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**MH184** · 03-21-2004, 10:49 AM

Good question John ! Do you know I have no idea at all, I'd be very interested to find this info out too.

Marcus

**Rick Research** · 03-21-2004, 01:28 PM

According to Frank Bartel's "Auszeichnungen der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik von den Anfängen bis zur Gegenwart," 1979, these were created in 1965 and are for

More than 10 Years

18 months to 9 years 11 months

and

18 months

minimum reserve duty after release from active duty.

**John F.** · 03-21-2004, 02:15 PM

I'm Confused

Rick:

I'm not clear on Frank Bartel's book definition of the criteria for this award. Does the badge denote the minimum time the indivdual has to serve in the reserves after being released from active duty; or the minimum years the indivudaul has agreed to serve in the reserves after being released from active duty; or was it for actual time served in the reserves after being released from active duty?

Gold = 10 + yrs
Silver = 18 mo to 9 yrs 11 mo
Bronze = 18 mo

Thanks
John

**Mike G.** · 03-21-2004, 03:35 PM

RE: Reservist Medals

John,

Here is what I've so far been able to find out from an NVA Colleague who served as a Short Term NCO in Armor and was awarded the Silver Reservist Badge after separating from service.

"The Reservistenmedaille was given to those who finished their service. As far as I know the bronze medal was given to conscripts who served 18 month. The silver medal to those who served as short term soldiers (the paras, navy and some other specialists), NCOs and short term officers (served 4 years). The gold medal was given to those who served longer (but not sure about any details on the last one)."

In the last instance, I think what he is making reference to is a long term Career NCO or Officer who does not complete his Career Status, but serves well beyond the time required of Short Term NCOs and Officers.

No disrespect to books, but sometimes its better to get these things straight from the "Horses" mouth. Concerning DDR/NVA memorabilia, I've found numerous instances where the books and other reference material are slightly off. Most probably due to discrepancy in translation, since most translation is being accomplished by "Non-certified" Translators.

**John F.** · 03-21-2004, 04:02 PM

End of service award?

Michael:

So, the medal was given out upon the successful completion of reserve service...sort of like and an end of service award?

John

**Mike G.** · 03-21-2004, 04:25 PM

RE: Reservist Medal

John,

"Exactly"

**Rick Research** · 03-21-2004, 05:02 PM

Comrade Bartel (a "horse" if ever there was one, writing for the DDR's Militärverlag while the Wall stood) did not grace us with statutes, but rather only summaries. In its entirety, this is all he had to say:

"1960 wurde für ehrenvoll aus dem aktiven Dienst ausscheidende Armeeangehörige ein Reservistenabzeichen in den Stufen Gold, Silber und Bronze geschaffen. Das schildförmige 18 mm hohe Abzeichen wurde 1965 durch eine Medaille gleicher Stufenzahl für mehr als 10jährige Dienstzeit, für eine Dienstzeit bis 10 Jahre und eine Dienstzeit bis 18 Monate ersetzt. Die 36 mm große Medaille wird an einer dreieckigen Spange getragen."

The 1960-65 badge was a stickpin.

Now literally that perfunctory summary reads AS IF these were handed out to ACTIVE members of the armed forces after release, with classes dependent on ACTIVE time in. Since ACTIVE duty personnel already HAD long service awards this would not seem logical. I would assume, in the absence of statute text, that the "Dienstzeit" referred to was in the RESERVES, in exactly the way that Imperial German Reserve and Landwehr long service awards were made: because the bulk of "active" reservists were NOT career regulars, they would not have HAD any of the regulars' long service awards, only these.

The official designation is, after all, "Reservist Badge" not "Honorable Discharge Badge."

Of course, there is certainly no substitute for full STATUTE text...

for those of us able to translate German.

**Mike G.** · 03-21-2004, 07:53 PM

RE: Rerservist Medal

Rick: Spot on. I made a (Boo boo).

I read write through John's remark regarding "Completion of Reservist Time". You are absolutely correct on your observation that it was given upon completion of a specified amount of "Active Duty Time".

Mia Culpa, mia culpa, mia culpa.

Sorry about that John.

**Dag** · 04-09-2004, 01:08 PM

Hello all, Panzerfuehrer (Hi Michael) invited me to join this forum. A few details: I'm originally from rostock,east Germany and served from May 1986 to Feb 1989 as a tank commander in Tank regiment 22. I was discharged as sergeant (some of you may know me as Feldwebel P from another forum). Now, the Reservist medal: This was issued when you left active service. Once I figured out how to post pictures I will post my discharge paper and medal. Everybody who was mustered and deemed fit for service at the age of 18 became a reservist (ungedienter Reservist). Once you were called up and served time you became a "gedienter Reservist" (I have to think about the best translation for this). You could then be called up to serve further time as a reservist (taking part in an exercise or for three month continous service) until you reached a specific age (which I don't remember at the moment). Therefore, it was theoretically possible to achieve the silver medal after a few years.
The Reservistenmedaille was issued even when you had served your full ten years as a career NCO or 15 years as a Faehnrich, regardless which other medals you received in this time. I hope that helps a bit. Dag

**Rick Research** · 04-09-2004, 02:10 PM

Thanks for the clarification. It is VERY strange (and superfluous!

) to see that "reserve" awards were made to ACTIVE duty personnel!

I am sure you will be very welcome here!

**Mike G.** · 04-09-2004, 02:26 PM

RE: Former NVA Tank Commander

Hi Dag,

It is great to see you at this Forum. I believe you are the first former NVA Soldaten to visit. I hope you stay and hope you contribute often.

And thanks for clarification relevant the Reservist Medal.

Best Regards.

Tschuess,

**John F.** · 04-11-2004, 10:19 AM

Hello Dag

Welcome to the forum! Thank you for your input and clarifying my original question. The criteria for this award sounds similar to that of the U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

I look forward to reading more of your posts and comments as we continue to explore the uncharted waters of DDR militaria.

John

**Dag** · 08-18-2004, 01:17 PM

Originally posted by Market Garden

Hello Dag

Welcome to the forum! Thank you for your input and clarifying my original question. The criteria for this award sounds similar to that of the U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

I look forward to reading more of your posts and comments as we continue to explore the uncharted waters of DDR militaria.

John

John, you asked for a bit of clarification on the Reservist Award.

Apologies up front if I repeat known facts previously posted:

From the time you got mustered (the year you had your 18th birthday) until you were actually called up you were classed as an "Ungedienter Reservist" or reservist. (Meaning you were a civvie and didn't know anything and required full training).

The award was given to those who served a minimum of 18 month, i.e. the national service. That means that you got the bronze medal and became a "gedienter reservist" or a reservist who had served time. (there were some specific regulations about what minimum you had to serve but I will omit them here).

If you served more then 18 month but not full 10 years you would receive the silver medal. This includes all short term NCOs and short term officers (4 years)

If you served over 10 years, you would receive the golden one. This was issued regardless of other medals, for example Medaille fuer treue Dienste.

Please note that the medal was issued at the end of your active service!!!

If someone who served full 18 months and had the bronze medal was called up several times to serve as reservist he could achieve the requiremnt for the silver medal after some time. However, being called up as a reservist was a bit of a lottery. I knew people who got called up a few months after they left but also people who never set foot inside barrackes again after they finished their national service.

I hope that clarifies the issue. If not, please let me know.

Dag

**John F.** · 08-18-2004, 01:24 PM

Dag:

Thank you for clear that up! I have a better understanding of what this award was for.

John

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DDR Reservist Award - What was the criteria?

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