The Long Service Award 2nd Class for 25 Years (Treudienst-Ehrenzeichen) represents a significant component of the German decorations system during the National Socialist era. This award was established on January 21, 1936 by Reich Labor Leader Konstantin Hierl and was intended to honor the long and faithful service of members of the Reich Labor Service (Reichsarbeitsdienst or RAD).

The Reich Labor Service itself was an organization that evolved from various predecessors such as the Voluntary Labor Service and became a mandatory organization on June 26, 1935 through the Reich Labor Service Law. All young Germans between 18 and 25 years of age were required to complete six months of labor service before they could be drafted for military service.

The Long Service Award existed in four grades: for 10, 25, 40, and 50 years of service. The 2nd Class for 25 Years described here was awarded to individuals who had spent a quarter century in the service of the RAD or its predecessor organizations. This was a considerable achievement that demonstrated not only physical endurance but also ideological loyalty to the National Socialist system.

The decoration itself had a characteristic design: it consisted of a cross-shaped medallion with the RAD symbol (crossed spades) in the center. The 25-year award was executed in silver, while the lower grade for 10 years was made in bronze and the higher grades for 40 and 50 years were made in gold or gilt. The reverse typically bore the inscription “Für treue Dienste im RAD” (For Faithful Service in the RAD) along with the indication of years of service.

The described specimen presents itself on the original ribbon with a sewn-on pin, indicating the manner of wearing on the uniform. The decoration was worn on the left breast, with the ribbon held in RAD colors. The sewn-on pin was a practical solution for permanent attachment to the uniform and differed from removable pin variants.

Particularly noteworthy is that the award is contained in its presentation case. These cases were usually made of cardboard or artificial leather and lined with velvet or similar material. They often bore an embossing or inscription on the lid referring to the Reich Labor Service. The presence of the original case significantly increases both the historical and collectible value of the object, as many of these cases were lost over the decades.

The awarding of the Long Service Award was bound to strict guidelines. The recipient had to not only prove the required length of service but also demonstrate “impeccable conduct.” The presentation usually took place during a ceremonial event where the ideological significance of the decoration was emphasized.

In historical context, this decoration must be viewed with differentiation. The Reich Labor Service was undoubtedly part of the National Socialist system of rule and served both ideological indoctrination and practical preparation for military service. At the same time, many RAD members, especially long-serving employees, had already been active in labor service organizations before the 1933 seizure of power, which were originally founded to combat unemployment during the Weimar Republic.

After the end of World War II, all decorations of the Third Reich were prohibited by Allied Control Council directives of October 10, 1945. The public wearing of these awards was forbidden in Germany until regulated by the Orders Law of 1957, which permitted wearing without National Socialist symbols under certain conditions.

Today, such decorations are important historical documents preserved in museums and collections. They serve research and education about the National Socialist period and remind us of a dark chapter in German history. For military historians and collectors, they offer insights into the decoration system, organizational structure, and everyday reality in the Third Reich.