Graduate badge of Georgi Rakovski Military Academy
"Georgi Rakovski" Military Academy is the major military school in Bulgaria training the highest rank officers of the army. The patron of the school is one of the leaders of the Bulgarian Revolutionary Liberation Movement against the Ottoman rule in 19th century. Participated in the Braila Riots (1841-1843), one of the founders of the revolutionary organization "Secret Society", a publisher and poet, he was making plans for the Liberation of Bulgaria. Rakovski's revolutionary activity awakened the Bulgarian immigrants in Romania and Russia. In 1867 Rakovski died. His death put an end to one of the significant stages of the Bulgarian national revolution.
Military school graduate badges were made after the Soviet model badges of this type: with a “rhomb” form and screw back reverse. What should be noted is that here in Bulgaria these badges played an important role in the Communist military awarding system; they were valued to all military men. Even if someone was later awarded with orders and titles of a higher rank, he kept on wearing the Graduate badge.
There are about 10 military schools (academies), each having 1, 2 or 3 emission badges.
The initial emission of the badges, also called "silver", is characterized by a solid silver base, white enamel and a silver plate bearing the name of the school. These badges are a bit heavier than the emissions to come.
The second emission has a base and plate made of different metals, the enamel is white too.
The third emission is much different than the previous two by its cream colored enamel.
Some of the emissions differ also by the acronym-name of the school or by the coat of arms, in the latter case depending on whether the emission was issued before or after 1971.
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