Every detail of military uniforms is endowedpractical sense and appeared on it not by chance, but as a result of certain events. It can be said that the elements of the uniform of servicemen have both historical symbolism and utilitarian purpose.
The appearance and development of epaulettes in the Russian Empire
The opinion that epaulettes originate from part of the chivalryarmor, designed to protect the shoulders from impact, is one of the most common misconceptions. The simple study of the armor and army uniforms of the past, from the second half of the 12th to the end of the 17th century, suggests that nothing of the kind existed in any army in the world. In Russia, even a strictly regulated form of archers did not have anything like that to protect the shoulders.
Russian army rifles were introduced for the first timeEmperor Peter I in the period between 1683-1698 years and had a purely utilitarian significance. The soldiers of the grenadier regiments and fusiliers used them as an additional fastening for knapsacks or cartridge bags. Naturally, the shoulder straps were worn exclusively by soldiers, and only on the left shoulder.
However, after 30 years, as the birth increasedtroops, this element spreads through the troops, still serving as an identification sign of a particular regiment. In 1762, this function is fixed officially for the epaulettes, beginning to decorate them with officers' uniforms. At that time, it was impossible to find a universal model of epaulettes in the army of the Russian Empire. The commander of each regiment could independently determine its type of weaving, length and width. Often, wealthy officers from prominent aristocratic families wore a regimental insignia in a more luxurious version - with gold and precious stones. In our time, the epaulettes of the Russian army (the pictures are presented below) are a welcome subject for the collectors of military uniforms.
During the reign of Emperor Alexander Ishoulder straps take the form of a cloth valve with a clear regulation of color, fastenings and decor, depending on the number of the regiment in the division. Officers 'shuffles differ from soldiers' soldiers only with a gold braid (galloon) along the edge. When in 1803 a knapsack is introduced, there are 2 of them - one for each shoulder.
After 1854, the signs of differences begin to adornnot only coats, but also coats and greatcoats. Thus, for the shoulder straps, the role of the "determinant of ranks" is permanently fixed. By the end of the XIX century, soldiers begin to use a duffel bag instead of a knapsack, and an additional attachment to the shoulders is no longer required. Stitches get rid of fastenings in the form of buttons and tightly sewn into the fabric.
After the collapse of the Russian Empire, and with it the tsarist army, epaulettes and epaulettes disappear for several decades from military uniforms, recognized as a symbol of "the inequality of working people and exploiters."
Pogonia in the Red Army from 1919 to 1943
The USSR sought to get rid of "remnantsimperialism, "which also ranked the titles and shoulder straps of the Russian army (tsarist.) On December 16, 1917, the decrees of the All-Russia Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars" On the Elective Beginning and Organization of Power in the Army "and" On the Equalization in the Rights of All Military Servicemen "all previously existing army ranks and signs In January 15, 1918, the country's leadership adopted a decree establishing the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army (RKKA).
Some time in the army of the new country operateda strange mixture of military symbols. For example, signs of distinction in the form of arm bands of red (revolutionary) color with an inscription of a post, a similar tone of a strip on the sleeves of a gymnast or overcoat, metal or cloth stars of different sizes on a headdress or a breast are known.
Since 1924, the RKKA rank of servicemenwas suggested to learn by the buttonholes on the collar of the gymnast. The color of the field and edging was determined by the army, and the gradation was extensive. For example, infantry wore crimson buttonholes with a black frame, cavalry - blue with black, signalers - black with yellow, etc.
The loops of the top commanders of the Red Army (the generals) had the color of the field along the line of the troops and were lined along the edge with a narrow golden cord.
In the field of buttonholes there were red-enameled copper figures of various shapes, allowing to determine the rank of commander of the Red Army:
- Ordinary, junior command staff - triangles with a side of 1 cm. They appeared only in 1941. And before that, servicemen of these ranks wore "empty" buttonholes.
- The average command structure is squares measuring 1 x 1 cm. In everyday use, they were often called "cubes" or "cubers".
- Senior command staff - rectangles with sides 1.6 x 0.7 cm, called "sleepers".
- The highest command structure is a diamond with a height of 1.7 cm and a width of 0.8 cm. Additional signs of distinction for the commanders of these ranks were chevrons from the golden galloon on the sleeves of uniforms. The political composition was added to them by large stars from red cloth.
- Marshals of the Soviet Union - 1 large gold star in buttonholes and sleeves.
The number of signs ranged from 1 to 4 - the more, the higher the title of commander.
