Old shoulder straps of the Soviet army. What military ranks were in the army of the USSR, what shoulder straps were worn by soldiers

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MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE UNION OF THE SSR RULES FOR THE WEARING OF THE MILITARY UNIFORM OF CLOTHES BY SERVICE PERSONNEL OF THE SOVIET ARMY AND NAVY Order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR 250 Section I. MAIN PROVISIONS Section II. CLOTHING FORM OF SOVIET ARMY SERVICEMEN. Chapter 1. Uniform of marshals and generals of the Soviet Army Chapter 2. Uniform of officers, ensigns and servicemen of the long-term service of the Soviet Army Chapter 3. Uniform

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE UNION OF THE SSR RULES FOR THE WEARING OF THE MILITARY UNIFORM OF CLOTHES BY SERVICE PERSONNEL OF THE SOVIET ARMY AND NAVY Order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR 250 Section I. MAIN PROVISIONS Section II. CLOTHING FORM OF SOVIET ARMY SERVICEMEN. Chapter 1. Dress uniform of the Marshals of the Soviet Union, generals of the army, marshals of the military branches and generals of the Soviet Army Chapter 2. Dress uniform of officers, warrant officers and military personnel

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE UNION OF THE SSR RULES FOR WEARING THE MILITARY UNIFORM OF CLOTHING BY MILITARY PERSONNEL OF THE SOVIET ARMY AND NAVY Order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR 191 Section I. GENERAL PROVISIONS Section II. MILITARY UNIFORM Chapter 1. Uniform of the Marshals of the Soviet Union, marshals of military branches and generals of the Soviet Army Chapter 2. Uniform of officers and sergeants of the long-term service of the Soviet Army Chapter 3. Uniform of female officers

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE UNION OF THE SSR RULES OF WEARING THE MILITARY UNIFORM OF CLOTHES BY THE SOVIET ARMY AND NAVY SERVICE PERSONNEL IN PEACETIME I. GENERAL PROVISIONS II. MILITARY CLOTHING Uniform of the marshals of the Soviet Union, marshals of military branches and generals of the Soviet Army Uniform of admirals and generals of the Navy Uniform of officers of the Soviet Army Uniform of women officers of the Soviet Army

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE USSR RULES FOR THE WEARING OF MILITARY UNIFORM CLOTHING BY SERGEANTS, STARSHIN, SOLDIERS, SAILORS, cadets AND PUPILS OF THE SOVIET ARMY AND NAVY IN PEACETIME Order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR. General provisions. The uniform of sergeants of long-term service. The uniform of sergeants of conscripts and soldiers of extra-conscripts and conscripts. The uniform of cadets of military schools. The uniform of pupils of Suvorov

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE USSR RULES FOR WEARING MILITARY UNIFORM MARSHALS OF THE SOVIET UNION, ADMIRALS OF THE FLEET OF THE SOVIET UNION, MARSHALS, GENERALS, ADMIRALS AND OFFICERS OF THE SOVIET ARMY AND NAVY IN PEACETIME Order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR. General provisions. Uniform of marshals of the Soviet Union, marshals of military branches and generals of the ground forces Uniform of marshals and generals of the air force Uniform of clothing

THE NAVY MINISTRY OF THE UNION OF THE SSR RULES FOR THE WEARING OF THE NAVY UNIFORM, ORDERS AND MEDALS BY MILITARY SERVICES OF THE NAVY FORCES. NAVY PUBLISHING HOUSE OF THE NAVY MINISTRY OF THE UNION OF THE SSR. Moscow-1952 Order of the Naval Minister of the USSR Chapter I General Provisions Chapter II Types of naval uniforms and their application Chapter III On wearing naval uniforms Chapter IV Wearing sportswear and civilian clothes

Continuity and innovation in modern military heraldry The first official military heraldic sign is the emblem of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation established on January 27, 1997 by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation in the form of a golden double-headed eagle with outstretched wings, holding a sword in its paws, as the most common symbol of the armed defense of the Fatherland, and a wreath is a symbol of special importance, significance and honor of military labor. This emblem was established to mark the belonging

The military uniform of the Soviet army uniforms and equipment of the military personnel of the Soviet army, formerly called the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army and the Red Army, as well as the Rules for their wearing in the period from 1918 to 1991, established by the highest government bodies for the personnel of the Soviet Army. Article 1

The military uniform, which includes all items of uniforms, equipment, insignia established by the highest government bodies for the personnel of the armed forces of the state, not only allows you to determine the servicemen's belonging to the types and branches of the troops, but also distinguish them by military ranks. The uniform disciplines military personnel, unites them into a single military team, helps to increase their organization and strict fulfillment of military duties.

Oleg Volkov, senior lieutenant of the reserve, former commander of the T-55 tank, gunner of the 1st class We have been waiting for her for so long. Three long years. They have been waiting since the very moment when they changed their civilian clothes for soldiers' uniforms. All this time, she came to us in dreams, in between exercises, shooting at ranges, studying equipment, outfits, drills and other numerous army duties. We are Russians, Tatars, Bashkirs, Uzbeks, Moldavians, Ukrainians,

1. FIGHTER'S RACK CAMPING EQUIPMENT - INFANTRY ARROW stocks are not taken. ASSEMBLY AND ADJUSTMENT OF ASSAULT EQUIPMENT On the waist belt, put on the following items in sequence, winding them

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FITTING, ASSEMBLY AND SAVING THE UNIFIED TRAVELING EQUIPMENT OF THE COMMANDER STAFF OF THE RKKA RVS USSR Order 183 1932 1. General Provisions overcoats and warm overalls leather uniforms, fur clothing b with waist and shoulder straps in three sizes 1

MAIN Quartermaster's Directorate of the Red Army INSTRUCTIONS FOR LAYING, FITTING, ASSEMBLY AND PUTTING THE EQUIPMENT OF THE RED ARMY INFANTRY MILITARY ISSUES NPO USSR - 1941 CONTENTS I. General provisions II. Types of equipment and composition set III. Fitting Equipment IV. Packing equipment V. Making an overcoat roll VI. Assembly of equipment VII. The order of putting on equipment VIII. Instructions for the use of equipment IX.

So, the unloading system of the Soviet motorized rifleman of the 1950 model is a system of a field belt and a field soldier's belt for easy carrying of equipment when performing combat training tasks. In the common people it is called unloading. The field belt is canvas, covered with brown polystyrene and a galvanized buckle, sometimes mistakenly called a construction battalion belt, but this is wrong - this is a field belt, model 1950. The soldier's harness consists of

1 The uniform of the junior command, junior commanding and enlisted personnel of the Red Army Air Force, 1936. Summer casual wear 1. Pilot cap 2. Roll-up overcoat 3. Gymnast 4. Summer bloomers 5. Boots or boots with leggings 6. Waist belt Winter casual wear 1. Dark gray cloth helmet 2. Overcoat 3. Gymnast 4. Cloth harem pants

Each army has its own system of military ranks. Moreover, rank systems are not something fixed, set once and for all. Some titles are canceled, others are introduced. Those who are in any way seriously interested in the art of war, science, need to know not only the entire system of military ranks of a particular army, but also to know how the ranks of different armies correlate, which ranks of one army correspond to the ranks of another army. There is a lot of confusion in the existing literature on these issues,

Private 1939 Private Infantry 1939 At the start of World War II, the Soviet Union had the largest army in Europe, estimated at 1.8 million. Providing such a mass of people with uniforms and equipment was a truly daunting task, and therefore state-owned factories could only maintain tried and tested methods that guaranteed a steady supply. As a result, most Soviet soldiers wore uniforms,

Lieutenant 1941 Air Force Lieutenant 1941 This fighter pilot is wearing a pre-war leather flight coat and flight helmet. Pay attention to the insignia on the buttonholes. Junior officers wore red enamel squares lieutenant two squares and a propeller emblem with wings. By the time the Germans invaded the territory of the USSR, the Red Army Air Forces were undergoing a painful reorganization, the commanders were trying to find

Sailor 1939 Sailor Navy 1939 The uniform of the Navy of the USSR as a whole did not differ much from the clothing of sailors in other countries, although it had two distinctive features. Firstly, only in the Soviet Navy did the foremen wear a traditional uniform with a cap, and secondly, blue and black colors were combined in a naval uniform. The officers wore a black uniform, which included a cap, tunic with a white shirt and black

