Uniforms of the M.V.S.N

The uniforms of the Voluntary Militia for National Security distinguish Legionnaires from other service members and civilians. The Legionnaires of the Voluntary Militia for National Security, belonging to all categories for the performance of their service, or outside it to distinguish their status from "civilians", use a set of clothing, varying in shape and form. colors according to the seasons and the climate, in male and female versions, which make up the Uniform.

Historical uniforms

The M.V.S.N. and its branches (such as the National Royal Guard and the OVRA) has adopted through its history several uniforms, until the 1980s, when the current uniform was issued. The most famous uniform model was the so-called "German Model", which was adopted in 1949: the model was designed along the lines of the former German Allgemeine-SS and caused severe criticism from the international community. In order to avoid actual repercussions, the Regime quickly issued another model; however, the "German Uniform" remained among the most famous types.

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  M.V.S.N. "African Uniform", issued between 1945 and 1949 for all M.V.S.N. branches.

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  G.N.R. "German Uniform", issued between 1949 and 1952.

Uniform types

There are various types of Uniforms, depending on the particular use they are associated with. The regulations in use distinguish into three types of uniform:

• Uniform of Service and Combat;
• Ordinary Uniform;
• Service Uniform.

Furthermore, each Uniform can have sub-variants called "derivatives".

Service and combat Uniform

Operational Uniform of the M.V.S.N. The black operational uniform is generally used when not deployed in active combat duty.

The Service and Combat Uniform (Uniforme di Servizio e Combattimento, USCBT) is supplied to all Italian Armed Forces and other armed services according to a standard model but with the addition of a low visibility badge personalized for each Corps.

The Service and combat Uniform consists of a unisex jacket and trousers, and its camouflage texture is made in two versions, suitable for the Italian and desert territory, in tear-resistant fabric, consisting of a multi-tone masking scheme of green, yellow and brown in the version Italian and yellow, white and brown in the desert version. Alpine troops are also supplied with a white version for use on snow-covered terrain.

The jacket has a five-button closure with button covers, two large patch pockets with bellows placed on the chest, closed with a two-button flap with the upper attachment tilted down towards the central buttoning of the jacket. The collar, without strap, is decorated with leafy gladi in black and green low visibility fabric. On the closing button cover band, at the height of the chest pockets, a fabric tab acts as a support for the tubular grade insignia. Above the two chest pockets, with Velcro support, there is the name band and the Armed Force one with the addition, for the paratroop troops, an additional rectangular support on the right side to apply the badge of the military paratrooper patent. A pocket closed by a flap with velcro is sewn on both sleeves.

The nationality shield is applied on the left arm and on the right a Velcro support for any other insignia. The trousers have four pockets plus two large mid-thigh pockets with button closure, knee reinforcements, with padding for the air troops, which is shaped to prevent tearing on the crotch. At the ankle the trousers can be closed with an elastic strap.

The M.V.S.N. Service and combat Uniform is completed with specialty footwear, gloves and a black turn-down collar T-shirt (winter variant) or a black short-sleeved T-shirt (summer variant). Depending on the activity, the basic version is added to items of kit, equipment and armament that generate specific uniforms. Distributed to personnel of all levels, a comfortable windbreaker with overpants, fitted with a hood and a "liner" called a self-supporting bodice.

Peace Uniform

The Peace Uniform can be adapted to different climatic conditions; in this case, he keeps his trousers and shoes and replaces the jacket with, depending on the case, only the black t-shirt with the application of the rank insignia on the chest, the black short-sleeved shirt, the black shirt and sweater with a V-neck "V". Such combinations are adopted by decision of the Commanders.

Combat uniform

The Combat Uniform is obtained by adding to the basic outfit the helmet, complete with anti-reflective cloth, the mesh scarf, the belt with the cuffs, the anti NBC mask, the armament and, when required, the bulletproof or anti-splinter vest.

Operational Uniform

A G.N.R. Legionnaire during a security operation. The Garrison Uniform is the standard-use tenure unless otherwise specified.

