Rank after ensign. The system of military ranks in the Russian imperial army

In many ways, they retained the system inherited from the armed forces of the USSR. But modern system military ranks acquired its own unique features.

The structure of the ranks of the armed forces and the rank and file

Ranks in the troops of our country can be divided into several categories:

• Ordinary composition.
• junior officers.
• senior officers.
• senior officers.

The lowest rank in the modern troops of our country is private. This title is worn by people serving in the military. Ordinary servicemen of the USSR army began to be called after the war, before the terms “Red Army soldier” and “fighter” were in use.

Reserve soldiers can be called those citizens of the country who have a military registration specialty: a doctor or a lawyer. They are called "Private Medical Service" or, in turn, "Private Justice".

Also called privates are cadets who are trained to achieve officer epaulettes. During their studies, they can receive ranks related to the rank and file, and after completing their studies, they can receive the first officer rank.

The best and most experienced of the privates receive the rank of corporal. This military rank has the right to replace the junior officer in command of the department. The private receives the rank of corporal for the impeccable performance of his duties and the observance of ideal discipline.

Following the corporal is the rank of junior sergeant. The holder of this rank can command a squad or combat vehicle. In special cases, a private or corporal may, before leaving military service, be awarded the appointment of a reserve junior sergeant.

A sergeant who is higher in the service hierarchy of a junior sergeant also has the right to command a squad or combat vehicle. The title was introduced in the Soviet armed forces before the war, in 1940. Its owners underwent special training in their units or were promoted from the most distinguished junior sergeants. The next in the structure of our armed forces is a senior sergeant.

This is followed by the positions of foremen, which were introduced in the Soviet army a little earlier than sergeants - in 1935. In today's Russian army, the best of the senior sergeants who have served in the previous rank for at least six months and have been promoted to a position involving the rank of foreman become foremen.

Within his company, the foreman serves as the head of the personnel, consisting of sergeants and privates. The foreman is subordinate to the officer in command of the company, and can act as the company commander when he is absent.

Since 1972, the Soviet troops have been replenished with the rank of warrant officer, and since 1981 - senior warrant officer. Its owners, as a rule, graduate from military educational establishments who do not have higher status. Ensigns are assistants to junior officers.

The lowest officer rank in the troops of our country is junior lieutenant. Today it is often possessed by cadets completing their training in the military. educational institutions, as well as graduates of lieutenant schools at military units. Sometimes the rank of junior lieutenant can be obtained by graduates of civilian specialties, as well as ensigns who have shown zeal and ability to serve.

Usually graduates of military universities become lieutenants. After the corresponding period of service and passing the certification with a positive result, junior lieutenants move to the next level - lieutenant. The next step among the ranks of junior officers is the rank of senior lieutenant and captain. The rank of officer of the engineering troops at this stage sounds like "engineer captain", and the artilleryman - battalion commander (battery commander). In infantry units, a military officer with the rank of captain commands a company.

The senior officer ranks are Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel. The major has the right to command a training company or be an assistant to the battalion commander. A lieutenant colonel commands a battalion or serves as an assistant regimental commander.

The colonel has the right to command a regiment, brigade and be the deputy commander of a division. This officer rank was introduced to the armed forces of our country along with a number of others in 1935. In the Navy, the three senior officer ranks of the ground forces correspond to their own ranks of captains of the third, second and first ranks.

The first highest officer rank of the Russian troops is Major General. The holder of this rank can command a division (combination of up to 15 thousand personnel), and also be a deputy corps commander.

Next comes the rank of lieutenant general. Historically, it came from the position of a senior officer who was a deputy general. The word "lieutenant" - is translated as "deputy". Such an officer of the highest rank may command a corps or be a deputy commander of an army. Lieutenant generals also serve in military headquarters.

A colonel-general may be the deputy commander of a military district or command an army. The holders of this military rank hold the positions of the General Staff or the Ministry of Defense. Finally, the highest military rank of the troops of our country, the general of the army, is higher. Today, the highest officers of individual branches of the military - artillery, communications, etc. - can become generals of the army.

In the naval forces of our country, the highest officer positions correspond to rear admiral, vice admiral, admiral and admiral of the fleet.

When we remember the military leaders of the USSR during the Great Patriotic War, holders of the title of "Marshal" traditionally come to mind - G.K. Zhukov, I.S. Konev, K.K. Rokossovsky. However, in the post-Soviet period, this rank practically disappeared, and the functions of marshals were transferred to army generals.

In 1935 Marshal of the Soviet Union was introduced as the highest personal military rank. It was assigned to the most worthy of the representatives of the highest military leadership and could serve as a distinction. In 1935, a number of top military leaders of the country of the Soviets became marshals, holding responsible positions in the army.

Three of the first five marshals of the USSR in the years following their appointment fell under the blow of repression. Therefore, before the start of the war, Semyon Timoshenko, Grigory Kulik and Boris Shaposhnikov, who replaced them in responsible posts, became the new marshals of the Soviet Union.

During the war years, the highest rank of marshal was awarded to the most distinguished commanders. The first of the marshals of the "war period" was Georgy Zhukov. Nearly all the top military men who led the fronts became marshals. Joseph Stalin received the rank of marshal in 1943. The basis was the “positions he occupied” of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and People's Commissar of Defense.

In the post-war period, a military rank rare for the country was received by General Secretary L.I. Brezhnev. The marshals were the persons who held the post of Minister of Defense - Nikolai Bulgarin, Dmitry Ustinov and Sergei Sokolov. In 1987, Dmitry Yazov became Minister of Defense, and three years later he received a personal highest officer rank. Today, he is the only retired marshal surviving.

In 1943, while the war was going on, the rank of marshal of the armed forces began to be used in the USSR. A little later, the ranks of marshals of special forces were added to them. In the same year, a number of the highest military councils of the country became such marshals. In particular, the famous military leader Pavel Rotmistrov became a marshal tank troops. In 1943, the rank of chief marshal of the armed forces was also introduced.

Most of the ranks of chief marshals were abolished in 1984 - they were retained exclusively for aviation and artillery. But after 1984, none of the representatives of the country's top military leadership received them either. The ranks of marshals and chief marshals of the armed forces were finally abolished in 1993. In 1991, the last recent history Evgeny Shaposhnikov became Air Marshal of the country.

In the modern army of our country there is a title - "Marshal Russian Federation". As in the pre-war period, this is a personal highest military rank. The reason for receiving the rank of marshal may be the special merits of the officer to the country, recognized by the President.

In 1997, the title was awarded to Igor Sergeev. The awarding of this rank followed the appointment of Igor Dmitrievich as the Minister of Defense of our country. In 2001, the military retired from active service and until the end of his life he held the rank of retired marshal.

Modern ranks in the Russian army are inherited from the Soviet period. The army of the Russian Federation partially retained its former structure and military formations. Therefore, the system of military ranks and positions has not undergone major changes.

