Classification badge (NVA)

The classification badges of the National People's Army , colloquially also known as classification clasps or qualifying clasps , were an award of the National People's Army of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), which from 1958 onwards was gradually introduced by the Minister for National Defense Willi Stoph for the first time on January 6, 1958 for the relatives of tank drivers NVA was introduced. The exception to this was the MdI's classification clasp .

In addition to badges of achievement , badges of the best , marksmen's cord and military sports badges , the classification badge was one of the so-called “five soldier awards” of the NVA.

Acquisition and grading

The classification badges could be awarded to soldiers , non-commissioned officers , ensigns and officers in the following levels after passing a corresponding examination for exemplary military performance :

• Level III (lowest)
• Stage II
• Level I.
• Level M (master; only for tank drivers until 1963).

if they were deployed to operate, maintain or repair combat, command and security technology in accordance with their position. Also to officers who have to master this technique in accordance with their official duties, as well as soldier specialists, non-commissioned officers, ensigns and officers' students.

Carrying method

The way of wearing the classification clasp corresponded to the service career badges of the NVA . This meant that the NVA classification clasps were worn with all uniforms five millimeters above the center of the right breast pocket. For uniform jackets without a breast pocket at the same height. When acquiring a higher level, the lower level had to be discarded, but remained in the possession of the borrower. If the owner was in possession of several classification badges, he was only allowed to wear one of them.

Types of classification badges

Classification clasp for tanks

• awarded from January 6, 1958 to October 2, 1990

The classification badge of the first version, which was awarded from 1958 to 1960, has the form of a silver-plated clasp that is 63 mm wide and consists of five rays on both sides that taper outwards. The middle of the five rays is the widest. In the middle of the clasp a wreath of oak leaves can be seen, which has a diameter of approx. 25 mm and in its upper middle shows three enamelled fields, which are laid out in black, red and gold. In its lower part, a white oval field can be seen, on which the awarded performance level can be seen. Inside the wreath of oak leaves is a T-34 moving from right to left on this clasp . The second version of this clasp, which was awarded from 1960 to May 31, 1962, shows an almost unchanged appearance, only that the state coat of arms of the GDR can now be seen in the red enameled middle field in the upper part of the oak leaf wreath. On June 1, 1963, a third variant of the clasp was introduced, including for BMP armored personnel carriers (third line). The 93 mm wide golden clasp with indicated wing arms, on which six oak leaves and three acorns are directed outwards on each side. The top third row of oak leaves lies on top of the bottom two and partially covers them. The two wing arms unite in the middle in a red square with the dimensions 21 × 21 mm in which a tank moving from left to top right can be seen. The Roman numeral of the awarded level can be seen above this. On December 1, 1986, this clasp was changed for the last time. It also applied to chain and armor technology. The gold-plated clasp, now made of sheet steel, is 86 mm wide and 25 mm high. It shows a gilded laurel wreath in its center, which shows the colored emblem of the NVA in its upper center and a white oval with the awarded level in its lower center. Within the laurel wreath, this classification clasp shows a T-72 moving to the left on a pink background . As the only created classification clasp, this was awarded in the M level for masters until 1963 . After that, this was dropped

Classification clasp for armored personnel carriers and motorists

• awarded from March 31, 1960 to February 28, 1963

The classification badge has the shape of a silver-plated clasp that is 63 mm wide and consists of five rays on both sides that taper towards the outside. The middle of the five rays is the widest. In the middle of the clasp a wreath of oak leaves can be seen, which has a diameter of approx. 25 mm and in its upper middle shows three enamelled fields, which are laid out in black, red and gold. The middle red shows the state coat of arms of the GDR. In its lower part, a white oval field can be seen, on which the awarded performance level can be seen. A Praga V-3S truck driving from left to right can be found within the wreath of oak leaves. There are both specimens with interrupted front windows and front windows that are continuous.

