Rear services were those agencies in Warsaw Pact and Soviet style military forces concerned with military logistics and support.
The Rear Services supplied the armed forces with ammunition, fuel, spare parts, food, clothing, and other material.
Usually a deputy minister of defence served as chief of Rear Services for the armed forces.
Major departments were:[1] In 1984 main components included food supply, fuel supply, Central Military Medical Administration, Clothing Supply, Main Administration of Trade (Voyentorg, military stores & military post exchanges), Rear Cadres (personnel), Railway Troops, Pipeline Troops, Central Administration of Military Communications (VOSO), veterinarian, Motortransport Service (provides vehicles while Automotive Troops provides drivers), Highway Directorate, Chief, Tourism and Excursion Administration, and the Tyl Political Section.
[3] The Rear Services also included the Topographic Troops (ru:Трубопроводные войска).