Old ranks of the Soviet army. Introduction of shoulder straps in the Red Army

Over the 19 years of existence of lapel insignia, changes in Insignia And buttonholes Red Army small contributions were made.

Changed appearance emblems of military branches and services, the colors of the edgings and buttonholes, the number of signs in the buttonholes and the technology of production of signs underwent changes.

IN various years as an additional element to the buttonholes, sleeve ones were introduced and abolished stripes .

Many people get confused about military ranks; it’s all about changes in 391 orders.

For example, until the age of 40, the foreman had three triangles in his buttonhole and three stripes on the sleeve, and since 40, four.

Squares and rectangles defining military rank were colloquially called “kubari” or “cubes”, respectively, rectangles “sleepers”.

Diamonds and triangles had no slang names, with the exception of foreman, its four triangles were called "saw".

Artillery and armored troops used black buttonholes, but among tank commanders buttonholes were velvety. The emblem of artillerymen and motorists was introduced in the First World War, crossed cannons and winged wheels with a steering wheel for drivers. Both are still used today with minimal changes. The tankers have emblems in the form of miniature BT tanks. The chemists had two cylinders and a gas mask on their emblem. In March 1943 they were changed to hammer and wrench.

Rank Insignia V buttonhole Sleeve insignia according to rank

middle and senior com. compound

Junior Lieutenant One square One square made of gold braid 4 mm wide, on top of the braid there is a gap of red cloth 10 mm wide, at the bottom there is a edging 3 mm wide
Lieutenant Two squares Two squares made of gold galloon 4 mm wide, between them there is a gap of red cloth 7 mm wide, at the bottom there is a edging 3 mm wide
Senior Lieutenant Three squares Three squares made of gold braid, 4 mm wide, between them two gaps of red cloth, each 5 mm wide, with a 3 mm wide edging at the bottom.
Captain One rectangle Two squares made of gold galloon 6 mm wide, between them there is a gap of red cloth 10 mm wide, at the bottom there is a edging 3 mm wide
Major Two rectangles
Lieutenant colonel Three rectangles Two squares made of gold braid, the top 6 mm wide, the bottom 10 mm, between them there is a gap of red cloth 10 mm wide, at the bottom there is a 3 mm wide edging
Colonel Four rectangles Three squares made of gold braid, the top and middle 6 mm wide, the bottom 10 mm, between them two gaps of red cloth, each 7 mm wide, at the bottom a 3 mm wide edging

Political composition

Junior political instructor Two squares
Political instructor 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 military ranks "of the 1935 model" The rank of “lieutenant colonel” is introduced for command personnel, and “senior battalion commissar” for military-political personnel.

On the buttonholes of the Army General there were five gilded stars, 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 receive the rank of army general.

Rank Marshal Soviet Union established on September 22, 1935 by a resolution 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 distinctions were red buttonholes, a gold embroidered star, laurel branches and at their crosshairs a hammer and sickle, 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 marshal’s buttonholes.

The difference between the Marshal's buttonholes is clearly visible on Budyonny's uniforms. S.M on the left is the uniform of the 1936 model, and K.E. Voroshilov in a 1940 uniform

The first to be awarded the title of Marshal of the Soviet Union were Tukhachevsky, Voroshilov, Egorov, Budyonny and Blyukher.

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Red Army insignia, 1917-24.

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

Military uniform of the Soviet Army - items of uniform and equipment of military personnel of the Soviet Army, formerly called the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army and the Red Army, as well as the Rules for wearing them in the period from 1918 to 1991, established by the highest government bodies for the personnel of the Soviet Army.

Article 1. The right to wear military uniforms has the right to military personnel on active military service in the Soviet Army and Navy, Suvorov students,

Front-line soldier Corporal 1 in a 1943 model uniform. Rank insignia from the buttonholes was transferred to shoulder straps. The SSh-40 helmet became widespread since 1942. At about the same time, submachine guns began to arrive in large quantities to the troops. 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 a pouch for three hand grenades. In 1944, along with the drum Metal helmets, widely used in the armies of the world long before our era, XVIII century have lost their protective significance due to the massive proliferation of firearms. By period Napoleonic Wars in European armies they were used primarily by heavy cavalry as protective equipment. Throughout the 19th century, military hats protected their owners in best case scenario

As a result of the adoption of two decrees on December 15, 1917, the Council of People's Commissars abolished all ranks and military ranks in the Russian army remaining from the previous regime. The period of formation of the Red Army. The first insignia.

Thus, all 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, for Red Army soldiers, Chest sign In the last century, during the Soviet Union, there was a highest rank of generalissimo. However, during the entire existence of the Soviet Union, not a single person was awarded this title except 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 unconditional surrender Nazi Germany in 1945. Soon the working people asked for such an honor

PILOT Introduced by order of the People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR 176 of December 3, 1935. The cap for command personnel is made of woolen fabric, similar to the French tunic. Cap color for command staff air force blue, steel for the command staff of the auto-armored forces, khaki for all others.

The cap consists of a cap and two sides. The cap is made of a cotton lining, and the sides are made of two layers of main fabric. Front Oleg Volkov, senior reserve lieutenant, former commander of the T-55 tank, gunner of the 1st class gun. We have been waiting for her for so long. Three many years

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FITTING, ASSEMBLY AND SAVING UNIFIED MARKING EQUIPMENT OF THE RKKA MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL order of the USSR RVS 183 1932 1. General provisions 1. The uniform equipment of the command personnel of the ground and air forces of the Red Army is supplied for supply in one size, designed for the greatest growth of the command personnel and wear on top overcoats and warm workwear, leather uniforms, fur clothing with waist and shoulder belts in three sizes 1 size, namely 1 Equipment

The entire period of the existence of the USSR can be divided into several stages based on various epoch-making events. Typically, changes in political life states are leading to a number of fundamental 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 The era, a couple of decades long, which begins after the Bolsheviks came to power, was marked by numerous changes in the life of the once former Empire. Reorganization of almost all structures of peace and military activities

turned out to be a rather lengthy and controversial process. In addition, from the course of history we know that immediately after the revolution, Russia was overwhelmed by a bloody civil war, which was not without intervention. It is difficult to imagine that initially the ranks

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

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Official insignia of the Red Army military personnel of 1919-1921. With the coming of the Russian Communist Party to power in November 1917, the new leaders of the country, based on the thesis of K. Marx about replacing the regular army with the universal armament of the working people, began active work to eliminate imperial army Russia. In particular, on December 16, 1917, by the decrees of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars on the elective principle and organization of power in the army and on the equal rights of all military personnel, all military ranks

