Parachute jump badge (NVA)

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Parachute jump badge of the NVA, on the left the version from 1967 to 1973, on the right from 1973 to 1990

The parachute jump badge of the National People's Army ( NVA ) was introduced for the NVA on December 22nd, 1966 with order number 82/66 by the Minister for National Defense Heinz Hoffmann .

Award terms

The parachute jump badge could be awarded to skydivers if they:

  • ten jumps with a parachute in the NVA
  • had the right to pack a jump and replacement parachute or
  • were exemplary in their political and military stance and leadership

The first award of the parachute jump badge took place in October 1967. In addition to the badge, a jump tag (number of parachute jumps completed) could be awarded, which was available in the following numbers: 15 , 25 , 30 , 40 , 50 , 75 , 100 , 150 , 200 , 300 , 500 , 800 , 1000 and 1500 .

Changed award terms

On September 19, 1973, the conditions for awarding the parachute jump badge and the design of the badge were changed by the Minister for National Defense Heinz Hoffmann with order number 148/73. Now the badge could be awarded for:

  • five jumps with the parachute as part of the NVA
  • good results in political and combat training and
  • exemplary leadership or attitude in the political and military area

The previously introduced trailer for the parachute jump badge was expanded so that at that time there were the following trailers: 10 , 15 , 25 , 30 , 40 , 50 , 75 , 100 , 150 , 200 , 300 , 400 , 500 , 600 , 700 , 800 , 900 , 1000 , 1200 , 1500 , 2000 , 2500 and 3000 .

Last award terms

On November 21, 1982, changed conditions of the award were announced again. Now the parachute jump badge could be awarded for:

  • five parachute jumps as part of the NVA or the requirements and goals of the pre-military career training paratroopers had fulfilled at the GST , but had completed their first jump in the NVA
  • good results in political and combat training and
  • exemplary leadership or attitude in the political and military area

The followers for the parachute jump badge were expanded again, so that there were now the following numbers of followers: 10 , 15 , 25 , 30 , 40 , 50 , 75 , 100 , 200 , 300 , 400 , 500 , 600 , 700 , 800 , 900 , 1000 , 1500 , 2000 , 2500 , 3000 , 3500 , 4000 , 4500 and 5000 .

Appearance and wearing style

The parachute jump badge is made of non-ferrous metal , is 40 mm high and 22 mm wide. It shows a large area of ​​a light blue enameled main field tapering towards the top, showing an open parachute. The edge and the suspension lines of the parachute were initially silver, later bronze . The tapering cone of the parachute end unites in the lower part of the badge with the colored enamelled emblem of the GDR, which is flanked on the left and right by a curved branch of oak leaves. A submachine gun is placed between its ends. The pendants for the parachute jump badge are also bronze-colored and show the number of jumps completed in black lettering, surrounded by two oak leaves crossed at the bottom, which almost completely enclose the pendant. The back of the badge shows not only the holding pin with counter hook but also the holding wires for the trailer. The badge was worn over the right breast pocket of the uniform in the order of the previously awarded badges or alone in the middle.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ 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. 31–33.

literature

  • Gottfried Neis: On the history of the parachute jump badge of the National People's Army of the GDR , Airborne News, Zweibrücken 1992
  • Gottfried Neis: The parachute jump badge of the NVA , Barett 44, Düsseldorf 1994