Classification clasp for drivers and commanders of floating vehicles

• awarded from March 31, 1960 to February 28, 1963

The classification badge has the shape of a silver-plated clasp that is 63 mm wide and consists of five rays on both sides that taper towards the outside. The middle of the five rays is the widest. In the middle of the clasp a wreath of oak leaves can be seen, which has a diameter of approx. 25 mm and in its upper middle shows three enamelled fields, which are laid out in black, red and gold. The middle red shows the state coat of arms of the GDR. In its lower part, a white oval field can be seen, on which the awarded performance level can be seen. Inside the wreath of oak leaves there is a type K-61 floating car moving from right to left.

Classification clasp for radio operators and teleprinters

• awarded from March 31, 1960 to February 28, 1963

The classification badge has the shape of a silver-plated clasp that is 63 mm wide and consists of five rays on both sides that taper towards the outside. The middle of the five rays is the widest. In the middle of the clasp a wreath of oak leaves can be seen, which has a diameter of approx. 25 mm and in its upper middle shows three enamelled fields, which are laid out in black, red and gold. The middle red shows the national coat of arms of the GDR. In its lower part, a white oval field can be seen, on which the awarded performance level can be seen. Within the wreath of oak leaves there are three stylized lightning bolts pointing upwards. In the original planning it was planned that this clasp would only have been lent to teleprinters.

Classification clasp for commanders of combat ships and combat boats

• awarded from March 31, 1960 to February 28, 1963

The classification badge has the shape of a silver-plated clasp that is 63 mm wide and consists of five rays on both sides that taper towards the outside. The middle of the five rays is the widest. In the middle of the clasp a wreath of oak leaves can be seen, which has a diameter of approx. 25 mm and in its upper middle shows three enamelled fields, which are laid out in black, red and gold. The middle red shows the state coat of arms of the GDR. In its lower part, a white oval field can be seen, on which the awarded performance level can be seen. Inside the wreath of oak leaves there is a combat boat moving from right to left, which is bounded by an anchor at its lower edge. The anchor pole itself is almost completely covered by the combat boat.

Classification clip for radio locators and hydroacoustics in the naval forces

• awarded from March 31, 1960 to February 28, 1963

The classification badge has the shape of a silver-plated clasp that is 63 mm wide and consists of five rays on both sides that taper towards the outside. The middle of the five rays is the widest. In the middle of the clasp a wreath of oak leaves can be seen, which has a diameter of approx. 25 mm and in its upper middle shows three enamelled fields, which are laid out in black, red and gold. The middle red shows the state coat of arms of the GDR. In its lower part, a white oval field can be seen, on which the awarded performance level can be seen. Within the wreath of oak leaves there is a stylized anchor on this clasp, on which two diagonally crossed lightning bolts can be seen. The lower half of the oak leaf wreath is filled with vertical lines, which are supposed to represent the radio waves for the hydroacoustics.

Classification clip for signals

• awarded from March 31, 1960 to February 28, 1963

The classification badge has the shape of a silver-plated clasp that is 63 mm wide and consists of five rays on both sides that taper towards the outside. The middle of the five rays is the widest. In the middle of the clasp a wreath of oak leaves can be seen, which has a diameter of approx. 25 mm and in its upper middle shows three enamelled fields, which are laid out in black, red and gold. The middle red shows the state coat of arms of the GDR. In its lower part, a white oval field can be seen, on which the awarded performance level can be seen. Within the wreath of oak leaves there is an anchor in front of which two diagonally crossed signal flags can be seen.

Classification clasp for divers

• awarded from March 31, 1960 to February 28, 1963

The classification badge has the shape of a silver-plated clasp that is 63 mm wide and consists of five rays on both sides that taper towards the outside. The middle of the five rays is the widest. In the middle of the clasp a wreath of oak leaves can be seen, which has a diameter of approx. 25 mm and in its upper middle shows three enamelled fields, which are laid out in black, red and gold. The middle red shows the state coat of arms of the GDR. In its lower part, a white oval field can be seen, on which the awarded performance level can be seen. Within the wreath of oak leaves there is a stylized anchor of this clasp, which is almost completely covered by a diving helmet. The background is shown with vertical lines.

