Army Uniform Patches

This section covers the patches that were worn by members of the Soviet Army during the Afghanistan War and in the final years of the Soviet Union.  They generally followed the reforms of the early seventies, with several minor changes taking place in 1980.  Larger changes were made in 1988 when the Ministry of Defense instituted the final uniform reforms of the Soviet period.  Samples of these various patches can be seen in this section.

• Branch of Service Patches (1969-73)

• Medical Patch (1980)

• Road Service Patch (1988)

• Wound Stripes

• Final Soviet Length of Service Chevrons (1988)

• Conscript Length of Service Stripes (1974-82)

• Praporchik Length of Service Chevrons (1971)

• Enlisted Length of Service Chevrons (1969)

• Officer Cadet School Stripes (1969)

On March 4, 1988 the Soviet Ministry of Defense issued Prikaz No 250.  This order stated that length of service chevrons for re-engaged servicemen would now be identical to those used by praporchiks since 1971.  These would continue to be made of thermally molded plastic on fabric.  The gold lace versions were phased out.  Like the army praporchik chevrons, these were worn on the left sleeve 16mm above the lower cuff edge on both the tunic and the greatcoat. (1)

These yellow service stripes were introduced in 1974 to show the number of years a conscript soldier had served.  Each stripe denoted one year of service and were worn 20 centimeters from the high shoulder point of the right sleeve of the greatcoat.  They measured 80mm by 10mm and were made of thermally molded plastic and cloth.  These stripes were abolished in 1982 in a move against 'unofficial regulations'. (1)
  

In 1971 the Soviet Defense Ministry created the rank of Praporchik (Warrant Officer) for the Soviet Army in an effort to develop a class of skilled extended servicemen.  It was decreed that these warrant officers would wear length of service chevrons to show how long they had served.  These were worn on the left sleeve 16mm above the lower cuff edge on both the tunic and the greatcoat. (1)

Chevrons for enlisted men were re-established by USSR Ministry of Defense Order #190 on June 26th, 1969.  These were gold lace chevrons sewn onto fabric.  The branch of service dictated the color of the background that the lace was attached to.  Army would use red or khaki backing depending on the uniform.  Airborne forces would use a light blue background. (1)

Thin chevrons 6mm wide and 45mm long would be worn for each year less than five, while wide chevrons that measured 13mm wide and 45mm long would be used to denote periods of five years. (1)  They were not very popular and were rarely worn by re-engaged servicemen (those serving beyond their initial conscription period).