Chechen war tattoo. Army tattoos according to the types of troops of motorized rifle, military troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Strategic Missile Forces, RHBZ, USSR, tank, land, border, artillery and their meaning

Any tattoo has a special meaning for its owner. An army tattoo is not an exception, but rather an extra confirmation of this. Wearable images become proof that a person was part of any troops and from now on he belongs to them. In addition to belonging, tattoos can also display military merit or awards.

Army tattoos have become a real art. In the troops around the world, a cult of tattoos has developed. Sketches of underwear drawings are passed from soldier to soldier, every year the work acquires its own “zest” and turns into masterpieces. "Defend Russia" together with the artistic tattoo studio Badbird.Ink invites you to get acquainted with the images of tattoos and their meaning.

Armies of other countries

Military personnel in foreign countries have succeeded in the culture of military tattooing. On the Web, there are more and more photos where parts of the body are completely “clogged” with skillfully executed drawings. Most often it can be found in American military personnel.

Often they depict belonging to any branch of the military or the army as a whole...

Or express the memory of those who died in battle.

Some apply patriotic images:

Serbia

Spain

Poland

All of the above categories of underwear, of course, are also present in Russian army tattoos. Bad Bird Ink tells more about the history of the emergence and development of this culture.

Military tattoos gained popularity during World War II. However, stuffing a body pattern in the service was not welcome. The commanders needed to keep track of such cases. Despite the conditional ban, the art of military drawing on the body continued to develop. There was an unspoken rule saying that the more difficult your service, the more loyal they are to tattoos. The only exception was for sailors - they were not forbidden to have any images on their bodies.

The army drawing was supposed to reflect the main characteristics of its owner: type of troops, place of service, symbols and emblems, years of service, blood type. The latter image became popular during the war in Afghanistan.

Over time, the attitude towards tattoos in the army became more loyal and the format began to develop. Today, the basic principles of drawing drawings by type of troops with historically established images remain.

Airborne: the most commonly used image is parachutes, aircraft, berets and an indication of the place or settlement where the service took place.

Marines: the most popular image is St. Andrew's flag. Elements in the form of animals and duty stations are added.

Army tattoos in terms of symbolism can only compete with prison and mafia tattoos: there is not such a developed symbolism, but the conditions in which they are created are very special. Many people confuse army and prisoner tattoos: you can often see a man with an old tattoo on public transport or on the street, and many mistake him for a former prisoner, but this may not necessarily be true. Army tattoos, the meaning of which is different from prison ones, will be the topic of our conversation today.

Special forces tattoo in the form of a bat

Army tattoos and their symbols

Army tattoos can be conditionally and informally divided into several groups:

• Tattoos by rank
• Tattoos by troops
• Tattoos made with those with whom he served
• Tattoos made "out of nothing to do"

The first category - tattoos by rank, are made by those who have passed through some kind of military hierarchy: these can be both shoulder straps and other symbols of power. Tattoos for the troops usually indicate in which troops the man had to serve: infantry, rifle, naval, and so on. This category is usually sentimental and is done in memory of the time spent in the army.

Tattoos made by those and with those with whom he served have the same function, reminding of army comrades and friends.

And the last category - tattoos from "nothing to do." In the army, contrary to common times, there is a lot of free time and a lot of people who somehow know how to draw: this is how tattoos are born that do not have a special semantic load.

Army tattoo of the Airborne Forces - a tiger in a beret

Social status by tattoo

As in the criminal world, army tattoos, the sketches of which resemble prison ones, have a special meaning: some of them indicate the social status of a soldier within the unit and indicate his belonging to a specific branch of the military or even a unit (for example, the GRU). In the military environment, tattoos are allowed to be worn exclusively by "grandfathers": the insignia on the body must be earned, and without serving the due date, many soldiers simply do not have the right to make themselves a tattoo. Soldiers usually get tattoos at the end of their service life, in memory of the past years, in honor of the fact that they defended their homeland.

