a military school, they do have a range in operation at all times. Supervised by staff and senior students, there has never been an incident on board. From antique rifles to modern day submachine guns, MGCS offers some of the best marksmanship courses for students to take. They also field one mighty marksmanship team.
>
>

#### *Ski Hill*

> From the months of October to April, MGCS opens up the ramp to students who wish to take their skiing to the next level. Offering cross country, downhill, and even alpine style ski, Moscow Guards is happy to allow students to come being their skis and join us up in the slopes. Stores and areas special to the season are often set up at the base, providing a good weekend getaway to those who wish to stick around.
>
>

## Transport

The Moscow Guards main carrier, Pryzhok, has multiple forms of transport that students and citizens may take in order to get around the campus.

#### *Metro*

Use of the metro system, consisting of 10 stations across the 11+km ship, is encouraged among the residents of the ship. Students will often take the metro during school hours in order to get from the main classroom buildings to any amenities. The metro system, which operates in the lower part of the ship, is tended by students and staff in the engineering department of the school, and is surveyed by the naval students that live in the underground. Students will often carry their school cards, which offer public transit in the cost of their tuition. They are allotted an unlimited amount of travel time during the weekends, and a total of 5 travel hours during the school week. Fare for non-students and passengers that do not carry a school card, are 65руб, and may be used for one trip on the train, and 90 minutes on any type of transport afterwards. Day passes cost 250руб.

#### *Bike*

Reminiscent of Soviet times, many students and residents own bicycles that are often used to get from one place to another. As it is part of the MGCS basic fitness test, all students are required to know how to operate a bike. Bicycle rentals are abundant for visitors if so needed. Prices fluctuate between stores.

#### *Bus/Tram*

Alongside the metro system, Moscow Guards also has a tram system for every stop in between stations. A system has been made for these trains to operate after school, to help students to their accomodations.

#### *Car/Personal vehicles*

Travelling by car or personal vehicles (motorcycle, truck, scooter) is not encouraged on the ship. Though available, students are asked to make use of the other transit systems if possible.

## Trivia

* The Kuznetsov Class Carriers are actually not classified as aircraft carriers in Russia and the Former Soviet Union. They are classed as Heavy Aircraft Cruisers, as so they can pass through the Turkish Straight without having to disable their weapons.
* Much like their armed counterpart, the Admiral Kuznetsov, Pryzhok is indeed armed with Anti Air systems capable of shooting down aircraft, but these are often disabled in time of peace and while passing through the coastlines of other nations.
* This version of the Kuznetsov Class carrier has it's own special designation, created just for Pryzhok, as it removes much of the problems of the Admiral Kuznetsov due to it's size. The biggest problem, pipes freezing up, are little to non-existent aboard the vessel, as heating and cooling systems run differently than they do aboard Admiral Kuznetsov.
* The design was chosen over the Kiev and Ulyanovsk class carriers due to the preference of modernity and function over size.