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

In 1985, by Order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR 145-84, a new field uniform was introduced, the same for all categories of military personnel, which received the common name Afghanka. It was the first to be received by units and units located on the territory of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. In 1988 In 1988, Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense 250 dated March 4, 1988 introduced the wearing of a dress uniform by soldiers, sergeants and cadets without a jacket in a green shirt. From left to right

MAIN QUARTERMAN DIRECTORATE OF THE RED ARMY INSTRUCTIONS FOR LAYING, FIT, ASSEMBLY AND WEARING MARKING EQUIPMENT OF THE RED ARMY INFANTRY FIGHTER MILITARY PUBLISHING DATE NPO USSR - 1941 CONTENTS I. General provisions II. Types of equipment and composition of the kit III. Equipment fit IV. Stowing equipment V. Making an overcoat roll VI. Assembling equipment VII. Procedure for donning equipment VIII. Instructions for operating equipment IX.

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 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 the special importance, significance and honor of military labor. This emblem was established to indicate ownership

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United Army

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 all symbols of airborne units and formations. 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, intelligent, hardworking girl who worked as a leading draftsman at the headquarters of the Airborne Forces

This attribute of military equipment has earned its rightful 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. If you believe the encyclopedias, then this term refers to a leather or metal headdress used to protect the head by military and other categories of persons operating in dangerous conditions by miners,

Summer uniform of the Red Army for the period 1940-1943.

SUMMER GYMNASTER FOR COMMAND AND MANAGEMENT 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 khaki cotton fabric with a turn-down collar fastened with one hook. At the ends of the collar, khaki-colored buttonholes with insignia are sewn. The gymnast has a chest plate with a clasp

Camouflage clothing appeared in the Red Army back in 1936, although experiments began 10 years earlier, but it became widespread only during the war. Initially, these were camouflage suits and capes with spotted colors and spots in the shape of amoebas and were secretly called amoeba four

color ranges

summer, spring-autumn, desert and mountainous areas. In a separate row are white camouflage coats for winter camouflage. Much more mass produced.

June 3, 1946 in accordance with the resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, signed by I.V. Stalin, the Airborne Troops 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. The sleeve insignia on the right sleeve of those walking in the first rank is visible. The resolution ordered the Chief of Logistics of the USSR Armed Forces, together with the Commander of the Airborne Forces, to prepare proposals


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 patches and chevrons of the Red Army of all periods in the Voenpro material. Introduction of sleeve insignia of the Red Army stages, features, symbolism Distinctive sleeve insignia are used to identify military personnel of certain branches of the military. To better understand the specifics of the sleeve insignia of the Red Army and the chevrons of the Red Army, we recommend

Soviet mountain riflemen in an ambush. Caucasus. 1943 Based on the significant combat experience gained during the Great Patriotic War, the Main Directorate of Combat Training of the GUBP Ground Forces of the Red Army took up a radical 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

In the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army of the Red Army, in the summer they wore ankle boots, also known as boots, and in the cold winter they were issued felt boots. In winter, senior command personnel could wear burka winter boots. The choice of shoes depended on the rank of the serviceman; officers were always entitled to boots and on the position they held.

They do not emit a warlike roar, they do not sparkle with a polished surface, they are not decorated with embossed 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 penetrating the body and, therefore, protects a person from shots. It is made from materials that dissipate

Different kinds small arms and bladed weapons in the partisans' arsenal. Captured weapons of partisans. Various independent alterations of Soviet and captured weapons. Actions of partisans behind enemy lines; damage to power lines, posting propaganda leaflets, reconnaissance, destruction of traitors.

Ambushes behind enemy lines, destruction of enemy columns and manpower, Explosions of bridges and railway tracks, methods PERSONAL MILITARY RANKS OF MILITARY SERVANTS 1935-1945 PERSONAL MILITARY RANKS OF MILITARY SERVANTS OF THE GROUND AND NAVAL FORCES OF THE RKKA 1935-1940 Introduced by resolutions of the Council of People's Commissars 2590 for the ground and air forces of the Red Army and 2591 for naval forces

Red Army dated September 22, 1935. Declared by order of the People's Commissar of Defense 144 of September 26, 1935. Rank and command personnel Political composition

In the Red Army, two types of buttonholes were used: everyday color and field protective. There were also differences in the buttonholes of the command and command staff, so that the commander could be distinguished 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 completely green khaki color Uniforms of the Red Army Headgear of the Red Army Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia Sleeve insignia We will have to start the story about the introduction of insignia in the Soviet army with some general issues, so as not to formulate empty references to the past. The shoulder straps themselves represent a kind of product that is worn on the shoulders to indicate a position or rank, as well as the type of military service and service affiliation. This is done in several ways: attaching strips, sprockets, making gaps, chevrons.

On January 6, 1943, shoulder straps were introduced in the USSR for personnel of the Soviet Army. Initially, shoulder straps had a practical meaning. With their help, the belt of the cartridge bag was held on. 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 world's navies, shoulder straps were not used, and rank was indicated by stripes on the sleeve; sailors did not wear a cartridge bag. In Russia shoulder straps

Commanders IVAN KONEV 1897-1973, commanded the Steppe Front during the Battle of Kursk.

He graduated from school at the age of 12, then became a lumberjack. He was mobilized into the tsarist army. During the Civil War, he joined the Red Army and fought as a commissar in the Far East. In 1934, he graduated from the Frunze Academy and became a corps commander. In 1938, Konev commanded the Separate Red Banner Army as part of the Far Eastern Front. But to lead military action against 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 a saddler's apprentice, and when he turned 18 he joined the Red Army. In 1918, during civil war

, he participated in the defense of Tsaritsyn later - Stalingrad, and in 1919 he joined the CPSU b and was appointed regiment commander. In 1925, Chuikov graduated from the Military Academy. M.V. Frunze, then participated Even before the First World War, a uniform appeared in the Russian army, consisting of khaki trousers, a tunic shirt, an overcoat and boots. We have seen it more than once in films about the Civil and Great Patriotic Wars. Soviet uniform

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE USSR RULES FOR WEARING MILITARY UNIFORM BY SERGEANTS, Sergeants-Major, SOLDIERS, SAILORS, CADETS AND TRAINERS OF THE SOVIET ARMY AND NAVY IN PEACETIME Order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR.

