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Professional Auspices: The Military History Institute Prague

The Military Heritage Society of the Czech Republic was officially registered in 2021. However, its foundations run much deeper. Ideologically, it carries on the work of the legendary Club CI-5 and, above all, its founder, retired Captain Jiří Kunc. It was around him that a great group of people formed—individuals who held a steadfast belief in civil liberties and strong moral principles. Yet, the roots of our association reach even further back into the past.

1960 – 1970

Two friends

Two friends met. Jirka Kunc and Jirka Fuchs. They are 14 years old and share a multitude of dreams and interests. Among the main ones are tramping, the Wild West, free thinking, and sport shooting. Neither of them has any idea that these very passions will shape the future direction of their lives. Although their paths will diverge for years, they will meet again one day to pick up right where the Communist era interrupted their friendship.

1960 – 1970
1970 – 1990

In the Penumbra

In the 1980s, freedom and democracy were nothing but a dream for many citizens of the former Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (ČSSR). A unique group among those with a negative attitude toward the regime were people whose hobbies included shooting and collecting firearms. However, owning a weapon and participating in sport shooting was a privilege reserved only for the chosen few. Consequently, many became members of organizations like Svazarm (the Union for Cooperation with the Army) without having the slightest connection to the official ideology. It was a similar story for tramping enthusiasts.

The activities of people like the two Jirkas were closely monitored by the regime. It was not a form of resistance in the truest sense of the word; it was more of a revolt. Even so, they spent their free time in the great outdoors in a sort of “penumbra.” Information about upcoming events spread almost exclusively by word of mouth among friends.

1970 – 1990
1990 – 2000

Club CI-5

Following the political changes of 1989, these individuals turned their focus to entrepreneurship. It was one of the forms of freedom they had dreamed of for many years. Rather than focusing on profit, their hierarchy of values was structured somewhat differently. In 1993, they came together in the civic association Club CI-5, founded by retired Captain Jiří Kunc.

The club’s DNA was embedded right in its name. It was an international club (Club International) centered around 5 core areas of interest:

Professionals: Bringing together individuals who carry a firearm for their profession.

Hobbyists: Uniting those who hold firearms as a hobby.

Military History: Connecting people with an interest in military history and equipment.

Collectors: Serving as a hub for collectors.

Lifestyle: Gathering those who embrace country music and tramping as a lifestyle.

The club united nearly 1,700 members from various corners of the world. The majority of them had no political affiliation. What they shared was an emphasis on the values of democracy and freedom, combined with a sense of patriotism in the spirit of the Anglo-American perception of one’s relationship to their homeland. For production activities and event organization, the Club utilized its sister agency, Agency CI-5.

1990 – 2000
2000 – 2010

Active Reserve

With the arrival of the new millennium, the outlines of Jiří Kunc’s grand dream began to take shape. In cooperation with the Chief of the General Staff at the time, Jiří Šedivý, alongside František Koch and Václav Marhoul, he brought the concept of the Active Reserve to life. The history of the Active Reserve was meticulously summarized by Pavel J. Kuthan in a series on the website Valka.cz:

“The goal was to create directly designated and integrated units made up of reserve volunteers, with the understanding that within these units, their members would already hold permanent positions on the table of organization and equipment. These units were then to be trained to fulfill tasks in cooperation with other units of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic (ACR) and to enhance their readiness through regular exercises. Drawing inspiration from the past and the traditions of our military, the name ‘Active Volunteer Reserves’ (AVR) was subsequently adopted in this spirit.”

It was not easy to push this decision through, as there were various legislative restrictions as well as persisting distrust from some high-ranking military officials regarding the functionality of such a model for the army’s reserve forces. Ultimately, the 1st Mechanized Company was experimentally formed under the 22nd Mechanized Battalion in Strašice. This was a unit composed entirely of volunteers collaborating with the Military Museum on the Demarcation Line in Rokycany, Club CI-5, and the Brdy Military Equipment Club.

The first exercise of this mechanized company took place from November 6 to 10, 2000, at the Boletice Military Training Area. At the subsequent ceremonial parade for Veterans Day on November 11, 2000, at Vítkov in Prague—which featured the unit’s solemn oath and commenced at 11:11 AM in remembrance of the end of World War I—this 1st Mechanized Company received the honorary title “Czechoslovak Legions” from the Czechoslovak Legionnaire Association, based on their continued voluntary status. This served as official confirmation of the unit continuity with the military traditions of the Czechoslovak Legions from 1914–1920, which had also been formed by volunteers.

2000 – 2010
2010 – 2020

Legends Pass Away

The code name CI-5 has become an integral part of the Czech military history scene. Whether through the club or the agency, it has been involved in the most prominent events on the military enthusiasts’ calendar. From DrillFest and Tank Day in Lešany to the Liberation Festival in Pilsen—members of the Club, and above all Jiří Kunc, were never missing from these events.

On August 18, 2018, we were struck by deeply saddening news. Following a short illness, retired Captain Jiří „Brabánek“ Kunc passed away. How did his friends from the Active Reserve remember him? He was an excellent guy and a true friend. He was a man of his word. He never made excuses and always stood straight, pursuing his goals.

2010 – 2020
2021 and later

A New Chapter

In 2021, we are starting a new chapter. Built upon the foundations of Club CI-5, the new Military Heritage Society of the Czech Republic is born. Its mission is to contribute to the readiness of citizens to defend our country.

It aims to achieve this not only by supporting the Active Reserve but also by organizing cultural, historical, and educational events. Through these activities, the association seeks to further develop and honor the legacy of our friend Jirka Kunc.

His contribution to building and developing the Active Reserve of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic, his significant cooperation with the Ministry of Defence, and his active promotion and popularization of voluntarily assuming conscription duties were recognized by the Minister of Defence, Jana Černochová. On the occasion of Victory Day on May 6, 2024, she awarded him the Cross of Merit of the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic, 2nd Class, in memoriam. Jiří Kunc’s daughter, Lucie, accepted the award during the formal ceremony.

2021 and later

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