TROOP CATEGORIES
For administrative purposes, the Soviet ground forces comprise three categories: combat arms branches (troops), special troops, and services. These are administrative categories pertaining to personnel, not organization categories pertaining to units. Thus, troops of one combat arms branch, such as artillery, may organizationally be in support units subordinate to a unit made up of troops of another combat arms branch (for example, motorized rifle or tank). These support units may also include special troops and services.
COMBAT ARMS BRANCHES
The firing elements of the ground forces comprise combat arms branches (troops). They differ from one another in organization, armament, tactics, and role in combat. Directorates of Ground Forces Headquarters administer the troop branches peculiar to the ground forces.
Motorized Rifle
Motorized rifle troops generally parallel the infantry and mechanized infantry of other armies. These troops constitute the basic arm of the ground forces; therefore, various agencies under the Ground Forces CINC, rather than one special organization, administer their affairs. These agencies prescribe motorized rifle and combined arms tactics and organization. They prepare training schedules for motorized rifle and combined arms units. They also administer motorized rifle schools and manage motorized rifle officer personnel. Other arms and services provide them with logistic support.
Tank
The Chief of Tank Troops in Ground Forces Headquarters heads this branch. A Main Directorate of Tank Troops supports him. The Main Directorate is an intricate organization which acts as an administrative headquarters. Tank troop officers command tank units at all levels. Combined arms formations feature a special staff officer as chief of tank troops. He commands subordinate tank elements and reports to the combined arms commander.
Missile Troops and Artillery
This is one of the most prestigious branches of the ground forces or the MOD. Artillery troops have long held an honorable position in Russian military annals. In recent decades, technological advances in missile weaponry have enhanced that position. Since missile armaments have also become important to other components, the MOD generally oversees missile equipment development. However, a Chief of Missile Troops and Artillery is present in Ground Forces Headquarters. His supporting administrative agency is large and contains a coordinating staff. Also, chiefs of missile troops and artillery appear in the special staffs of combined arms units down to, and including, regiments. At regimental level, this official is simply called the chief of artillery.
Air Defense Troops (Voyska PVO)
This branch recently became a separate component combining air defense elements formerly under the National Air Defense Troops (PVO Strany) and the Air Defense Troops of the Ground Forces (PVO Sukhoputnykh Voysk). Although MOD headquarters now administers them, the troops may serve under combined arms command in thefield during wartime. They coordinate closely with aviation and radiotechnical elements in operational matters. Air defense schools previously under the ground forces now belong to the Air Defense Troops.
Airborne
Airborne troops form a reserve force of the Supreme High Command (VGK) or the wartime Stauka VGK, although operational control of them specifically belongs to the Chief of the General Staff. The VGK may—
.- Control their combat employment directly.
- Place them under the command of a theater headquarters.
- Place them under operational control of a front or army to support operational missions.
The troops are not subordinate to a ground forces field command until the VGK commits them. This definite separation suggests that they have the Status of a sixth distinct component of the armed forces, even though they are nominally subordinate to the CINC, Ground Forces, because of this special status.
SPECIAL TROOPS
The special troops provide combat support to the combined arms field forces of the ground forces. They also support the other components of the armed forces. For this reason, they are administered centrally from directorates in the MOD. Ground Forces Headquarters, however, contains specialized directorates or departments in each of