General provisions. Uniform for long-term service sergeants. Uniform for conscript sergeants and long-term and conscript soldiers.

Uniform for military school cadets.

Suvorov students' clothing uniform

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF THE UNION SSR RULES FOR WEARING MILITARY UNIFORMS BY SOVIET ARMY AND NAVY SERVICEMEN in peacetime I. GENERAL PROVISIONS II. MILITARY UNIFORMS Uniforms of marshals of the Soviet Union, marshals of military branches and generals of the Soviet Army Uniforms of admirals and generals

Navy Uniform of officers of the Soviet Army Uniform of female officers of the Soviet Army that occurred in 1943.

An Air Force senior sergeant with his father, who is a major.

Winter and summer uniforms, 1943 and later. The winter tunic looks neat and clean, the summer one looks dirty

Military uniforms, which include all items of uniform, equipment, and insignia established by the highest government bodies for personnel of the state’s armed forces, not only make it possible to determine the affiliation of military personnel to the types and branches of the military, but also to distinguish them by military rank. The uniform disciplines military personnel, unites them into a single military team, helps to improve their organization and strict performance of military duties.

In connection with the change in the uniform of officers by order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 70, the everyday shoulder straps of officers and generals became green with a pattern similar to the pattern on gold shoulder straps. The stars on the casual uniform remain golden and silver in color.

In 1963, the insignia of the rank of Petty Officer was changed. The former, called “sergeant’s hammer” in soldier’s jargon, is replaced by a wide stripe running along the shoulder strap. Petty officers have a red patch on their khaki field uniform. Since January 1973, two letters “SA” were introduced on the shoulder straps of soldiers and sergeants (metal on ceremonial uniforms and plastic on overcoats and everyday uniforms) to distinguish soldiers and sergeants of the army from sailors, sergeants and foremen of the fleet, the letter “F” was introduced in the fleet or for the fleets “SF”, “TF”, “BF”, “Black Sea Fleet”, as well as military personnel of the internal troops, border troops and KGB units - letters “VV”, “PV”, “GB”. Somewhat later, the letter “K” was introduced on the shoulder straps of military school cadets (order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 81-73). The shoulder straps and buttonholes on the dress and everyday uniforms of soldiers and sergeants became colored with yellow (golden) stripes. Khaki shoulder straps with red stripes remained only on field soldiers' and sergeants' uniforms. Cadets have the same shoulder straps on all types of uniforms., standing between sergeants and officers "Warrant Officers and Midshipmen". In the army in this category there is one rank, “Ensign,” and in the navy, “Midshipman.” The ceremonial shoulder straps of ensigns have a checkerboard color pattern depending on the type of military service. Everyday and field shoulder straps of warrant officers have the same pattern and green color. Two stars and golden emblems on ceremonial and everyday shoulder straps and green on field shoulder straps.

In 1980, a new rank of “Senior Warrant Officer” was added to the category “Warrant Officers and Midshipmen” and in the navy “Senior Warrant Officer”. He wore three stars in a vertical row.

By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated November 1, 1974, the insignia of the rank “Army General” was changed. Instead of four general stars, one large star is introduced for them in one vertical row, like the marshals of the military branches. In place of the emblems of the military branches of the army generals, a sewn combined arms emblem is placed. In addition to changing the shoulder straps, the army generals were given a marshal's star on their tie, which previously only marshals of the Soviet Union, marshals and chief marshals of the military branches had.

Everyday shoulder straps

Colors of shoulder straps for soldiers, sergeants, cadets and warrant officers:

  • combined arms and infantry (motorized rifles) - scarlet;
  • aviation and airborne forces - blue;
  • all other branches of the military are black.

Colors of gaps and edges for junior, senior and senior officers:

  • aviation and airborne forces - blue;
  • all other types of troops are scarlet.

Field shoulder straps

Since December 1956, the field shoulder straps of officers have lost their colored edgings, and the gaps on the field shoulder straps, instead of the color of burgundy (command personnel) and brown (all others), have become the same for all categories of officers, but the color is based on the type of troops:

  • motorized rifles and combined arms - crimson;
  • artillery, armored forces - red;
  • aviation - blue;
  • all technical troops are black.

Since January 1973, two letters “SA” were introduced on the shoulder straps of soldiers and sergeants (metal on ceremonial uniforms and plastic on overcoats and everyday uniforms) to distinguish soldiers and sergeants of the army from sailors, sergeants and foremen of the fleet, the letter “F” was introduced in the fleet or for the fleets “SF”, “TF”, “BF”, “Black Sea Fleet”, as well as military personnel of the internal troops, border troops and KGB units - letters “VV”, “PV”, “GB”. Somewhat later, the letter “K” was introduced on the shoulder straps of military school cadets (order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 81-73). The shoulder straps and buttonholes on the dress and everyday uniforms of soldiers and sergeants became colored with yellow (golden) stripes. Khaki shoulder straps with red stripes remained only on field soldiers' and sergeants' uniforms.

Ranks and insignia

Soldiers Sergeants Ensigns
Shoulder straps to
everyday
uniform
Rank Private Corporal Jr. sergeant Sergeant Art. sergeant Sergeant Major
(until 1963)
Sergeant Major
(since 1963)
Ensign
(since 1971)
Art. ensign
(since 1981)
Sailors Petty Officers Midshipmen
Shoulder straps to
everyday
uniform
Rank Sailor Art. sailor Sergeant Major
2 articles
Sergeant Major
1 articles
Main
foreman
Midshipman
(until 1963)
Midshipman
(1963−1971)
Ch. ship's
foreman
(since 1971)
Midshipman
(since 1971)
Art. midshipman
(since 1981)
Junior officers Senior officers Senior officers
Shoulder straps to
everyday
uniform
Rank Jr. lieutenant Lieutenant Art. lieutenant Captain Major Lieutenant colonel Colonel Major General Lieutenant General Colonel General Army General
(until 1974)
Army General
(since 1974)
Junior officers of the Navy Senior Navy officers Senior Navy officers
Shoulder straps to
everyday
uniform

Every detail of a military uniform is endowed with a practical meaning and did not appear on it by chance, but as a result of certain events. We can say that elements of military uniforms have both historical symbolism and utilitarian purpose.

The appearance and development of shoulder straps in the Russian Empire

The opinion that shoulder straps come from a part of knight's armor, designed to protect the shoulders from blows, is one of the most common misconceptions. A simple study of armor and army uniforms of the past, from the second half of the 12th century to the end of the 17th century, allows us to conclude that nothing like this existed in any army in the world. In Rus', even the strictly regulated uniform of the archers did not have anything similar to protect the shoulders.

