Dienstlaufbahnabzeichen (NVA)

The service career badges of the National People's Army were a non-state award in the German Democratic Republic (GDR), conferred within the sphere of responsibility of the Ministry of National Defence. They were introduced in stages for members of the NVA for the first time by Order No. 49/57 on 22 June 1957 by the Minister of National Defence, Willi Stoph. They were instituted by the same order that introduced the marksmanship lanyards. The service career badges for officers of the air force were regarded as precursors to the NVA classification bars, which gradually took their place. The service career badges were awarded to all soldiers, airmen, sailors, non-commissioned officers, petty officers, and officers who had completed specialist training in the NVA.