CIRCA 1960-1967, DDR, NVA, PARA, ENLISTED SLEEVE PATCH, PARACHUTIST, BRANCH OF SERVICE Patch: NVA Career Specialization, Parachutist Fabric: Wool. Size: 2.5 inch/ 6 cm Color: NVA greenish-grey with silver embroidery. Ranks: Primarily EM/NCO; not worn by officers except for certain service specializations identified below. Period of Use: From 1960-1967, by all units. After 1986, service career patches were discontinued with these exceptions: * Units: Medical Service and Military Music Student). Ranks: EM/NCO. * Units: Medical Service, Military Justice and Military Musician. Ranks: Officers/Warrant Officers. This is a vintage and original military issue Parachutist Qualification Patch from East Germany (Deutsche Demokratische Republik - DDR). This Patch is from an established collection and is long obsolete and now getting scarce. This patch is from a small select unit of elite paratroopers in a country that ceased to exist over 30+ years ago. Luftsturmregiment (Air Assault Regiment) Willi Sanger The NVA introduced a Fallschirmjager (Paratrooper) battalion in 1962. Designated Fallschirmjagerbattalion-5, this unit eventually evolved into a 2 battalion, 680-man parachute force known as Luftsturmregiment-40 (Air Assault Regiment-40) "Willi Sanger". This was an elite NVA formation noted for it's high level of strike-and-fighting skill, toughness, motivation, and training. NVA paratroopers participated in major Warsaw Pact and NVA exercises like Waffenbrüderschaft 80, JUG 84, Schild-84, DRUSHBA 86, JUG 87. During the 80's the unit was expanded to two full air assault battalions (40 and 41) and upon mobilization, plans were laid for a full brigade staff with support group. On more than one occasion the fallschirmjagers of "Willi Sanger" were awarded the NVA title "Best Troop Unit". Dress and field uniforms unique to the airborne were developed that readily identified these troops as members of the DDR's premier combat unit.