Shoulder straps of the Russian army were first introduced by Emperor Peter I in the period between 1683-1698 and had a purely utilitarian meaning. Soldiers of the grenadier regiments and fusiliers used them as an additional mount for backpacks or cartridge bags. Naturally, shoulder straps were worn exclusively by soldiers, and only on the left shoulder.

However, after 30 years, as the branches of troops increase, this element spreads throughout the troops, serving in one or another regiment. In 1762, this function was officially assigned to shoulder straps, beginning to decorate officers’ uniforms with them. At that time, it was impossible to find a universal model of shoulder straps in the army of the Russian Empire. The commander of each regiment could independently determine its type of weaving, length and width. Often wealthy officers from prominent aristocratic families wore the regimental insignia in a more luxurious version - with gold and precious stones. Nowadays, shoulder straps of the Russian army (pictures below) are a coveted item for collectors of military uniforms.

During the reign of Emperor Alexander I, shoulder straps took on the appearance of a fabric flap with clear regulation of color, fastenings and decor, depending on the number of the regiment in the division. Officers' shoulder straps differ from soldiers' shoulder straps only by being trimmed with gold cord (galloon) along the edge. When the knapsack was introduced in 1803, there were two of them - one on each shoulder.

After 1854, not only uniforms, but also cloaks and overcoats began to be decorated. Thus, the role of “determiner of ranks” is forever assigned to the shoulder straps. TO end of the 19th century Century, soldiers begin to use a duffel bag instead of a backpack, and additional attachment on the shoulders is no longer required. Shoulder straps are removed from the fastenings in the form of buttons and are tightly sewn into the fabric.

After the collapse of the Russian Empire, and with it the tsarist army, shoulder straps and epaulettes disappeared from military uniforms for several decades, recognized as a symbol of “inequality of workers and exploiters.”

Shoulder straps in the Red Army from 1919 to 1943

The USSR sought to get rid of the “remnants of imperialism,” which also included the ranks and shoulder straps of the Russian (tsarist) army. On December 16, 1917, by the decrees of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars "On the elective principle and organization of power in the army" and "On the equalization of rights of all military personnel", all previously existing army ranks and insignia were abolished. And on January 15, 1918, the country's leadership adopted a decree on the creation of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army (RKKA).

For some time, a strange mixture of military symbols was in effect in the army of the new country. For example, insignia are known in the form of armbands of red (revolutionary) color with the inscription of the position, stripes of a similar tone on the sleeves of a tunic or overcoat, metal or cloth stars of different sizes on the headdress or chest.

Since 1924, in the Red Army it was proposed to recognize the ranks of military personnel by the buttonholes on the collar of the tunic. The color of the field and border was determined by the type of troops, and the gradation was extensive. For example, infantry wore crimson buttonholes with a black frame, cavalry wore blue and black, signalmen wore black and yellow, etc.

The buttonholes of the highest commanders of the Red Army (generals) had the color of the field according to the branch of service and were trimmed along the edge with a narrow golden cord.

In the field of the buttonholes there were copper figures of various shapes covered with red enamel, allowing one to determine the rank of the commander of the Red Army:

  • Privates and junior command staff are triangles with a side of 1 cm. They appeared only in 1941. And before that, military personnel of these ranks wore “empty” buttonholes.
  • The average command structure is squares measuring 1 x 1 cm. In everyday use, they were more often called “cubes” or “cubes”.
  • Senior command staff - rectangles with sides 1.6 x 0.7 cm, called "sleepers".
  • Higher command staff - rhombuses 1.7 cm high and 0.8 cm wide. Additional insignia for commanders of these ranks were chevrons made of gold braid on the sleeves of uniforms. The political composition added large stars made of red cloth to them.
  • Marshals of the Soviet Union - 1 large gold star in the buttonholes and on the sleeves.

The number of characters varied from 1 to 4 - the more, the higher the rank of the commander.

The system of designating ranks in the Red Army was often subject to changes, which greatly confused the situation. Often, due to supply shortages, military personnel wore outdated or even homemade badges for months. However, the buttonhole system left its mark on the history of military uniforms. In particular, shoulder straps in the Soviet army retained the colors according to the types of troops.

Thanks to the Decree of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of January 6, 1943 and the Order of the People's Commissar of Defense No. 25 of January 15, 1943, shoulder straps and ranks returned to the lives of military personnel. These insignia will last until the collapse of the USSR. The colors of the field and edging, the shape and location of the stripes will change, but in general the system will remain unchanged, and subsequently shoulder straps of the Russian army will be created according to similar principles.

Military personnel received 2 types of such elements - everyday and field, having a standard width of 6 cm and a length of 14-16 cm, depending on the type of clothing. The shoulder straps of non-combat units (justice, military veterinarians and doctors) were deliberately narrowed to 4.5 cm.

The type of troops was determined by the color of the edging and gaps, as well as a stylized symbol on the lower or middle (for privates and junior personnel) part of the shoulder strap. Their palette is less varied than before 1943, but the basic colors have been preserved.

1. Edging (cord):

  • Combined arms (military registration and enlistment offices, military institutions), infantry units, motorized rifles, quartermaster services - crimson.
  • Artillery, tank troops, military medics - scarlet.
  • Cavalry - blue.
  • Aviation - blue.
  • Other technical troops - black.

2. Clearances.

  • The command (officer) composition is Bordeaux.
  • Quartermasters, justice, technical, medical and veterinary services - brown.

They were designated by stars of different diameters - for junior officers 13 mm, for senior officers - 20 mm. Marshals of the Soviet Union received 1 large star.

Shoulder straps for everyday wear had a gold or silver field with embossing, rigidly attached to a hard cloth base. They were also used on dress uniforms, which military personnel wore for special occasions.

Field shoulder straps for all officers were made of silk or khaki linen with edging, gaps and insignia corresponding to the rank. At the same time, their pattern (texture) repeated the pattern on everyday shoulder straps.

From 1943 until the collapse of the USSR military insignia The differences and form have undergone repeated changes, among which the following are particularly noteworthy:

1. As a result of the 1958 reform, officers’ everyday shoulder straps began to be made of dark green cloth. For the insignia of cadets and enlisted personnel, only 3 colors were left: scarlet (combined arms, motorized rifle), blue (aviation, airborne forces), black (all other branches of the military). The gaps of officer's shoulder straps could only be blue or scarlet.