Generality:
General chase and:

-Field Marshal General* - crossed wands.
-general of infantry, cavalry, etc.(the so-called "full general") - without asterisks,
- lieutenant general- 3 stars
- major general- 2 stars

Headquarters officers:
Two gaps and:


-colonel- without asterisks.
- lieutenant colonel(since 1884, the Cossacks have a military foreman) - 3 stars
-major** (until 1884 the Cossacks had a military foreman) - 2 stars

Ober-officers:
One light and:


-captain(captain, captain) - without stars.
- staff captain(headquarters captain, podesaul) - 4 stars
-lieutenant(sotnik) - 3 stars
- second lieutenant(cornet, cornet) - 2 stars
- Ensign*** - 1 star

Lower ranks


-zauryad-ensign- 1 galloon stripe along the length of the shoulder strap with the 1st star on the stripe
- Ensign- 1 galloon stripe in the length of the epaulette
- sergeant major(wahmistr) - 1 wide transverse stripe
-st. non-commissioned officer(st. fireworks, st. constable) - 3 narrow cross stripes
- ml. non-commissioned officer(ml. fireworks, ml. sergeant) - 2 narrow cross stripes
- corporal(bombardier, orderly) - 1 narrow transverse stripe
-private(gunner, cossack) - without stripes

*In 1912, the last Field Marshal Dmitry Aleksevich Milyutin, who held the post of Minister of War from 1861 to 1881, dies. This rank was not awarded to anyone else, but nominally this rank was preserved.
** The rank of major was abolished in 1884 and was no longer restored.
*** From 1884, the rank of warrant officer was left only for wartime (it is only assigned during the war, and with its end, all warrant officers are subject to either dismissal or they should be assigned the rank of second lieutenant).
P.S. Ciphers and monograms on shoulder straps are not conditionally placed.
Very often one hears the question "why does the junior rank in the category of staff officers and generals begin with two stars, and not with one like the chief officers?" When, in 1827, stars on epaulettes appeared in the Russian army as insignia, the major general received two stars on the epaulette at once.
There is a version that one star was supposed to be a foreman - this rank had not been assigned since the time of Paul I, but by 1827 they still existed
retired brigadiers who had the right to wear uniforms. True, epaulettes were not supposed to be retired military men. And it is unlikely that many of them survived until 1827 (passed
for about 30 years since the abolition of the brigadier rank). Most likely, the two general's stars were simply copied from the epaulette of a French brigadier general. There is nothing strange in this, because the epaulettes themselves came to Russia from France. Most likely, there was never a single general's star in the Russian imperial army. This version seems more plausible.

As for the major, he received two stars by analogy with the two stars of the Russian major general of that time.

The only exception was the insignia in the hussar regiments in the front and ordinary (everyday) form, in which shoulder cords were worn instead of shoulder straps.
Shoulder cords.
Instead of an epaulette of a cavalry type, the hussars on dolmans and mentics have
hussar shoulder cords. For all officers, the same from a gold or silver double soutache cord of the same color as the cords on the dolman for the lower ranks, shoulder cords from a double soutache cord in color -
orange for regiments having the color of the instrument metal - gold or white for regiments having the color of the instrument metal - silver.
These shoulder cords form a ring at the sleeve, and a loop at the collar, fastened with a uniform button sewn half an inch from the collar seam.
To distinguish the ranks, gombochki are put on the cords (a ring from the same cold cord covering the shoulder cord):
-y corporal- one, of the same color with a cord;
-y non-commissioned officers tricolor gombochkas (white with St. George's thread), in number, like stripes on shoulder straps;
-y sergeant major- gold or silver (as for officers) on an orange or white cord (as for lower ranks);
-y ensign- a shoulder cord of a smooth officer with a gombochka of a sergeant-major;
officers on officer cords have gombos with stars (metal, as on shoulder straps) - in accordance with the rank.

Volunteers wear twisted cords of Romanov colors (white-black-yellow) around the cords.

The shoulder cords of the ober and headquarters officers do not differ in any way.
Headquarters officers and generals have the following differences in uniform: on the collar of a dolman, generals have a wide or gold galloon up to 1 1/8 inches wide, and staff officers have a gold or silver galloon 5/8 inches wide, having the full length "
hussar zigzags", and for chief officers, the collar is sheathed with only one cord or filigree.
In the 2nd and 5th regiments of the chief officers along the upper edge of the collar, there is also galloon, but 5/16 inches wide.
In addition, on the cuffs of the generals there is galloon, the same as the one on the collar. The galloon stripe comes from the cut of the sleeve with two ends, converges in front over the toe.
For staff officers, the galloon is also the same as the one on the collar. The length of the entire patch is up to 5 inches.
And the chief officers are not supposed to galloon.

Below are pictures of the shoulder cords

1. Officers and generals

2. Lower officials

The shoulder cords of the chief, staff officers and generals did not differ in any way from each other. For example, it was possible to distinguish a cornet from a major general only by the appearance and width of the braid on the cuffs and, in some regiments, on the collar.
Twisted cords relied only on adjutants and aide-de-camp!

Shoulder cords of the adjutant wing (left) and adjutant (right)

Officer's epaulettes: lieutenant colonel of the air squadron of the 19th army corps and staff captain of the 3rd field air squadron. In the center - epaulettes of the cadets of Nikolaevsky engineering school. On the right is the epaulette of a captain (most likely a dragoon or lancer regiment)

The Russian army in its modern sense began to be created by Emperor Peter I at the end of the 18th century. The system of military ranks of the Russian army took shape partly under the influence of European systems, partly under the influence of the historically established purely Russian system of ranks. However, at that time there were no military ranks in the sense in which we are accustomed to understand. There were specific military units, there were also quite specific positions and, accordingly, their names. company commander. By the way, in the civil fleet even now, the person in charge of the ship's crew is called the "captain", the person in charge of the seaport is called the "port captain". In the 18th century, many words existed in a slightly different sense than they do now.
So "General" meant - "chief", and not just "highest military leader";
"Major"- "senior" (senior among regimental officers);
"Lieutenant"- "assistant"
"Outbuilding"- "Jr".

"Table of ranks of all ranks of military, civil and courtiers, in which class the ranks are acquired" was put into effect by the Decree of Emperor Peter I on January 24, 1722 and lasted until December 16, 1917. The word "officer" came into Russian from German. But in German, as in English, the word has a much broader meaning. In relation to the army, this term means all military leaders in general. In a narrower translation, it means - "employee", "clerk", "employee". Therefore, it is quite natural - "non-commissioned officers" - junior commanders, "chief officers" - senior commanders, "headquarters officers" - staff members, "generals" - the main ones. Non-commissioned officer ranks also in those days were not ranks, but were positions. Ordinary soldiers were then named according to their military specialties - musketeer, pikeman, dragoon, etc. There was no name "private", and "soldier", as Peter I wrote, means all military personnel ".. from the highest general to the last musketeer, cavalry or on foot ..." Therefore, soldier and non-commissioned officer ranks were not included in the Table. The well-known names "second lieutenant", "lieutenant" existed in the list of ranks of the Russian army long before the formation of the regular army by Peter I to designate military personnel who are assistants to the captain, that is, the company commander; and continued to be used within the framework of the Table as Russian-language synonyms for the positions "non-commissioned lieutenant" and "lieutenant", that is, "assistant" and "assistant". Well, or if you want - "assistant officer for assignments" and "officer for assignments." The name "ensign" as a more understandable one (wearing a banner, ensign), quickly replaced the obscure "fendrik", which meant "candidate for an officer position. Over time, the process of separating the concepts of "position" and "rank" was going on. After early XIX centuries, these concepts have already been separated quite clearly. With the development of the means of warfare, the advent of technology, when the army became large enough and when it was necessary to compare the official position of a rather large set of job titles. It was here that the concept of "rank" often began to obscure, divert the concept of "position" into the background.

