11-11-2009, 01:05 AM
(This post was last modified: 11-11-2009, 01:08 AM by deValcourt.)
If you believe Oleg Kalugin (former KGB general) in his book The First Chief Directorate that is almost exactly what is done. The only photo in the book (and he is not modest, so there are plenty) of him in uniform has a caption that reads something like "Kalugin in uniform posing for ID picture."
As I understand it, if you were a pencil-pusher or other lower level KGB officer (not agent) you wore a uniform to work for people to see, for official training functions and for power and intimidation in public. If you were a higher ranking KGB member, you only wore a uniform for state functions or ceremonies and they were tailored for you. At the same time, if you were a transfer in from the military, you tended to keep your previous military uniform with modifications, when you needed a uniform.
However, my all-time favorite photo of a KGB man in uniform is found in several of the Avers books and is below. This general not only has the KGB 50th and 60th anniversary badges, an "honored employee" badge, and a couple of either MVD/NKVD "egg" badges, but a Bulgarian MVR (local KGB equivalent) honored employee badge - not to mention a chest full of ribbons.:cool: At the same time, I have never seen a KGB uniform like this one. Without color it is difficult to tell much except that the shoulder board appear to me to be parade quality. Maybe the cloth folks will take a stab at this one - Doug? Patrick?
I'm sure somebody knows who this is and will chime in on the particulars of the photo - Alexei?
Phillip
As I understand it, if you were a pencil-pusher or other lower level KGB officer (not agent) you wore a uniform to work for people to see, for official training functions and for power and intimidation in public. If you were a higher ranking KGB member, you only wore a uniform for state functions or ceremonies and they were tailored for you. At the same time, if you were a transfer in from the military, you tended to keep your previous military uniform with modifications, when you needed a uniform.
However, my all-time favorite photo of a KGB man in uniform is found in several of the Avers books and is below. This general not only has the KGB 50th and 60th anniversary badges, an "honored employee" badge, and a couple of either MVD/NKVD "egg" badges, but a Bulgarian MVR (local KGB equivalent) honored employee badge - not to mention a chest full of ribbons.:cool: At the same time, I have never seen a KGB uniform like this one. Without color it is difficult to tell much except that the shoulder board appear to me to be parade quality. Maybe the cloth folks will take a stab at this one - Doug? Patrick?
I'm sure somebody knows who this is and will chime in on the particulars of the photo - Alexei?
Phillip
Phillip