2. Since January 1973, the letters “SA” (Soviet Army) appeared on all types of shoulder straps of soldiers and sergeants. Somewhat later, the sailors and foremen of the fleet received the designations “Northern Fleet”, “TF”, “BF” and “Black Sea Fleet” - Northern Fleet, Pacific Fleet, Baltic and Black Sea Fleet, respectively. At the end of the same year, the letter “K” appears among cadets of military educational institutions.

3. The new field uniform, called the “Afghan”, came into use in 1985 and became widespread among military personnel of all branches of the military. Its peculiarity was the shoulder straps, which were an element of the jacket and had the same color as it. Those who wore the "Afghan" sewed stripes and stars onto them, and only generals were given special removable shoulder straps.

Shoulder straps of the Russian army. Main features of the reforms

The USSR ceased to exist in the fall of 1991, and along with it, shoulder straps and ranks disappeared. The creation of the Russian Armed Forces began with Presidential Decree No. 466 of May 7, 1992. However, this act did not in any way describe the shoulder straps of the Russian army. Until 1996, military personnel wore SA insignia. Moreover, confusion and mixing of symbols occurred until the year 2000.

The military uniform of the Russian Federation was almost entirely developed on the basis of the Soviet legacy. However, the reforms of 1994-2000 brought several changes to it:

1. On the shoulder straps of non-commissioned officers (foremen and sailors of the fleet), instead of transverse stripes made of braid, metal squares appeared, located with the sharp side up. In addition, naval personnel received a large letter "F" at the bottom of them.

2. Ensigns and midshipmen had shoulder straps similar to those of soldiers, trimmed with colored braid, but without gaps. The long-term struggle of this category of military personnel for the right to officer insignia was devalued in one day.

3. There were almost no changes among the officers - the new shoulder straps developed for them in the Russian army almost completely repeated the Soviet ones. However, their sizes decreased: the width became 5 cm, and the length - 13-15 cm, depending on the type of clothing.

Currently, the ranks and shoulder straps of the Russian army occupy a fairly stable position. The main reforms and unification of insignia have been completed, and in the coming decades the Russian Army does not expect any significant changes in this domain.

Shoulder straps for cadets

Students of military (naval) educational institutions are required to wear everyday and field shoulder straps on all types of their uniform. Depending on the clothing (tunics, winter coats and overcoats), they can be sewn on or removable (jackets, demi-season coats and shirts).

Cadet shoulder straps are strips of thick colored cloth, edged with golden braid. On field camouflage of army and aviation schools, the letter “K”, yellow in color and 20 mm high, must be sewn 15 mm from the bottom edge. For other types of educational institutions, the designations are as follows:

  • ICC- Naval Cadet Corps.
  • QC- Cadet Corps.
  • N- Nakhimov School.
  • Anchor symbol- Navy cadet.
  • SVU- Suvorov School.

On the field of students' shoulder straps there are also metal or sewn squares facing acute angle up. Their thickness and brightness depend on the rank. A sample of shoulder straps with a diagram of the location of insignia, presented below, belongs to a military university cadet with the rank of sergeant.

In addition to shoulder straps, belonging to the military educational institutions and the position of the cadet can be determined by the sleeve emblems with the symbol-coat of arms, as well as by the “course” - coal stripes on the sleeve, the number of which depends on the time of training (one year, two, etc.).

Shoulder straps for privates and sergeants

Privates in the Russian land army are the lowest. In the Navy, it corresponds to the rank of sailor. A soldier who conscientiously serves can become a corporal, and on a ship - a senior sailor. Further, these servicemen are able to advance to the rank of sergeant for the ground forces or petty officer for the Navy.

Representatives of the lower military personnel of the army and navy wear shoulder straps of a similar type, the description of which is as follows:

  • The upper part of the insignia has the shape of a trapezoid, within which a button is located.
  • The field color of the shoulder straps of the RF Armed Forces is dark green for everyday uniforms and camouflage for field uniforms. Sailors wear black cloth.
  • The color of the edging indicates the type of troops: blue for the Airborne Forces and Aviation, and red for all others. The Navy frames its shoulder straps with white cord.
  • At the bottom of the everyday shoulder straps, 15 mm from the edge, are the letters “VS” (Armed Forces) or “F” (navy) in golden color. The field workers do without such “excesses”.
  • Depending on the rank within the private and sergeant corps, sharp-angled stripes are attached to shoulder straps. The higher the position of the serviceman, the greater their number and thickness. On the shoulder straps of the sergeant major (the highest rank of non-commissioned officers) there is also a troop emblem.

Separately, it is worth mentioning warrant officers and midshipmen, whose precarious position between privates and officers is fully reflected in their insignia. For them, the shoulder straps of the new Russian army seem to consist of 2 parts:

1. Soldier's "field" without gaps, trimmed with colored braid.

2. Officer stars along the central axis: 2 for a regular warrant officer, 3 for a senior warrant officer. A similar number of badges is provided to simply midshipmen and senior midshipmen.

Shoulder straps for junior officers

The lower officer ranks begin with a junior lieutenant and are completed by a captain. The stars on the shoulder straps, their number, size and location are identical for the ground forces and the Navy.

Junior officers are distinguished by one clearance and from 1 to 4 stars of 13 mm each along the central axis. In accordance with Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 1010 of May 23, 1994, shoulder straps can have the following colors:

  • For a white shirt - shoulder straps with a white field, emblems and golden stars.
  • For a green shirt, everyday tunic, jacket and overcoat - green insignia with gaps according to the type of troops, emblems and gold-colored stars.
  • For the Air Force (aviation) and everyday outerwear - blue shoulder straps with blue clearance, an emblem and golden stars.
  • For the ceremonial jacket of any branch of the military, the insignia is silver with colored gaps, braid and gold stars.
  • For field uniforms (aircraft only) - camouflage shoulder straps without gaps, with gray stars.

Thus, for junior officers there are 3 types of shoulder straps - field, everyday and dress, which they use depending on the type of uniform worn. Naval officers only have casual and dress uniforms.

Shoulder straps for middle officers

The group of ranks of the Armed Forces begins with major and ends with colonel, and in the Navy - from captain 3rd rank to, respectively. Despite the differences in the names of the ranks, the principles of construction and the location of insignia remain almost identical.

