Caps of the Soviet Army

Introduction

Due to the large number of caps in this category, I have subdivided the Army cap section into the five uniform periods described on my Uniform Periods page to the left. All caps on this page were worn during this period. However, certain uniform elements (including caps) often extended into succeeding uniform regulations. In most cases, I have placed the caps according to which uniform period they were introduced, although overlapping uniforms during the last two periods make this distinction rather moot in those areas - so you'll have to look at all of them! A thumbnail image accompanies each cap description. Clicking on that thumbnail will bring up a larger, higher resolution image.

1989-1991: M89 "End of Empire" uniforms

Intially authorized in the 1970 regulations, this 1988-dated cap was part of the wave green (sea-wave) parade uniform that was to remain standard for all officers until the fall of the USSR. The earlier crimson band and piping of the infantry were replaced by the motorized rifle's red. A new one-piece cockade similar to but somewhat different from the M55 parade cockade was introduced for wear on this cap. The cap has the larger "saddle" form crown introduced in 1969/1970 and has the later plastic visor which increasingly replaced the earlier fiberboard versions by the early 1980's. Gold parade cords held by later one-piece cast buttons complete the cap. This same parade cap was worn by Warrant Officers. Common

Tank/Artillery
Officer Parade
1970-1991

Identical in all respects to its Motorized Rifle counterpart except for the band, this style cap remained unchanged from 1970 through 1991. It has the traditional black velvet band with red piping used by Soviet armor and artillery officers. As part of the 1970 regulations' simplification of branch colors, this cap was also prescribed for officers of Special Troops (velvet was not "officially" authorized for Special Troops' black bands until 1989, but it appears this was largely ignored). This 1978-dated cap also has the "saddle" form crown but has the earlier fiberboard visor indicative of pre-1980's production. Common

Motorized Rifle
Officer Service
1970-1991

Manufactured in 1988, this "everyday" service cap had the red band and piping of Motorized Rifle troops with a khaki crown. Cut and style were the same as the parade cap of this period. Originally officers used a black chinstrap on this cap, but were authorized gold cords in 1975. Warrant officers retained the black strap on their officers' caps until 1991. Gold cords, black plastic visor and cast buttons are all standard for the period. Common

Tank/Artillery
Officer Service
1970-1991

Identical in style and purpose to that of its Motorized Rifle counterpart above, this 1989 dated cap instead has a black velvet band. As in the case of the parade version of this cap, black velvet was originally intended for armor officers only, but over the years was authorized for artillery and technical branch officers, and even for enlisted personnel of these same branches. Common

Motorized Rifle
Warrant Officer Service
1970-1991

Although warrant officers from 1970 wore the same parade cap as commisioned officers, they wore their own unique service cap, combining elements of an officer and a conscript soldier. This 1986-dated "everyday" service cap had the standard red band and piping of Motorized Rifle troops with a khaki crown and a M55 officer's cockade. However, instead of the officer's gold cords, the soldier's black plastic chinstrap was worn - signifying warrant officer rank. Common

Motorized Rifle
NCO/Soldier Parade
1970-1991

Introduced in the 1970 uniform regulations, this cap served double duty as both parade and service cap for other ranks personnel through 1991 (although the visorless pilotka was the more usual service wear). Since the wave-green parade uniform was reserved for officers, the M70 soldiers' parade uniform was in khaki; and indeed, was merely a "badged-up" M70 service uniform. The cap was identical to warrent officers' service caps, except for the star & wreath cockade introduced in 1970. Common

Cavalry
Officer Parade
1970-1991

As previously discussed, the 1970 regulations introduced a new wave green parade uniform for all officers. One of the rarest variants of this uniform was that of the cavalry. Although cavalry units had been phased out of operational forces (except for Border Guard) in the late 1940's, in 1962 an independent cavalry battalion was formed near Moscow for ceremonial and publicity purposes. Later this unit was redesigned a regiment. Traditional cavalry colors were retained on caps of this formation - a dark blue band with black piping. All other aspects of the cap mirrored its more common Army counterparts. This cap has a "saddle" form crown and plastic visor, indicating late-80's/early 90's production. Very Rare

