1960's Era Soviet Army Shoulder Patches

Military Specialty Patches

Development of the patches introduced in 1969 began early in 1967 at the order of Minister of Defense A.A. Grechko. The designer of the patches was the artist of the Technical Committee of the Clothing Supply Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, a man named A.B. Zhuk. Originally the patches were to be embroidered, but this was considered to expensive. Instead the patches were to be made of thermally molded plastic on a cloth background.

The first patches were worn by the Airborne troops during a military exercise called 'Operation Dnepr' which was held during the fall of 1967. They were also worn by members of the Airborne troops during the November 7 parade in Moscow in 1967, the May Day parade in 1968, and the November 7 parade in Moscow in 1968. The airborne troop patch can be seen in the picture to the right.

Officially the patches were adopted throughout the army on 26 July 1969 by Ministry of Defense Order 190. All conscripts, extended servicemen, warrant officers, and officer cadets were to wear the patches. Order number 191 defined that the patch was to be worn on the left sleeve of parade tunics and overcoats 12 centimeters from the top point of the sleeve. Initially 14 branch of service patches were introduced for the army.

Motor Rifles

Medical

Band

(Coming Soon!!)

Artillery

Construction Troops

Armor

Signals

Pipeline Troops

Motor Transport

Topographical Troops

Railroad Troops

Engineering Troops

(Coming soon!!)

On 13 August 1969 the Ministry of Defense issued Order #200 which combined the Traffic Control and Commandant Services into a single Commandant Service. These units had a special uniform with its own unique patch which was worn while on duty. It was sewn on both sleeves of both the summer and winter jackets 12 centimeters from the top point of the sleeves.

A new badge for the chemical troops was established by Ministry of Defense issued Order #75 on 15 April 1971. It was made of thermally molded plastic and can be seen in the picture to the left.

When the rank of warrant officer (praporshik) was introduced in on 4 December 1971 Ministry of Defense Order #275 decreed that the warrant officers would wear the branch of service patch in a manner identical to extended servicemen.

On 27 April 1972 the Ministry of Defense issued Order #91 which established a special parade uniform for the 11th Cavalry Regiment of the Moscow Military District. A new cavalry patch worn on both sleeves was part of this uniform. The uniform was also worn by the Sport Cavalry Squadron of the Army Central Sports Club. In all cases these patches were made of embroidered silk for officers and of thermally molded plastic for enlisted men.

A further change was made on 1 November 1973 when the Ministry of Defense issued Order #250 in which the Military Topography Service patch was to have a star in the middle of the crossed wrench and hammer. This was done so that the patch would better match the emblem of that service.