However, in the modern army, the position, so to speak, is more important than the rank. According to the charter, seniority is determined by position, and only with equal positions is the one with a higher rank considered older.

According to the "Table of Ranks", the following ranks were introduced: civil, military infantry and cavalry, military artillery and engineering troops, military guards, military fleets.

In the period from 1722-1731, in relation to the army, the system of military ranks looked like this (the corresponding position in brackets)

Lower ranks (ordinary)

By specialty (grenadier. Fuseler ...)

non-commissioned officers

Corporal(part-commander)

Fourier(deputy platoon commander)

Captainarmus

Ensign(foreman of a company, battalion)

Sergeant

Feldwebel

Ensign(Fendrik), junker bayonet (art) (platoon leader)

Second Lieutenant

lieutenant(deputy company commander)

lieutenant captain(company commander)

Captain

Major(deputy battalion commander)

Lieutenant colonel(battalion commander)

Colonel(commander of the regiment)

Brigadier(brigade leader)

generals

Major General(division commander)

lieutenant general(corps commander)

General-anshef (General Feldzekhmeister)- (commander of the army)

Field Marshal General(commander-in-chief, honorary title)

In the Life Guards, the ranks were two classes higher than in the army. In the army artillery and engineering troops, the ranks are one class higher than in the infantry and cavalry. During the period 1731-1765 the concepts of "rank" and "position" are beginning to separate. So in the state of the field infantry regiment of 1732, when indicating the staff ranks, it is already written not just the rank of "quartermaster", but the position indicating the rank: "quartermaster (of the lieutenant rank)". With regard to officers of the company level, the separation of the concepts of "position" and "rank" is not yet observed. In the army "fendrick" is replaced by " ensign", in the cavalry - "cornet". Ranks are being introduced "Second Major" and "Prime Major" During the reign of Empress Catherine II (1765-1798) ranks are introduced in the army infantry and cavalry junior and senior sergeant, sergeant major disappears. Since 1796 in the Cossack units, the names of the ranks are the same as the ranks of the army cavalry and are equated to them, although the Cossack units continue to be listed as irregular cavalry (not part of the army). There is no rank of second lieutenant in the cavalry, and captain corresponds to the captain. During the reign of Emperor Paul I (1796-1801) the concepts of "rank" and "position" in this period are already separated quite clearly. The ranks in the infantry and artillery are compared. Paul I did a lot of useful things to strengthen the army and discipline in it. He forbade the registration of minor noble children in the regiments. All recorded in the regiments were required to serve really. He introduced disciplinary and criminal liability of officers for soldiers (preservation of life and health, training, clothing, living conditions) banned the use of soldiers as labor force on the estates of officers and generals; introduced the awarding of soldiers with insignia of the orders of St. Anne and the Maltese Cross; introduced an advantage in promotion in the ranks of officers who graduated from military educational institutions; ordered to be promoted in ranks only on business qualities and ability to command; introduced holidays for soldiers; limited the duration of officers' vacations to one month a year; dismissed from the army a large number of generals who did not meet the requirements of military service (old age, illiteracy, disability, absence from service for a long time, etc.). Ranks are introduced in the lower ranks ordinary junior and senior salary. In the cavalry sergeant major(company foreman) For Emperor Alexander I (1801-1825) since 1802, all non-commissioned officers of the nobility are called "junker". Since 1811, the rank of "major" was abolished in the artillery and engineering troops and the rank of "ensign" was returned. During the reign of Emperors Nicholas I (1825-1855) , who did a lot to streamline the army, Alexander II (1855-1881) and the beginning of the reign of Emperor Alexander III (1881-1894) Since 1828, army Cossacks have been given ranks other than army cavalry (In the Life Guards Cossack and Life Guards Ataman regiments, the ranks are like those of the entire guards cavalry). The Cossack units themselves are transferred from the category of irregular cavalry to the army. The concepts of "rank" and "position" in this period are already completely separated. Under Nicholas I, the discord in the naming of non-commissioned officers disappears. Since 1884, the rank of warrant officer has been left only for wartime (assigned only during the war, and with its end, all warrant officers are subject to either dismissal or they should be assigned the rank of second lieutenant). The rank of cornet in the cavalry is retained as the first officer rank. He is a class below the infantry lieutenant, but in the cavalry there is no rank of second lieutenant. This equalizes the ranks of infantry and cavalry. In the Cossack units, the classes of officers are equated with the cavalry, but have their own names. In this regard, the rank of military foreman, previously equal to major, now becomes equal to lieutenant colonel

"In 1912, the last General Field Marshal Milyutin Dmitry Alekseevich, who served as Minister of War from 1861 to 1881, dies. This rank was not assigned to anyone else, but nominally this rank was preserved"

In 1910, the rank of Russian Field Marshal was awarded to the King of Montenegro, Nicholas I, and in 1912, to the King of Romania, Carol I.

P.S. After the October Revolution of 1917, by the Decree of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars (Bolshevik government) of December 16, 1917, all military ranks were abolished ...

The officer epaulettes of the tsarist army were arranged completely differently than modern ones. First of all, the gaps were not part of the galloon, as we have been doing since 1943. In the engineering troops, two harness galloons or one harness and two headquarters officer galloons were simply sewn onto the shoulder strap. For each type of troops, the type of galloon was determined specifically. For example, in the hussar regiments on officer shoulder straps, a galloon of the "hussar zig-zag" type was used. On the shoulder straps of military officials, a "civilian" galloon was used. Thus, the gaps of officer epaulettes were always the same color as the field of soldier epaulettes. If shoulder straps in this part did not have a colored edging (edging), as, say, it was in the engineering troops, then the edgings had the same color as the gaps. But if in part the epaulettes had a colored edging, then it was visible around the officer's epaulette. A silver-colored epaulette button without sides with an extruded double-headed eagle sitting on crossed axes. and letters, or silver monograms (to whom it is necessary). At the same time, it was widespread to wear gilded forged metal stars, which were supposed to be worn only on epaulettes.

The placement of the stars was not rigidly fixed and was determined by the size of the encryption. Two stars were supposed to be placed around the encryption, and if it filled the entire width of the shoulder strap, then above it. The third asterisk had to be placed so as to form an equilateral triangle with the two lower ones, and the fourth asterisk was slightly higher. If there is one asterisk on the chase (for the ensign), then it was placed where the third asterisk is usually attached. Special signs were also gilded metal patches, although it was not uncommon to find them embroidered with gold thread. The exception was the special signs of aviation, which were oxidized and had the color of silver with a patina.

1. Epaulette staff captain 20 engineer battalion

2. Epaulette for lower ranks Lancers 2nd Leib Ulansky Courland Regiment 1910

3. Epaulette full general from the cavalry suite His Imperial Majesty Nicholas II. The silver device of the epaulette testifies to the high military rank of the owner (only the marshal was higher)

About the stars on uniform

For the first time, forged five-pointed stars appeared on the epaulettes of Russian officers and generals in January 1827 (during the time of Pushkin). Ensigns and cornets began to wear one golden star, two - lieutenants and major generals, three - lieutenants and lieutenant generals. four - staff captains and staff captains.