The rank designation system in the Red Army is oftenwas subject to change, which greatly confused the situation. Often, because of supply disruptions, servicemen for months wore obsolete or even self-made signs. However, the buttonhole system has left its mark on the history of military uniforms. In particular, epaulettes in the Soviet Army retained the coloring for the arms of the troops.
Pogony in the Soviet Army in 1943-1990
Thanks to the Decree of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 6January 1943 and the Order of the People's Commissar of Defense No. 25 of January 15, 1943, shoulder straps and ranks returned to the lives of servicemen. These signs of difference will survive until the collapse of the USSR. The colors of the field and the edge will change, the shape and arrangement of the patches, but in general the system will remain unchanged, and later the Russian Army shoulder straps will be created using similar principles.
Servicemen received 2 types of such elements -everyday and field, having a standard width of 6 cm and a length of 14-16 cm, depending on the type of clothing. Potholes of non-combatant units (justice, military veterinarians and physicians) were intentionally narrowed to 4.5 cm.
The definition of the kind of troops went according to the color of the edging andlumens, as well as a stylized symbol on the lower or middle (for the rank and file) part of the shoulder strap. The palette of them is less diverse than before 1943, but the basic colors are preserved.
1. Edging (cord):
- Combined-arms (military registration and enlistment offices, military establishments), infantry units, motorized rifles, commissary services - crimson.
- Artillery, tank troops, military doctors - scarlet.
- Cavalry is blue.
- Aviation is blue.
- Other technical troops are black.
2. Enlightenments.
- The command (officer) composition is Bordeaux.
- Quartermasters, justice, technical, medical and veterinary services are brown.
Military rank was designated by asterisks of different diameters - for junior officers 13 mm, for seniors - 20 mm. Marshals of the Soviet Union received 1 large star.
Wiggles of everyday wearing were gold orSilver field with embossed, rigidly fixed on a solid cloth basis. They were also used in the ceremonial uniform that servicemen wore for solemn events.
The field epaulettes for all officers were carried out fromsilk or canvas of khaki color with the appropriate rim edging, gaps and signs. At the same time, their pattern (texture) repeated the pattern on everyday epaulets.
Since 1943 and before the collapse of the Soviet Union, military insignia and uniform have undergone repeated changes, among which the following are particularly worth mentioning:
1.As a result of the 1958 reform, the officers' everyday epaulettes began to be made of dark green cloth. For marks of distinction of cadets and rank-and-file members, only three colors were left: scarlet (combined arms, motorized guns), blue (aviation, airborne), black (all other branches of the army). Enlightenments of officers' shoulder straps could only be blue or scarlet.
2.Since January 1973 on all kinds of epaulettes of soldiers and sergeants appeared the letters "SA" (Soviet Army). Somewhat later, the symbols "SF", "TF", "BF" and "Black Sea Fleet" - the Northern Fleet, the Pacific Fleet, the Baltic and Black Sea Fleet, appeared respectively among sailors and fleet leaders. At the end of the same year, the letter "K" appears in the cadets of military educational institutions.
3.The field form of the new samples, called the "Afghan", came into use in 1985 and was widely distributed among servicemen of all combat arms. Its feature consisted of shoulder straps, which were an element of the jacket and had the same color as it. Wearing "Afghan" sewn on them strips and asterisks, and only generals were put special removable epaulettes.
Rifles of the Russian army. Main features of reforms
The USSR ceased to exist in the fall of 1991year, and with him the epaulettes and titles of the Soviet army disappeared. The creation of the Armed Forces of Russia began with Presidential Decree No. 466 of May 7, 1992. However, this act did not describe the epaulettes of the Russian army. Until 1996, servicemen wore CA insignia. Moreover, confusion and confusion of symbols were encountered until 2000.
The military form of the Russian Federation was almost entirely developed on the Soviet legacy. However, the reforms of 1994-2000 brought to it several changes:
1.On epaulettes of sergeants (sailors and sailors of the fleet), instead of cross strips of braid, there appeared metal angles, located with a sharp side up. In addition, the fleet employees received a large letter "F" in their lower part.
2.The ensigns and midshipmen had similar epaulettes with soldier's shoulder straps, trimmed with colored galloon, but without lumens. The long-term struggle of this category of servicemen for the right to officer insignia was depreciated on the same day.
3.Almost no changes occurred in the officers - the new shoulder straps of the Russian army developed for them were almost completely repeated by the Soviets. However, their dimensions decreased: the width became 5 cm, and the length - 13-15 cm, depending on the type of clothes.
Currently, the titles and shoulder straps of the Russianarmies occupy a fairly stable position. Major reforms and the unification of the signs of difference have been completed, and in the coming decades the Russian army does not expect any significant changes in this sphere.
Crosstown
Students of military (naval) educationalinstitutions are obliged to wear daily and field epaulettes in all forms of their form. Depending on clothing (tunics, winter coats and overcoats), they can be sewn or removable (jackets, demi-season coats and shirts).
Cursant's epaulettes are stripsdense color cloth, trimmed along the edge of a golden braid. On field camouflage of army and aviation schools in 15 mm from the bottom edge the letter "K" of a yellow color in height of 20 mms is necessarily sewed. For other types of educational institutions the following symbols are used:
- IWC - Marine cadet corps.
- QC - Cadet Corps.
- H - Nakhimov school.
- Anchor symbol - Navy cadet.
- IED - Suvorov School.
Students on the field are alsoMetal or nasovy angles, facing a sharp angle up. Their thickness and brightness depend on the title. A sample of epaulettes with the scheme of the arrangement of signs, presented below, belongs to the cadet of the military high school in the rank of sergeant.
In addition to shoulder straps, belonging to military traininginstitutions and the position of the cadet can be determined by the armorial emblems with the emblem symbol, and also by the "kursi" - coal stripes on the sleeve, the number of which depends on the training time (year, two, etc.).
Straights and sergeant rifles
Ordinary in the ground army of Russia is the lowestmilitary rank. In the Navy, the rank of sailor corresponds to him. A conscientious serving soldier can become a corporal, and on a ship - a senior sailor. Further, these servicemen are able to transfer to the sergeant's rank for the ground forces or the Starinshinsky for the Navy.
Representatives of the lower military formations of the army and navy carry epaulets of a similar pattern, the description of which is as follows:
- The upper part of the sign of difference has the form of a trapezoid, within which the button is located.
- The color of the RF Army shoulder straps has a dark green color for the everyday shape and camouflage for the field. The sailors wear black cloth.
- The color of the cant indicates the type of troops: blue for the Airborne Forces and aviation, and red for all others. The navy frames its shoulder straps with a white cord.
- At the bottom of the daily shoulder straps, 15 mm from the edge, the letters "Armed Forces" or "F" (navy) are golden. Fields do without such "excesses".
- Depending on the rank within the rank and filesergeant formations on epaulettes are attached acute-angled discs. Their number and thickness are greater the higher the position of the serviceman. On the epaulettes of the sergeant (the highest rank of the sergeant's staff) is also the emblem of the troops.
Separately it is worth mentioning ensigns and midshipmen,whose shaky position between rank and file officers is fully reflected in their signs of difference. For them, the shoulder straps of the Russian army of the new model seem to consist of two parts:
1. Soldier's "field" without lumens, trimmed with colored galloon.
2. Officers' stars on the central axis: 2 for the regular ensign, 3 - for the senior officer. A similar number of signs is given to midshipmen and senior midshipmen.
Officer jogging
The lowest officers begin with the junior lieutenant, and the captain completes it. Stars on epaulets, their number, size and location are identical for the ground forces and the Navy.
Junior officers are distinguished by one lumen and from 1 to 4 stars in 13 mm each along the central axis. In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 1010 of May 23, 1994, epaulettes can have the following colors:
- For a white shirt - epaulettes with a white box, emblems and golden stars.
- For a green shirt, casual tunic, jacket and overcoat - green insignia with gaps along the line of troops, emblems and stars of gold color.
- For the blue air force shirt (aviation) and the everyday upper form - blue shoulder straps with a blue gleam, emblem and golden asterisks.
- For the ceremonial jacket of any kind of troops - the insignia of a silver color with colored gleams, galloon and gold stars.
- For the field form (only VS) - camouflage straps-hladiki without lumens, with gray stars.
Thus, for junior officers there are 3the kind of shoulder straps - field, everyday and ceremonial, which they use depending on the type of wearable form. Marine officers have only everyday and ceremonial.
Mid-officer riders
The group of ranks of the Armed Forces begins with the Major andends with a colonel, and in the Navy - from the captain of rank 3 to the captain of rank 1, respectively. Despite the differences in the title of titles, the principles of construction and arrangement of the signs of difference remain virtually identical.
The rifles of the Russian army and navy for the average composition have the following distinctive features:
- In everyday and ceremonial versions, the texture (embossing) is more pronounced, almost aggressive.
- On the shoulder straps there are 2 lumens, 15 mm distant from the edges and 20 mm apart from each other. In the field they are absent.