The Operational Uniform (Uniforme Operativa, UOP) is considered as part of Service and Combat Uniforms, but it is considerably different. All personnel wear black cargo trousers, black shirt and black infantry combat boots. The shirt may be long or short sleeved according the season, and has two patch-style breast pockets; the winter shirt is in heavy wool specifically treated. Under ordinary circumstances the cap which is used is the beret, but if required by the situation also the helmet can be worn.
Units deployed in mountain areas with particularly cold climates use a black sweater instead of the black shirt, and wind-breaker jacket with heavy internal lining. The sweater can replace the shirt even in public order, patrolling, manhunts and round-ups services.

Specialist combat uniform derivatives

Alongside the generic Service and combat Uniform, the M.V.S.N. provides its units of some specialist derivatives:

• NBCR Service and combat Uniform: For the conduct of operations in a contaminated environment, all personnel are supplied with an overcoat in special treated fabric complete with gloves and footwear.
• Flight suit: The personnel of the helicopter units use the flight suit, consisting of a one-piece suit and completed by a light olive green vest, with a flight helmet and special footwear.
• Tank suit: All armoured and self-propelled units instead make use of the black one-piece suit of the tank crews, completed in winter by the comfortable leather jacket.

Service Uniform

The Service Uniform has two types and two main derivatives: the M.V.S.N. type, used for all branches save for the O.V.R.A. and G.N.R., and the G.N.R. type, shared by O.V.R.A. and G.N.R. The two derivatives are the winter and summer uniforms.

By associating the service uniform with the individual armament, the belt, the combat boots and other accessories such as decorations, or the garmet scarf and dagger, it is possible to obtain the outfits, both summer and winter, for special armed services or for armed services of parade and honor.

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  M.V.S.N. Winter Service Uniform (General officers). This derivative features the dagger and scarf, fez and riding boots.

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  M.V.S.N. Winter Service Uniform Uniform (General officers).

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  Albanian G.N.R. Winter Service Uniform Uniform (General officers).

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  Libyan G.N.R. Winter Service Uniform Uniform (General officers).

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  Ethiopian G.N.R. Winter Service Uniform Uniform (General officers).

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  Somali G.N.R. Winter Service Uniform Uniform (General officers).

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  Eritrean G.N.R. Winter Service Uniform Uniform (General officers).

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  Monetenegrin G.N.R. Ordinary On Duty Uniform (General officers).

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  Monetenegrin G.N.R. Ordinary On Duty Uniform (General officers, variant).

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  G.N.R. Ordinary Off Duty Uniform (General officers). The G.N.R. wears black trousers and jacket; with the Ordinary Off Duty Uniform, the service weapon can be carried under the jacket.

M.V.S.N. Winter Service Uniform

M.V.S.N. senior officer in Winter Service Uniform with parade accessories.

The M.V.S.N. Service Uniform consists of a gray-green single-breasted jacket with four silver buttons, four patch pockets with central torch and flap closure with button, removable shoulder straps stopped by a snap button. The gray-green trousers are classic cut, with pleats, four pockets and a watch pocket. The black shirt has two pockets and, to complete the uniform, a black tie, black leather gloves, black flat shoes, olive thread socks, speciality headgear.

Inside the military installations or in the immediate vicinity, the jacket can be replaced by the "V" neck sweater by adding the insignia to the shirt collar. A raincoat can be worn with the service uniform. It is in gray-green cotton, single-breasted closed by four fruit buttons with two internal and two external pockets, sleeves closed with cuffs and shoulder pads.

As accessories, trousers are riding short pants and black leather boots are also provided.

M.V.S.N. Summer Service Uniform

The M.S.N. Summer service uniform is an unmatched suit, consisting of a black shirt and gray-green trousers. The shirt is worn with an open collar and has two patch pockets, with a central shank, closed by a flap with a button. The sleeves are short above the elbow, the shoulder straps are fixed and stopped by a button. The trousers, of classic cut, are worn with the hemp strap. The flat black shoes complete the outfit with the use of the specialty headgear.

