Graduate Badge (NVA)

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The graduate badges of the NVA were badges of the armed organs of the GDR , which were gradually introduced from 1961 for the graduates of the military academy "Friedrich Engels" and officers' colleges or for officers who had studied at a civil university or colleges in the GDR.

See


Historical background

In the founding years of the GDR's armed organs, around 80 percent of the officers' corps came from circles of the “ working class ”, the peasantry or from the craft classes. Only about 34 percent of these officers had completed academic training and military science knowledge, which would actually have been indispensable for all professional officers. Resulting from the armed forces in the NVA acquired professional soldiers were in this regard exceptions. As a result of this need to catch up, the officers' schools of the armed organs and the "Friedrich Engels" military academy were founded.

Officers who were intended for special assignments were delegated to study at military academies in the Soviet Union , or were given places at civil universities or colleges in the GDR. It should be noted here that the Soviet military academies traditionally awarded graduates' badges after successfully completing their studies, which were to be worn on the uniform, as it were as a status symbol. This tradition was followed in the other Warsaw Pact participating states . In the end, from 1961 onwards, graduate badges were also donated and awarded in the GDR. These foundations were sponsored by MfNV , MdI and MfS .

Receipt of graduates by Erich Honecker . The graduation badge can be seen on the right side of the chest:

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Graduate badge NVA

Military Academy "Friedrich Engels"

Graduate badge of the military academy "Friedrich Engels"
The graduate badge of the Ernst Moritz Arndt University
Graduate badge for officers of the NVA with a diploma from a civil college or university
Graduate badge of the Military Political University Wilhelm Pieck
Graduate badge from the Friedrich List University of Applied Sciences
Graduates Dipl.-Med. on mil. HS and HS
Graduates from OHS or universities / colleges

The military academy "Friedrich Engels" in Dresden was the highest military educational institution in the GDR. The graduate badge for this military academy was donated at the end of 1961 with order number 116/61 from the Minister for National Defense Heinz Hoffmann . In the subsequent order with the number 29/62 of June 6, 1962, it was also determined that the graduate badge was to be handed over to the officers to be honored with the award of the diploma. The badge has the shape of an isosceles triangle standing on its tip, the height of which is 41 mm and the width of which is 31 mm. Another triangle is embedded in this triangle, which in this case is laid out in red and in its first form shows the golden portrait of Friedrich Engels in the middle on a golden background. Above it is the golden inscription: MILITARY ACADEMY . This version was awarded from 1962 to 1975. The second variant of this graduate badge, which was awarded from 1975 to 1986, remained almost unchanged, but the portrait was now in the upper part of the inner triangle and below the inscription: NVA . In 1987 there was another change in the appearance of the badge. So the writing NVA disappeared completely, so that only the portrait of Engels could be seen in the upper part. The color red fluctuated during the existence of this badge between dark red and light red with different nuances. In 1990 the awards were stopped.

Military Medical Section of the Ernst Moritz Arndt University

The graduate badge of the Military Medical Section of the Ernst Moritz Arndt University in Greifswald was donated by Order No. 85/64 by the Minister for National Defense Heinz Hoffmann on July 31, 1964. Previously, on January 15, 1964, the NVA's military medical section had been incorporated into the university mentioned. Primary task of the university was the social, scientific, military and special technical training of graduate physicians, Diplomstomatologen and graduate pharmacists . Also for military medical research projects. The first awarding of the graduate badge took place a year later in 1965. The badge has the shape of an isosceles triangle standing on its tip, the height of which is 41 mm and the width of which is 31 mm. Another triangle is embedded in this triangle, which in this case is laid out in dark green and in its first form shows the golden portrait of Ernst Moritz Arndt in the middle on a golden background. Above it is the golden inscription: MILITARY MEDICAL / SECTION . It was awarded from 1965 to 1975. The second variant of this graduate badge, which was awarded from 1975 to 1986, remained almost unchanged, but the portrait was now in the upper part of the inner triangle and below it the inscription: NVA . In 1986 the awards were stopped. Instead, the graduate badge for officers for training to become a career officer at a military college or university or college of the GDR was awarded.

NVA officers with a diploma from a civil college or university

This graduation badge was donated by the Minister for National Defense Heinz Hoffmann on May 19, 1970 with order No. 55/70 and awarded to officers of the NVA who had been delegated to direct or distance learning during their active service at a civil university or college completed this course with a diploma. The award was also given to university graduates with a university degree who, prior to their active service as officers of the NVA, but had already entered into service, had completed a civilian university degree in certain subjects. These included B. the civilian students in the field of military finance of the economics section of the Humboldt University Berlin or also students of subjects with low personnel requirements at the NVA such as geodesists, hydrographers, language mediators, etc., but also all sports officers of the NVA, who in this way at the DHFK Leipzig were trained. The study of these university cadres was then followed by a 5-month special training at the officers' college of the land forces in Zittau with subsequent appointment as a lieutenant. The first awards took place in 1970. The badge itself was subject to three changes until 1986. It has the shape of an isosceles triangle standing on top, the height of which is 41 mm and the width of which is 31 mm. Another triangle is embedded in this triangle, which is light orange in the first version of the badge, later golden and then yellow. In the first variant it showed the symbol of the NVA in the middle, later the state coat of arms of the GDR, shifted slightly upwards, with the inscription below: NVA and in the last, instead of the state coat of arms, the symbol of the NVA with the same signature. The inner triangle as well as the outer triangle were bordered in gold in all three variants. The space in between is pure white. The first variant of the badge was awarded from 1970 to 1975, the second from 1975 to 1982 and the last from 1982 to 1990.

