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.

Sonderführer (specialist leaders) shoulder boards were first introduced in November of 1943. Sonderführer were civilians with a special skill that were granted Officer or senior NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) status.

Sonderührer shoulder boards are narrower than regular RAD shoulder boards. Depending on the wearer's branch, the underlay could be in yellow, green, or black for Sonderführer (O), (M 2), and (M 1). The underlay for Sonderführer (U) was always black.

Sonderführer (O) shoulder boards feature two silver-coloured cords, intertwined to form ten bends.

Sonderführer (M 2) shoulder boards feature two double-laid silver-coloured twist cords with two braided silver-coloured rank "slides".

Sonderführer (M 1) shoulder boards feature two double-laid silver-coloured twist cords.

Sonderführer (U) shoulder boards feature a double-laid double cord with a pattern of alternating silver-coloured and black chevrons.