Classification clasp for special divers of the naval forces

• awarded from March 31, 1960 to February 28, 1963

The classification badge has the shape of a silver-plated clasp that is 63 mm wide and consists of five rays on both sides that taper towards the outside. The middle of the five rays is the widest. In the middle of the clasp a wreath of oak leaves can be seen, which has a diameter of approx. 25 mm and in its upper middle shows three enamelled fields, which are laid out in black, red and gold. The middle red shows the state coat of arms of the GDR. In its lower part, a white oval field can be seen, on which the awarded performance level can be seen. Within the wreath of oak leaves there is a diver with a diving helmet on this clasp , who climbs out of or into the water on a ladder. The background is also shown here with vertical lines.

Classification clasp for service dog handlers

• awarded from 1966 to October 2, 1990

The classification badge has the shape of a silver-plated clasp that is 63 mm wide and consists of five rays on both sides that taper towards the outside. The middle of the five rays is the widest. In the middle of the clasp a wreath of oak leaves can be seen, which has a diameter of approx. 25 mm and in its upper middle shows three enamelled fields, which are laid out in black, red and gold. The middle red shows the state coat of arms of the GDR. In its lower part, a white oval field can be seen, on which the awarded performance level can be seen. The head of a German shepherd can be found within the oak leaf wreath of this clasp . The award is made to members of the border troops of the GDR as well as members of the NVA and the Ministry of the Interior.

Classification badge for pilots

• awarded from March 31, 1960 to October 2, 1990

The classification badge for pilots was changed a total of four times. Despite the new regulations that affected the appearance of the brace, older types were awarded in practice, although a new type had already been introduced. The data given here therefore only relate to the official start and end of the foundation, which is usually one day before a new type is adopted. The first version, which was awarded from March 31, 1960 to May 30, 1962, shows a 91 mm wide bronze clasp in the form of a pair of wings with a silver wreath of oak leaves in the middle. At its upper center the emblem of the air force of the GDR can be seen and at its lower center a white oval with the awarded performance level. The oak leaf wreath has the dimensions 34 mm × 25 mm (height). Inside it shows a MiG-15 flying from right to left . The second version of this clasp, which was only awarded from June 1, 1962 to February 16, 1964, shows a 91 mm wide gold clasp with a modified, more modern pair of wings. In the middle of it you can see a 21 × 21 mm square that is laid out in light blue. In its upper half a MiG-15 flying to the left can be seen, above which the awarded power level can be seen. Below is the sovereign badge of the Air Force. The third variant was introduced on February 17, 1964. It remained almost unchanged. However, the national emblem of the air force moved to the above central edge of the square. The aircraft shown was now a MiG-21 F13 with a pitot tube below. Below that was the performance level awarded in Roman numerals. On February 8, 1974, the fans for pilots were donated. These consisted of a laurel branch curved to the right and left in the middle of which a square can be seen, which shows the number of flight hours. The dimensions of the clasp were 42 mm × 9 mm (height). They were for fighter pilots and fighter pilots with a light blue background in the numbers: 500 , 1000 , 1500 , etc. in five hundred quotients up to 14000 and with a red background, for transport and helicopter pilots in the numbers 500 in five hundred steps up to 5000 . On December 1st, 1985 the clasp was changed one last time. The gold-plated clasp, now made of sheet steel, is 86 mm and 25 mm high. In its center it shows a gilded laurel wreath, which shows the colored emblem of the NVA in its upper center and a white oval with the awarded level in its lower center. Within the laurel wreath on this classification clasp, a MiG-23 flying to the left can be seen on a light blue background .

Classification clasp for helmsmen

• awarded from March 31, 1960 to February 28, 1963

The classification clasp for helmsmen shows within a pair of wings in a 34 mm wide and 25 mm high wreath of oak leaves a bronze MiG-15 flying to the left on a light blue background. As with all clasps, the upper part of the oak leaf wreath is closed off by the national emblem. In this case from the sovereign badge of the air force of the GDR.

