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)

Highest Pilot/Navigator Qualification Badges (1971)

These two badges were established in 1971 as the culmination of the 1966 Pilot/Navigator Qualification Badges.  The pin back badges are made of brass and enamels.  They were used from 1971 until the end of the Soviet period.

These badges were given to airborne (VDV) soldiers based on the number of successful jumps they have completed. There are many different variations of this badge representing a different number of jumps made by the individual whom they are awarded to. After 10 jumps the badges change from normal paratrooper type to the excellent paratrooper type. At 100 or more jumps the badge changes to Paratrooper-Instructor. All of these badges are screw back type and made of brass and enamel.

Excellent Paratrooper -
10 Jumps

Excellent Paratrooper -
20 Jumps

Excellent Paratrooper - 30 Jumps

Excellent Paratrooper - 50 Jumps

Paratrooper-Instructor
1000 Jumps

Officer Qualification Badges (1961) (2)

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.

They 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)

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.

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.

These badges were established in four classes in June of 1958.  They replaced the earlier 1949 Air Force Engineer Badge.  They are 66mm across and have pin back fasteners.  Each is made of aluminum.  The 2nd and 3rd class badges below are older variations that were stamped, details of the front can be seen on the reverse.  The Basic badge is a later, possibly 1980's version that has a flat back and maker's marking.  These were issued until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

This badge was established in 1957 and awarded to soldiers and airmen for their excellent service. These badges were originally made of brass and enamel, but by the 1980's they were made out of enamel and aluminum. The badge says - Excellence in VVS (Air Force)

Badges for service beyond the mandatory  two year conscription period were authorized in August 1957 by Prikaz of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR #146.  Early badges were made of brass and enamel, but later 1980's versions were made of painted aluminum. 

A marker denoting how many years of faithful extended service could be attached to the hangers below the badge itself. This badge is a pin back type.

This badge signifies that the wearer was a member of the young Communist society known as Komsomol.  It was established on 26 June 1953 and was worn by both soldiers, airmen, and sailors. (2)

This version of the badge is the military (screw back) type used in the late 1970's and 1980's.  The civilian version of the badge is a pin back type.

This is a 1980's version of the Soviet Guards badge. It was worn by all members of a unit within a Guards division. Guards badges (and divisions) were created in May 1942 during the Great Patriotic War. They were divisions who distinguished themselves in battle. Since then other units (usually airborne) have been awarded Guards status.  Earlier versions of the badge were made of brass and enamel, later versions such as this one were made of aluminum and paint.  They were used until 1994 when a Russian Guards badge was introduced.