Military Political College Wilhelm Pieck

The military political college "Wilhelm Pieck" was located in Berlin-Grünau . The main task of this university was the training and further education of political officers to become graduated social scientists and graduated teachers for Marxism-Leninism. As well as the qualification of generals, admirals and senior officers based on these principles. It was also visited by members of other armed organs of the GDR, such as civil defense . With order No. 147/73 from the Minister of Defense, a graduation badge was introduced for all graduates on September 13, 1973 and was awarded for the first time in October 1975. The award always took place with the handing over of the diploma. The badge has the shape of an isosceles triangle standing on its tip, the height of which is 41 mm and the width of which is 31 mm. Another triangle is embedded in this triangle, which in this case is laid out in red and in its upper half shows the integrated golden portrait of Wilhelm Pieck on a golden background. Until 1986 the golden abbreviation NVA was among them , since 1987 this addition has been omitted and from then on the portrait was placed a little higher. The inner triangle and the outer triangle are bordered in gold. The space in between is pure white.

Military transport and communications section at the Friedrich-List University of Transport

The graduate badge of the Military Transport and Communications Section at the Friedrich List School of Transport in Dresden was donated in 1972. The section had previously been incorporated into the University of Transportation on September 1, 1971. The first awards of the graduate badge, however, did not take place until 1975 to graduates in the field of transportation and communications. However, the awards only lasted until 1986, after which they were discontinued. From 1987 onwards, graduates of this section received the newly created graduate badge for officers with a diploma or specialist training at military universities and colleges in the GDR . The badge has the shape of an isosceles triangle standing on its tip, the height of which is 41 mm and the width of which is 31 mm. Another triangle is embedded in this triangle, which in this case is enamelled blue, later painted, laid out and in its upper half shows the golden portrait of Friedrich List on a golden background. Below is the golden abbreviation NVA . The inner triangle and the outer triangle are bordered in gold. The space in between is pure white.

Graduate badge for an officers' college or for officers at a university or college in the GDR

The award of this graduate badge took place in 1987 on the occasion of the first degrees with diplomas of officer students at military universities of the GDR. This was combined with the award of an academic degree. With the appointment as lieutenant, these officers then received the graduation badge specially donated for this purpose. It was awarded to graduates:

The badge has the shape of an isosceles triangle standing on its tip, the height of which is 41 mm and the width of which is 31 mm. Another triangle is embedded in this triangle, which in this case is designed in pure white and shows the integrated golden coat of arms of the NVA in its upper half. The inner triangle and the outer triangle are bordered in gold. The space in between is red.

Officers with a training diploma or specialist training at military higher education institutions and universities in the GDR

The graduate badge for officers who have completed their training with a diploma or specialist training at military higher education institutions would receive the specially created graduate badge. The award of the graduate badge took place in 1987, and the awards continued until 1990. The award was given to graduates of the Military Medical Academy, the Military History Institute of the GDR, the Military Transport and Communications Section at the Friedrich List University of Transportation and the civil universities and colleges of the GDR. The badge has the shape of an isosceles triangle standing on its tip, the height of which is 41 mm and the width of which is 31 mm. Another triangle is embedded in this triangle, which in this case is laid out in red and shows the integrated golden coat of arms of the NVA in its upper half. The inner triangle and the outer triangle are bordered in gold. The space in between is pure white.

Carrying method

The graduation badge was to be worn on the right side of the service uniform, parade uniform or society jacket (see illustration). It was to be fastened in the middle directly above the breast pocket. If a classification badge , for example pilot performance class I , was worn on the right side of the uniform , the graduate badge had to be attached 5 mm above the classification clasp. The graduate badge of the General Staff of the Soviet Union had the highest symbolic value and was worn to the left of the general academy badge. At the Soviet military academies, the graduate badge was presented together with the diploma. The originals are different from the purchased copies. From 1980 the highest academy badge could also be worn on the shirt blouse. Since November 1990, alumni badges of any kind have no longer been worn by former members of the NVA who were accepted into the Bundeswehr .

literature

  • Klaus Feder, Jürgen Wagner, Ralf Swoboda: Military badges of the German Democratic Republic. Military Publishing House of the German Democratic Republic, Berlin 1988, ISBN 3-327-00523-0 , pp. 39–41.
  • Chief Inspector of the National People's Army: Handbook of Basic Military Knowledge. NVA edition. Military publishing house of the German Democratic Republic, Berlin 1980, MilPunkt 14.5 - Awards and how they are worn, p. 462f. (Adequate application to all armed organs of the GDR including the German People's Police and State Security).

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Klaus-Ulrich Keubke, Manfred Kunz: Military uniforms in the GDR. 1949-1990. 3rd, revised edition. Verlag ES Mittler & Sohn GmbH, Hamburg et al. 2009, ISBN 978-3-8132-0915-0 , p. 132.