A podvorotnichok (russian: подворотничок, lit=undercollar) is a narrow piece of white fabric formerly sewn on the inside of the collars of field uniforms in the

Russian Armed Forces The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (, ), commonly referred to as the Russian Armed Forces, are the military forces of Russia. In terms of active-duty personnel, they are the world's fifth-largest military force, with at least two m ...

and some of the former Soviet republics' militaries, to reduce wear and tear on the collar and alleviate

chafing Chafing can refer to: * Chafing (nautical), damage to sails or other parts of a boat from rubbing * Chafing (skin), skin irritation from rubbing or sweat See also * Chafing dish * Chafing fuel Chafing fuel is a fuel used for heating food, ty ...

. Podvorotnichoks were changed daily, typically in the evening before lights out, and checked during morning inspection. If a soldier's podvorotnichok was not snow-white or sewn correctly, he could be punished and made to resew it. Since the introduction of the modern VKPO uniform, podvorotnichoks and

footwraps Footwraps (also referred to as ''foot cloths'', ''rags'', ''bandages'' or ''bindings'', or by their Russian name ''portyanki'') are rectangular pieces of cloth that are worn wrapped around the feet to avoid chafing, absorb sweat and improve the ...

were phased out; podvorotnichok has not been mentioned in the Russian Armed Forces uniform list since the signing of Decree 300 by

Defense Minister A defence minister or minister of defence is a cabinet official position in charge of a ministry of defense, which regulates the armed forces in sovereign states. The role of a defence minister varies considerably from country to country; in som ...

Sergei Shoigu Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu, ; tyv, Сергей Күжүгет оглу Шойгу, translit=Sergey Kyzhyget oglu Shoygu, . (russian: Сергей Кужугетович Шойгу; born 21 May 1955) is a Russian politician who has served as ...

on 22 June 2015.

Sources

* ''Soviet Uniforms and Militaria 1917–1991'', by László Békesi * ''Inside the Soviet Army Today: Osprey Elite Military History Series No. 12'', by Stephen J. Zaloga

References

{{reflist Military uniforms Military equipment of Russia Russian clothing