Front-line soldier Corporal 1 in the uniform of the 1943 model. The insignia from the buttonholes were transferred to shoulder straps. The SSH-40 helmet became widespread since 1942. Around the same time, submachine guns began to enter the troops in massive quantities. This corporal is armed with a 7.62 mm Shpagin submachine gun - PPSh-41 - with a 71-round drum magazine. Spare magazines in pouches on the waist belt next to the pouch for three hand grenades. In 1944, along with the drum

Military uniforms are called clothes established by rules or special decrees, the wearing of which is mandatory for any military unit and for each branch of the military. The form symbolizes the function of its bearer and his belonging to the organization. The stable phrase honor of the uniform means military or corporate honor in general. Even in the Roman army, soldiers were given the same weapons and armor. In the Middle Ages, it was customary to depict the coat of arms of a city, kingdom or feudal lord on shields,

Bodies and troops of the GPU 1922 - Valery Kulikov Employees of the Transport Department of the GPU 1922 - Valery Kulikov Bodies of the GPU - OGPU 1923 - Valery Kulikov Troops of the GPU - OGPU 1923 - Valery Kulikov Employees of the Transport Department of the GPU 1923 - Valery Kulikov Bodies and troops of the OGPU 1924 year - Valery Kulikov Employees of the Main Directorate of Camps of the NKVD 1936 - Andrey

In the North Caucasus, three types of Cossack units Terek, Kuban and Don were stationed and carried out military service. In 1936 By order of the NKO USSR 67, a special dress uniform was established for these units. For the Terek and Kuban Cossacks, it consisted of a kubanka, a beshmet, a Circassian coat with a hood, a cloak, bloomers and Caucasian boots. The Don Cossacks wore a papakha, kazakin, harem pants and boots as a weekend outfit.

Camouflage clothing appeared in the Red Army as early as 1936, although experiments began 10 years earlier, but it became widespread only during the war. Initially, these were camouflage coats and capes of spotted color spots in the form of amoebas and received the unofficial name of the amoeba of four colors for summer, spring-autumn, desert and for mountainous regions. In a separate row are white camouflage suits for winter camouflage. Much more mass-produced.

Types of fabrics used for sewing uniforms of the Red Army. Name, article Composition of fabric Color Application Diagonal merino art. 1408 khaki wool, steel, dark and light blue uniforms, tunics and breeches of generals Gabardine merino art. 1311 khaki wool, steel, dark and light blue uniforms, tunics and breeches of generals

In the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army of the Red Army, in the summer they wore half boots, they are also boots and boots, in the cold winter, felt boots were issued. The highest command staff in winter could wear winter cloak boots. The choice of shoes depended on the rank of the soldier; the officers always relied on boots and on the position he held. Before the war, there were many improvements and changes in the field

Summer uniforms of the Red Army for the period 1940-1943. SUMMER GYMNASTERIOR OF THE COMMAND AND COMMANDING STAFF OF THE RED ARMY Introduced by order of the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR 005 of February 1, 1941 The summer tunic is made of a khaki cotton fabric with a turn-down collar fastened with one hook. At the ends of the collar, khaki buttonholes with insignia are sewn on. The gymnast has a chest strap with a clasp

Winter uniform of the Red Army 1940-1945 OVERCOAT Introduced by order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR 733 of December 18, 1926. Single-breasted overcoat made of gray overcoat. Turn-down collar. Clasp hidden on five hooks. Welt pockets without flaps. Sleeves with stitched straight cuffs. At the back, the pleat ends with a slit. The strap is fastened to the posts with two buttons. The overcoat for command and command staff was introduced by order of the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR

PILOTKA Introduced by order of the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR 176 of December 3, 1935. The cap for the command staff is made of woolen fabric, uniform with a French tunic. The color of the cap for the command staff of the air forces is blue, for the command staff of the auto-armored troops it is steel, for all the rest it is khaki. The cap consists of a cap and two sides. The cap is made on a cotton lining, and the sides are made of two layers of the main fabric. Front

By order of the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR 005 dated February 1, 1941, a new Standard list of items of clothing was introduced that makes up the attire of junior commanding officers and privates of the Red Army for summer and winter in peacetime and wartime. FOR PRIVATE COMPOSITION IN THE SUMMER in peacetime I. Uniform 1. Khaki cloth cap. 2. Khaki cotton cap only in combat units for field exercises. 3. Cloth gray overcoat

The clothing of military personnel is established by decrees, orders, rules or special normative acts. Wearing a naval uniform of a naval uniform is mandatory for military personnel of the armed forces of the state and other formations where military service is provided. In the armed forces of Russia, there are a number of accessories that were in the naval uniform of the times of the Russian Empire. These include shoulder straps, boots, long overcoats with buttonholes.

TABLE OF RANKS OF THE USSR MILITARY SERVICE 1935-1945 1935 1 By the Decree of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR of September 22, 1935, on the introduction of personal military ranks of the commanding staff of the Red Army and on the approval of the regulation on the service of the command and command staff of the Red Army for the military personnel of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army, command and special military ranks of the commanding composition Military ranks of command and command staff of land and air

By order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic 572 of April 3, 1920, sleeve insignia of the Red Army were introduced. A detailed analysis of the history of stripes and chevrons of the Red Army of all periods in the material of the Military Pro. Introduction of sleeve insignia of the Red Army stages, features, symbols Distinctive insignia of the sleeve type are used to identify servicemen of certain branches of the armed forces. To better understand the specifics of the sleeve insignia of the Red Army and the chevrons of the Red Army, we recommend

Black Death is how German soldiers during World War II called the Soviet marines, dressed in black pea jackets. And the Germans perceived the incomprehensible battle cry of the polundra as fall under. When the Marines were dressed in combined arms uniforms, the fighters kept the vests and peakless caps and went on the attack wide open and in demons, biting the ribbons in their teeth. Let the enemies see who they're dealing with. History of the Marine Corps Already in the second half of the 16th century, as part of the crews of ships

The first mass-produced Soviet steel helmet SSH-36 appeared in the Red Army in 1936, and by the end of the year it became obvious that it had a lot of shortcomings. The most fundamental of them were the brittleness of steel and low bullet resistance in bending places. Attempts to improve the helmet led to the emergence of a number of experimental samples, some of them were military tests. Red Army soldiers at the parade in steel helmets SSH-36. http forum.guns.ru In June

Metal helmets, widely used in the armies of the world long before our era, lost their protective value by the 18th century due to the massive spread of firearms. By the period of the Napoleonic Wars in European armies, they were used as protective equipment mainly in heavy cavalry. Throughout the 19th century, military headdresses protected their wearers at best from cold, heat or rain. Returning to service steel helmets, or

The abundance of uniforms and equipment accepted for supply in the Red Army led to the fact that tankers, even within the same military unit or unit, could be equipped in different ways. The commanders of light tanks of the Red Army and the Wehrmacht shown in the photo look like thousands of tankers looked on the first day of the war. If possible, the most common variants of uniforms and equipment are indicated in the descriptions, but, of course, the material cannot claim to be exhaustive.

The image shows two infantrymen of the Red Army, a Red Army soldier on June 22, 1941 and a victorious sergeant on May 9, 1945. Even from the photo you can see how the uniforms and equipment were simplified over time, something turned out to be too expensive to manufacture in wartime, something did not take root, something the soldiers did not like and was removed from the supply. And individual items of equipment, on the contrary, were spied on by the enemy or taken as a trophy. It's not all about item placement

Afghanka is a slang name used by some military personnel to name a set of field summer winter uniforms for military personnel of the Armed Forces of the USSR, and later the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and CIS countries. The field one was later used as an everyday military uniform due to poor supply of the military personnel of the Soviet Army and the Navy of the USSR, marines, coastal missile and artillery troops and the Air Force of the fleet, which was used in the initial period in SAVO and OKSVA

Until the end of the 70s, the field uniform of the KGB PV was not much different from the one that was in the land Soviet Army. Unless green shoulder straps and buttonholes, and more frequent and widespread use of KLMK summer camouflage suit. At the end of the 70s, in terms of the development and implementation of a special field uniform, some shifts took place, which resulted in the appearance of summer and winter field suits with a hitherto unusual cut. one.

