The Red Army identification book was an official identity card of Red Army servicemen, introduced at the end of 1918. It was re-instated for Soviet enlisted men and junior commanders (sergeants and starshinas) in 1940 and 1941.
As an official document, the Red Army identification book was established by Order No. 189 of the Revolutionary Military Council from January 30, 1919. The standard card was approved by Yakov Mikhailovich Sverdlov and Vladimir Ilyich Lenin and had 116 pages. In addition to its main purpose, 80 pages featured excerpts from the Constitution of the RSFSR and some decrees of the Soviet government, the text of the military oath, as well as the provisions and orders of the People’s Commissariat for Military Affairs which defined the rights and duties of Red Army soldiers.
By Order No. 396 of the Revolutionary Military Council from February 26, 1919, the Red Army identification book was modified and named “Red Army Service Book” (with 20 pages), the new document no longer had any propaganda materials. The book contained data on the family status and official rank of the Red Army soldier, as well as relevant sections where records were made about the issuance of weapons, equipment, clothing and information about awards.
In accordance with Order No. 1491 of the Revolutionary Military Council from September 18, 1919, the Red Army identification books were to be discontinued. The Red Army identification book was an official document for about a year, but in practice Red Army soldiers held on to it not only for the duration of the civil war, but also when they were discharged from duty.
The new Red Army identification book was introduced only 20 years later by Order No. 171 of the People’s Commissar of Defense of the USSR from April 20, 1940. However, paragraph 7 of this order canceled Red Army identification books for active-duty soldiers. The implementation of this order was delayed, and there was no time to issue this version of the Red Army identification book prior to the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. On October 7, 1941, by Order No. 330 of the People’s Commissar of Defense, a new design of the Red Army book with a photo of the owner was introduced for wartime.
In 1961, the soldier’s military ID card became the main identification document.
As an official document, the Red Army identification book was established by Order No. 189 of the Revolutionary Military Council from January 30, 1919. The standard card was approved by Yakov Mikhailovich Sverdlov and Vladimir Ilyich Lenin and had 116 pages. In addition to its main purpose, 80 pages featured excerpts from the Constitution of the RSFSR and some decrees of the Soviet government, the text of the military oath, as well as the provisions and orders of the People’s Commissariat for Military Affairs which defined the rights and duties of Red Army soldiers.
By Order No. 396 of the Revolutionary Military Council from February 26, 1919, the Red Army identification book was modified and named “Red Army Service Book” (with 20 pages), the new document no longer had any propaganda materials. The book contained data on the family status and official rank of the Red Army soldier, as well as relevant sections where records were made about the issuance of weapons, equipment, clothing and information about awards.
In accordance with Order No. 1491 of the Revolutionary Military Council from September 18, 1919, the Red Army identification books were to be discontinued. The Red Army identification book was an official document for about a year, but in practice Red Army soldiers held on to it not only for the duration of the civil war, but also when they were discharged from duty.
The new Red Army identification book was introduced only 20 years later by Order No. 171 of the People’s Commissar of Defense of the USSR from April 20, 1940. However, paragraph 7 of this order canceled Red Army identification books for active-duty soldiers. The implementation of this order was delayed, and there was no time to issue this version of the Red Army identification book prior to the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. On October 7, 1941, by Order No. 330 of the People’s Commissar of Defense, a new design of the Red Army book with a photo of the owner was introduced for wartime.
In 1961, the soldier’s military ID card became the main identification document.
