Navy Service Patches
of the Soviet Superpower
 (1960-1978)
 

   

This section covers some of the patches that were worn by members of the Soviet Navy during the height of the Cold War.

The most noticeable changes to naval insignia took place in the late 60's and early 70's.  These standardized the service patches of the enlisted men and michman - patches which would be symbolize the navy for the remainder of the Cold War.  Other patches for wounds and length of service were also introduced during this time.

Our selection of patches, stripes, and chevrons we have to view are listed below in order of their establishment.

Back to Badges and Patches of the
 Soviet Superpower

 

 

Conscript Length of Service Stripes (1974)

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'.
Third Year of Conscript Service

(Coming Soon!!)
Second Year of Conscript Service

First Year of Conscript Service

(Coming Soon!!)

 

 

Michman Length of Service Chevrons (1971)

In 1971 the Soviet Defense Ministry created the rank of michman and praporchik (warrant officer) for the Soviet Navy in an effort to develop a class of skilled extended servicemen.  It was decreed that these personnel 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. 

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Three Years of Service

Ten Years of Service

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Two Years of Service

 Five Years of Service

One Year of Service

Four Years of Service

 

 

 

Military Specialty Patches (1969)

In 1969 the a new series of service patches were issued for enlisted men (and later warrant officers) of the Soviet Navy.  The symbols on the patches were quite similar to those used in earlier Soviet uniforms, but the new patches would be made of thermally molded plastic rather than being embroidered.

The patches below denoted the military specialty of the sailor who wore them.  They came in two colors.  The red patches were worn by conscript sailors, while the yellow bordered patches were worn by extended servicemen and officer cadets.
Military Specialty Conscript Patch

Extended Service Patch

Naval Artillery

Torpedoes

Boatswain

Signals
Engineering

Navigation

Naval Infantry

 

 

Cadet Chevrons (1969)

Prikaz #250 also standardized officer cadet insignia.  Each denoted the year of the program that the cadet was participating in.  These would be worn on the upper left sleeve and take the form of yellow plastic chevrons under a single star.
   
Fifth Year Cadet Chevron
Fourth Year Cadet Chevron (Coming Soon)
Third Year Cadet Chevron  

(Coming Soon)

 
Second Year Cadet Chevron
First Year Cadet Chevron

 

  

Wound Stripes

These small 40mm long stripes were awarded to those who had suffered wounds in action.  They came in two variants: Red for light wounds and Yellow for serious wounds.  Naval versions of these stripes are all on dark blue backgrounds.  They were worn on the right side of the uniform above the pocket and decorations.

 

Light Wound Stripe Heavy Wound Stripe

Third Wound

Second Wound
First Wound

    

 

Works Cited

(1) Stepanov, A., Нарукавных Знаки Вооруженных Сил СССР.  1920-1991 (1), Moscow: Zeughaus, 1999. Print.

(2) Prilutskaya, N. V. and N. L. Kortunova, ВОЕННАЯ ОДЕЖДА ВООРУЖЕННЫХ СИЛ СССР И РОССИИ (1917-1990), Moscow: Military Publishing, 1999. Print.