All Arms
General Service
1980-1991

This style service cap was worn by combined arms generals after 1980 and by all Army generals after 1989. The crown is khaki, while both band and piping are red. The cap has the gilt wire leaves introduced for service caps in 1980 embroidered on the band surrounding a general's all gilt cockade. It also has a patent leather visor indicative of 1980's/90's production, gold cords, and general officer buttons. Inside, it has a leather sweatband and silk lining. Available

VOSO
Commandant
1970-1991

A more modern counterpart to the VOSO commandant's cap shown on my 1946-1954 Army cap page. This 1980-dated cap retains the red top of a commandant, but lacks the light blue piping formerly worn by these personnel (since the VOSO/Railroad Troops lost this piping color in 1969). Closely allied with Railroad troops, Military Communications troops, or VOSO, were responsible for the flow of military goods within the USSR. VOSO uniforms in most cases mirrored those of the Railroad troops. However, VOSO commandants - those individuals in charge of stations/offices within the transportation network - were identified by unique caps. These caps had red crowns - similar to railroad station masters found elsewhere in Europe. Prior to 1970, these caps also had azure blue piping with or without the "winged wheel". This particular cap is a late model, probably manufactured in the 1980's. The crown is made of bright red wool with red piping. The band is black velvet, which was often used in the USSR to denote special status. The rest of the cap is unremarkable: officer's oval cockade, plastic visor, gold cords, and Army-style buttons. Rare

Motorized Rifle
Officer Tan Service
1985-1991

One of the favorite caps in my collection! Designed to complement the tan hot-weather uniform developed in the mid 1980's, this type cap first came to Western attention during MSU Akhromeyev's visit to the U.S. in 1988. During that visit, all Soviet Army and Air Force personnel wore versions of this cap. Air Force caps were banded and piped in light blue, while Army personnel wore red banded caps. In the last few years of the Soviet Union, these caps were also occasionally seen during military visits and postings to Africa, Cuba and the Middle East. The major difference between this cap and the normal Army service cap is of course the color and fabric used for the crown - a light tan, cotton material. This crown is actually a removable cover, supported by a white padded framework as seen on most Naval officer summer caps. As you can see from the second picture, the inside is also "tropicalized", with a lightweight white lining. Rare

All Arms
General Tan Service
1985-1991

This 1985-dated cap is the general's counterpart to the one above and is indentical in most repecsts to it. Again, the crown is made from light tan cotton material and the band is red. The crown is not piped in red - as is normal for summer weight caps. The gold cords are attached with general's buttons and the all-gilt general's cockade is surrounded by gold wire embroidery directely on the band. From the collection of Phil Mountjoy. Rare

Russian Army
Transitional Officer Service
1992-1994

I have included this cap as an end-point to my display. Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, the Soviet Army began considering uniform changes to reflect the now "Russian" nature of the force. This process has been long and torturous; still not complete over 10 years later (certain officers for example, continue to wear Soviet-era cockades on their caps, especially in the Navy). One of the first elements of the conversion was adoption of a new, more "western" looking uniform that would be used for both service and parade (with minor accessory changes). The uniform chosen was actually one being considered for adoption by the Army prior to the fall of Communism. To a Soviet uniform collector, this was a very sad change of affairs! In my opinion, one of the nicest uniformed militaries in the world lost much of its Russian heritage, even as it tried to celebrate its formation. In any case, this cap represents the first model cap accompanying this uniform. I acquired it in Moscow in June 1992, before its general issue to the Army (it was the first one my Russian escort officer had actually seen as well). The Soviet connection had still not been totally cut at this time, as evidenced by the normal Soviet officer's cockade and gold "Soviet Army" buttons. However, colored bands were eliminated, with both crown and band now a greenish-khaki matching the uniform. The band had a gray-green ribbon cover similar in concept to that found on the naval cap, but with a distinct "checkerboard" pattern (this ribbon band was dropped on later Russian caps). Red piping was standardized for all Army officers regardless of branch. Similar caps remain in Russian Army service today but these typically have an even larger crown, no band ribbon and are adorned with new Russian cockades, eagles and buttons. Available