Classification clasp for members of the parachute service

• awarded from March 31, 1960 to February 28, 1963

The clasp has two wings and shows an open bronze parachute on a light blue background, which is floating towards the earth. Its lower part is covered by the oval of the performance level. The wreath of oak leaves, which surrounds the symbolism, is closed at its upper center by the sovereign badge of the air force.

Classification clip for radio locators of the air force

• awarded from March 31, 1960 to February 28, 1963

The clasp in the form of a pair of wings shows a parabolic mirror on the right-hand side within the closed wreath of oak leaves on a blue background, as well as two outward arrows. A MiG-15 is shown between these two arrows, which itself emits lightning in the direction of the bowl. Versions of this clasp are known that show a grained, silver-colored background instead of the light blue background.

Classification clasp for officers of the People's Navy

• awarded from June 1, 1962 to November 30, 1985

The clasp with a length of 91 mm and a height of 15 mm is gold-plated and shows a square with the dimensions 21 × 21 mm in its center. In this square, on an ultramarine blue background, lies a ship of the People's Navy moving from right to left. There are also versions with a black background. The coat of arms of the GDR can be seen under the ship. The corresponding performance level awarded via the ship. On January 1, 1966, the previous designation was changed to classification badges for officers of the People's Navy with ssemännisch-technical qualification and changed again on March 24, 1977. From this point onwards, she received a classification badge for officers of the People's Navy on board duty, profile sea officer .

Uniform classification clasp

• awarded from June 1, 1962 to October 2, 1990

The uniform classification clasp , later called the general classification badge, was awarded to all those members of the NVA for whom there was no special classification badge . The clasp of the first form, which was introduced on June 1, 1962, shows a 93 mm wide golden clasp with indicated wing arms, on which six oak leaves and three acorns face outwards on each side. The top third row of oak leaves lies on top of the bottom two and partially covers them. The two wing arms unite in the middle in a red square with the dimensions 21 × 21 mm in which the state coat of arms of the GDR can be seen. The performance level awarded can be seen between the ends of the laurel branches that extend from the national coat of arms. The second version of this clasp, which was awarded from December 1, 1985, is made of gold-plated sheet steel and is 86 mm and 25 mm high. In the middle it shows a gilded laurel wreath at the lower center of which a white oval with the awarded step can be seen. Within the laurel wreath, this classification clasp shows the GDR's national coat of arms on a light red background.

Classification clasp for engineering personnel of the air force

• awarded from January 4, 1968 to November 30, 1985

The clasp in the form of a stylized golden wing with a length of 91 mm shows a 21 mm light blue square in its center, on which a four-bladed wing screw (propeller) can be seen, two of which are connected to a toothed ring segment. Below is the Roman number of the awarded level and in the upper center the emblem of the air force of the GDR.

Classification clasp for motorized shooters

• awarded from December 1, 1985 to October 2, 1990

The gold-plated clasp made of sheet steel is 86 mm and 25 mm high. In its center it shows a gilded laurel wreath, which shows the colored emblem of the NVA in its upper center and a white oval with the awarded level in its lower center. Within the laurel wreath of this classification clasp you can see an armored personnel carrier ( BMP-1 ) moving from right to left on a golden background .

Classification clasp for missile troops, anti-aircraft missile troops and air defense

• awarded from December 1, 1985 to October 2, 1990

The gold-plated clasp made of sheet steel is 86 mm and 25 mm high. In its center it shows a gilded laurel wreath, which shows the colored emblem of the NVA in its upper center and a white oval with the awarded level in its lower center. Within the laurel wreath, two rockets can be seen on this classification clasp on a white background.

Classification clasp for communications, radio measurement, weapon control and guidance technology as well as technology for radio electronic combat

• awarded from December 1, 1985 to October 2, 1990

The gold-plated clasp made of sheet steel is 86 mm and 25 mm high. It shows a gilded laurel wreath in its center, which shows the colored emblem of the NVA in its upper center and a white oval with the awarded level in its lower center. Within the laurel wreath of this classification clasp on a yellow background, three lightning bolts directed from top to bottom can be seen, of which the two left are broken by a wave followed by an upward arrow.