Sketches of a scorpion tattoo - one of the most common symbols in army circles, meaning strength and power, courage and courage

Standard tattoo of the Airborne Forces - aircraft against the background of a parachute

Symbolism of army tattoos by troops

• Airborne. Most often in these troops there is an “unspoken protocol” for tattooing on the body: it is done on the left shoulder and depicts a parachute indicating the place or locality where the service took place. Often among the tattoos of these troops there is a winged wolf with the inscription "45 PIU", the image of paratroopers and aircraft.
• Special forces and intelligence. The most common symbol in these troops is the bat, as a sign of secrecy. Most often, she is depicted with the moon, which symbolizes the night, as well as with a parachute dome. Also in special forces, tattoos of skulls with berets are often found.
• Fleet. The symbol of the northern fleet is undoubtedly a polar bear, but real “pirate tattoos” are also often found: the steering wheel, anchors, sailboats. Among the employees of the navy, tattoos are also common, which are made on the edge of the palm. Usually this is the inscription "For the Navy!"
• Marines . The Marines are not distinguished by originality - their symbol is the parachute dome. Images of an anchor against the background of a globe and dolphins are also common, and the ribbon with the name of the troops has become the simplest tattoo of infantrymen.
• Separate Security Brigade of the Minister of Defense. When accepting recruits into a separate brigade, all future soldiers were carefully checked for tattoos on their bodies: even with a pattern applied between the toes, it was impossible to get into the brigade. But as soon as a soldier was accepted, after a year of service, it was possible to get a dragon tattoo on his shoulder.
• Employees in the North Caucasus. The symbol of the soldiers who served in the North Caucasus is a scorpion stuffed on the chest. Particular attention is paid to the tail and sting of the scorpion: if it is raised, then the soldier took part in hostilities, and if it is omitted, he did not.

Often the tattoo of the troops of the Airborne Forces is done in this way

Recently, army-style tattoos have become especially popular even among those who have never served anywhere.

I like criminal and military tattoos: the way they present the theme, symbols, they can be read like a book, looking at a person, learn about him: where he served, what rank he was in, whether he participated in hostilities. It's a whole culture, and even though I'm a girl and can't be a part of it, I respect it!

Katya, Belgorod

Sketch of an army tattoo in the form of a bullet, blood type and sight

Important! If you want to get a tattoo with army symbols, be sure that you won’t go to the army anymore: if you get into the army as a recruit, you will have a hard time with an army tattoo, because they are allowed to do only after some time of service.

Army scorpion tattoo

My father served on a submarine, and as a child I always loved to listen to his stories from the service - it became a part of my life, I can’t imagine my childhood without these stories! My father made a career in the military, so tattoos associated with the troops have been close to me since childhood: all my dad's friends have some kind of tattoo from the time of service. I, although not supposed to, made myself a small tattoo, which I associate with my father's service - that very piece of childhood that is always with me. And, of course, the memory of my father. Hope he doesn't find out :)

Galina, Irkutsk

The scorpion tattoo is a symbol of intelligence or special forces.

Video: collection of army tattoos

Like their ancient counterparts, they are designed to indicate social status.
In the army, it is believed that only an experienced soldier is allowed to wear a tattoo.
It is believed that "spirits", beginners, are not eligible for a lifetime tattoo.
Army tattoos are made for themselves, as a rule, during the service and often the place of service, the term and type of troops are reflected there. Here is a small selection of Army tattoos that I took on the day of the Airborne Forces.

Apparently, the first military tattoo in Russia can be considered the one that Peter I ordered the soldiers to do,
legalized the mandatory tattooing of military personnel. A cross was cut on the wrist, gunpowder was rubbed into it and bandaged. They also pinned a personal number. The procedure is painful, but it provided the absolute identification of the dead soldiers in the Peter's army.

In the Red Army, since 1919, a tattoo in the form of a five-pointed star was applied to the left arm of a Red Army soldier.

In the Soviet and Russian armies, tattoos were treated with disapproval, and in some units they were (and are) completely banned. For example, scouts are forbidden to make any kind of tattoos. But among ordinary soldiers of the Soviet Army, they, nevertheless, were made, but there never was a single system and gradation of tattoos, as, for example, among criminals. The emblems of the armed forces and the names of the groups of troops were drawn on the skin: “GSVG” (Group of Soviet Forces in Germany - later ZGV), “SGV” - Northern Group of Forces (Poland), “TSGV” - Central Group of Forces (Czechoslovakia, often tattoos were made with Czechoslovak coat of arms), "YUGV" - Southern Group of Forces (Hungary, often along with the name of the settlement in Latin script, for example "SEGED")

Soviet military personnel who were in Vietnam avoided tattoos - the stay of our “specialists” was too secret, in addition, in those years, tattoos were made in a primitive way, and in the climate of Indochina they could lead to blood poisoning. A scout in general, and a military man in particular, should not have any special signs - no tattoos, no obvious scars and birthmarks. The specifics of "work" forbids. Tattoos on body parts for a soldier, and especially a scout, are not a sign of dashing or courage, but simple headlessness ...

