Regulations for aiguilette?

[Jim72]

Hello,
I saw a uniform recently with this yellow band attached on right side, and just by curiousity I wonder, what were required to earn a such one in the USSR? I collect most German (east german) uniforms, and in germany similar bands were awarded for (for example) shooting skills and so on. Did the Soviets have similar requirements or are they for other honorable deeds? You can see on the attached photo what I mean. The photo was aquired from a online auction place.

regards,
JIM

[vikingraider1]

Well the aiguilette was actually issued to all ranks for wear on the parade uniform. This was introduced in 1955 and was first worn by musicians with the special uniform introduced at that time (which closely resembled the tunic of British lancer regiments) . Officers wore these whilst on parade whilst in Moscow or hero cities. Conscripts were also issued white aiguilettes in 1971 for wear by honour guards only and in 1972 by regular conscripts. There were no pre requisits for wearing them unlike their German counterparts who issued them to Wehrmact troops during WWII for sniping skills etc.

[kabanchik]

I concur with vikingraider 1, in that the aguilette (akselbant, to use the russian term) were worn with parade uniforms just to add a bit of dash to the outfit. They represented NO special individual honor. They were used primarily in Moscow, Leningrad, Hero-Cities, and the constituent republic capitals of the USSR. One often saw them in the Red Square parades, being worn on the tunics, as well as on the parade greatcoats during the winter season.