In 1985, by Order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR 145-84g, a new field uniform was introduced, the same for all categories of military personnel, which received the common name Afghan, the first to receive units and subunits located on the territory of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. In 1988 In 1988, by Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense 250 of 03/04/88, soldiers, sergeants and cadets without a tunic in a green shirt are introduced to wear a dress uniform. From left to right

From left to right Summer parade of marshals and generals except for the Air Force - for formation. The winter parade of marshals and generals, except for the Air Force, is out of order. Summer parade of marshals and generals of the Air Force - for building and out of order. Summer ceremonial parade of marshals and generals in the Air Force blue cap and trousers. Summer casual marshals and generals - loose trousers out of order. Summer field marshals and generals

Official insignia of the military personnel of the Red Army 1919-1921. With the advent of the RCP b to power in November 1917, the new leaders of the country, relying on the thesis of Karl Marx about replacing the regular army with the general armament of the working people, began active work to eliminate the imperial army of Russia. In particular, on December 16, 1917, all military ranks were abolished by the decrees of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars On the elective beginning and organization of power in the army and On the equalization of the rights of all military personnel.

Insignia of the Red Army military personnel by ranks 1935-40. The period under review covers the time from September 1935 to November 1940. By a decree of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR of September 22, 1935, personal military ranks are established for all military personnel, which are strictly correlated with their positions. Each position corresponds to a certain rank. A soldier may have a rank lower than that defined for this position, or the corresponding one. But he can't get

Insignia and buttonholes of the Red Army 1924-1943 The Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army was abbreviated as the Red Army, the term Soviet Army SA appeared later, the beginning of World War II, oddly enough, was met in a military uniform of the 1925 model. The People's Commissariat of Defense, by its order of December 3, 1935, introduced new uniforms and insignia. The old official ranks were partially preserved for the military-political, military-technical.

PERSONAL MILITARY RANKS OF THE MILITARY SERVANTS 1935-1945 PERSONAL MILITARY RANKS OF THE MILITARY SERVICES OF THE LAND AND SEA FORCES OF THE RKKA 1935-1940 Introduced by resolutions of the Council of People's Commissars 2590 for the land and air forces of the Red Army and 2591 for the naval forces of the Red Army of September 392. Declared by order of the People's Commissar of Defense 144 of September 26, 1935. Private and command staff Political composition

On January 6, 1943, shoulder straps for the personnel of the Soviet Army were introduced in the USSR. Initially, shoulder straps had a practical meaning. With their help, the belt of the cartridge bag was held. Therefore, at first there was only one shoulder strap, on the left shoulder, since the cartridge bag was worn on the right side. In most of the fleets of the world, shoulder straps were not used, and the rank was indicated by stripes on the sleeve, the sailors did not wear a cartridge bag. In Russia, shoulder straps

Uniforms of the Red Army Headgear of the Red Army Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch insignia Patch

This attribute of military equipment has earned a worthy place among others, thanks to its simplicity, unpretentiousness and, most importantly, complete irreplaceability. The name helmet itself comes from the French casque or from the Spanish casco skull, helmet. According to encyclopedias, this term refers to a leather or metal headgear used to protect the head by the military and other categories of persons operating in dangerous conditions by miners,

Title From the Bogatyr to the Frunzevka There is a version in journalism that the Budyonovka was developed back in the First World War in such helmets, the Russians were supposed to go through the victory parade in Berlin. However, no confirmed evidence of this has been found. But according to the documents, the history of the competition for the development of uniforms for the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army is well traced. The competition was announced on May 7, 1918, and on December 18, the Republican Revolutionary Military Council approved a sample of a winter headgear - a helmet,

June 3, 1946 in accordance with the decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, signed by I. V. Stalin, the Airborne Forces were withdrawn from the Air Force and subordinated directly to the Ministry of the Armed Forces of the USSR. Paratroopers at the November 1951 parade in Moscow. A sleeve badge is visible on the right sleeve of those marching in the first rank. The resolution ordered the head of the Logistics of the USSR Armed Forces, together with the commander of the Airborne Forces, to prepare proposals

The emblem of the Airborne Forces - in the form of a parachute surrounded by two aircraft - is known to everyone. It became the basis for the subsequent development of the entire symbolism of the units and formations of the Airborne Forces. This sign is not only an expression of the serviceman's belonging to the winged infantry, but also a kind of symbol of the spiritual unity of all paratroopers. But few people know the name of the author of the emblem. And this was the work of Zinaida Ivanovna Bocharova, a beautiful, smart, hardworking girl who worked as a leading draftsman at the headquarters of the Airborne

Knapsack of a soldier of the Red Army 1. Knapsack TRAVELING EQUIPMENT OF THE FIGHTER - ARROW OF INFANTRY Camping equipment of fig. with the calculation of wearable reserves is not taken. ASSEMBLING AND FITTING THE ATTACKING EQUIPMENT On the waist belt, put on the following items in sequence,

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FITTING, ASSEMBLY AND SAVING THE UNIFIED TRAVELING EQUIPMENT OF THE COMMANDER STAFF OF THE RKKA RVS USSR Order 183 1932 1. General Provisions overcoats and warm overalls leather uniforms, fur clothes b with waist and shoulder straps in three sizes 1 height namely 1 Equipment

From buttonholes to epaulettes P. Lipatov Uniforms and insignia of the ground troops of the Red Army, internal troops of the NKVD and border troops during the Great Patriotic War The Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army of the Red Army entered the Second World War in the uniform of the 1935 model. At about the same time, they acquired the usual us the appearance of Wehrmacht soldiers. In 1935, by order of the People's Commissariat of Defense of December 3, new uniforms and insignia were introduced for the entire personnel of the Red Army.

The Soviet system of insignia is unique. This practice is not found in the armies of other countries of the world, and it was, perhaps, the only innovation of the communist government; otherwise, the order was copied from the rules of army insignia of tsarist Russia. The insignia of the first two decades of the existence of the Red Army were buttonholes, which were later replaced by shoulder straps. The rank was determined by the shape of the triangles, squares, rhombuses under the star,

They do not emit a warlike roar, they do not sparkle with a polished surface, they are not decorated with chased coats of arms and plumes, and quite often they are generally hidden under jackets. However, today, without this armor, unsightly in appearance, it is simply unthinkable to send soldiers into battle or ensure the safety of VIPs. Body armor is clothing that prevents bullets from entering the body and therefore protects a person from being shot. It is made from materials that scatter

In the last century, during the Soviet Union, there was a higher rank of generalissimo. However, this title was not awarded to any person during the entire existence of the Soviet Union, except for Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin. The proletarian people themselves asked for this man to be awarded the highest military rank for all his services to the Motherland. This happened after the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany in the 45th year. Soon that the working people asked for such an honor

We will have to start the story about the introduction of insignia in the Soviet army with some general questions. In addition, a short digression into the history of the Russian state will be useful in order not to formulate empty references to the past. The epaulettes themselves are a kind of product that is worn on the shoulders in order to indicate the position or rank, as well as the type of troops and service affiliation. This is carried out in several ways by fastening straps, stars, making gaps, chevrons.

The era, a couple of decades long, which begins after the Bolsheviks came to power, marked itself with numerous changes in the life of the once former Empire. The reorganization of practically all structures of peaceful and military activities turned out to be a rather lengthy and contentious process. In addition, from the course of history, we know that immediately after the revolution, Russia was swept by a bloody civil war, in which there was intervention. It is hard to imagine that the original rows

Even during the Second World War, detachments of marines instilled fear in German soldiers. Since then, the second name black death or black devils has been attached to the latter, indicating the inevitable reprisal against those who encroach on the integrity of the state. Perhaps this nickname is somehow connected with the fact that the infantryman wore a black pea jacket. Only one thing is known for certain if the enemy is afraid, then this is already the lion's share of victory, and, as you know, the motto is considered a symbol of the marines

Considering all the stages of the creation of the Russian armed forces, it is necessary to delve deeply into history, and although during the time of the principalities there is no talk of the Russian empire, and even more so of the regular army, the emergence of such a thing as defense capability begins precisely from this era. In the XIII century, Russia was represented by separate principalities. Although their military squads were armed with swords, axes, spears, sabers and bows, they could not serve as a reliable defense against extraneous encroachments. United army

Even before the First World War, a uniform appeared in the Russian army, consisting of a protective color of trousers, a shirt-tunic, an overcoat and boots. We have seen her more than once in films about the Civil and Great Patriotic Wars. Soviet uniform from World War II. Since then, several uniform reforms have been carried out, but they mainly affected only the dress uniform. The edgings, shoulder straps, buttonholes changed in uniforms, and the field uniform remained practically unchanged.