G.N.R. Winter Service Uniform

The M.V.S.N. Service Uniform consists of a black single-breasted jacket with four silver buttons, four patch pockets with central torch and flap closure with button, removable shoulder straps stopped by a snap button. The black trousers are classic cut, with pleats, four pockets and a watch pocket. The black shirt has two pockets and, to complete the uniform, a black tie, black leather gloves, black flat shoes, black thread socks, speciality headgear.

Inside the military installations or in the immediate vicinity, the jacket can be replaced by the "V" neck sweater by adding the insignia to the shirt collar. A raincoat can be worn with the service uniform. It is in black cotton, single-breasted closed by four black buttons with two internal and two external pockets, sleeves closed with cuffs and shoulder pads.

G.N.R. branches of the Realms of the Italian Empire have their own colours.

G.N.R. Summer Service Uniform

The summer service uniform is an unmatched suit, consisting of a black shirt and gray-green trousers. The shirt is worn with an open collar and has two patch pockets, with a central shank, closed by a flap with a button. The sleeves are short above the elbow, the shoulder straps are fixed and stopped by a button. The trousers, of classic cut, are worn with the hemp strap. The flat black shoes complete the outfit with the use of the specialty headgear.

G.N.R. branches of the Realms of the Italian Empire have their own colours.

Uniform for Armed Services of Parade and Honour

The Uniform for Armed Services of Parade and Honour is composed of the Service Uniform (both winter and summer) adding the individual armament, the belt, the combat boots and other accessories such as full decorations, the Blackshirts dagger and the Red Scarf.

Ordinary Uniform

The Service Uniform has two types: the M.V.S.N. type, used for all branches save for the O.V.R.A. and G.N.R., and the G.N.R. type, shared by O.V.R.A. and G.N.R. There is no different shape or colour for summer and winter uniforms.

M.V.S.N. Ordinary Uniform

The M.V.S.N. Ordinary Uniform consists of a gray-green single-breasted jacket with four silver buttons, four patch pockets with central torch and flap closure with button, removable shoulder straps stopped by a snap button. The gray-green trousers are classic cut, with pleats, four pockets and a watch pocket. The black shirt has two pockets and, to complete the uniform, a black tie, black leather gloves, black flat shoes, olive thread socks, peaked cap.

Depending on the weather conditions, the gray-green beaver coat or the waterproof gray-green overcoat can be used and distributed to all personnel.

G.N.R. Ordinary Uniform

The M.V.S.N. Ordinary Uniform consists of a black single-breasted jacket with four silver buttons, four patch pockets with central torch and flap closure with button, removable shoulder straps stopped by a snap button. The black trousers are classic cut, with pleats, four pockets and a watch pocket. The black shirt has two pockets and, to complete the uniform, a black tie, black leather gloves, black flat shoes, black thread socks, peaked headgear.

Depending on the weather conditions, the black beaver coat or the waterproof black overcoat can be used and distributed to all personnel.

G.N.R. branches of the Realms of the Italian Empire have their own colours.

Uniform for Services of Parade and Honour

The Uniform for Services of Parade and Honour is composed of the Ordinary Uniform adding the belt and other accessories such as full decorations, the Blackshirts dagger and the Red Scarf.

Headgear

The headgear differs according to the type of uniform, rank, specialty and unit to which the individual Legionnaire belongs.

Speciality Headgear

The speciality Headgear is worn with the Combat and Service Uniform and the Serivice Uniform. The specialty headdresses are:

• the maroon beret for the troops of the "Littorio" parachute brigade,
• the blue beret for the personnel employed by the Legionary Air Force;
• the blue beret for the naval infantry;
• the garnet beret for the Bersaglieri
• the black beret for the remaining personnel.

The metallic specialty frieze is applied to all headgear of this type.

Peaked cap

For the ordinary uniform, the personnel uses the peaked cap of the same color as the uniform with the golden fabric frieze applied. Alternatively is worn the fez of the Militia.

See also

• Italian National Royal Guard (Kingdom of Italy)
• O.V.R.A. (Kingdom of Italy)
• M.V.S.N. (Kingdom of Italy)