For a young Soviet man in the late 80s, the chances were very great that he would be obliged to serve for at least two years in one branch or another of the Soviet Armed Forces. By the time that they reached the conscription age of 18 years, most Soviet boys would already be far more familiar with military life than their counterparts in Western Europe or America. Steven J. Zaloga examines the history, organisation, appearance and equipment of these forces, from pre-service indoctrination to uniforms and leadership.