Organs and internal troops of the NKVD 1935-1937. Let me remind you that the Internal Troops have undergone numerous reorganizations, renamings, etc. over the years of their existence. With the creation immediately after the October 1917 coup of the Council of People's Commissars, the Council of People's Commissars was immediately created as one of the thirteen people's commissariats, the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs of the Russian Republic of the NKVD. Then it became known as the NKVD of the RSFSR. Then, as the union republics formed, they added

The Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army of the Red Army entered the Second World War in the uniform of the 1935 model. At about the same time, Wehrmacht soldiers acquired their familiar appearance. In 1935, by order of the People's Commissariat of Defense of December 3, new uniforms and insignia were introduced for the entire personnel of the Red Army. The former official ranks by category were abolished, personal old ones were established for commanders, while they were partly preserved for military-political, military-technical,

In the Red Army, two types of buttonholes were used - everyday color and field protective. There were also differences in the buttonholes of the commanding and commanding staff, so that it was possible to distinguish the commander from the chief. Field buttonholes were introduced by order of the USSR NKO 253 of August 1, 1941, which abolished the wearing of colored insignia for all categories of military personnel. It was ordered to switch to buttonholes, emblems and insignia of a completely green camouflage color.

Soviet mountain gunners in ambush. Caucasus. 1943 Based on the significant combat experience gained during the Great Patriotic War, the Main Directorate of Combat Training of the Main Directorate of Combat Training of the GUBP of the Red Army Ground Forces undertook a fundamental solution to the issues of providing the latest weapons and equipment to the Soviet infantry. In the summer of 1945, a meeting was held in Moscow to discuss all the problems facing combined arms commanders. At this meeting, presentations were made by

Various types of small arms and edged weapons that were in service with partisans Trophy weapons of partisans Various independent modifications of Soviet and captured weapons Ambushes behind enemy lines, destruction of enemy columns and manpower Undermining bridges and railways, methods

As a result of the adoption of two decrees on December 15, 1917, the Council of People's Commissars abolished all the ranks and military ranks in the Russian army that remained from the previous regime. The period of the formation of the Red Army. First insignia. Thus, all the soldiers of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army organized as a result of the order of January 15, 1918 no longer had any uniform military uniform, as well as special insignia. Nevertheless, in the same year, a badge was introduced for the fighters of the Red Army

Insignia of the Red Army, 1917-24 1. Patch of the infantry, 1920-24. 2. Armband of the Red Guard, 1917. 3. Sleeve patch of the Kalmyk cavalry units of the South-Eastern Front, 1919-20. 4. Breastplate of the Red Army, 1918-22. 5. Patch of the escort guards of the Republic, 1922-23. 6. Sleeve insignia of the internal troops of the OGPU, 1923-24. 7. Patch of armored parts Eastern Front, 1918-19. 8. Commander's sleeve patch

On the basis of the adopted norms, a detailed regulation was prepared in a secret mode on the supply of clothing to the army engaged in hostilities. On June 30, 1941, hastily finalized in connection with the unexpected German attack on the USSR, this information was announced by the chief quartermaster's circular for the information of the entire Red Army. However, at that moment the question was not of supplying the front, but of saving front-line supplies from those areas where the troops were retreating. The beginning of the war was

The uniform of the Red Army 1918-1945 is the fruit of the joint efforts of a group of enthusiastic artists, collectors, researchers who devote all their free time and money to one common idea. Recreating the realities of the era that troubles their hearts provides an opportunity to get closer to a true perception of the central event of the 20th century of the Second World War, which undoubtedly continues to have a serious impact on modern life. Decades of deliberate misrepresentation experienced by our people

We continue to talk about the uniform of the Red Army. This publication will focus on the period 1943-1945, that is, the very height of the Great Patriotic War, paid attention to the changes in the form of the Soviet soldier that occurred in 1943. Senior sergeant of the Air Force with his father, who is a major. Winter and summer uniforms, 1943 and later. The winter tunic looks neat and clean, the summer one is dirty

In the early days. following the Great October Socialist Revolution of 1917, the Bolsheviks began to form armed detachments from the proletarians of manual labor, sailors of the tsarist fleet and deserters of the Imperial Russian army. These detachments became known as the Red Guard. February 23, 1918 is considered the official date of the creation of the Red Army. Until 1946, the armed forces were officially called the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army. Red Army, since 1946 the Soviet Army.

Commanders Vasily Ivanovich Chuikov Born on February 12, 1900 in Serebryanye Prudy, near Venev, Vasily Ivanovich Chuikov was the son of a peasant. From the age of 12, he worked as an apprentice saddler, and when he was 18, he joined the Red Army. In 1918, during the civil war, he participated in the defense of Tsaritsyn later - Stalingrad, and in 1919 joined the CPSU b and was appointed regiment commander. In 1925, Chuikov graduated from the Military Academy. M.V. Frunze, then participated

Ranks and insignia of the Red Army in the middle, senior and senior command staff, 1936

Ranks and insignia of the Red Army in the middle, senior and senior command staff, 1940

Four years later, there is another change in military uniforms and ranks.

Order of the NPO of the USSR No. 226 of July 26, 1940 introduces new and changes the old insignia for the command and political staff of the Red Army.

Rank	Insignia in buttonhole	Patch according to rank
middle and senior com. compound
junior lieutenant	one square	One square of gold galloon 4 mm wide, on top of the galloon there is a clearance of red cloth 10 mm wide, at the bottom edging 3 mm wide
Lieutenant	two squares	Two squares of gold galloon 4 mm wide, between them a gap of red cloth 7 mm wide, at the bottom of the edging 3 mm wide
Senior Lieutenant	three squares	Three squares of gold galloon 4 mm wide, between them two gaps of red cloth 5 mm wide each, at the bottom of the edging 3 mm wide
Captain	One rectangle	Two squares of gold galloon 6 mm wide, between them a gap of red cloth 10 mm wide, at the bottom of the edging 3 mm wide
Major	Two rectangles
Lieutenant colonel	three rectangles	Two squares made of gold galloon, upper 6 mm wide, lower 10 mm, between them a gap of red cloth 10 mm wide, at the bottom edging 3 mm wide
Colonel	four rectangles	Three squares of gold galloon, upper and middle 6 mm wide, lower 10 mm, between them two gaps of red cloth 7 mm wide each, at the bottom edging 3 mm wide
Political composition
Junior political instructor	two squares
Politruk	three squares	Red star with hammer and sickle
Senior political instructor	One rectangle	Red star with hammer and sickle
Battalion Commissar	Two rectangles	Red star with hammer and sickle
Senior Battalion Commissar	three rectangles	Red star with hammer and sickle
Regimental Commissar	four rectangles	Red star with hammer and sickle

Regarding the military ranks of the "sample 1935" for the command staff, the rank of "lieutenant colonel" is introduced, and for the military-political staff "senior battalion commissar".

Lapel pins and sleeve patches of the Red Army

The colonel and the regimental commissar now wear four sleepers instead of three on their buttonholes, which went to the lieutenant colonel and the senior battalion commissar.
The order completely revised the system of sleeve insignia for senior and middle command personnel. Red cloth chevrons gave way to sleeve insignia with golden galloon.

According to the rules for wearing uniforms from 1936, political workers could not wear emblems of military branches on their buttonholes. Although they were equated in rights with unit commanders, by order of May 10, 1937, as well as in 1925.

Drawing experience from the Finnish company of 1939, in order to strengthen unity of command in July - August 1940, all commissars were transferred to the positions of deputy commanders for political affairs. Obliging to wear lavalier emblems of a kind of troops, and to master the military specialty of a kind of troops.

sleeve patches with golden galloon

Examples of buttonholes of various families and ranks.

A. Major. One sleeper. Armored troops. Dress uniform 1935
B. Ceremonial officer's buttonhole 1943
C. Overcoat buttonhole, ml. sergeant 40
D. Marshal of the Soviet Union. 1940
E. Border Troops Senior Lieutenant 1935
F. General's buttonhole 1943

Insignia and uniform of the Marshal of the Soviet Union and the generals of the Red Army since May 1940.

The Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of May 7, 1940 introduced general ranks. On July 13, the corresponding insignia were approved. The general's uniform turned out to be similar to the general's uniform of the tsarist generals, the same closed tunic, trousers with stripes, a hat and a fringed overcoat with "coat of arms" buttons. The ceremonial single-breasted uniform is the same as in the German army. The general's cap had a round gilded cockade. To top it off, the general was given a white cotton tunic.

General in summer uniform, Major General in dress uniform, Marshal in everyday uniform.

On the buttonholes of the General of the Army there were five gilded stars, the colonel general had four, the lieutenant general had three stars, the major general was supposed to wear two in his buttonholes. Komkor G.K. Zhukov was the first to be awarded the rank of army general.

Designer Major General V.G. Grabin and General of the Army Zhukov.G.K. in dress uniforms of a general, 1940

The title of Marshal of the Soviet Union was established on September 22, 1935 by a decree of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR. The marshal was dressed in a general's uniform, the differences were red buttonholes, a gold embroidered star, laurel branches and a hammer and sickle on their crosshairs, sleeve squares with laurel branches embroidered in gold and large sleeve stars. Until the fortieth year, there was no ornament of laurel branches with a hammer and sickle on the buttonholes of the marshal.

The difference between the Marshal's buttonholes is clearly visible on the uniforms of Budyonny. Voroshilov in the uniform of 1940

Tukhachevsky, Voroshilov, Yegorov, Budyonny and Blucher were the first to be awarded the title of Marshal of the Soviet Union.

Ranks and insignia of the Red Army in the middle, senior and senior command staff. Two months after the start of the war, due to the differences in the military uniform of the senior and senior command personnel from the rest of the military uniform. On August 1, 1941, an order was sent by telegraph obliging to abolish the wearing of sleeve insignia for all command personnel participating in hostilities, and to establish for all military branches the wearing of khaki buttonholes with protective insignia. The generals are to be given camouflage tunics and trousers without stripes.

Tellingly, the most difficult period of the beginning of the war seemed to be a complete mess, but by the end of August 1941, protective buttonholes and insignia were sent to the fronts.

Personal belongings, mobilization, vacation and award documents, the black arrow indicates the "white ticket"

The insignia of the ranks of the Red Army were buttonholes sewn on the collars of gymnasts, tunics and overcoats. The rank was recognized by the shape of the geometric figures attached to the buttonholes, and the specific rank by their number. There were also additional insignia in the form of galloon coal chevrons sewn onto the sleeves between the elbow and the cuff.

Rhombuses (by the beginning of the war, replaced by 5-pointed stars) acted as insignia for senior officers, for senior officers - rectangles or, as they also called "sleepers", and for junior officers - squares or cubes (colloquially, lieutenants were called "kubars") . For non-commissioned officers - triangles.

And so, now specifically about the titles.

MILITARY RANKS OF THE HIGHEST COMMAND STRUCTURE:

Marshal of the Soviet Union - 1 big star between laurel branches
Army General - 5 small stars
Colonel General - 4 stars
Lieutenant General - 3 stars
Major General - 2 stars

The two stars of the major general are apparently somehow connected with the canceled position-the title of "brigade commander", who wore one rhombus on his buttonhole.

SENIOR COMMAND AND COMMANDING STRUCTURES:

Colonel - 4 sleepers
Lieutenant colonel - 3 sleepers
Major - 2 sleepers
Captain - 1 sleeper

MIDDLE COMMAND AND COMMANDING STRUCTURES:

Senior lieutenant - 3 dice
Lieutenant - 2 dice
Junior lieutenant - 1 die

JUNIOR COMMAND AND COMMANDING STRUCTURE:

For all ranks (except for the Red Army) there was a narrow strip along the buttonhole and a golden triangle was attached in the upper corner of the buttonhole. In addition, the petty officer's buttonhole was sheathed with a golden edging.

Petty Officer - 1 stripe and 4 triangles
Staff Sergeant - 1 stripe and 3 triangles
Sergeant - 1 stripe and 2 triangles
Junior Sergeant - 1 stripe and 1 triangle

RED ARMYS:

Corporal - 1 band
The Red Army man is an empty buttonhole.

In addition to lavalier insignia, as mentioned earlier, there were also sleeve galloon patches indicating a specific rank, and in some cases a rank.

So the chevron on the sleeves of the ranks from major general to colonel general inclusive was the same. the chevron for major and lieutenant colonel was also the same, since the rank of lieutenant colonel did not exist in the Red Army until 1940. These patches were present only for combatant ranks, and they were absent from quartermasters, military technicians, doctors and military lawyers. All political officers, regardless of rank, had a red star sewn on their sleeves with a crossed hammer and sickle embroidered on it with gold thread.

In 1943, there was a change in the insignia of the Red Army. Lapel pins are replaced with epaulettes.

ON THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW SIGNS OF DIFFERENCE FOR THE PERSONNEL OF THE RED ARMY
1. Satisfy the petition of the People's Commissariat of Defense and introduce, instead of the existing ones, new insignia - shoulder straps for the personnel of the Red Army.

2. Approve the samples and description of the new insignia of the personnel of the Red Army.*

3. The People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR to set the deadlines for the transition to new insignia and make the necessary changes to the uniform of the personnel of the Red Army. **

Moscow Kremlin. January 6, 1943

ORDER ON THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW SIGNS OF DIFFERENCE AND ON CHANGES IN THE FORM OF CLOTHES
RED ARMY
No. 25 of January 15, 1943

In accordance with the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of January 6, 1943 “On the introduction of new insignia for the personnel of the Red Army”
I order:

1. Set the wearing of shoulder straps:
field - servicemen in the army and the personnel of units being prepared for dispatch to the front;
everyday - by servicemen of other units and institutions of the Red Army, as well as when wearing full dress uniforms.

2. The entire composition of the Red Army to switch to new insignia - shoulder straps in the period from February 1 to February 15, 1943.

3. Make changes to the uniform of the personnel of the Red Army, according to the description in appendices Nos. 1, 2 and 3.

4. To put into effect the “Rules for wearing uniforms by personnel of the Red Army” (Appendix No. 4).

5. Allow the wearing of the existing uniform with new insignia until the next issue of uniforms, in accordance with the current terms and supply standards.

6. Commanders of units and chiefs of garrisons strictly monitor the observance of uniforms and the correct wearing of new insignia.

People's Commissar of Defense I. STALIN

The field of epaulettes is made of galloon of special weaving: for field epaulettes - from khaki-colored silk, for everyday ones - from gold drag.

And so, the insignia are as follows:

Shoulder straps and insignia of marshals of the Soviet Union and generals.

The size of the stars on the shoulder straps of generals is 22 mm, on the shoulder straps of generals of the medical and veterinary services - 20 mm.

Number of stars by military rank:

Marshal of the Soviet Union - one big star;
Army General - four stars;
Colonel General - three stars;
Lieutenant General - two stars;
Major General - one star;

On February 4, 1943, by order of the NPO of the USSR No. 51 in addition to the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of January 6, 1943 "On the introduction of new insignia for the personnel of the Red Army", changes were made to the shoulder straps of the Marshals of the Soviet Union and shoulder straps were introduced for marshals of aviation and artillery and armored forces.

October 27, 1943 by order of the NPO of the USSR No. 305 on the basis of the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of October 9, 1943. additionally established military ranks for senior officers:

ORDER OF THE DEPUTY PEOPLE'S COMMISSIONER OF DEFENSE
WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECREE OF THE PRESIDIUM OF THE SUPREME SOVIET OF THE USSR
“ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ADDITIONAL MILITARY RANKS FOR THE HIGHEST COMMAND STRUCTURE OF THE RED ARMY”

I announce for the leadership the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of October 9, 1943 "On the establishment of additional military ranks for the senior command staff of the Red Army."

Deputy People's Commissar of Defense
Marshal of the Soviet Union VASILEVSKY

DECREE OF THE PRESIDIUM OF THE SUPREME SOVIET OF THE USSR
ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ADDITIONAL MILITARY RANKS
FOR THE HIGHEST COMMAND STRUCTURE OF THE RED ARMY

In addition to the decrees of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of May 7, 1940 and January 16, 1943, establish the following military ranks for the highest command of the Red Army:

Chief Marshal of Artillery,
Air Chief Marshal,
Chief Marshal of the Armored Forces,
Marshal of the Signal Corps,
Chief Marshal of the Signal Corps,
marshal of engineering troops,
chief marshal of the engineering troops.

Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR M. KALININ
Secretary of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR A. GORKIN
Moscow Kremlin. October 9, 1943

As a result of the changes at the end of 1943, the following happened:
Marshal of the Soviet Soza - 1 big star and the state emblem over not
Chief Marshal (arms) - 1 large star in a wreath and the emblem of the arms above it
Marshal (arms) - 1 big star

There were no changes in the insignia of the generals.

Shoulder straps and insignia of senior and middle command staff.

On the shoulder straps of the middle command staff - one clearance and silver-plated stars;
on the shoulder straps of the senior command staff - two gaps and silver-plated stars of a large size.
Asterisks on shoulder straps - metal. From junior lieutenant to captain inclusive, the size of the stars from corner to corner is 13 mm, from major to colonel - 20 mm.

The number of stars on the pursuit - by military rank:

colonel - three stars,
lieutenant colonel - two stars,
major - one star,
captain - four stars,
senior lieutenant - three stars,
lieutenant - two stars,
junior lieutenant - one asterisk.

Shoulder straps and insignia of junior command and rank and file

field - from khaki cloth,
everyday - from colored cloth according to the type of troops.

Stripes on field shoulder straps for junior command and command staff:

narrow - 1 cm wide,
wide - 3 cm wide,
longitudinal stripe on the shoulder straps of the foreman - 1.5 cm wide.

Shoulder straps of junior officers have stripes according to military rank:

foreman - narrow longitudinal and wide transverse stripes,
senior sergeant - wide transverse patch,
sergeant - three narrow cross stripes,
junior sergeant - two narrow cross stripes,
corporal - a narrow transverse stripe.

With the coming to power of the Bolsheviks, all military ranks and insignia were abolished. However, soon the experience of the civil war showed the need for some kind of way to allocate command personnel. Until the winter of 1919, the process of introducing insignia was not regulated by anyone. There were insignia in the form of red armbands with the inscription of the position, a different number of red stripes around the sleeve, a different number of stars on the sleeve, headdress, chest, etc. These insignia were introduced by the commanders of brigades, divisions, regiments. On January 16, 1919, by order of the RVSR No. 116, insignia of military branches in the form of colored buttonholes on collars and insignia of commanders in the form of stripes on the left sleeve above the cuff (cuff) were introduced. By this order, insignia were introduced only for combat commanders and their deputies. Political commissars, staff servicemen, servicemen of auxiliary services did not have any insignia according to this order. The insignia were stripes of red fabric in the form of triangles, squares and rhombuses placed above the cuff of an overcoat, tunic, service jacket, jacket, tunic or other outerwear. Above these signs was placed a red star cut from the same fabric with a diameter of 11 cm. for commanders from squad to regiment; diameter 14.5cm. from the brigade commander and above.

Junior officers wore triangles:

One is the squad leader
Two - deputy platoon commander
Three - foreman of a company (division)

The middle and senior command staff wore squares:

One is a platoon leader
Two - company commander
Three - battalion commander
Four - regimental commander

The highest command staff wore rhombuses:

One is the brigade commander
Two - division commander
Three - Army Commander
Four - Front Commander

Very quickly, other military personnel began to wear these insignia. Most often, the deputies of the corresponding commander wore one badge less than that of the commander. Based on the approximate correspondence of their positions to the legal status of commanders, other military personnel began to sew on signs.

By order of the RVSR No. 1406 of August 22, 1919, distinctive signs were introduced on the left sleeve above the elbow in the form of rhombuses 11x8 cm in size for military servicemen. and a red armband for military commandants of railway stations, piers with the image of the same sign on it.

Until September 1935, the insignia corresponded only to the position held. With the introduction in 1919 of a single headdress - budenovka - the color of the sewn star began to indicate the type of troops

infantry........... crimson
cavalry ...... blue
artillery.....orange
aviation.........blue
sappers...........black
border guards..green

At the ends of the collar of an overcoat or shirt, buttonholes were sewn in the color of a star. In the infantry, it was prescribed to apply the number of the regiment on the buttonholes with black paint.

In April 1920, sleeve insignia of military branches were introduced. These signs are made of cloth and embroidered with colored silk. The signs are placed on the left sleeve of the shirt, caftan in the middle between the shoulder and elbow.

Let's also remember about the VChK-GPU-OGPU

On June 13, 1918, the Internal Troops of the GPU-OGPU were created as a corps of the Cheka troops.
05/25/1919, together with other auxiliary troops, the Internal Troops became part of the Internal Guard Troops of the Republic (VOHR)
09/01/1920 VOKhR, reinforced by a number of contingents, formed the Internal Service Troops (VNUS)
01/19/1921 Independent Troops of the Cheka were again separated from the VNUS
02/06/1922 The troops of the Cheka were reorganized into the Internal Troops of the GPU-OGPU.

The protection of places of detention and escort was carried out by the Escort Guard of the Republic. Until 1923, it was part of the structure of the People's Commissariat of Justice, but was operationally subordinate to the GPU.

In June 1934, all institutions of the OGPU were included in the All-Union People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs (NKVD), where the Main Directorate of State Security was formed. The internal troops were renamed the Internal Guard of the NKVD. For the first time, the uniform for the organs of the GPU and internal troops was introduced on June 27, 1922. The items of clothing and equipment adopted by the organs and troops of the GPU at first differed from the Red Army only in color and some details.

Uniforms and insignia underwent significant changes in 1934.

The system of official ranks of the OGPU in 1922

GPU officer

Rank 3 Agent...................1 Triangle
Rank 2 Agent...................2 Triangles
1st rank agent...................3 triangles

Special Assignment Officer.1 square
Beginning operational point ..... 2 squares
Beginning inspection department ......... 3 squares
Beginning investigative part ....... 4 squares

Military instructor of the inspection ............... 1 rhombus
Beginning GPU departments .............. 2 rhombuses
Deputy Beginning Department of the GPU .............. 3 rhombuses
Head of the GPU Department .................... 4 rhombuses

The highest military rank of Generalissimo of the Soviet Union was established on June 26, 1945 and awarded to I.V. Stalin. On the dress uniform, instead of shoulder straps, epaulettes with the Coat of Arms and a star were used.

After being awarded the rank of marshal in 1943, Stalin was given a special suit. It was a closed light gray tunic with a turn-down collar and four pockets of the same cut that Soviet generals wore before the introduction of shoulder straps. The tunic had the shoulder straps of the Marshal of the Soviet Union and the general's overcoat buttonholes - red with gold piping and buttons. The collar and cuffs were trimmed with red piping. The loose trousers with red stripes were made of the same fabric as the tunic. No one else wore such a suit. In it, I.V. Stalin was depicted on official portraits and posters. He became the only uniform of the Generalissimo of the Soviet Union.

Buttonholes were the insignia of the NKVD workers. In general, like all paramilitary units in the prewar period. However, in addition to buttonholes, insignia were also located on the sleeves of gymnasts and jackets. In addition, the rank could also be determined by the appearance of the departmental patch on the sleeve. The insignia of the NKVD workers differed from those adopted in the Armed Forces. This applied not only to the operational staff, but also to the troops of the NKVD and border guards. For the first time in Soviet history, asterisks appear on insignia. In addition, all employees of the NKVD were assigned special ranks, different from the military.

Two sleeve truncated triangles of red color - sergeant of state security;
- three sleeve truncated triangles of red color - junior lieutenant of state security;
- one sleeve star embroidered with silver - lieutenant of state security;
- two sleeve stars embroidered with silver - senior lieutenant of state security;
- three sleeve stars embroidered with silver - the captain of state security;
- one sleeve star embroidered with gold - major of state security;
- two sleeves embroidered with gold stars - senior major of state security;
- three sleeve stars embroidered with gold - commissioner of state security of the 3rd rank;
- four sleeve stars embroidered with gold, one of them at the bottom is the commissioner of state security of the 2nd rank;
- four sleeve stars embroidered with gold, one of them at the top is the commissioner of state security of the 1st rank;
- one big star on the cuff of the sleeve - the General Commissioner of State Security.