Shoulder straps of the Russian army and navy for medium personnel have the following distinctive features:

  • In everyday and formal versions, the texture (embossing) is more pronounced, almost aggressive.
  • There are 2 gaps along the shoulder straps, spaced 15 mm from the edges and 20 mm from each other. They are absent in the field.
  • The size of the stars is 20 mm, and their number varies from 1 to 3 depending on the rank. On field uniform shoulder straps, their color is muted from golden to silver.

Middle-ranking officers of the Armed Forces also have 3 types of shoulder straps - field, everyday and dress. Moreover, the latter have a rich golden color and are sewn only on the jacket. To be worn on a white shirt (summer version of the uniform), white shoulder straps with standard insignia are provided.

According to surveys, the major, whose uniform stars are single (and it is very difficult to make a mistake in determining the rank), is the most recognizable serviceman among that part of the population that is in no way connected with the military sphere.

Shoulder straps of senior officers of the Armed Forces

The ranks in the ground forces underwent significant changes during the creation of the army of the Russian Federation. Presidential Decree No. 466 of May 7, 1992 not only abolished the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union, but also stopped the division of generals by branch of the military. Following this, the uniform and shoulder straps (shape, size and insignia) underwent adjustments.

Currently, high-echelon officers wear the following types of shoulder straps:

1. Ceremonial - a golden-colored field on which sewn stars are located in the number corresponding to the rank. Army generals and marshals of the Russian Federation have the coats of arms of the army and the country in the upper third of their shoulder straps. Color of edging and stars: red - for ground forces, blue - for aviation, airborne forces and military space forces, cornflower blue - for the FSB.

2. Everyday - the color of the field is blue for senior officers of aviation, airborne forces and aerospace forces, for others - green. There is a cord edge, only the General of the Army and the Marshal of the Russian Federation also have a star outline.

3. Field - khaki field, not camouflage, like other categories of officers. The stars and coats of arms are green, several tones darker than the background. There is no colored edging.

It’s worth mentioning the stars that adorn the shoulder straps of the generals. For country marshals and army generals, their size is 40 mm. Moreover, the latter symbol has a backing made of silver. The stars of all other officers are smaller - 22 mm.

Serviceman's rank, according to general rule, determined by the number of characters. In particular, 1 star adorns the lieutenant general - 2, and the colonel general - 3. Moreover, the first of those listed is the lowest in position in the category. The reason for this is one of the traditions of the Soviet era: in the USSR army, lieutenant generals were deputy generals of troops and took on part of their functions.

Shoulder straps of senior officers of the Navy

The leadership of the Russian Navy is represented by such ranks as rear admiral, vice admiral, admiral and fleet admiral. Since there is no field uniform in the Navy, these ranks wear only everyday or ceremonial shoulder straps, which have the following features:

1. The color of the field of the ceremonial version is gold with zigzag embossing. The shoulder strap is framed by a black edging. In everyday shoulder straps, the colors are reversed - a black field and a gold cord along the edge.

2. Senior officers of the Navy may wear shoulder straps on white or cream shirts. The field of the shoulder strap corresponds to the color of the clothing, and there is no piping.

3. The number of sewn stars on shoulder straps depends on the rank of the serviceman and increases depending on his promotion. Their main difference from similar signs in the ground forces is the backing of silver rays. Traditionally, the largest star (40 mm) belongs to the fleet admiral.

When dividing troops into the Navy and the Armed Forces, it is assumed that some swim, while others move on land or, in extreme cases, by air. But in fact, the naval forces are heterogeneous and, in addition to ship commands, include coastal troops and naval aviation. This division could not but affect the shoulder straps, and if the former are classified as ground forces and have the corresponding insignia, then with naval pilots everything is much more complicated.

Senior officers of naval aviation, on the one hand, bear ranks similar to generals of the Armed Forces. On the other hand, their shoulder straps correspond to the uniform established for the Navy. They are distinguished only by the blue color of the edging and the star without a radial backing with the corresponding design. For example, the ceremonial shoulder straps of a major general in naval carrier aviation have a gold field with an azure border around the edge and a star outline.

In addition to shoulder straps and the uniform itself, military personnel are distinguished by many other insignia, including sleeve insignia and chevrons, cockades on headdresses, symbols of the military branches in buttonholes and breastplates (badges). Together, they can tell an informed person basic information about a military man - type of military service, rank, duration and place of service, expected scope of authority.

Unfortunately, most people fall into the “ignorant” category, so they pay attention to the most noticeable detail of the form. The shoulder straps of the Russian army are quite rewarding material in this matter. They are not overloaded with unnecessary symbolism and are of the same type for different types of troops.

Shoulder straps of SENIOR COMMAND STAFF (GENERALS, MARSHALS)

FIELD EMAILS
A field of shoulder straps made of specially woven silk braid on a cloth lining. The color of the shoulder straps is protective. Color of shoulder straps: generals, artillery generals, tank troops, medical and veterinary services, senior commanders. composition of the military legal service - red; aviation generals - blue; generals of technical troops and quartermaster service - crimson.

The stars on the shoulder straps were embroidered in silver, 22 mm in size. On the uniform of generals of the medical and veterinary services and the highest command. members of the military legal service - gold, size 20 mm. The buttons on the shoulder straps with the coat of arms are gilded. On the uniforms of generals there is honey. services – gilded metal emblems; there is a breeze on the generals' uniforms. services - the same emblems, but silvered; on uniform of the highest beginning. members of the Supreme Legal Service - gilded metal emblems.

By order of the NKO of the USSR No. 79 dated February 14, 1943, shoulder straps were installed, including. and for the highest engineering and technical personnel of the signal troops, engineering, chemical, railway, topographic troops - to the generals of the engineering and technical service, according to the model established for the generals of the technical troops. From this order the highest beginning. The composition of the military legal service began to be called generals of justice.

EVERYDAY EPAILS

A field of shoulder straps made of galun of a special weave: made of gold wire.
For generals of medical and veterinary services, the highest level. members of the military legal service - made of silver wire. Color of shoulder straps: generals, artillery generals, tank troops, medical and veterinary services, senior commanders. composition of the military legal service - red; aviation generals - blue; generals of technical troops and quartermaster service - crimson.

The stars on the shoulder straps were embroidered on a gold field - in silver, on a silver field - in gold. The buttons on the shoulder straps with the coat of arms are gilded. On the uniforms of generals there is honey. services – gilded metal emblems; there is a breeze on the generals' uniforms. services - the same emblems, but silvered; on uniform of the highest beginning. members of the Supreme Legal Service - gilded metal emblems.

