Parachutist Badges

[Nota Bene]

Eddie,

My thinking exactly, but who would fake such a cheap badge, so I thought, it might have been a souvenir pin or something.

Alexei

[matteti]

I recently purchased this in Rivne (Ukraine). Does someone know around which period this type of badge was issued?
Thanks.

[Taz]

Matt,
This is the Excellent Parachutist, 1955 type badge. later versions have a different parachute canopy shape.

Eddie.

[plmurphy]

I recently purchased this which at first I thought was a 1955 version of the Excellent Paratrooper badge given the high quality of the detail and the fact that the "ears" to connect the pendant are on the side. However I thought that the numbers on the badge to indicate jumps were only introduced on the 1968 pattern. My question, therefore is, is this a 1955 pattern, a modified 1955 pattern (the numeral is attached with very old brazing but the reverse does not look very professional), or a very early 1968 pattern badge ??? I still have a lot to learn on these so look forward to your help.

Regards,

Paul

[Nota Bene]

Paul,

Welcome to the forum!

I believe it's a 1955 variation with repair.

Alexei

[plmurphy]

Alexei,

Many thanks for your assistance.

Paul

[Koslova]

What is the difference between the 'distinguished' and the 'regular' paratrooper? What did one have to do to revice the 'distinguished' badge?

[desantnik]

Good question for which I've long sought a definitive answer.

It probably required doing a certain number of jumps under varying conditions, night jumps, jumps with equipment, water jumps, etc. It may have also required completion of a jumpmaster course, but that may have been the final level and not "otlichnik".

[Nota Bene]

If memory serves: 10 jumps - "Otlichnik"; 100 jumps - "Instructor".

There was also an "Excellence in the Airborne Troops" badge, apparently from the late 1980s, but most likely it was a local award.

Alexei

[desantnik]

If memory serves: 10 jumps - "Otlichnik"; 100 jumps - "Instructor".

There was also an "Excellence in the Airborne Troops" badge, apparently from the late 1980s, but most likely it was a local award.

Alexei

Alexei, there is also accompanying additional training (and/or conditions) that goes with the successive levels.

I jumped with the Russian military in the early 90's (Ryazan Airborne Academy and Moscow) and had it explained to me, but I don't remember what the additional requirements were. Knowing the Russians, the requirements may be varied and be localized at the unit level too.

The officers had many jumps comparable to us, but they included sport jumps which we don't count, for example. The enlisted conscripts also had significantly fewer than I expected, maybe no more than 5 for an entire enlistment. That may have been due to lack of resources during the 90's, but a comparable US trooper in an airborne unit would have had 10-20 in two year's time.