Actually, the same thing was about on the buttonholes. Persons of the commanding staff of the GUGB wore a longitudinal tourniquet on their buttonholes, namely:

silver tourniquet - sergeant, junior lieutenant, lieutenant, senior lieutenant and captain;
golden tourniquet - major, senior major, commissioner of state security of the 3rd, 2nd and 1st rank. Well, the General Commissioner of State Security, respectively.

In addition, a departmental emblem was sewn onto the left sleeve, also indicating the rank of the owner:

From the sergeant of the GB to the captain of the GB - the oval and the sword are silver, the hilt of the sword and the hammer and sickle are gold,
From the major of the State Security Service to the commissioner of the State Security Service of the 1st rank - the oval of the shield is golden, all other details are silver.

The entire period of the existence of the USSR can be divided into several stages according to various epoch-making events. As a rule, changes in the political life of the state lead to a number of cardinal changes, including in the army. The pre-war period, which is limited to 1935-1940, went down in history as the birth of the Soviet Union, and special attention should be paid not only to the state of the material part of the armed forces, but also to the organization of the hierarchy in management.

Before the beginning of this period, there was a kind of disguised system by which the military ranks of the Soviet army were determined. However, the question of creating a more advanced gradation soon arose. Although the ideology did not allow direct introduction of a structure similar to the one currently used, for the reason that the concept of an officer was considered a relic of the tsarist era, Stalin could not help but understand that such a ranking would help to clearly establish the boundaries of the duties and responsibilities of commanders.

The modern approach to the organization of army subordination has one more merit. The activity of personnel is greatly facilitated, since it was possible to develop individual functionality for each rank. Here it should be noted that the transition to the introduction of officer ranks was being prepared for several years. The very fact that such concepts as “officer” or “general” are returning to everyday life was perceived critically by military leaders.

Military ranks of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army

In 1932, a decree of the Council of People's Commissars was published, according to which the previously existing division into conditional categories was abolished. By December 35th, the transition to ranks was completed. But until 1943, the ranks of privates and junior officers still included job titles. The entire contingent was divided into the following categories:

command staff;
military-political;
boss;
military-technical;
economic or administrative;
medical and veterinary;
legal;
private.

If we imagine that each composition had its own specific ranks, it becomes clear that such a system was considered quite complex. By the way, it was possible to put an end to its remnants only closer to the 80s of the XX century. Reliable information on this issue can be obtained from the edition of the military charter of the Armed Forces of the Red Army of 1938.

Find out: What is the color of the shoulder straps of various Russian troops, why are there letters on the shoulder straps

Stalin's strange decision

The totalitarian regime, which was especially pronounced during the Great Patriotic War, did not even allow thoughts contrary to the opinion of I.V. Stalin, and his decision to return shoulder straps and officer ranks to the Red Army was openly criticized not only in the foreign press, but also by the brightest representatives of the Soviet command.

The reform in the army came at the hottest stages of the war. At the beginning of 1943, their former ranks and epaulettes "returned" to the officers. Dissatisfaction was caused by the fact that the builders of communism had long ago renounced these archaisms.

By decision of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces, a corresponding Decree was adopted. Until now, historians consider this decision somewhat strange.

Firstly, only a person who clearly understands the ultimate goals can decide to reform the army during the period of active hostilities.
Secondly, there is a certain risk that the soldiers will feel certain steps back in this measure, which will significantly break their morale.

Although the end justifies the means, and there is always a percentage of the probability of a positive outcome of the reform. Naturally, the Western press saw in this the first notes of the loss of the Soviet Union in the Second World War.

It cannot be assumed that the new shoulder straps were an exact copy of the shoulder straps of tsarist Russia, and the designations and the titles themselves differed significantly. The lieutenant replaced the second lieutenant, and the captain replaced the staff captain. Personally, Stalin was the initiator of the idea of using stars on shoulder straps of various sizes.

For example, the highest ranks in the army of the USSR since that time were designated by large stars (marshal - one star with a coat of arms). Only later did history find out the real reason for this decision of the leader. At all times, the era of Peter's reforms was revered and evoked a feeling of patriotism. The return to that scheme, which established the rank of each serviceman, should have inspired the fighters of the Red Army. Despite the war, the USSR was preparing for the Great Victory, which means that Berlin must be taken by officers whose ranks are consonant with the ranks of the allied countries. Was it politically motivated? Definitely yes.

Find out: Current generals of the Russian army, a small list

Military ranks in the 50s - 80s of the century

Shoulder straps and ranks in the army of the USSR until the end of its existence were revised more than once. Almost every decade in history was marked by reforms. So, in 1955, the title "Admiral of the Fleet" was abolished, and the title "Admiral of the Fleet of the USSR" was established. Later, everything returned to its place with the interpretation "... for consistency between the ranks of senior officers."

In the sixties, it was decided to designate education by adding the specialty of an engineer or technician. The complete hierarchy looked like this:

junior engineer lieutenant - engineer-captain;
major engineer and so on respectively.
junior technician-lieutenant - captain of the technical service;
major of technical service and further respectively.

By the mid-eighties, the idea was ripe to completely remove the previously existing line between command personnel, equate the ranks of military personnel with different formations, establish a single training profile, and bring the ranks of the ground forces and the navy into line. Moreover, this correspondence does not consist only in consonance. The fact is that more and more exercises began to be carried out, in which several branches of the armed forces are simultaneously involved. For effective management of the army, the names of these genera began to be excluded from the ranks. By a decree of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces, military ranks in the Soviet army ceased to contain special articles.

Since 1969, the order of wearing a military uniform has been introduced. It is now subdivided into front, everyday, field and work. The working uniform is only for privates and non-commissioned officers undergoing military service. The shoulder straps of the military personnel of the ground forces, the air force and the navy differ in color. For the category of sergeants, foremen, warrant officers and midshipmen, the following norm is established: SV - red shoulder straps, Air Force - blue, shoulder straps of the USSR Navy - black.

The corporal on the chase wears a cloth strap located across. The shoulder straps of the SV and VVS contain the letters SA, which stands for "Soviet Army". Navy epaulettes differ not only in color, but also in the presence of a gilded letter F. Since 1933, on the purse of a foreman, the strip has been located along, and before that it was supplemented with a transverse strip, forming a semblance of the letter “T”. Obtaining a new rank of senior warrant officer since 1981 is accompanied by the addition of a third star on the shoulder strap.

70 years ago in the Soviet Union, shoulder straps were introduced for the personnel of the Soviet Army. Shoulder straps and stripes in the navy were abolished in Soviet Russia after the October Revolution of 1917 by a decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR (they were considered a symbol of inequality).

Shoulder straps appeared in the Russian army at the end of the 17th century. Initially, they had a practical meaning. They were first introduced by Tsar Peter Alekseevich in 1696, then they served as a strap that kept a gun belt or cartridge pouch from slipping off the shoulder. Therefore, the epaulette was an attribute of the uniform of only the lower ranks, since the officers were not armed with guns. In 1762, an attempt was made to use epaulettes as a means of isolating the military personnel of different regiments and isolating soldiers and officers. To solve this problem, each regiment was given shoulder straps of different weaving from a garus cord, and to separate the soldiers and officers, the weaving of shoulder straps in the same regiment was different. However, since there was no single pattern, the shoulder straps performed the task of insignia poorly.

Under Tsar Pavel Petrovich, only soldiers began to wear shoulder straps again, and again only for a practical purpose: to keep ammunition on their shoulders. Sovereign Alexander I returned the function of insignia to shoulder straps. However, they were not introduced in all branches of the military, in the infantry regiments they introduced shoulder straps on both shoulders, in the cavalry - only on the left. In addition, then shoulder straps did not denote ranks, but belonging to one or another regiment. The number on the shoulder strap indicated the number of the regiment in the Russian imperial army, and the color of the shoulder strap showed the number of the regiment in the division: red denoted the first regiment, blue - the second, white - the third, and dark green - the fourth. Army (non-guards) grenadier units, as well as the Akhtyrsky, Mitavsky hussar and Finnish, Primorsky, Arkhangelsk, Astrakhan and Kinburn dragoon regiments were designated in yellow. To distinguish the lower ranks from the officers, the shoulder straps of officers were first sheathed with gold or silver galloon, and a few years later epaulettes were introduced for officers.

