Service Patches and Insignia
of the Soviet Air Force
(1988-1991)

 
This section covers the patches that were worn by members of the Soviet Air Force and paratroopers following uniform changes of 1988.  The selection of patches, stripes, and chevrons we have to view are listed below.

    

  

Military Specialty Patches

Development of the air force patch 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.

Officially the patch was 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.

 

         

Officer Cadet Stripes

These patches were originally established by Ministry of Defense Order #190 on 26 June 1969.  This order decreed that all students of military schools would wear stripes to denote how many years of study they had completed.  These stripes were sewn on the left sleeve of the tunic and greatcoat one centimeter below the branch of service insignia.

On 4 March 1988 new regulations were issued by Ministry of Defense Order #250.  This order decreed (among other things) that chevrons instead of stripes would be worn by pilot and aircrew cadets.  They would be from one to five of these stripes depending on the year of class completed.  Each would be 6mm wide on yellow thermally molded plastic.  Above these would be sewn a winged star.  They would be worn 16mm from the lower cuff edge of the greatcoat and tunic.

All air force and paratrooper stripes remained the same as before.  They were still composed of  thermally molded plastic on light blue felt.  Members of the Medical academy could acquire up to six of these stripes, but most other branches could only attain four.  Unofficially men called these stripes 'kursovki'.
 

Air Force and VDV Chevrons

Chevrons for Pilots and Aircrew Cadets


6 Years

- 5 Years -
Coming Soon!!


5 Years


4 Years

- 4 Years -
Coming Soon!!


3 Years

- 3 Years -
Coming Soon!!


2 Years

- 2 Years -
Coming Soon!!


1 Year

- 1 Years -
Coming Soon!!

  

        

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Insignia of the late Soviet Union