The Era of Reconstruction
Military Life
(1946-1959)

 

This section will feature pictures, history, stories, and other facets of Soviet military life during the period between 1946 and 1959. Currently we have very few things here, but more will be added as time permits.

 

 

Conscription

The practice of universal conscription continued during the post-war years.  All able-bodied males 19 years of age were subject to conscription.  Service was for two years, but was shortly increased to three.  Those selected for the technical branches of the military would serve three years.

Conscripts had no choice as the the branch of the military they would serve in, nor did they have any choice over what job they would do once they were there.  They would be chosen for their job by military authorities without them knowing.  Many would not know what they would be doing until they reached their unit.

A Private of Artillery Forces wearing the M43 pattern uniform.

 

 

Typical Soviet Army Training Schedule (1)

Once the Course for the Young Soldier has been completed, the conscript will be sent to their unit for more advanced training in their specific field.  Here, the soldier will be subject to a more or less standard training schedule typical of many military bases around the world.  At least eight hours of each training day are devoted to scheduled training.  Most of the remaining time is used for political indoctrination, marching from one site to another, and inspections.

The typical weekday schedule of the period begins with a 0600 reveille, physical training, hygiene, and inspection.  Following this the soldiers would be marched to breakfast.  After breakfast, the morning training period constitutes the longest part of the soldier's workday.  This lasts until 1400 hours when the soldiers are marched to lunch.  The time after lunch is marked by the afternoon training period, a brief rest, and a weapons maintenance period.  An evening political lesson or study period precedes dinner.  In the time between dinner and lights out the soldier would have about two hours of time to take care of personal equipment (polishing boots, sewing in new collar liners, etc), and personal hygiene.  The final roll call was then held to account for the troops and posting of night watches.  A short period was then allowed for an evening walk before the conclusion of the training day when the barracks lights would be turned off.

There is a version of the schedule for night training: in this schedule Reveille is at 1700 hours so that night operations can be practiced.  On weekends the training day is shortened by some two to four hours, the time being used for cleaning and inspections.  Organized sports are often held on Sundays in order to foster a sense of camaraderie as well as limit the soldier's free time.
Activity Hour Time Allotted
Reveille 0600 - 0610 10 minutes
Physical Training 0610 - 0630 20 minutes
Personal Hygiene 0630 - 0650 20 minutes
Morning Roll Call and Inspection 0650 - 0700 10 minutes
Breakfast 0700 - 0740 40 minutes
Morning Training Period 0740 - 1400 6 hours, 20 minutes
Lunch 1400 - 1445 45 minutes
Rest Period 1445 - 1620 45 minutes
Afternoon Training Period 1620 - 1820 2 hours
Cleaning Weapons 1820 - 1900 40 minutes
Political Class and Study Period 1900 - 2030 90 minutes
Dinner 2030 -2110 40 minutes
'Free' Time 2110 - 2220 70 minutes
Roll Call and Inspection 2220 - 2240 20 minutes
Evening Walk 2240 - 2250 10 minutes
Preparation for Bed 2250 - 2300 10 minutes
Taps and Lights Out 2300 - 0600 7 hours

 

 

Non-Commissioned Officers

Unlike the armies of Western nations the Soviet army has never maintained a large class of experienced non-commissioned officers.  This was due in part to the system of conscription.  Few soldiers had any desire to extend their stay in the Army after they had completed their mandatory service requirements.  Civilian life offered better pay and other opportunities that the Army did not.

To remedy this situation the Army offered better pay to soldiers who decided to stay.  These extended service men were also given 30 days of leave each year (exactly the same amount as officers).  This was in addition to any leave that could be granted for compassionate reasons such as the serious illness or death of a relative.

Even so, only around 2 percent of conscripts who chose to stay in the military.

 

 

The Soldier's Rate of Pay

The Soviet pay system of the post-war years differed little from that of the Tsarist army.  The soldier would receive a basic rate of pay based on rank, with added pay based on their years of service.  Appointments and type of duty also modified the pay scales.  Neither officers or soldiers of the time were paid a marriage allowance, but income tax was not deducted from their pay either.

The differences in pay were most dramatic between officers and enlisted ranks, although extended service men were still paid well.  Conscripts (even conscript non-commissioned officers) received the very low pay.



Captain 2nd Vasiuk Gavrila Korneevitch of the 152nd Submarine Division.

Military Monthly Pay Rates
for 1948
Rank

Rubles

Dollar Value
Major General 4000 Rubles  $1440
Lieutenant 1110 Rubles $400
Sergeant 550 Rubles $200
Conscript 22 Rubles $8

   

 

Officers and Retirement

Retirement was possible in two ways.  The first was voluntary retirement.  This could only be requested by an officer who had given twenty-five years of service.  During the years of Stalin's post-war build up very few officers were allowed this.

There were also mandatory retirement ages based upon the rank of the officer.  These ages varied widely, and did not apply to Generals, Admirals, or Marshals.

Rank

Retirement Age
General /Admiral

None
Lt. Colonel 50
Captain 40
Lieutenant 35


Captain 1st Martinov Valerian Andreevitch (two orders of the Red Banner!)

 

 

Military Life
of 1941 to 1945

Return to
The Era of Reconstruction

Military Life
from 1960 to 1978

 

Bibliography

(1)  Army Pamphlet 30-50-1, Handbook on the Soviet Army, Washington D.C.: Department of the Army, 1958. Print.