History

The RAD (Reichsarbeitsdienst = Reich Labour Service) was officially established on June 26, 1935 as the sole, and compulsory, labour service of Germany. Its purposes were to help the economy, curb unemployment, and indoctrinate its members with the NSDAP ideology, as well as play its part in militarising the German population.

The FAD (Freiwilliger Arbeitsdienst = Voluntary Labour Service) was the precursor of the RAD in the early 1930s. Official uniform regulations were first introduced on October 1, 1933, with modifications made in July 1934. It is also known as NSAD (Nationalsozialistischer Arbeitsdienst = National Socialist Labour Service).

The earliest uniforms were a not entirely successful attempt at standardisation. They gave way to a second wave of FAD uniforms that, when the RAD was established, experienced no significant changes.

The Wintermütze (Winter Cap) was introduced in 1942 and used as ski wear and special winter wear. It is very similar to the Visored Field Cap M43, with flaps to pull down over ears and neck, but made of heavier wool. Another difference is that the M43 Cap usually has two buttons, whereas the Winter Cap usually has only one button; however, exception are known to exist.

The cap features the RAD emblem on the front.