willie777 Wrote:Why does the officer have a sleeve patch?
The patches probably have bullion piping on them, similar to the material used to embroider general's collar patches. The officer patches are embroidered instead of stamped rubber. The enlisted might be, too. These are illustrated in "Soviet Arm Badges, 1920-91" by A. Stepanov, pp. 28-29:
[INDENT]February 16, 1971, USSR MD Order No 29 established the new special parade uniform for personnel of honor guard companies and bands, attached to them, in garrisons, where the military districts' and force groups' headquarters were located ... On the left sleeve of tunics and overcoats of all servicemen the appropriate arm badge (Motorized Rifles, Air Force, musicians) was sewn. The arm badges for officers were embroidered with yellow silk and had the golden piping. The arm badges for soldier and sergeants could be embroidered or molded on of plastic. In reality the embroidered badges were worn only by the soldiers of honor guard companies in Moscow and Leningrad. The Decision No 17-71 of the technical Committee of the Clothing Supply Directorate dated march 15, 1971, (about the sewing of the special parade uniform), determined that the arm badges should be sewn on both sleeves.[/INDENT]
