Vasily Petrovich Kolpakov was born in the city of Kargopol, Arkhangelsk region. He graduated from the Arkhangelsk Fishery Navigation School and the Leningrad Higher Marine Engineering School named after Admiral S.O. Makarov in 1973. Until 1999, he worked in the Arkhangelsk trawl fleet on large refrigerated fishing trawlers as an assistant captain, a representative of the fleet administration. Author of three books of artistic journalism, published by the North-Western Book Publishing House and the AGMA Publishing Center: “Compass of Reliability” (1985), “Across Three Oceans” "(1990), "Ships and Captains" (1999). In the book "Factor Cadets - Children of War" using the example of one training group, the author describes the days, months, years of life and study of young cadets from the moment of their admission to the end of the naval school . Study, educational and maritime practice, relationships with commanders, educators and teachers, everyday life and entertainment. It tells lively, fascinatingly and with humor about collective events, trips to the collective farm, performances with amateur art concerts at leisure evenings, difficult relationships with civilian peers, first hobbies and first love, and much, much more. The book contains authentic photographs of the head of the school, his deputies, teachers, educators and cadets, 35 photos in total.