Why in the Soviet Union soldiers carried an overcoat with them even in summer

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Why in the Soviet Union soldiers carried an overcoat with them even in summer
Why in the Soviet Union soldiers carried an overcoat with them even in summer
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Often in photographs of past years and in old films you can see army soldiers with rolls from an overcoat. The soldiers carried them with them even in the summer. Not all military men could see such a picture. Usually these were ordinary soldiers and junior officers - lieutenants. As for the officers of higher rank and the generals, they did not do that.

Overcoat rolls were worn only by soldiers, officers of higher rank did not do that
Overcoat rolls were worn only by soldiers, officers of higher rank did not do that

A similar situation was observed earlier, even in the tsarist army, then in the pre-war period and during the Great Patriotic War.

What is the reason?

Uniforms were issued to soldiers once a year
Uniforms were issued to soldiers once a year

In reality, there is nothing unusual about this behavior of the soldiers. To a greater extent, the catalyst was the supply of uniforms to the soldiers. First in the tsarist army, and then in the Soviet one, servicemen were supplied with clothing once a year, or even in several years. And the seasonality was not taken into account here.

The overcoat was issued for several years
The overcoat was issued for several years

Each item of equipment in the army has its own expiration date. Only after its expiration could an employee receive a new uniform. The overcoat was issued not for a year, but for several.

There was nowhere to store outerwear, so the overcoat always remained with the soldier
There was nowhere to store outerwear, so the overcoat always remained with the soldier

After the overcoat was issued by the supply service, it remained with its owner regardless of the season. There were no off-season equipment storage services in the country. As for the armies of European countries, things were issued there according to the season. Therefore, it was impossible to meet a fighter with a greatcoat in the heat.

The weather could change dramatically, and the overcoat was always at hand and did not allow the soldier to freeze
The weather could change dramatically, and the overcoat was always at hand and did not allow the soldier to freeze

But in the case of our climatic conditions, the presence of this piece of uniform always and everywhere can be attributed more to positive aspects than negative ones. Even if the heat is on the street during the day, it is not a fact that the soldier will not shake from the cold at night.

The overcoat could come in handy at any time, for example, as a pillow or mattress
The overcoat could come in handy at any time, for example, as a pillow or mattress

And the people who served in the army themselves confirm that this is a universal thing. It is enough to unfasten the strap and the overcoat will replace both the blanket and the mattress. The most important thing is that the person will no longer freeze.

According to the rules, an overcoat in a roll had to be worn on a duffel bag
According to the rules, an overcoat in a roll had to be worn on a duffel bag

According to the rules, an overcoat in a roll had to be worn on a duffel bag, but many will say that their method was different - the roller was thrown over the shoulder. Nowadays, it is already very rare to see an overcoat. And all uniforms are stored in special warehouses and are issued exclusively according to the season.

Continuing the topic read, why on the new hats with earflaps for the army need strange second "ears".

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