Presidential Guard Badge.

[Taz]

Here is a nice looking Badge,
It is the Breast Badge of the Kremlin Regiment ("Rota potschetnogo Karaula")
The Kremlin Regiment was part of the KGB and was responsible for the Sentry duty and protection of the Kremlin.
In the Russian Federation today it is called the Presidents Regiment.

Measurements: Height 4cm ; Width 9cm.


Eddie.

[Nota Bene]

Eddie,

I think it has always been called the Kremlin Regiment, ever since the days of the Lettish riflemen.

It's been a while since I saw a genuine Kremlin badge, but I believe it had a more heavy duty attachment. They are currently being reproduced, and can be obtained at $5-10 a piece in large quantities.

Alexei

[Taz]

Alexei,

Not to sure about the attachment but he always usually sells original Items, remember the ASSR Badge with Docs.
Apparently the name was changed after the break up of the Soviet Union.

Eddie.

[otlichnik]

The unit is a company (rota) and not a regiment. The Presidential security service was separate although both are now back in the FSB.

Shawn

[Taz]

Shawn,
Thanks for the correction,
The word Regiment was in the description from the guy who,s selling this Badge . Rota potschetnogo Karaula was writen behind in brackets.

But there is a Presidential Regiment The founding dates back to April 8, 1936, when, in accordance with Order No. 122 for the Moscow Kremlin garrison, the Special Purpose Battalion was renamed the Special Purpose Regiment. The regiment celebrates its anniversary on May 7. Every year on this date the regiment puts on a special parade for the President.

THE PRESIDENTIAL REGIMENT

The Presidential Regiment (or Kremlin Regiment) is a unique military regiment. It has the job of ensuring the security of the highest state officials and guarding the Kremlin and its treasures.
The Regiment is part of the Federal Protection Service and has the status of a special service. It is directly under the command of the President -- the Commander in Chief.




Eddie

[otlichnik]

Edie,

The problem is that the state security organs such as this celebrate old anniversaries despite may change and discontinuities. The FSB and SVR still celebrate the founding of the Cheka in 1917 as their anniversary.

Here are some dates and titles for the "presidential guards".

Department for Guading the Leaders of the Party and State (OORPP)

25 December 1936 - 28 March 1938 = 1st Department of the NKVD-GUGB

28 March 1938 - 29 September 1938 = 1st Department of the 1st Directorate of the NKVD

29 September 1938 - 26 February 1941 = 1st Department of the NKVD-GUGB (again)

26 February 1941 - 14 April 1943 = 1st Department NKVD

14 April 1943 - 4 May 1946 = 6th Directorate of the NKGB

4 May 1946 - 25 December 1946 = 6th Directorate of the MGB

25 December 1946 - 23 May 1952 = Chief Guards Directorate of the MGB

23 May 1952 - 14 March 1953 = Guards Directorate of the MGB

14 March 1953 - 18 March 1954 = 9th Directorate of the MVD

18 March 1954 - 1989 = 9th Directorate of the KGB

1989 - 1991 = Guards Service of the KGB

Under this frequently changing structure were the actual guards sections - Kremlin, state duma and other key government buildings, leaders houses, close protection units, training centres, etc.

During some of the 1990s they split it to create a presidential guard unit and a government guard unit. They are back together in the FSB now.

None were ever a true regiment. The entire group was never that big.

One confusing thing is that a genuine MVD military unit - as opposed to guards - was tasked as emergency back up. This was the famous Dzerzhinskiy motorized regment, and then division.

Shawn

[Taz]

Shawn,

Great Infos, They are a busy Lot aren,t they!

Eddie.

[otlichnik]

When bureaucrats get bored, or face a crisis, the first thing we do is restructure the government ;)

Shawn

[ibaya]

but I think that these types of badges are pretty awkward. They should have kept this badge shape on the peaked crown, but I suppose that would have displaced the Ministry of Defense eagle.

With the similarity in shape to the curent officer classification badges, it makes sense that the badge is worn only on the parade dress uniform --- worn either or, but not both at the same time.

I've also noticed that in photos of dignitaries inspecting the honor guard (not necessarily the Kremlin or Presidential Guard, the badges worn are branch-of-service specific, i.e. naval personnel have an anchor against a black shield in the center of the badge, ground forces have their branch-of-service wreathed insignia against a red shield. I wonder if the air force has a blue shield?

[OKP]

Here is a pic of the breast badges worn by the soldiers of the actual Presidential Regiment (pic is from a guard at the Post nr 1,tomb of the unknown soldier in the Alexander garden,next to the Kremlin).For the one worn above the right breast pocket : it is the same insignia that was worn on the crown of the cap of the Lenin Mausoleum guards from 1988 to 1991.On the left breast pocket,the "new" insignia of the Presidential Regiment : red cross with 2 crossed axes.

The new unit patch is worn on both arms as was the royal blue KGB patch during the soviet era.

OKP,