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Military Life (1946-1959) |
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Military Life (1946-1959) |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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The Soviet pay system of the post-war years differed little from that of the Czarist 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. |
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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.
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Military Life |
The Era of Reconstruction |
Military Life |
