Meaning of Russian phrase

[Virginian]

I would like to ask what the exact meaning of 'для поручений' in the context of Soviet officer biographies. An example of its use would be 'Должности в РККА: для поручений при штабе инспекции при формировании Северного участка отрядов завесы ' Is this a synonym for 'в распоряжении' which I understand to mean 'at the disposal of', an officer temporarily at a unit headquarters to await another posting ?

[GregSingh]

It really depends on context. Exact meaning could be для поручений = for errands/orders/tasks

Eg. Офицер для поручений при командире = Officer for errands by/under the commander = aide/assistant/adjutant/Ordonanzoffizier

[Eugen Pinak]

I would like to ask what the exact meaning of 'для поручений' in the context of Soviet officer biographies. An example of its use would be 'Должности в РККА: для поручений при штабе инспекции при формировании Северного участка отрядов завесы ' Is this a synonym for 'в распоряжении' which I understand to mean 'at the disposal of', an officer temporarily at a unit headquarters to await another posting ?

No. In Russian army "senior (or junior) officer for the [staff] duties" was a staff position in corps HQ and above, prescribed by TOE. At least position of senior officer for the [staff] duties could be filled only with officers of the General staff.
And i suspect, it was the same in early Soviet army.

[Virginian]

I would like to ask what the exact meaning of 'для поручений' in the context of Soviet officer biographies. An example of its use would be 'Должности в РККА: для поручений при штабе инспекции при формировании Северного участка отрядов завесы ' Is this a synonym for 'в распоряжении' which I understand to mean 'at the disposal of', an officer temporarily at a unit headquarters to await another posting ?

No. In Russian army "senior (or junior) officer for the [staff] duties" was a staff position in corps HQ and above, prescribed by TOE. At least position of senior officer for the [staff] duties could be filled only with officers of the General staff.
And i suspect, it was the same in early Soviet army.

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense, especially sense this term pops up in biographies of General Staff officers. I'm glad I asked here since otherwise I would have mistranslated it.

[Eugen Pinak]

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense, especially sense this term pops up in biographies of General Staff officers. I'm glad I asked here since otherwise I would have mistranslated it.

You are welcome.
Actually, it was a surprise for me as well. Staff nomenclature of positions in old Russian army can be very confusing.