Navy Rank Shoulder Boards
of the Soviet Superpower
(1979-1991)

Shoulder Boards for Greatcoat and Tunic (Four sided)

This section describes the common four-sided shoulder boards worn by the admirals of the fleet as well as the generals of the "subordinate services" of naval aviation, the naval infantry, and the coastal artillery.  These boards were designed to be sewn directly onto the shoulders the tunics and jackets.

The basic fleet boards originally came in only parade and black service variations, but a summer service version was established 2 July 1973 by Order of the Ministry of Defense #144.  All fleet versions featured an anchor emblem in the center.

The subordinate services differed from the fleet in that they often followed the pattern of the army or air force.  They also used ground forces terms for rank rather than following naval convention.  Reflecting this pattern, generals of naval aviation, naval infantry, and coastal artillery generals wore boards similar to the army pattern, but used navy colors.  In other cases the similarity between the services was more direct - the parade boards of the subordinate services are identical to those worn by the army (naval infantry and coastal artillery) and the air force (naval aviation).

Fleet

 General Grade Officer

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 Senior Officer

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Shoulder Boards for Shirt (Six-sided)

The shoulder boards in this section were designed to be slipped through loops on the shoulders and secured by a 14mm button featuring an anchor that was sewn through to the tunic.  Most were worn with the shirtsleeve uniforms, but there were exceptions.

The black fleet boards were not worn with the shirt, but with the Summer Everyday/Out of Formation and Summer No. 3 Out of Formation uniforms.  They were the equivalent of the Naval Aviation and Naval Infantry service boards which followed the same regulations.

The white fleet boards were established on 2 July 1973 by Order of the Ministry of Defense #144 and were worn with all white shirts and white naval jackets.  It should be noted that the boards for naval aviation, the naval infantry, and coastal artillery were identical to those later adopted by the army and air force during the 1980's.

Fleet

 Admiral/General Boards

 Senior Officer

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 Junior Officer