A with April 1854 Russian officers began to wear embroidered stars on the newly established shoulder straps. For the same purpose, diamonds were used in the German army, knots in the British, and six-pointed stars in the Austrian.

Although the designation of a military rank on shoulder straps is a characteristic feature of the Russian army and the German one.

Among the Austrians and the British, shoulder straps had a purely functional role: they were sewn from the same material as the tunic so that the shoulder straps would not slip. And the rank was indicated on the sleeve. The five-pointed star, the pentagram is a universal symbol of protection, security, one of the oldest. AT Ancient Greece it could be found on coins, on the doors of houses, stables and even on cradles. Among the Druids of Gaul, Britain, Ireland, the five-pointed star (druidic cross) was a symbol of protection from external evil forces. And until now it can be seen on the window panes of medieval Gothic buildings. The French Revolution revived the five-pointed stars as a symbol of the ancient god of war Mars. They denoted the rank of the commanders of the French army - on hats, epaulettes, scarves, on the tails of the uniform.

The military reforms of Nicholas I copied the appearance of the French army - this is how the stars "rolled down" from the French sky to the Russian one.

As for the British army, even during the Anglo-Boer War, stars began to migrate to shoulder straps. This is about officers. For the lower ranks and warrant officers, the insignia remained on the sleeves.
In the Russian, German, Danish, Greek, Romanian, Bulgarian, American, Swedish and Turkish armies, shoulder straps were insignia. In the Russian army, shoulder straps were for both lower ranks and officers. Also in the Bulgarian and Romanian armies, as well as in the Swedish. In the French, Spanish and Italian armies, insignia were placed on the sleeves. In the Greek army, the officers on shoulder straps, on the sleeves of the lower ranks. In the Austro-Hungarian army, the insignia of officers and lower ranks were on the collar, those were lapel. In the German army, only officers had insignia on shoulder straps, while the lower ranks differed from each other by the galloon on the cuffs and collar, as well as the uniform button on the collar. The exception was the so-called Kolonial truppe, where as additional (and in a number of colonies the main) insignia of the lower ranks were chevrons from a silver galloon sewn on the left sleeve of a-la gefreiters of 30-45 years.

It is interesting to note that with service and field uniforms in peacetime, that is, with a tunic of the 1907 model, officers of the hussar regiments wore epaulettes that also differed somewhat from the epaulettes of the rest of the Russian army. For hussar shoulder straps, galloon with the so-called "hussar zigzag" was used
The only unit where epaulets with the same zigzag were worn, except for the hussar regiments, was the 4th battalion (from 1910 a regiment) of the riflemen of the Imperial family. Here is a sample: the epaulette of the captain of the 9th Kyiv Hussars.

Unlike the German hussars, who wore uniforms of the same tailoring, differing only in the color of the fabric. With the introduction of khaki shoulder straps, the zigzags also disappeared, the encryption on the shoulder straps indicated belonging to the hussars. For example, "6 G", that is, the 6th Hussar.
In general, the field uniform of the hussars was of the dragoon type, those combined arms. The only difference indicating belonging to the hussars was indicated by boots with a rosette in front. However, the hussar regiments were allowed to wear chakchirs with field uniforms, but not all regiments, but only the 5th and 11th. The wearing of chakchira by the rest of the regiments was a kind of "non-statutory". But during the war, this happened, as well as the wearing by some officers of a saber, instead of the standard Dracoon saber, which was supposed to be with field equipment.

The photograph shows the captain of the 11th Izyum Hussar Regiment K.K. von Rosenshild-Paulin (sitting) and Junker of the Nikolaev Cavalry School K.N. von Rosenshild-Paulin (also later an officer of the Izyum regiment). Captain in summer full dress or dress uniform, i.e. in a tunic of the 1907 model, with galloon epaulettes and the number 11 (note that on the officer epaulettes of the peacetime cavalry regiments, there are only numbers, without the letters "G", "D" or "U"), and blue chakchirs worn by officers of this regiment in all forms of clothing.
Regarding "non-statutory", during the years of the World War, apparently, the wearing of galloon epaulettes of peacetime by hussar officers was also encountered.

on the galloon officer shoulder straps of the cavalry regiments, only numbers were affixed, and there were no letters. which is confirmed by photographs.

Zauryad Ensign- from 1907 to 1917 in the Russian army, the highest military rank for non-commissioned officers. The insignia for ordinary ensigns were ensign shoulder straps with a large (larger than officer's) asterisk in the upper third of the shoulder strap on the line of symmetry. The rank was assigned to the most experienced non-commissioned officers, with the outbreak of the First World War, it began to be assigned to ensigns as an encouragement, often immediately before the first senior officer rank (ensign or cornet) was awarded.

From Brockhaus and Efron:
Zauryad Ensign, military During mobilization, with a lack of persons who meet the conditions for promotion to an officer's rank, some. non-commissioned officers are awarded the rank of Z. Ensign; correcting the duties of a junior. officers, Z. great. limited in the rights of movement in the service.

Interesting history of ensign. In the period 1880-1903. this rank was assigned to graduates of cadet schools (not to be confused with military schools). In the cavalry, he corresponded to the rank of standard junker, in the Cossack troops - to the cadet. Those. it turned out that it was a kind of intermediate rank between the lower ranks and officers. Ensigns who graduated from the Junkers School in the 1st category were promoted to officers not earlier than September of the graduation year, but outside the vacancies. Those who graduated from the 2nd category were promoted to officers not earlier than the beginning of the next year, but only for vacancies, and it turned out that some were waiting for production for several years. According to the order of the BB No. 197 for 1901, with the production in 1903 of the last ensigns, standard junkers and cadets, these ranks were canceled. This was due to the beginning of the transformation of cadet schools into military ones.
Since 1906, the rank of ensign in the infantry and cavalry and cadet in the Cossack troops began to be assigned to overtime non-commissioned officers who graduated from a special school. Thus, this title became the maximum for the lower ranks.

Ensign, standard junker and cadet, 1886:

The epaulette of the staff captain of the Cavalry Guards Regiment and the epaulettes of the staff captain of the Life Guards of the Moscow Regiment.

The first shoulder strap is declared as the shoulder strap of an officer (captain) of the 17th Nizhny Novgorod Dragoon Regiment. But Nizhny Novgorod residents should have a dark green piping along the edge of the shoulder strap, and the monogram should be of an applied color. And the second shoulder strap is presented as the shoulder strap of a second lieutenant of the guards artillery (with such a monogram in the guards artillery there were shoulder straps of officers of only two batteries: the 1st battery of the Life Guards of the 2nd Artillery Brigade and the 2nd battery of the Guards Horse Artillery), however, the shoulder strap button should not whether to have in this case an eagle with cannons.

Major(Spanish mayor - more, stronger, more significant) - the first rank of senior officers.
The title originated in the 16th century. The major was responsible for guarding and feeding the regiment. When the regiments were divided into battalions, the battalion commander, as a rule, became a major.
In the Russian army, the rank of major was introduced by Peter I in 1698, and abolished in 1884.
Prime Major - a staff officer rank in the Russian imperial army of the 18th century. He belonged to the VIII class of the "Table of Ranks".
According to the charter of 1716, the majors were divided into prime majors and second majors.
The Prime Major was in charge of the combat and inspector units in the regiment. He commanded the 1st battalion, and in the absence of the regimental commander - the regiment.
The division into prime and second majors was abolished in 1797."

