Page "Red Army" Paragraph 43

At the beginning of its existence, the Red Army functioned as a voluntary formation, without ranks or insignia.

Democratic elections selected the officers.

However, a decree of 29 May 1918 imposed obligatory military service for men of ages 18 to 40.

To service the massive draft, the Bolsheviks formed regional military commissariats ( voyennyy komissariat, abbr.

voyenkomat ), which as of 2006 still exist in Russia in this function and under this name.

Military commissariats however should not be confused with the institution of military political commissars.