Classification clasp for artillery and explosive weapons

• awarded from December 1, 1985 to October 2, 1990

The gold-plated clasp made of sheet steel is 86 mm and 25 mm high. In its center it shows a gilded laurel wreath, which shows the colored emblem of the NVA in its upper center and a white oval with the awarded level in its lower center. Within the laurel wreath of this classification clasp, an upright winged grenade can be seen on a brick-red background, in the background of which two diagonally crossed historical cannon barrels are shown.

Classification clasp for rear services

• awarded from December 1, 1985 to October 2, 1990

The gold-plated clasp made of sheet steel is 86 mm and 25 mm high. In its center it shows a gilded laurel wreath, which shows the colored emblem of the NVA in its upper center and a white oval with the awarded level in its lower center. Within the laurel wreath of this classification clasp, a cadastral staff can be seen on a green background, which is flanked on the left by the letter R and on the right by the letter D (Rear Service).

Classification clasp for missile and weapons service

• awarded from December 1, 1985 to October 2, 1990

The gold-plated clasp made of sheet steel is 86 mm and 25 mm high. It shows a gilded laurel wreath in its center, which shows the colored emblem of the NVA in its upper center and a white oval with the awarded level in its lower center. Within the laurel wreath of this classification clasp on a brick-red background you can see a horizontally lying rocket pointing to the west and behind which you can see two diagonally crossed modern gun barrels.

Classification clasp for pioneering and chemical services

• awarded from December 1, 1985 to October 2, 1990

The gold-plated clasp made of sheet steel is 86 mm and 25 mm high. In its center it shows a gilded laurel wreath, which shows the colored emblem of the NVA in its upper center and a white oval with the awarded level in its lower center. Within the laurel wreath of this classification clasp, an anchor that is inclined to the right is depicted on a black background, on which the symbol of radiation protection can be seen within a gear.

Classification clasp for motor vehicle service

• awarded from December 1, 1985 to October 2, 1990

The gold-plated clasp made of sheet steel is 86 mm and 25 mm high. In its center it shows a gilded laurel wreath, which shows the colored emblem of the NVA in its upper center and a white oval with the awarded level in its lower center. Within the laurel wreath of this classification clasp, an Ural traveling from right to left can be seen on a black background .

Classification clasp for Aviation Engineer Service (FID)

• awarded from December 1, 1985 to October 2, 1990

The gold-plated clasp made of sheet steel is 86 mm and 25 mm high. In its center it shows a gilded laurel wreath, which shows the colored emblem of the NVA in its upper center and a white oval with the awarded level in its lower center. Within the laurel wreath of this classification clasp, a four-bladed propeller can be seen on a light blue background, two of which are connected to a gear segment.

Classification clasp for nautical personnel

• awarded from December 1, 1985 to October 2, 1990

The gold-plated clasp made of sheet steel is 86 mm and 25 mm high. In its center it shows a gilded laurel wreath, which shows the colored emblem of the NVA in its upper center and a white oval with the awarded level in its lower center. Within the laurel wreath of this classification clasp, a warship coming from the right to the left can be seen on a dark blue background.

Classification clasp for ship engine personnel

• awarded from December 1, 1985 to October 2, 1990

The gold-plated clasp made of sheet steel is 86 mm and 25 mm high. In its center it shows a gilded laurel wreath, which shows the colored emblem of the NVA in its upper center and a white oval with the awarded level in its lower center. Within the laurel wreath of this classification clasp, a three-bladed ship's propeller can be seen on a dark blue background , the blades of which are all connected by a gear segment. Two small outwardly directed lightning bolts emanate from the two upper ends.

Classification clasp of the border troops of the GDR

• awarded from December 1, 1985 to October 2, 1990

The gold-plated clasp made of sheet steel is 86 mm and 25 mm high. In its center it shows a gilded laurel wreath, which shows the colored emblem of the NVA in its upper center and a white oval with the awarded level in its lower center. Within the laurel wreath of this classification clasp, a border post can be seen on a light green background, in front of which there is a submachine gun pointing to the top left.

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. 18–31.