SAPOGI

These are your boots. Generally they come in two styles, the sapogi jackboot and the low boot. The low boot is worn with puttees, a lower leg wrapping.

You may wear wool or cotton socks under your sapogi, or wear the traditional cloth foot wraps. I will talk more about these later.

SHAROVARI

These are your trousers. They are made of the same cloth as the gymnastoirka. They are a type of flared demi-breeches.

Under your sharovari you may wear white, tan or blue cotton 'boxer' shorts in the summer, or long underwear in the winter.

PILOTKA

This is your cap. It is very similar to the German 'overseas' cap. It is made of tan colored cloth and usually comes with a metal star on the front.

Inside the lining you should carry a sewing needle with some thread wrapped around it. (Careful here, Tavarish Soldat, try it out a couple of times. It's easier to tell you to do it than to actually do it ...)

GYMNASTOIRKA

This is the basic tunic. It comes in a summer weight made of cotton and a winter weight made of wool. The colors vary from pale tan to dark olive green.

It is made in a pull-over style with five buttons closing the front. Some were made with pockets on the breast. Inside the collar is a white cotton collar-liner. Rank boards were worn on the shoulders after mid-1943.

Under your gymnastoirka you may wear a loose cotton 'tank-top' in the summer or long underwear in the winter.

RED ARMY RECRUIT DEPOT

COMRADES ...

You have taken a huge step and joined the Red Army!

My name is Guards Senior Sergeant Arkadii Aleksandrevich Rodinko. I will be your drill instructor for these first trying days.

You are now no longer civilians, but soldiers of the Glorious Red Army! You will be addressed and will address others by their rank. You will call me Comrade Senior Sergeant (Tavarish Starshi Sargent). I will call you Comrade Soldier (Tavarish Soldat). Until you have completed basic training and been assigned to your unit you will be recruits.

LESSON 1: Your Uniform

As a soldier in the Red Army, your uniform is a symbol of the dedication you feel to your impression. Wear it proudly. Half the battle is looking the part, it is said. Your uniform is simple, practical and comfortable. The basic uniform you should strive for contains the following:

This is the general uniform you will need before you begin re-enacting with most units of the Red Army. The total cost of these items is about $150.00. Some suppliers may charge more or less. The wise soldat will check several suppliers.

It is a good idea to talk with members of the unit you are joining before buying anything. Some units have specific uniform requirements, such as the 36th Guards. The bottom line --- if you look like the dummy above, you are on the right path. (Nyet, Tavarish Soldat, I did not just call you a dummy ...)

WAISTBELT

This is a simple roller-buckle belt. It is usually made of leather, some are made of canvas web with leather reinforcement. It is worn over the gymnastoirka with most of your equipment hanging from it.

(Shown at right is a magazine pouch for the PPSh-41 SMG and a grenade pouch, attached to the waistbelt.)