Ranks and distinction insignia for the land forces and air force Ranks and insignia of the Soviet Armed Forces 1943–1955

1 ranks , distinction insignia land forces , air force

1.1 corps colours

1.1.1 enlisted men , non-commissioned officers
1.1.2 officer general of army
1.1.3 marshal generalissimus


1.2 shoulder straps field uniform

1.2.1 enlisted men , non-commissioned officers
1.2.2 officers general of army
1.2.3 marshal generalissimus

ranks , distinction insignia land forces , air force

the introduction of new distinction insignia officer corps of red army came order of presidium of supreme soviet on 6 january 1943. selected 2 versions of shoulder straps or epaulettes, 1 everyday uniforms , second field use (breadth 6 cm, length 14 16 cm, depending on body size). on 15 january 1943 introduction of new uniforms decided.

corps colours

corps colours, agreed , created in 1935, remained in use, minor changes took place. padding of newly introduced shoulder straps made wool cloth, designed in branch of service colours piping. command staff wore silver or gold stars , characteristic metallic branch badges.

corps colours—enlisted men , non-commissioned officers

the shoulder board padding indicated appropriate corps colour of service branch, corps or special appointment, coloured border piping.

infantry (generic motorised rifles or motorised infantry) – padding raspberry, piping black
aviation troops , air force – sky blue
cavalry – deep blue black piping
artillery & armoured corps – black red piping
medical troops, veterinarian service – dark green red piping
technical troops – black black piping


corps colours—officers colonel


army generic infantry, motorised rifles , logistics – raspberry
artillery, armoured corps, medical troops , veterinarian service – red
aviation troops , air force – sky blue
cavalry – deep blue
technical troops – black


corps colours—officers above colonel


army generic infantry, motorised rifles , logistics – deep red ( general s red )
aviation troops , air force – sky blue
all other uses – raspberry


any other insignia

regiment numbers placed on other ranks shoulder straps along emblem of armed service, branch, special troop, or appointment. commanders of battle units or task forces emblem gold coloured, others silver.

enlisted men , non-commissioned officers

officer general of army

marshal generalissimus

shoulder straps field uniform

shoulder strap of senior sergeant

shoulder straps field uniforms, standardized service ranches, made of khaki wool cloth. piping indicated service branch, matching corps colour.

colours of rank piping (on shoulder strap)


infantry, motorized rifles – raspberry coloured
aviation troops , air force – sky blue
cavalry – blue
artillery , armoured corps – red
medical troops, veterinarian service – dark green
technical services – black

this specific shoulder strap design used in red army 1943 until 1946, in soviet army 1946 1955.

enlisted men , non-commissioned officers

officers general of army

marshal generalissimus