Kragenspiegel RAD Obervormann (Collar-tabs RAD Obervormann) 1936-41
A second pattern collar patchs, designed by Egon Jantke and used from 1936 to 1941, indicating the rank of an "Obervormann" (a rank between a lance corporal and corporal in the British or American army). The collar tabs are in the form of 70mm x 35mm, black, ribbed rayon parallelogram, upon which, near its leading edge, is a vertical bar with a black stripe along its center, proceeding from which is a white bar, which comes to a point, with a stripe of grey running along the center of its 55mm long, horizontal length. The rayon is smooth where it folds over and is attached to the reverse cardstock backing.
The basis of the RAD, "Reichs Arbeitsdienst" (National Labor-service), dates back, at least, to 1929 with the formation of the AAD, "Anhalt Arbeitsdienst" (Anhalt Labor-service), and the FAD-B, "Freiwillingen Arbeitsdienst-Bayern" (Volunteer Labor-service [of]-Bavaria). Shortly after Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor, on January 30th, 1933, the NSDAP consolidated these, and other labor organizations, into the NSAD, "Nationalsozialist Arbeitsdienst" (National-socialist Labor-service) - a national labor service. In June of 1935 the NSAD was re-designated RAD. In July of the same year RAD service became compulsory, with all German citizens between 19 and 25 years of age required to enlist for a six month term. This law also decreed that all military conscripts serve a nine month term.