The role of service symbols and rituals in the socio-cultural educational environment of a departmental university

Introduction. Appeal to the history of the origin and development of military traditions, rituals, symbolism irrefutably contains positive potential, without which the modern educational process in the educational organization of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs is impossible. The reliance on the studies of early civilizations is a feature of our approach in search for the sources and prototypes of military attributes and rituals. The article discusses the origin of military symbols and rituals, without which today it is difficult to imagine the activities of police officers of the Russian Federation. Materials and Methods. The article is based on the results of the theoretical study of the issue in the field of the history of the origin and development of military traditions, rituals, symbols, and the study of guiding documents. Archival sources, available scientific publications on the subject matter were used. Hermeneutic method was used to collect and analyze data, as well as to interpret the results of the research. Results and Discussion. The symbols and rituals of service (the red banner, shoulder straps) are considered basing on the studies of early civilizations. Conclusions. Reference to the historical information about the origin and development of rituals, service traditions promotes not only the formation of general and professional culture of cadets and students of the departmental university but also formation of patriotic consciousness, professional pride, honor and dignity as the basis for professionally significant qualities of future law enforcement officers.