Cap of a General of the Russian Federation

Historical Significance

This is the cap of an Army General in the Russian Armed Forces. In contrast to the typical parade styles of caps that the Russians are famous for with their huge crown heights, this is a more modest piece, despite the detailed oak leaves, laurel and cockade. These caps were introduced around 2013 under Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, and was designed as a more practical, durable alternative to the older, stiff parade caps that dominated the 1990s and 2000s.

Whilst other caps, such as the Federal State Civil Service cap seen here, include maker's marks and labels inside, the Russian army caps curiously lack these markings, barring the hat size as seen in the Technical Gallery. The exterior is striking, a green crown with a dark green band (to identify them as Ground Forces), matched with gilt wire and the golden polycephalus eagle (the Dvuglavyy Oryol (Double-headed Eagle)) that Russia has come to be known by. Furthermore, the cockade (the oval badge worn in the centre of the cap) is detailed with orange and black colouring, a reference to the Ribbon of Saint George. 

Similarly to how the US has oak leaves around the brim of their caps, the Russian Army utilises a similar style to indicate rank at a distance. Generals have the large, sweeping laurel as seen above, whereas lower ranking officers only have a plain black visor and the cockade. Furthermore, where the US Army uses colours on their caps to indicate their unit or rank, the Russian Army uses colours to indicate their branch, for example, Green (here) to represent the Ground Forces, Blue to represent Aerospace Forces and black to represent the Navy. 

Select References & Further Reading:

• Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation. Decree No. 300: On the Approval of Rules for Wearing Military Uniforms.

• Order of the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation. Decree No. 525: On the Approval of Rules for Wearing Military Uniforms, Insignia, Departmental Symbols and Other Heraldic Signs in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

• Decree of the President of the Russian Federation. Decree No. 293. On the Military Uniform of the Russian Federation.

• Galeotti, Mark. The Modern Russian Army 1992-2016. Osprey Publishing.

• Knotel, Richard. Uniforms of the World.

• The Ribbon of Saint George Archive (State Historical Museum, Moscow). The History of the George Colors.

Header image: Chechnya, Russia. Photographer Unknown; December 11 1994. Image sourced via Public Domain.