History

The RAD (Reichsarbeitsdienst = Reich Labour Service) was officially established on June 26, 1935 as the sole, and compulsory, labour service of Germany. Its purposes were to help the economy, curb unemployment, and indoctrinate its members with the NSDAP ideology, as well as play its part in militarising the German population.

The FAD (Freiwilliger Arbeitsdienst = Voluntary Labour Service) was the precursor of the RAD in the early 1930s. Official uniform regulations were first introduced on October 1, 1933, with modifications made in July 1934. It is also known as NSAD (Nationalsozialistischer Arbeitsdienst = National Socialist Labour Service).

The earliest uniforms were a not entirely successful attempt at standardisation. They gave way to a second wave of FAD uniforms that, when the RAD was established, experienced no significant changes.

The buckles of the RAD were introduced on February 15, 1936.

The version worn by General ranks is a round buckle, featuring a spade with a swastika on it inside a circle of five wheat ears. It has a bright fire-gilt finish.

The version worn by Officer ranks is similar to the one worn by General ranks, but with a burnished aluminum or matte-silver finish.

The version worn by NCO/EM (Non-Commissioned Officers/Enlisted Men) ranks is in the form of a rectangular box buckle. Like the buckle of the higher ranks, it features a spade with a swastika on it inside a circle of five wheat ears. It is pebbled and has a matte grey finish. At a later point a bright aluminum pattern for private purchase for official functions was introduced.