10-02-2009, 04:00 AM
Not only did the KGB hire military and allow for transfers of rank and pension, they also "managed" people as well. "Working for" the KGB did not necessarily mean collecting a paycheck on the 20th of the month or having a Royal Blue piped uniform. There were many levels of "employment" in the KGB,especially by the time the 80s rolled around and they were trying to soften their image (even removed the sword and shield from most of their official public documents).
Moreover, it would explain quite a bit about why I got the impressions that I did of him from the photos and the way he wore his uniforms in most of them. The lack of concern for protocol is a classic KGB attitude of not so much being above the law, but being the law itself. It's all the psychology of "absolute power," etc. Even in the photos taken before the 1980s, he had the air of a rakish fellow that would do well under most circumstances.
Moreover, it would explain quite a bit about why I got the impressions that I did of him from the photos and the way he wore his uniforms in most of them. The lack of concern for protocol is a classic KGB attitude of not so much being above the law, but being the law itself. It's all the psychology of "absolute power," etc. Even in the photos taken before the 1980s, he had the air of a rakish fellow that would do well under most circumstances.
Phillip
