Figure 1.--This is the Pioneer badge worn pinned on to the left sleeve. I'm not sure when it was introduced. It was not obligatory.

Pioneers compared to Scouts, wore very few patches. We do know that they wore a red badge on their left sleeve. The badge pictured Lenin on a red star with a flame background. HBU can only guess at the symbolism. Presumably this represented a burning commitment to Lenin and the Revolution. It was introduced in 1969 along with the new Pioneer iniform. This is the only badge that the Pioneers wore. There do not seem to have been merit badges like in Scouting. There were, however, some rank insignias.

Sleeve Patch

We do know that Pioneers wore a red badge which was sewn on their left sleeve. The badge pictured Lenin on a red star with a flame background. HBU can only guess at the symbolism. Presumably this represented a burning commitment to Lenin and the Revolution. The badge was introduced in 1969 together with the introduction of a new Pioneer uniform. A Russian reader reports that it was not obligatory. Another Russian reader confirms that it was the only patch worn on the Pioneer uniform.

Merit Badges

Pioneers do not seem to have been merit badges like in Scouting.

Rank Insignias

The Pioneers did have rank insignias. A Pioneer was the ordinary the member of organization. A Squader was the chief of group in 5-10 Pioneers and wore one star above chevron. Chairman of council of group-chief of group consisting of 30-40 Pioneers. He wore two stars. Chairman of council of brigade - chief of group pf 300 or more Pioneers wore three stars. There were also instructors--pioneer leaders (adults).

Other

The Pioneers did not have other patches normally worn by Scouts such as flags or unit patches. Also there do not appear to have been special patches indicating attendance at camps and convaces like jamboree.