- The size of the asterisks is 20 mm, and the number varies from 1 to 3, depending on the rank. On the shoulder straps of the field form their color is muted from golden to silver.
The officers of the middle ranks of the Sun also have 3types of epaulettes - field, everyday and ceremonial. And the latter have a rich gold color and are sewn only on the tunic. For wearing on a white shirt (summer version of the form), white shoulder straps with standard symbols of difference are provided.
According to the polls conducted, the major, stars on epauletswho is alone (and it is very difficult to make a mistake in determining the title), is the most recognizable serviceman in that part of the population that has nothing to do with the military sphere.
Wrist movements of the highest officers of the Armed Forces
At the highest category of servicemen, the so-called generals, the shoulder straps of the Russian army and navy stop duplicating each other. There are noticeable differences.
Titles in the Army have undergonesignificant changes in the creation of the army of the Russian Federation. Presidential Decree No. 466 of May 7, 1992 not only abolished the rank of the Marshal of the Soviet Union, but also ceased the division of generals by arms. Following this adjustment, uniforms and shoulder straps (shape, size and insignia) were subjected.
Currently, the highest echelon officers wear the following types of shoulder straps:
one.Parade - a field of golden color, on which are sewn stars in an amount corresponding to the rank. The army generals and marshals of the Russian Federation in the upper third of the shoulder straps are the arms of the army and the country. The color of the edging and stars: red - for ground forces, blue - for aviation, airborne forces and military space forces, cornflower blue - for the FSB.
2. Everyday - the color of the field is blue for senior aviation officers, airborne forces and the VKS, for others - green. There is a border edging with a cord, only the General of the Army and the Marshal of the Russian Federation also has a star stroke.
3. Field - khaki field, not camouflage, like other categories of officers. The stars and coats of arms are green, a few tones darker than the background. Stroke color edging is missing.
Separately worth staying at the stars thatadorn the epaulets of the generals. The country's marshals and army generals size is 40 mm. And in the latter, the symbol has a silver substrate of the best. The stars of all the other officers are smaller - 22 mm.
The rank of a serviceman, as a general rule,determined by the number of characters. In particular, the shoulder straps of Major General adorn 1 star, Lieutenant General - 2, and Colonel General - 3. At the same time, the first of these is in its position lower than everyone in the category. The reason for this is one of the traditions of the Soviet era: in the USSR army, lieutenant generals were deputy generals of troops and took on some of their functions.
Shoulder straps of senior naval officers
Guide naval forces of the Russian Federationrepresented by such titles as Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, Admiral and Fleet Admiral. Since the field uniform in the Navy is not provided, these ranks wear only everyday or ceremonial epaulets, which have the following features:
1. The color of the ceremonial field is gold with zigzag embossing. The shoulder strap at the same time frames the black edging. In everyday uniform, colors change places - a black field and a gold cord around the edge.
2. Higher Navy officers may wear shoulder straps on white or cream shirts. The field of shoulder strap at the same time corresponds to the color of the clothes, and the piping is absent.
3.The number of embroidered stars on epaulets depends on the rank of a serviceman and increases depending on its increase. The main difference between them and similar signs in the ground forces is a substrate of silver rays. Traditionally, the largest star (40 mm) from the admiral of the fleet.
With the separation of troops on the Navy and the Armed Forces, it is assumedthat some float, while others move on the ground or, as a last resort, by air. But in fact, the Navy is heterogeneous and, in addition to ship crews, includes coastal troops and naval aviation. This division could not but reflect on the shoulder straps, and if the former are classified as land forces and have corresponding insignia, then with naval pilots everything is much more complicated.
Senior naval aviation officers, on the one hand,are ranks similar to the generals of the Armed Forces. On the other hand, their shoulder straps correspond to the form established for the Navy. They are distinguished only by the blue color of the edging and the star without a ray substrate with the corresponding design. For example, ceremonial epaulets of the major general of sea deck aviation have a golden field with azure edging along the edge and outlining the star.
In addition to shoulder straps and most uniforms, the militarythere are a lot of other signs of distinction, including armbands and chevrons, cockades on headdresses, symbols of the arms of service in buttonholes and breastplates (signs). Together, they can provide the knowledgeable person with basic information about a military person - the type of military, rank, duration and location of service, the intended amount of authority.
Unfortunately, most people are justto the category of "ignorant", therefore pay attention to the most noticeable detail of the form. The shoulder straps of the Russian army in this matter are quite appreciative material. They are not overloaded with unnecessary symbolism and are of the same type for different types of troops.
