Up until now I was Otlichnik.
That name was based on the yahoo email I have used since circa 1990. The term otlichnik is Russian for "excellent" or "excellence" and was used for many Soviet army award badges and remains in use by the Russian
military today.
I used that term for my email because I studied Soviet
history, specializing in the
history of the
Red Army, from 1988 to 1997. I have kept it since, though I long ago stopped collecting Soviet
military items and sold off my
collection which is instead now focussed on
Roman coins.
However, as I am now utterly disgusted by the Russian
military I will have nothing to do with that term anymore. I am changing my "
handle" on all forums I belong to and ditching that email forever.
Sorry for any confusion.
Shawn