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.

Trade or specialty insignia were introduced in early 1937 for RAD members performing special tasks. They were worn on the lower left sleeve.
The insignia is in the form of a dark brown shield with silver-coloured symbols for Officers and white symbols for NCO/EM (Non-Commissioned Officers/Enlisted Men) ranks.

Members of the Gesundheitsdienst, later renamed Heildienst (Health Service), initially wore a caduceus, a snake wound around a staff. This was later changed to a life rune in late 1937. Apotheker (pharmacists) have a pink border, while Amtswalter im Gesundheitsdienst (medical supply members) have a green border.