More about the uniform…

The No. 3 enlisted sailor uniform is a heavier uniform than the No. 2 and as such is often worn in cooler temperate regions.  As an everyday uniform it was one of the more commonly observed uniforms of the late Cold War. (5)  It can trace its origin back to the 1940 No. 3 uniform which differed only in that it possessed red stars on the sleeves and used a red star cap cockade. (1)  In 1958 the uniform would lose the red stars on the sleeves.(2)  By the time of the 1969 regulations the red star on the bezkozirka was replaced by a red star surrounded by gold leaves.(3)  This version of the uniform would outlast the Soviet Union. (1)

The 1969 No. 3 uniform shown here includes a white bezkozirka with the previously mentioned 1969 cockade.  The cap band states “Black Sea Fleet” which indicates the fleet that the sailor is serving with.  Cap bands exist for all four of the Soviet fleets (Baltic, Northern, Black Sea, and Pacific) as well as a general naval band and a guard’s ribbon.  Almost identical to its 1958 predecessor, the dark blue tunic with the traditional blue neckerchief is worn over the heavyweight blue and white telnayshka.  Badges are authorized to be worn on this uniform.  Black trousers supported by a black enlisted belt with a Soviet navy buckle and a pair of black lace up deck shoes complete the uniform.

Badges were authorized for wear with this uniform.  Short shoulder boards in winter black were worn by naval personnel.  Naval aviation would wear light blue and naval infantry would wear black piped with red.  Prior to 1980 these short rank boards had stenciled letters indicating the fleet that the sailor served with.  In 1980 all shoulder boards were required to be marked with a Cyrillic ‘Ф’ in yellow thermoplastic.(1) 

Last Updated 7 January 2019 by Ryan Stavka