"It appeared in Russia as a rank and position (deputy regiment commander) in the streltsy army at the end of the 15th - early 16th centuries. In the streltsy regiments, as a rule, lieutenant colonels (often of "mean" origin) performed all administrative functions for the head of the streltsy, appointed from among the nobles or boyars In the XVII century and the beginning of the XVIII century, the rank (rank) and position was referred to as a lieutenant colonel due to the fact that the lieutenant colonel usually, in addition to his other duties, commanded the second “half” of the regiment - the back rows in formation and the reserve (before the introduction of the battalion formation of regular soldier regiments) From the moment the Table of Ranks was introduced until its abolition in 1917, the rank (rank) of lieutenant colonel belonged to the VII class of the Table of Ranks and gave the right to hereditary nobility until 1856. In 1884, after the abolition of the rank of major in the Russian army, all majors (with the exception of the dismissed or those who have stained themselves with unseemly misconduct) are promoted to lieutenant colonels.

INSIGNIA OF CIVIL OFFICERS OF THE MILITARY MINISTRY (here are military topographers)

Ranks of the Imperial Military Medical Academy

Chevrons of combatant lower ranks of extra-long service according to "Regulations on the lower ranks of the non-commissioned officer rank, remaining voluntarily in extra-long active service" dated 1890.

From left to right: Up to 2 years, Over 2 to 4 years, Over 4 to 6 years, Over 6 years

To be precise, the article from which these drawings are borrowed says the following: "... the awarding of chevrons to super-enlisted lower ranks holding the positions of sergeant majors (wahmisters) and platoon non-commissioned officers (fireworks) of combatant companies, squadrons, batteries was carried out:
- Upon admission to long-term service - a silver narrow chevron
- At the end of the second year of long-term service - a silver wide chevron
- At the end of the fourth year of long-term service - a gold narrow chevron
- At the end of the sixth year of long-term service - a gold wide chevron"

In army infantry regiments to designate the ranks of corporal, ml. and senior non-commissioned officers, an army white braid was used.

1. The rank of WRITTEN, since 1991, exists in the army only in wartime.
Since the beginning Great War ensigns are graduating from military schools and ensign schools.
2. The rank of WARNING OFFICER of the reserve, in peacetime, on the shoulder straps of an ensign, wears a galloon patch against the device at the lower rib.
3. The rank of WRITTEN OFFICER, in this rank in wartime, when military units are mobilized with a shortage of junior officers, the lower ranks are renamed from non-commissioned officers with an educational qualification, or from sergeants without
educational qualification. From 1891 to 1907, warrant officers on the shoulder straps of an ensign also wear rank stripes, from which they were renamed.
4. Title ZAURYAD-WRITTEN OFFICER (since 1907). Shoulder straps of a lieutenant with an officer's star and a transverse stripe according to the position. Chevron sleeve 5/8 inches, angle up. Shoulder straps of an officer's standard were retained only by those who were renamed Z-Pr. during Russo-Japanese War and remained in the army, for example, as a sergeant major.
5. The title of WRITTEN OFFICER-ZURYAD of the State Militia Squad. Non-commissioned officers of the reserve were renamed into this rank, or, in the presence of an educational qualification, who served for at least 2 months as a non-commissioned officer of the State Militia Squad and was appointed junior officer of the squad. Ensigns-zauryad wore epaulettes of an active duty ensign with a galloon stripe of instrument color sewn into the lower part of the epaulettes.

Cossack ranks and titles

On the lowest rung of the service ladder stood an ordinary Cossack, corresponding to an ordinary infantry. This was followed by an orderly, who had one badge and corresponded to a corporal in the infantry. The next rung of the career ladder is the junior officer and the senior officer, corresponding to the junior non-commissioned officer, non-commissioned officer and senior non-commissioned officer and with the number of badges characteristic of modern sergeants. This was followed by the rank of sergeant major, who was not only in the Cossacks, but also in the non-commissioned officers of the cavalry and horse artillery.

In the Russian army and gendarmerie, the sergeant-major was the closest assistant to the commander of a hundred, squadron, battery for drill, internal order and economic affairs. The rank of sergeant major corresponded to the rank of sergeant major in the infantry. According to the regulation of 1884, introduced by Alexander III, the next rank in the Cossack troops, but only for wartime, was the cadet, an intermediate rank between a lieutenant and ensign in the infantry, which was also introduced in wartime. In peacetime, in addition to the Cossack troops, these ranks existed only for reserve officers. The next degree in the chief officer ranks is cornet, corresponding to a second lieutenant in the infantry and a cornet in the regular cavalry.

According to his official position, he corresponded to a junior lieutenant in the modern army, but wore shoulder straps with a blue gap on a silver field (the applied color of the Don Cossacks) with two stars. In the old army, compared to the Soviet one, the number of stars was one more. Next came the centurion - the chief officer rank in the Cossack troops, corresponding to a lieutenant in the regular army. The centurion wore epaulettes of the same design, but with three stars, corresponding in his position to a modern lieutenant. A higher step - podesaul.

This rank was introduced in 1884. In the regular troops, it corresponded to the rank of staff captain and staff captain.

The podesaul was an assistant or deputy to the Yesaul and in his absence he commanded a Cossack hundred.
Shoulder straps of the same design, but with four stars.
According to his official position, he corresponds to a modern senior lieutenant. And the highest rank of chief officer rank is Yesaul. It is worth talking about this rank especially, since in a purely historical sense, the people who wore it held positions in both civil and military departments. In various Cossack troops, this position included various official prerogatives.

The word comes from the Turkic "yasaul" - chief.
In the Cossack troops it was first mentioned in 1576 and was used in the Ukrainian Cossack army.

Yesauls were general, military, regimental, hundreds, stanitsa, marching and artillery. General Yesaul (two per Army) - the highest rank after the hetman. In peacetime, general captains performed inspection functions, in war they commanded several regiments, and in the absence of a hetman, the entire Army. But this is typical only for Ukrainian Cossacks. Troop captains were chosen on the Military Circle (in the Don and most others, two per Army, in the Volga and Orenburg - one each). Dealt with administrative matters. Since 1835, they were appointed as adjutants to the military ataman. Regimental captains (originally two per regiment) performed the duties of staff officers, were the closest assistants to the regiment commander.

Hundreds of Yesauls (one per hundred) commanded hundreds. This link did not take root in the Don Cossacks after the first centuries of the existence of the Cossacks.

The stanitsa Yesauls were typical only for the Don Cossacks. They were selected at stanitsa gatherings and were assistants to the stanitsa atamans. They performed the functions of assistants to the marching chieftain, in the 16th-17th centuries, in his absence, they commanded the army, later they were executors of the orders of the marching chieftain. The artillery captain (one per Army) was subordinate to the chief of artillery and carried out his instructions.

