12-01-2002, 03:15 AM
My sources have conflicting information about when the camo uniform was issued. Dennis Desmond's Camoflage Uniforms the recent airborne camo uniform came out in 1981/1982, although the first published photo of it was from a Red Square parade in 1985. Voennaya Odezhda Vooruzhennikh Sil SSSR I Rossii gives the year of introduction for the VDV camo uniform as 1985.
Given that new uniforms were not universally introduced simultaneously, the unit in Germany may or may not have been issued the new camo uniform. Moreover, some units had priority over others in obtaining the latest gear. Finally, the photographic record indicates that sometimes both khaki and camo are seen together.
Insignia/badges. It would appear that the enlisted blue epaulets, officers' epaulets sleeve shield insignia, and all breast badges would be worn during parades. For field dress, officers would wear subdued collar insignia and subdued stars attached directly to the epaulets. Soviet uniform regs indicate that NCOs were to attach subdued (dark red) stripes on their epaulets. I haven't seen any photos to document the style (and if actually used) worn by VDV.
Bottom Line: You can make a case for going either with khaki uniforms or camo.
The attached graphic depicts the M1985 VDV camo uniform.
Given that new uniforms were not universally introduced simultaneously, the unit in Germany may or may not have been issued the new camo uniform. Moreover, some units had priority over others in obtaining the latest gear. Finally, the photographic record indicates that sometimes both khaki and camo are seen together.
Insignia/badges. It would appear that the enlisted blue epaulets, officers' epaulets sleeve shield insignia, and all breast badges would be worn during parades. For field dress, officers would wear subdued collar insignia and subdued stars attached directly to the epaulets. Soviet uniform regs indicate that NCOs were to attach subdued (dark red) stripes on their epaulets. I haven't seen any photos to document the style (and if actually used) worn by VDV.
Bottom Line: You can make a case for going either with khaki uniforms or camo.
The attached graphic depicts the M1985 VDV camo uniform.