By order of the NKO of the USSR No. 61 dated February 8, 1943, silver emblems were installed for artillery generals to wear on their shoulder straps.

By order of the NKO of the USSR No. 79 dated February 14, 1943, shoulder straps were installed, including. and for the highest engineering and technical personnel of the signal troops, engineering, chemical, railway, topographic troops - to the generals of the engineering and technical service, according to the model established for the generals of the technical troops. Probably from this order the highest beginning. The composition of the military legal service began to be called generals of justice.

These shoulder straps existed without fundamental changes until 1962, when by order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 127 of May 12, sewn shoulder straps with a steel-colored field were installed on the ceremonial overcoats of generals.

Introduction shoulder strap in the Red Army

On January 6, 1943, shoulder straps were introduced in the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army.

Shoulder straps They have a long history in the Russian army. They were first introduced by Peter the Great back in 1696, but in those days shoulder straps served only as a strap that kept the gun belt or cartridge pouch from slipping off the shoulder. Shoulder strap was only an attribute of the uniform of the lower ranks: officers were not armed with guns, and therefore shoulder straps they didn't need it.

As insignia shoulder straps began to be used with the accession to the throne of Alexander I. However, they did not denote ranks, but membership in a particular regiment. On shoulder straps a number was depicted indicating the number of the regiment in the Russian army, and the color of the shoulder strap indicated the number of the regiment in the division: the first regiment was red, the second was blue, the third was white, and the fourth was dark green. Since 1874, in accordance with the order of the military department No. 137 of 04.05. 1874, the shoulder straps of both the first and second regiments of the division became red, and the color of the buttonholes and cap bands of the second regiment became blue. The shoulder straps of the third and fourth regiments became blue, but the third regiment had white buttonholes and bands, and the fourth regiment had green ones.
Yellow is the same color shoulder strap had army (in the sense of non-guards) grenadiers. They were also yellow shoulder straps Akhtyrsky and Mitavsky Hussars and Finnish, Primorsky, Arkhangelsk, Astrakhan and Kinburn Dragoon Regiments.

With the advent of rifle regiments, the latter were assigned crimson shoulder straps.

Private

3rd Dragoon Novorossiysk Regiment

See also:

as a volunteer from the reconnaissance team - 6th Klyasititsky Hussar Regiment

65th Moscow Infantry E.I.V. regiment

(The button with a crown existed until August 29, 1904)

Senior non-commissioned officer
4th Koporsky Infantry Regiment of General Count Konovnitsin

To distinguish a soldier from an officer, officer's shoulder straps at first they were trimmed with galloon, and since 1807 shoulder straps the officers' ones were replaced with epaulettes. Since 1827, officer and general ranks began to be designated by the number of stars on their epaulettes: y - 1, major and major general - 2; , and lieutenant general – 3; staff captain - 4; and full generals did not have stars on their epaulettes. One star was retained for retired brigadiers and retired second majors - these ranks no longer existed by 1827, but retirees with the right to wear a uniform who retired in these ranks were preserved. From April 8, 1843, insignia appeared on shoulder straps lower ranks: got one badge, two – , and three - to the senior non-commissioned officer. The sergeant major received shoulder strap a transverse strip of 2.5 centimeters thickness, and - exactly the same, but located longitudinally.

In 1854 they introduced shoulder straps and for officers, leaving epaulettes only on ceremonial uniforms, and until the revolution in shoulder straps almost no changes occurred, except that in 1884 the rank of major was abolished, and in 1907 the rank was introduced.

Shoulder straps had military officials and engineers, railway workers, .

In 1935, they were introduced into the Red Army. Some of them corresponded to the pre-revolutionary ones - colonel, lieutenant colonel, captain. Some were taken from the ranks of the former Tsarist Navy - lieutenant and senior lieutenant. The ranks corresponding to generals remained from the previous service categories - brigade commander, division commander, corps commander, army commander of the 2nd and 1st ranks. The rank of major, abolished under Alexander III, was restored. The insignia, in comparison with the buttonholes of the 1924 model, has hardly changed in appearance - only the four-cube combination has disappeared. In addition, the title of Marshal of the Soviet Union was introduced, no longer designated by diamonds, but by one large star on the collar flap. nevertheless, a special one was created for state security agencies.

On August 5, 1937, the rank of junior lieutenant (one kubar) was introduced, and on September 1, 1939, the rank of lieutenant colonel. At the same time, the three sleepers now corresponded not to , but to .
and received four sleepers.

On May 7, 1940, general ranks were introduced. The major general, as before the revolution, had two stars, but they were not located on shoulder straps, and on the collar valves. The lieutenant general had three stars. This is where the similarities with pre-revolutionary generals ended - instead of a full general, the lieutenant general was followed by the rank of colonel general, modeled on the German general oberst. The colonel general had four stars, and the army general who followed him, whose rank was borrowed from the French army, had five stars.

In this form, the insignia remained until January 6, 1943, when the Red Army was introduced shoulder straps.

Policemen and collaborationist formations created from Soviet prisoners of war also had shoulder straps. Notable for its particular originality (Russian National People's Army)

From January 13 Soviet shoulder straps model 1943 began to enter the troops.

Soviet shoulder straps had much in common with the pre-revolutionary ones, but there were also differences: officer shoulder straps The Red Army (but not the Navy) 1943 were pentagonal, not hexagonal; the colors of the gaps indicated the type of troops, not the regiment; the clearance was a single whole with the shoulder strap field; there were colored edgings according to the type of troops; the stars were metal, gold or silver, and varied in size for junior and senior officers; ranks were designated by a different number of stars than before 1917, and shoulder straps without stars were not restored.

Soviet officers shoulder straps were five millimeters wider than pre-revolutionary ones. No encryption was placed on them. Unlike pre-revolutionary times, shoulder strap color now corresponded not to the regiment number, but to the branch of the army. The edging also mattered. Thus, rifle troops had a crimson shoulder strap background and black edging, cavalry had dark blue with black edging, aviation had blue shoulder strap with black edging, tankers and artillerymen are black with red edging, but sappers and other technical troops are black but with black edging. Border troops and medical services had green shoulder straps with red edging, and the internal troops got cherry shoulder strap with blue border.

On the field shoulder straps khaki color, the type of troops was determined only by the edging. Its color was the same as the color of the shoulder strap on the everyday uniform. Soviet officers shoulder straps were five millimeters wider than pre-revolutionary ones. Encryptions were placed on them very rarely; they were mostly used by cadets of military schools.

