 |
Soviet Army Badges of the Afghanistan War (Part 1) (1979-1991) |
|
|
Army badges of the Late Cold War This section covers some of the many badges that were awarded to members of the Soviet Army. In each case we will attempt to give a full history of each badge when possible, and a general description at the very least. |
|
| |
|
Awards of the War in Afghanistan and the Late Cold War |
|
|
Enlisted Qualification Badges - 1989 Type These are the later form of the badges first introduced in 1968. They were awarded to enlisted men based on their skill and conduct. The badges of the late 80's were almost identical in appearance to the earlier versions, but were made of aluminum and paint. The decline in quality was typical of many late period Soviet badges. They are all pin-back badges. They were finally replaced in 1994 by a new series of Russian qualification badges. |
(Coming Soon) |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
Junior Officer School Badge (1981) This badge was established by Order #330 of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR on 6 December 1981, and was issued to graduates of Junior Officer Schools. The badge measures 46mm by 26mm. It is a screw back type composed of brass and enamel. The award replaced a previous version issued in 1961.
|
|
|
Military Police 'Patrol' Badges (1973) (1) The badge was established on 28 March 1973 by USSR Ministry of Defense Prikaz #71 and was worn by military policemen (Kommandant service) while on duty. (2) The badge measures 75mm long and 65mm wide. It is a pin back badge made of aluminum and enamel.
|
|
|
Enlisted Qualification Badges (1968) These badges were awarded to enlisted men of all branches of service based on their skill and conduct. Each is made of brass and enamel and are issued in both pin back and screw back varieties. These badges were used until replaced by simple aluminum and paint versions in 1989. |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Excellent Sportsman Badge (1964) These badges were established in 1964 and awarded to soldiers for excellence in physical conditioning and sports activities. It came in three classes and was worn by both soldiers, airmen, and sailors. They are screw back badges made of aluminum, white paint, and colored enamel. These replaced the earlier 1950 badges and were used until they were replaced by the Russian 1995 pattern badges. (1) |
||
| First Class Badge | Second Class Badge | Third Class Badge |
|
|
|
|
|
Officer Qualification Badges (1961) These badges were established on 10 April 1961 by Prikaz #0085 of the USSR Ministry of Defense, and awarded to officers based on their proficiency, skill, and conduct. (2) These badges came from a variety of factories in the Soviet Union and because of this standardization was a problem. These badges are made of brass and enamel. The tank in the center is painted (poorly on some examples). They were replaced in 1994 with a series of new Russian badges. (1) | |
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Works Cited (1) Prilutskaya, N. V. and N. L. Kortunova, ВОЕННАЯ ОДЕЖДА ВООРУЖЕННЫХ СИЛ СССР И РОССИИ (1917-1990), Moscow: Military Publishing, 1999. Print. (2) Borisov, V.A., НАГРУДНЫЕ ЗНАКИ СОВЕТСКИХ ВООРУЖЕННЫХ СИЛ 1918-1991, St. Petersburg: FARN, 1994. Print. |