Only the military captain was preserved under the military ataman of the Don Cossack army. In 1798 - 1800. the rank of captain was equated to the rank of captain in the cavalry. Yesaul, as a rule, commanded a Cossack hundred. Corresponded to the official position of the modern captain. He wore epaulettes with a blue gap on a silver field without stars. Next come the headquarters officer ranks. In fact, after the reform of Alexander III in 1884, the rank of Yesaul entered this rank, in connection with which the major link was removed from the headquarters officer ranks, as a result of which the soldier from the captains immediately became a lieutenant colonel. The name of this rank comes from the ancient name of the executive authority of the Cossacks. In the second half of the 18th century, this name, in a modified form, spread to persons who commanded certain branches of the Cossack army. Since 1754, the military foreman was equated with a major, and with the abolition of this rank in 1884, with a lieutenant colonel. He wore shoulder straps with two blue gaps on a silver field and three large stars.

Well, then comes the colonel, shoulder straps are the same as those of the military foreman, but without stars. Starting from this rank, the service ladder is unified with the general army, since the purely Cossack names of the ranks disappear. The official position of a Cossack general fully corresponds to the general ranks of the Russian Army.

Private

The military rank of "private" is established in the armed forces of many states. In the Russian army, the Table of Ranks (1722) was first introduced, according to which the privates were part of a group of soldiers. After the establishment of universal military service in Russia (1874), the rank and file belonged to the category of “lower ranks”. In the Soviet Republic, with the creation of the Red Army in 1918, ordinary soldiers were called Red Army soldiers. The title of "private" in the Armed Forces of the USSR was introduced in July 1946. It was also preserved in the Russian Army. Assigned to persons called up for active military service simultaneously with their enrollment in the lists of a military unit.

corporal

This military rank is awarded to the senior and best soldiers who replace them during the absence of squad commanders. In Russia, it was introduced under Peter I by the Military Charter of 1716 in the infantry, cavalry and engineering troops. In the artillery of the Russian army, the scorer corresponded to the corporal, in the Cossack troops - the clerk. In the Armed Forces of the USSR, the soldier's military rank "corporal" was introduced in November 1940. With the formation of the Russian Army, it retained its significance. In the Navy, he corresponds to the title of "senior sailor".

Awarded for exemplary performance of official duties and exemplary military discipline.

Sergeant

For the first time as a military rank appeared in the XV century. in the French, and then in the German and English armies. In the Russian regular army, this title existed from 1716 to 1798. It was introduced in the Soviet Army by order of the People's Commissar of Defense of November 2, 1940. It was also preserved in the Russian Army. Sergeant ranks include: junior sergeant, sergeant, senior sergeant and foreman. In the Navy, they correspond to: foreman of the 2nd article, foreman of the 1st article, chief foreman, chief ship foreman.

foreman

This word is Russian. Until the end of the XVII century. foremen were called persons who held positions (units) of the hetman, in regiments and hundreds. Hence - general, regimental, hundreds of foremen.

From the beginning of the 17th century so called officials, as well as people who ever occupied orders, received estates from the authorities. In the Russian Army, the word “foreman” has 2 meanings: an official in a company (battery) responsible for the proper performance of service by personnel, order in the unit; military rank, senior in relation to other sergeant ranks.

Ensign

It comes from the ancient Greek “ensign” - a banner. It was first established by Peter I when creating a regular army and was the first junior officer rank. Later, it was preserved only for reserve officers and was assigned to persons who graduated from ensign schools in wartime. Restored in the Soviet Army on January 1, 1972. It is also assigned in the Armed Forces of Russia. It has two degrees: warrant officer and senior warrant officer.

Midshipman

Introduced by Peter I at the dawn of the birth of the Russian fleet. The word "midshipman" in translation into Russian means a ship's man. In the Russian Navy, this was the first officer rank. It was assigned to midshipmen who successfully graduated from the Naval Cadet Corps.

By a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of November 18, 1971, the institute of midshipmen, like the institute of ensigns, was introduced in the Soviet Armed Forces from January 1, 1972. This title has been retained to this day. It is also two-degree: midshipman and senior midshipman.

Lieutenant

The term is of French origin. In the literal sense, this word means "an officer replacing his superior." Where do the double ranks come from: lieutenant commander, lieutenant general. The title "lieutenant" was first established in the 15th century. in France, first in the navy, then in the ground forces. Lieutenants were the closest deputies and assistants to company and squadron commanders. In the Russian army, this rank corresponded to the title of "lieutenant". In the Red Army in 1935 the ranks of "lieutenant" and "senior lieutenant" were introduced, in 1937 - "junior lieutenant". These ranks are also established in the Russian Army.

Captain

The military rank of officers in the armed forces of many states. For the first time the title of "captain" appeared in the Middle Ages in France, where the heads of individual military districts were called so. Since 1558, company commanders began to be called captains, and the heads of military districts - captain-generals. In Russia, the title of “captain” appeared in the 16th century. for foreign officers. In the 17th century established for company commanders in the regiments of the “new system”, and at the beginning of the 18th century. - for company commanders in the entire regular army.

In our Armed Forces, this rank was established by a resolution of the Central Executive Committee and the SNKSSSR of September 22, 1935 for the command staff of the Ground Forces, Air Force and coastal units of the Navy. The same decree introduced the ranks of “captain of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd ranks” and “captain-lieutenant” for the naval personnel of the Navy. The rank of “captain” and its equivalent for the Navy “captain-lieutenant” have been retained in the Armed Forces of Russia.

Major

A word of Latin origin meaning "big, older". As a military rank, it appeared more than 400 years ago in the Spanish army. In Russia - since 1711. In the Red Army they introduced September 22, 1935. It remains in the Russian Army. In the Navy, he is equal to the title of "captain of the 3rd rank."

Lieutenant colonel

At first, this was the name of the position of assistant regiment commander, and then this word began to denote a military rank. In our army, the rank of "lieutenant colonel" was established shortly before the Great Patriotic War - September 1, 1939.

Saved in the Russian Army. Equal to him in the Navy - "captain of the 2nd rank."

Colonel

This was the name of the person who commanded the regiment. He was either appointed or selected (among the Cossacks) to lead the regiment during a campaign or campaign. Over time, the title of the position turned into a military rank. In 1631, it replaced the titles of “voivode” and “regimental head”. At first, only hired officers who were appointed to the post of regiment commander were called colonels.

Since 1632, this rank was assigned to all commanders who led the regiments of the so-called "new order". In the Red Army, the rank of "colonel" was established by a decree of the Central Executive Committee and Council of People's Commissars of the USSR of September 22, 1935. It is also awarded in the Russian Army. In the Navy, he corresponds to "captain of the 1st rank."

General

The military rank or rank of the senior officers of the armed forces. The rank of general appeared in France in the 16th century. In Russia, it was first mentioned in 1657 under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. In our Armed Forces, general ranks were introduced by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of May 7, 1940. Saved in the Russian Army. There are several degrees: major general, lieutenant general, colonel general, army general. In the Navy, they correspond to: Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, Admiral, Admiral of the Fleet.

Admiral

Translated from Arabic means "ruler of the sea." In its modern sense, the term came into use in the 12th century. In Russia, the military rank of “admiral” in the meaning of general admiral, admiral, vice admiral, rear admiral was introduced by Peter I. On May 7, 1940, it was restored in the Navy. Admiral ranks are also awarded in the Russian Armed Forces.

