Badge "Military Rationaliser".

[rakkasan]

Hello Everyone,

I have attached a photo of the RACJONALIZATOR WOJSKOWY badge, sorry for the small size but is only for a reference. My question isn't so much about the award itself but what it was actually awarded for. In english this is translated as a "military rationalizer" I just can't seem to get my NATO-trained head around this term. Can anyone please tell me what a military rationalizer did in the various Warsaw Pact armed forces (in this case Poland) and how one might get awarded for it?:confused:

[Al-muell]

This term is hard to translate. Generally it was awarded for innovations that made either military equipment or it's production easier or faster.
Both civilians and servicemen could be awarded this title, most of them were engineers. I don't think there's any sort of NATO equivalent - probably only financial prize. I don't remember exactly, but it was probably awarded in 3 classes.

[rakkasan]

Thanks Al for clearing that up. I've only seen the gold and silver levels both as badges or as medallions.

[Al-muell]

I have checked it and You are right - there were only two classes. The pinback version wasintroduced in 1971, while the suspension version was introduced in 1980.