Shoulder straps and patches Infantry Red Army, Soviet Union (USSR) 1918-1991

This category presents the shoulder straps of soldiers, officers, generals and marshals of various patches of the Red Army and the Soviet Union.
Also in this section you can find the shoulder straps of the Generalissimo of the Soviet Union Stalin..

1. Early Red Army (1917–1920s)

In the early years of the Red Army, the insignia were relatively simple and rudimentary, as the army was being formed during the chaos of the Russian Civil War.

Shoulder Straps: The early Red Army used shoulder straps similar to those of the Imperial Russian Army, but they were often made from simple materials due to shortages. Initially, shoulder straps weren’t widespread, and soldiers typically wore collar insignia or had no insignia at all.
Colors: The basic color of the Red Army uniform during this period was a khaki or brownish-green, often intended for camouflage.
Rank Insignia: Rank was typically denoted by badges or by stars sewn onto the uniform, but a formalized system of ranks and shoulder straps wasn’t fully implemented until later.

2. Soviet Red Army (1930s–1940s)

During the early 1930s, following the consolidation of the Soviet government and the need for standardization, the Red Army adopted more structured and standardized uniform and rank systems.

Shoulder Straps (Epaulettes): By the early 1930s, the Soviet Union began using the shoulder strap (epaulette) system that became more characteristic of later Soviet uniforms. These straps were usually attached to the shoulder area of the uniform and had different designs depending on the military branch and rank.
- Material: The shoulder straps were made from cloth and featured metal or embroidered insignia to denote rank.
- Colors: The color of the shoulder strap was determined by the branch of service:
  - Infantry: Dark green with red piping.
  - Artillery: Dark green with red piping or the same shade but with different epaulette types.
  - Air Force: Dark blue or light blue, depending on rank and unit.
Rank and Insignia:
- The red star was often placed on the shoulder straps to denote a soldier’s association with the Soviet military and ideology.
- For higher-ranking officers, such as generals, multiple stars (often five-pointed) were used.

3. Infantry Shoulder Straps (1935–1940s)

The infantry shoulder straps became standardized in the 1930s and were easily recognizable:

Design: For the infantry, the shoulder straps were green, with red piping. The colors made the infantry distinctly different from other branches of the military, like the artillery, which used a similar system.
Rank Indicators:
- For lower ranks, a single star (often in gold or silver) was used.
- Higher ranks used multiple stars or stripes. For example:
  - Lieutenant: One star and one stripe.
  - Captain: One star and two stripes.
  - Colonel: Multiple stars and stripes.
  - General officers: These ranks often had multiple stars and occasionally additional features like bars or gold braid.

4. Post-World War II Era (1945–1991)

After World War II, the Soviet military continued to use shoulder straps, which had become an iconic part of the uniform. While the basic design remained similar, there were small tweaks and formalizations as the years went on.

Color: Infantry shoulder straps continued to feature the characteristic dark green color with red piping, which remained a symbol of the branch.
Rank Insignia: The rank system continued to use stars and stripes. For example:
- Private and Junior Ranks: A single gold star and sometimes additional markings for specific unit affiliations.
- Non-commissioned Officers (NCOs): Stars or small stars with one or two stripes.
- Officers: Commissioned officers had a combination of stars and stripes, with generals having distinctive insignia, such as multiple stars.
- General Officers: Soviet generals’ shoulder straps often had gold embroidery and multiple stars, indicating their high rank. They also wore epaulettes decorated with gold braid or even additional embellishments for ceremonial purposes.

5. Specific Infantry Insignia

During the Soviet period, certain distinctions were made for infantry units and specialized units within the army:

Guard Units: Infantry regiments designated as “Guards” (elite units) would wear shoulder straps with additional symbols to indicate their status, such as a special badge or a gold trim around the shoulder straps.
Tank and Mechanized Infantry Units: Although these were technically not "pure" infantry, they often had specific shoulder strap designs with tank-related insignia (like tank treads) or metallic stripes.

6. Insignia on Shoulder Straps for Infantry

For rank and unit designation, infantry soldiers often had additional symbols on their shoulder straps:

Stars: The most recognizable insignia, typically placed on the epaulette.
Bar and Star Combinations: For officers, a combination of gold or silver stars with one or more thin golden stripes.
Additional Details: Some specialized infantry units or those who were decorated with orders (such as the Order of the Patriotic War) would have extra details added to their shoulder straps.

7. Patches

Unit Patches: On some occasions, infantry divisions or specific regiments would wear distinctive patches or shoulder sleeve insignia to denote their specific formation. These were typically worn on the upper arm.
Special Marks: Some specialized infantry units, such as airborne or reconnaissance units, could have unique shoulder patches to signify their role within the army.

Summary of Soviet Infantry Shoulder Strap Characteristics:

Color: Dark green with red piping (for regular infantry).
Rank Insignia: Stars (gold or silver) and stripes (for officers).
Unit Marks: Sometimes patches for special units or guard regiments.
Distinctive Elements: Officers would typically have shoulder straps with embroidered gold details, while lower ranks had simpler designs with fewer adornments.