Marshal

This term has been known in military history since time immemorial, although its meaning has not always been the same. In the Middle Ages in France and other countries, this was the name of the position. The one appointed to it was responsible for building troops for the campaign - march and battle, supervised the guard service, was in charge of the economic part of the army, and also commanded the avant-garde, chose a place for the camp, etc. governors. At first, marshals were appointed only for the duration of campaigns, but gradually the temporary position turned into a permanent rank, the highest in comparison with other ranks. During the French bourgeois revolution, the title of "marshal" was abolished, but Napoleon reintroduced it. In the USSR, the military rank "Marshal of the Soviet Union" was established in 1935.

The first Soviet marshals were K. Voroshilov, S. Budyonny, V. Blucher, A. Egorov and M. Tukhachevsky. The title "Marshal of the Russian Federation" was awarded to the Minister of Defense of Russia I. Sergeev.

Generalissimo

Generalissimo (from the Latin "most important") is the highest military rank in the armed forces of a number of countries. It was assigned to generals who commanded during the war several, more often allied, armies, and also sometimes to persons from families of reigning dynasties and statesmen as an honorary title.

In Russia, the first generalissimo was the governor A. Shein. This title was granted to him by Peter I at the end of the 17th century. for successful military operations near Azov. But officially the title of “Generalissimo” in Russia was introduced by the Military Charter in 1716. In the USSR, the title of “Generalissimo of the Soviet Union” was approved by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of June 26, 1945.

It was assigned to I. Stalin. The Russian Army is not provided.

Why is a lieutenant general older than a major general?

Previously, ranks denoted only duties that were assigned to commanders.

Major translated from Latin as big, he commanded a battalion. Lieutenant, translated as assistant, he helped the captain.

Now the generals. The highest rank was Field Marshal, who was supposed to be an assistant, that is, a lieutenant. Therefore, the rank was lieutenant general.

In the Russian army there was the position of brigade commander, which included from 2 to 4 regiments. Well, such a large army was supposed to be commanded by a major, namely a major general. But he was still younger than the general's assistant.

Overall rating of the material: 5

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Shoulder straps and ranks in the Russian army were created in order to clearly delineate duties between the military. The higher the status, the more responsibility is assigned to the soldier who was awarded the rank. Shoulder straps play an identification role, that is, they create a visual representation of a military man, namely: what position he holds, as well as his military rank.

Shoulder straps and ranks in the army play a very important role, and for different troops they have different external characteristics, as well as names. The reason here is that each type of troops has its own characteristics. For comparison, let's go over the land and sea shoulder straps and ranks of the Russian army.

Shoulder straps and ranks in the ground forces of the Russian army

Observance of subordination and knowledge of one's function in general order are the basis of military discipline. This is also said to ordinary soldiers who are just beginning to get acquainted in practice with military service. In the ground forces, military personnel are divided by composition.

The following military personnel are included in the number of draft and contact staff:

1. Private. This is the lowest rank of a soldier, from which all conscripts begin their military career. This rank can be considered higher, perhaps, than a cadet, since the latter only theoretically studies all the basics of military art, and the private is already being tested in practice. The shoulder straps of an ordinary soldier are clean, that is, they do not have any identification marks (as the conscripts themselves say, “clean shoulder straps - a clear conscience”).
2. Corporal. As a rule, the most distinguished privates can later be promoted to . It is received by the very best or senior privates, that is, obvious leaders in their environment. The epaulettes of the Russian Federation at the corporal already take on one thin strip as a distinctive sign. It is this symbol that gives other military personnel an idea of ​​​​the role of this soldier in the overall military structure. If the commander is absent for some reason, then he is replaced by a corporal.

After the fundamental ranks, sergeants and foremen follow. Further, it is they who follow in order of the hierarchy of shoulder straps and military ranks:

1. Lance Sergeant. This rank is an intermediate step between the corporal and the foreman. As a rule, promotion in rank means acceptance of a new position. upon receiving his new rank, he is appointed as a squad leader, or as a tank or vehicle. Another narrow stripe is added to the shoulder straps of Russia of a junior sergeant. This rank can also be obtained in exceptional cases if the soldier is sent to the reserve and at the time of sending he had the rank of corporal. However, this corporal should distinguish himself by merit and be one of the best.
2. Sergeant. This is the next link, to which the soldier passes after overcoming the rank of junior sergeant. Upon receipt of this title, shoulder straps are supplemented with another narrow strip. By this time, the soldier has three of them. It is referred to differently as "non-commissioned officer", and in many countries, especially in Germany, where the term comes from, it sounds the same.
3. Staff Sergeant. Soldier, honored this rank, receives instead of three narrow stripes on the shoulder straps of the Russian army one wide one. occupies an intermediate step between foreman and sergeant.
4. Sergeant major. If before this rank the defining lines were located across the shoulder strap, then the wide line already goes along the shoulder strap. Among the military personnel of its composition, this rank is the most senior. As a rule, foremen are also official and command an entire company. In relation to sergeants and soldiers who stand at the very first steps of military ranks, he is a commander. In his official duties It includes monitoring the observance of discipline among subordinates, suggesting to juniors what to do in a given situation, making sure that all subordinates fulfill their duties.

After that, the composition of the ranks of the RF Armed Forces goes into the category of ensigns:

1. Ensign. The shoulder straps of the military in this rank somewhat change their appearance, since instead of stripes, starting with the ensign, stars are used. At the ensign they are small and are available in the amount of two pieces. This is already a different level of military service, respectively, the requirements are being tightened in relation to the soldier who was awarded this rank.
2. Senior Warrant Officer. It is also an intermediate link between the ensign and officer ranks. Another small star is added to the shoulder straps. Just like on the shoulder straps of an ensign, red lines run along both sides. This rank of military personnel is used not only on the territory of the Russian Federation, but also in many other states.

The officer corps comes immediately after the composition of warrant officers, it includes the following ranks of military personnel:

1. Ensign. The first level of junior officers. Appearance The shoulder strap also changes, as the two longitudinal strips are replaced by one that runs from one edge to the other in the middle of the shoulder strap. When a soldier is promoted to the rank of junior lieutenant, three small stars are replaced by one larger one. The star is clearly on the red line. This title is used in the power structures of our country, as well as in the military hierarchy abroad.
2. Lieutenant. This title is used not only in the army, but also in such structures of our state as, for example, the police. It is the middle link between junior lieutenant and senior. On shoulder straps instead of one star medium size there are two. However, not along the red line, but on its sides.
3. Senior lieutenant. A third star of medium size is added to the shoulder straps, which is located just above the two side ones, on the red center line. This military rank also applies to junior officers, it is used both in law enforcement agencies and the armed forces both in our country and on the territory of foreign states.
4. Captain. On the captain's shoulder straps, one more, fourth star of medium size is added, which is located just above the third and also on the red center line. This title is available both in the ground forces of our country and in the navy. Initially, the chiefs of the military maritime districts were called captains, and later it acquired a modern meaning.

1. Major. The rank has one star, an order of magnitude more than the stars of a captain or lieutenant. Shoulder strap has two longitudinal red stripes. This rank is the first step in the senior officer corps.
2. Lieutenant colonel. Shoulder straps have two stars located on two red lines. It is the middle step between major and colonel. It is used in the national army, as well as in law enforcement structures of many European countries, as well as Russia.
3. Colonel. A third star is added to the shoulder straps, located just above the other two. This step is the final one in the senior officer corps. The name comes from the ancient concept of "regiment", that is, the head of this same regiment. The rank is used in the armed forces of our country, as well as in law enforcement agencies. The title exists not only in Russia, but also in other states.