A junior lieutenant, a major and a major general received one star each. Two each went to a lieutenant and a lieutenant general, three each went to a senior lieutenant and a colonel general, and four went to the army general. shoulder straps junior officers had one clearance and from one to four silver-plated metal stars with a diameter of 13 mm, and shoulder straps senior officers - two gaps and from one to three stars with a diameter of 20 mm.

Badges for junior commanders were also restored. The corporal still had one stripe, the junior sergeant had two, the sergeant had three. The former wide sergeant major's stripe went to the senior sergeant, and the sergeant major received shoulder straps the so-called “hammer”.

According to the assigned military rank, belonging to the branch of the military (service), on the field shoulder strap insignia (stars and gaps) and emblems were placed. For military lawyers and doctors, there were “medium” sprockets with a diameter of 18 mm. Initially, the stars of senior officers were attached not to the gaps, but to the field of braid next to them. Field shoulder straps had a field of khaki color (khaki cloth) with one or two gaps sewn to it. On three sides shoulder straps had edgings according to the color of the military branch. Clearances were installed - blue - for aviation, brown - for doctors, quartermasters and lawyers, red - for everyone else. Field everyday officer's uniform made of golden silk or galloon. For everyday shoulder strap The engineering and command staff, quartermaster, medical and veterinary services and lawyers approved silver braid. There was a rule according to which silver stars were worn on gilded shoulder straps, and vice versa, on silver shoulder straps gold stars were worn, except for veterinarians - they wore silver stars on silver shoulder straps. Width shoulder strap- 6 cm, and for officers of the medical and veterinary services, military justice - 4 cm. It is known that such shoulder straps the troops called them “oak trees.” The color of the piping depended on the type of military service and service - crimson in the infantry, blue in aviation, dark blue in cavalry, a gilded button with a star, with a hammer and sickle in the center, in the navy - a silver button with an anchor. General's shoulder straps model 1943, unlike soldiers' and officers', were hexagonal. They were gold, with silver stars. The exception was shoulder straps generals of medical and veterinary services and justice. Narrow silver rings were introduced for them. shoulder straps with gold stars. Navy officers shoulder straps, unlike the army ones, were hexagonal. Otherwise they were similar to the army ones, but the color of the edgings shoulder strap was determined: for the officers of the naval, naval engineering and coastal engineering services - black, for aviation and the engineering - aviation service - blue, quartermasters - crimson, for everyone else, including justice - red. On shoulder straps the command and ship personnel did not wear emblems. Color of the field, stars and edging shoulder strap generals and admirals, as well as their width, were also determined by the type of troops and service, field shoulder strap senior officers were sewn from specially woven braid. The buttons of the Red Army generals had the image of the coat of arms of the USSR, and the admirals and generals of the Navy had the emblem of the USSR superimposed on two crossed anchors. On November 7, 1944, the stars were changed to shoulder straps colonels and lieutenant colonels of the Red Army. Until this moment, they were located on the sides of the gaps, but now they have moved to the gaps themselves. On October 9, 1946 the uniform was changed shoulder strap officers of the Soviet Army - they became hexagonal. In 1947 at shoulder straps officers transferred to the reserve and retired by order of the Minister of the Armed Forces of the USSR No. 4 are introduced golden (for those who wore silver shoulder straps) or a silver (for gilded shoulder straps) patch, which they are required to wear when putting on a military uniform (this patch was abolished in 1949).

In the post-war period, minor changes occurred in the insignia. So, in 1955, everyday field bilateral shoulder straps for privates and sergeants.

In 1956, field shoulder straps for officers with stars and khaki emblems and lights according to the branch of service. In 1958, narrow restrictions were abolished. shoulder straps model 1946 for doctors, veterinarians and lawyers. At the same time, the edging for everyday shoulder strap soldiers, sergeants and foremen. On gold shoulder straps silver stars are introduced, and gold stars are added to silver stars. The colors of the gaps are red (combined arms, airborne troops), crimson (engineer troops), black (tank troops, artillery, technical troops), blue (aviation), dark green (medics, veterinarians, lawyers); blue (the color of cavalry) was abolished due to the liquidation of this type of troops. For generals of medical, veterinary services and justice, wide silver certificates have been introduced shoulder straps with gold stars, for others - gold shoulder straps with silver stars.

In 1962 appeared , which, fortunately, was not implemented.

In 1963, there were blue gaps for airborne officers. Are abolished shoulder straps 1943 model sergeant-major with a sergeant-major's hammer. Instead of this “hammer”, a wide longitudinal braid is introduced, like in the pre-revolutionary one.

In 1969, on gold shoulder straps gold stars are introduced, and silver stars are added to silver ones. The colors of the gaps are red (ground forces), crimson (medics, veterinarians, lawyers, administrative services) and blue (aviation, airborne forces). Silver general's medals are abolished shoulder straps. All generals shoulder straps became gold, with gold stars framed with edging according to the type of troops.

In 1972 introduced shoulder straps ensign. Unlike the pre-revolutionary ensign, whose rank corresponded to the Soviet junior lieutenant, the Soviet ensign was equivalent in rank to the American warrant officer.

In 1973, the encryption codes SA (Soviet Army), VV (Internal Troops), PV ( Border troops), GB (KGB troops) on shoulder straps soldiers and sergeants and K - on shoulder straps cadets. It must be said that these letters appeared back in 1969, but initially, according to Article 164 of Order of the USSR Minister of Defense No. 191 of July 26, 1969, they were worn only on the ceremonial uniform. The letters were made of anodized aluminum, but since 1981, for economic reasons, metal letters were replaced by letters made of PVC film.

In 1974, new shoulder straps army general in return shoulder strap model 1943. Instead of four stars, they had a marshal's star, above which was the emblem of motorized rifle troops.

In 1980, all silver coins were abolished shoulder straps with silver stars. The colors of the gaps are red (combined arms) and blue (aviation, airborne forces).

In 1981 introduced shoulder straps senior warrant officer, and in 1986 for the first time in the history of Russian officers shoulder strap introduced shoulder straps without gaps, differing only in the size of the stars (field uniform - “Afghan”)

Currently shoulder straps remain , as well as some categories . In 1994, the traditional sergeant's stripes were replaced with Western-style squares. However, in 2011 the stripes were returned and now very reminiscent shoulder straps

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Previous days in Russian history: