Symbolism in Medals and Badges

[Разведка]

A brief couple questions that I'm hoping the folks here have a few answers for:

1. I've noticed on several badges and metals which have laurels that there are generally two types of laurels displayed: on the right, what appear to be oak leaves, and on the left, what look like branches with berries. The illustration of these can change and appears subject to artistic license, but there is a similarity. The security service badges that I have sometimes employ only the berried branches. Any ideas what these are? What they represent? Why the security services would favor one over the other?

An example here is a post-soviet Honored Inspectors Badge from the Inspectors' Committee. A little modern, but a good illustration of the broader trend.

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2. What are the general colors associated with various branches of the Soviet security services? Blue and red aside, it seems that green has been the choice for Border Guard services; are there others specific to particular Directorates or services?

Perhaps not so brief. Thank you!