The highest officers of our country are represented by generals, who also have their own internal military gradation:

1. Major General. This title is the first step in the so-called elite of our military hierarchy. Shoulder straps at this stage are crowned with large stars, this title has one such star. The red line now wraps around the entire shoulder strap.
2. Lieutenant general. A soldier of this rank was awarded two large stars on shoulder straps. Despite the fact that a major is higher than a lieutenant, a lieutenant general in the highest system of military service will be higher than a major general.
3. Colonel General. It has three large stars on shoulder straps, located in a row. Represents the middle link between a lieutenant general and an army general.
4. Army General. A soldier of this rank has four large stars. In the United States or Ukraine, it is the highest military rank. However, in countries where there are such ranks as field marshal or marshal, it is in second place in terms of seniority.
5. Marshal of the Russian Federation. The highest military rank in our country. On shoulder straps is the coat of arms of the Russian Federation and a star in a range of two colors - gold and silver. This title was established in 1993 by a relevant decree.

Military ranks and epaulettes in the naval forces of Russia

Obligations and status in the naval forces are similar to those used in the land, but the names of the sailors are different.

junior ranks:

• foreman 2 articles;
• foreman 1 article;
• chief foreman;
• chief ship foreman;
• midshipman;
• senior midshipman.

The gradation of ranks in the naval forces is as follows (starts with junior officer ranks):

1. Junior lieutenant, there is one stripe in the gap.
2. The lieutenant has two stars on the sides of the red line.
3. Senior lieutenant, there are three stars on shoulder straps.
4. Lieutenant-captain, there are four stars in the gaps.

Middle officer naval ranks are subdivided as follows:

1. Captain (rank 3), there are already two gaps on the shoulder straps of the middle link, and the stars are larger in size. At this rank, the star is between the red stripes.
2. Captain (rank 2), two stars located directly on the gaps.
3. Captain (1st rank), three stars, two on the stripes, one between them.

The composition of the highest category is characterized by the following titles:

1. Rear Admiral. Shoulder straps of this rank do not have gaps on them, stars are immediately embroidered on them. The size of the star is increasing again. Members of this rank wear one star.
2. Vice admiral. There are two stars on the shoulder straps.
3. Admiral. Soldiers of this rank wear three stars on shoulder straps.
4. Fleet Admiral. A serviceman awarded this rank, which is the highest in the navy, wears one large star on shoulder straps, which is 4 cm in diameter.

In any case, a soldier must pass the test of time before he can perform the duties of higher ranks.

To figure out what ranks are, what they are issued for, or at least how they look, you need to serve in the army. At the OBZh school, boys are forced to learn them by heart, but it’s so easy to get confused in them that it’s better not to even suffer. In this article, we will try to explain in a simple way and help you understand all the ranks, how they look and what they give.

All ranks in the Russian army - from junior to senior

Knowing all the ranks in ascending order, you can easily understand who you are addressing or who is addressing you. In Russia there are only two types of military ranks, these are military and naval. Ship ranks usually include sailors:

• Coast security;
• naval military units;
• surface and submarine forces.

Military titles include all other people serving in military units:

• Armed forces;
• other military units and bodies.

Now let's decide what ranks are - from smallest to largest. There are only a few subspecies of titles:

1. Non-commissioned title.
2. Officer title.

Non-officer titles include privates, corporals, junior sergeants, "middle" sergeants, senior sergeants, foremen, warrant officers, and senior warrant officers. In the ship type: sailors, senior sailors, foremen in the second and first articles, chief foremen, chief ship foremen, warrant officers and senior warrant officers.

Military ranks		Ship ranks
junior officers	Ensign	Ensign
	lieutenant	lieutenant
	senior lieutenant	senior lieutenant
	captain	captain
senior officer corps	major	third level captain
	lieutenant colonels	second level captain
	colonels	first class captain
senior officers	major generals	rear admirals
	lieutenant generals	vice admirals
	colonel generals	admirals
	army generals	fleet admirals
	Marshal of Russia	there is no analogue

All these titles are distinguished not only by their names, but also by the presence of shoulder straps. Each title has its own shoulder strap. Soldiers and sailors do not have any distinguishing marks. The sergeant and foreman have the so-called stripes - these are cloth galloons. In the army, they were nicknamed "snot". Ensign and midshipman wear vertical stars with piping, but without gaps, on shoulder straps. Officers differ in the number and size of stars.

In the first officer (junior) there is one strip, the so-called clearance, the stars must be made of metal and have a diameter of 13 mm. Senior officers have two stripes and stars 20 mm wide. The third officers, that is, the highest, have embroidered stars on shoulder straps of a rather large size (22 mm), they do not have stripes. Army generals and fleet admirals have one large embroidered star 40 mm wide on their shoulder straps. The marshal of the Russian Federation has one large embroidered star, like the generals of the army with a diameter of 40 mm, but silver rays diverging in different directions are added to it, which form a kind of pentagon. On the background the coat of arms of the Russian Federation must be present.

Now let's look at the faces of all the titles, that is, the people who lead the Russian army. It is worth noting that the Supreme Commander-in-Chief is the current President of the Russian Federation. It is generally accepted that the Supreme Commander-in-Chief is not a rank, but a position. It is this position that gives the right to be higher than the Marshal of the Russian Federation. The Minister of Defense has the right to be simultaneously commander-in-chief of the land and naval forces.

Interesting facts about the ranks in the army of the Russian Federation

The military ranks that are assigned to the military personnel of the guards units have the prefix "guards", that is, "guards lieutenant colonel".

1. Depending on which service the soldier belongs to (it can be a legal or medical service), either the word "justice" or "medical service" in the required case is added to the title.
2. For military personnel who are retired or in reserve composition, the word “reserve” or “retired” is added to the rank, depending on the situation.
3. People who entered the military service and who study at a military school are divided into two groups: those who do not have a military title - cadets, as well as students.
4. Citizens who did not have a military title before entering a military school, or who had the title of a sailor or soldier when they enter an educational institution, have the rank of cadet. In other cases, all assigned titles upon admission are retained.
5. People who do military service receive titles only for good services to the state. Also, based on the statute for serving in military units, a specific period of time is determined, that is, the title can be obtained by:

• sailors, soldiers - six months;
• junior sergeants, foremen of the second article - 365 days;
• sergeants and foremen of the first article, junior lieutenants - 2 years;
• senior sergeants, chief foremen, warrant officers, midshipmen, lieutenants and senior lieutenants - 3 years;
• captains, captain-lieutenants, majors and captains of the third level - 4 years;
• lieutenant colonels, captains of the second level and the remaining military personnel - 5 years.

Very worth remembering important detail, a serviceman has the right to receive a title if there is a corresponding position in his unit.

1. Based on the new laws adopted in 2012, the titles of foreman and chief ship foreman are no longer assigned. However, they are still documented.
2. All titles that are assigned to military personnel must be written with a small letter.
3. The title of major is considered higher than the title of lieutenant, but major generals are lower in rank than lieutenant generals.
4. At the moment, in 365 days, a soldier has the right to receive the highest title - sergeant.