Since 1827, officers and generals began to be designated by the number of stars on epaulettes: ensigns had one star each; second lieutenants, majors and major generals have two; for lieutenants, lieutenant colonels and lieutenant generals - three; staff captains have four. On the epaulettes of captains, colonels and full generals there were no stars. In 1843, insignia were also established on the shoulder straps of the lower ranks. So, the corporals got one badge; for non-commissioned officers - two; senior non-commissioned officer - three. The sergeant-major received a transverse stripe 2.5 cm wide for shoulder straps, and ensigns received exactly the same stripe, but located longitudinally.

Since 1854, instead of epaulettes, shoulder straps were also introduced for officers, epaulettes were left only for ceremonial uniforms. Since November 1855, shoulder straps for officers have become hexagonal, and for soldiers - pentagonal. Officers' shoulder straps were made by hand: pieces of gold and silver (rarely) galloon were sewn onto a colored base, from under which the field of shoulder straps shone through. Asterisks were sewn on, gold stars on a silver shoulder strap, silver stars on a golden shoulder strap, of the same size (11 mm in diameter) for all officers and generals. The epaulette field showed the number of the regiment in the division or the type of troops: the first and second regiments in the division were red, the third and fourth were blue, the grenadier formations were yellow, the rifle formations were crimson, etc. After this, there were no revolutionary changes until October 1917 of the year. Only in 1914, in addition to gold and silver shoulder straps, were first established field shoulder straps for the army. Field shoulder straps were khaki (khaki), the stars on them were oxidized metal, the gaps were indicated by dark brown or yellow stripes. However, this innovation was not popular among officers, who considered such epaulettes ugly.

It should also be noted that officials of some civilian departments, in particular, engineers, railway workers and the police, had shoulder straps. After the February Revolution of 1917, in the summer of 1917, black shoulder straps with white gaps appeared in shock formations.

On November 23, 1917, at a meeting of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee, the Decree on the destruction of estates and civil ranks was approved, along with them, shoulder straps were also canceled. True, in the white armies they remained until 1920. Therefore, in Soviet propaganda, shoulder straps for a long period of time became a symbol of counter-revolutionary, white officers. The word "gold chasers" has actually become a dirty word. In the Red Army, military personnel were initially allocated only by position. For insignia, stripes were established on the sleeves in the form of geometric shapes (triangles, squares and rhombuses), as well as on the sides of the overcoat, they denoted the rank and belonging to the military branch. After the Civil War and until 1943, the insignia in the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army remained in the form of buttonholes on the collar and sleeve chevrons.

In 1935, personal military ranks were established in the Red Army. Some of them corresponded to the royal - colonel, lieutenant colonel, captain. Others were taken from the ranks of the former Russian Imperial Navy - lieutenant and senior lieutenant. The ranks that corresponded to the former generals were retained from the former service categories - brigade commander (brigade commander), division commander (division commander), commander, army commander of the 2nd and 1st ranks. The rank of major was restored, which had been abolished under Emperor Alexander III. Outwardly, the insignia remained practically unchanged compared to the samples of 1924. In addition, the title of Marshal of the Soviet Union was established, it was already marked not with rhombuses, but with one large star on the collar flap. On August 5, 1937, the rank of junior lieutenant appeared in the army (he was distinguished by one head over heels). On September 1, 1939, the rank of lieutenant colonel was introduced, now three sleepers corresponded to a lieutenant colonel, not a colonel. The colonel now received four sleepers.

On May 7, 1940, general ranks were established. The major general, as in the days of the Russian Empire, had two stars, but they were located not on shoulder straps, but on collar valves. The lieutenant general was given three stars. This is where the similarity with the royal ranks ended - instead of a full general, the lieutenant general was followed by the rank of colonel general (he was taken from the German army), he had four stars. Following the colonel general, the general of the army (borrowed from the French armed forces), had five stars.

On January 6, 1943, by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, shoulder straps were introduced in the Red Army. By order of the NPO of the USSR No. 25 of January 15, 1943, the decree was announced in the army. In the Navy, shoulder straps were introduced by order of the People's Commissariat of the Navy No. 51 dated February 15, 1943. On February 8, 1943, shoulder straps were established in the People's Commissariats of Internal Affairs and State Security. On May 28, 1943, shoulder straps were introduced at the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs. On September 4, 1943, shoulder straps were established in the People's Commissariat of Railways, and on October 8, 1943, in the USSR Prosecutor's Office. Soviet shoulder straps were similar to the royal ones, but there were some differences. So, officer army shoulder straps were pentagonal, not hexagonal; the colors of the gaps showed the type of troops, and not the number of the regiment in the division; the clearance was a single unit with the epaulette field; color piping was introduced according to the type of troops; stars on shoulder straps were metal, silver and gold, they differed in size for senior and junior ranks; ranks were designated by a different number of stars than in the imperial army; shoulder straps without stars were not restored. Soviet officer epaulettes were 5 mm wider than the royal ones and did not have ciphers. Junior lieutenant, major and major general received one star each; lieutenant, lieutenant colonel and lieutenant general - two each; senior lieutenant, colonel and colonel general - three each; captain and general of the army - four each. For junior officers, shoulder straps had one gap and from one to four silver-plated stars (13 mm in diameter), for senior officers, shoulder straps had two gaps and from one to three stars (20 mm). For military doctors and lawyers, the stars were 18 mm in diameter.

Badges for junior commanders were also restored. The corporal received one badge, the junior sergeant - two, the sergeant - three. The senior sergeants received the former broad sergeant-major's badge, and the foremen received the so-called. "a hammer".

For the Red Army, field and everyday shoulder straps were introduced. According to the assigned military rank, belonging to any kind of troops (service), insignia and emblems were placed on the field of shoulder straps. For senior officers, the stars were originally attached not to the gaps, but to the galloon field nearby. Field epaulettes were distinguished by a field of khaki color with one or two gaps sewn to it. On three sides, shoulder straps had edgings in the color of the type of troops. Gaps were introduced: for aviation - blue, for doctors, lawyers and quartermasters - brown, for everyone else - red. For everyday shoulder straps, the field was made of galloon or golden silk. The silver galloon was approved for everyday shoulder straps of the engineering, quartermaster, medical, legal and veterinary services.

There was a rule according to which gilded stars were worn on silver shoulder straps, and silver stars were worn on gilded shoulder straps. Only veterinarians were an exception - they wore silver stars on silver shoulder straps. The width of shoulder straps was 6 cm, and for officers of military justice, veterinary and medical services - 4 cm. troops - black, doctors - green. On all shoulder straps, one uniform gilded button with a star was introduced, with a hammer and sickle in the center, in the Navy - a silver button with an anchor.

The epaulettes of the generals, unlike those of officers and soldiers, were hexagonal. The general's epaulettes were gold with silver stars. The only exceptions were shoulder straps for the generals of justice, medical and veterinary services. They received narrow silver epaulettes with gold stars. Unlike the army, the naval officer's shoulder straps, like the general's, were hexagonal. The rest of the naval officer shoulder straps were similar to those of the army. However, the color of the piping was determined: for officers of the ship, engineering (ship and coastal) services - black; for naval aviation and aviation engineering service - blue; quartermaster - raspberry; for everyone else, including justice officers, red. The command and ship staff did not have emblems on shoulder straps.

Appendix. Order of the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR
January 15, 1943 No. 25
"On the introduction of new insignia
and about changes in the form of the Red Army"

In accordance with the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of January 6, 1943 "On the introduction of new insignia for the personnel of the Red Army", -

I ORDER:

1. Set the wearing of shoulder straps:

Field - by military personnel in the active army and personnel of units being prepared for dispatch to the front,

Everyday - by servicemen of other units and institutions of the Red Army, as well as when wearing full dress uniforms.

2. The entire composition of the Red Army to switch to new insignia - shoulder straps in the period from February 1 to February 15, 1943.

3. Make changes to the uniform of the Red Army personnel, according to the description.

4. Enact the "Rules for wearing uniforms by personnel of the Red Army."

5. Allow the wearing of the existing uniform with new insignia until the next issue of uniforms, in accordance with the current terms and supply standards.

6. Commanders of units and chiefs of garrisons strictly monitor the observance of uniforms and the correct wearing of new insignia.

People's Commissar of Defense

I. Stalin.