However, none of those who ended up in the Airborne Forces or special forces can do without some kind of tattoo. The smallest is a “batman” on the edge of the palm, but, as a rule, a “complete set”: “For the Airborne Forces”, a “brigadier” on the shoulder, something on the chest. Plus, of course, the blood type. The blood type began to be "injected" by military personnel in Afghanistan for purely practical reasons. Such a tattoo for many wounded, unconscious, often saved lives.

Do you have tattoos?
Next post PV and Navy tattoos.

American soldiers return home from the war and realize that they are behind the times. The gap between the military and civilians is huge - less than one percent of Americans serve in the army, compared with 12 percent during World War II. Even after years of bitter fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, most Americans do not personally know a single soldier, sailor or airman.

Any veteran will tell you that one of the most difficult experiences of a lifetime is to return to a society that has no idea about war at all. While you were fighting, your country lived its own life, and it’s not that everyone doesn’t care ... They just can’t understand. Tattoos are widespread among the military. They are applied in memory of fallen friends, in memory of units, they are tattooed with various mottos or prayers, or they are applied with drawings that reflect personal experience and impressions. Drawings on the body can be dedicated to what their owner is most likely to keep silent about.

Photographer Peter Hapek visited Al Herman's Silver Spring, Maryland tattoo parlor and asked veterans to roll up their sleeves and take off their T-shirts to reveal tattoos and scars.

(Total 13 photos)

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1. Corporal Paul Bell, US Army. "This is my version of hell. God doesn't punish people, they punish themselves by walking away from God," says Bell, who served as an orderly in Iraq from 2007 to 2008. The hand depicts two people falling into the fire.

2. Private First Class Zakharia Flury, US Army. The inscription on the chest: "We are born with golden hearts. We grow old and hearts cool down." (Peter Hapak for TIME)

3. Junior Sergeant Devon Pitz, US Army. "It's a tattoo in honor of service in the paratroopers," says Pitz, who served in the 101st Airborne Division. The tattoo is crossed by a scar from a fragment. (Peter Hapak for TIME)

4. Junior Sergeant Edward Clavin, US Army. "I never tell people where to stand or what to do," the photographer, Peter Hapek, said of the photo. "Clavin just stood up like he wanted to tell his story by showing his body." (Peter Hapak for TIME)

5. "This guy was with me when I got shot," says Corporal Ben McCroskey, a Marine in Afghanistan who lost his leg on April 1, 2010. When a serviceman dies, his weapons, boots and helmet are also taken away in order to then say the traditional prayer. (Peter Hapak for TIME)

6. "It's a knight with a sword," explains Marine Joey Ferguson, who traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan and lost his right leg. "We have something in common with him." (Peter Hapak for TIME)

7. "It's in honor of the unit," says US Army Staff Sergeant Brad Fasnacht, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The tattoo with a skull in a helmet was made in honor of service in the 44th Engineer Battalion. (Peter Hapak for TIME)

8. Junior Sergeant Thomas Beaver shows off his left shoulder with a tattoo that has the names of two of his brothers who also serve. Name tattoos are popular. "It's in honor of them. It's a show of respect. They're not with us, so we carry their history on our bodies." (Peter Hapak for TIME)

9. Lance Sergeant Anthony Morales has many tattoos to commemorate his service. (Peter Hapak for TIME)

10. On the shoulder of Junior Sergeant Thomas Beaver, an unfinished tattoo - the flag lacks the inscription "Operation Enduring Freedom" in honor of his service in Afghanistan. (Peter Hapak for TIME)

11. "A lot of shrapnel came out of that shoulder," says lance sergeant Devon Pitz, who served in Afghanistan in 2009 and 2010. The tattoo has the name of his father. (Peter Hapak for TIME)

12. "I lost my right leg above the knee to a parachute that didn't open while I was with the 82nd Airborne," says Maj. John Craig, who served in Iraq in 2003 and 2004. He has a tattoo on his left leg commemorating his time in the demonstration marching team of the Summerell Guards. (Peter Hapak for TIME)

13. Sgt. Rudy McGoy, whose shoulders and back are scarred from shrapnel from his 2009 stay in Afghanistan, decided to have a New Testament passage from Hebrews inscribed on his body. This is a passage that he believes describes an enemy he fought in Afghanistan. (Peter Hapak for TIME)