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

In many ways, they have preserved the system inherited from the armed forces of the USSR. But the modern system of military ranks has 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 staff.
• Junior officers.
• Senior officers.
• Senior officers.

The lowest rank in the modern troops of our country is private. This title is worn by people who are conscripted in the army. Ordinary servicemen of the USSR army began to be called after the war, before the terms "Red Army soldier" and "fighter" were used.

Ordinary stock 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, "justice private".

Also, the rank and file are called cadets who are trained to achieve officer's shoulder straps. During their studies, they can receive ranks related to the rank and file, and, after completing their training, receive the first officer rank.

The best and most experienced of the rank and file are promoted to corporal. This military rank has the right to replace the junior officer, the commander of the squad. A private receives the rank of corporal for the impeccable performance of his duties and the observance of ideal discipline.

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

The sergeant who is higher in the service hierarchy of the junior sergeant also has the right to command a squad or a 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 honored junior sergeants. The next in the structure of our armed forces is the senior sergeant.

This is followed by the positions of foremen, which were introduced in the Soviet army somewhat 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 suggesting the rank of foreman become foremen.

Within the limits of his company, the foreman serves as the chief for personnel consisting of sergeants and privates. The foreman is subordinate to the company commander 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 institutions corresponding to the profile, which do not have higher status. Warrant officers are assistants to junior officers.

The lowest officer rank in the troops of our country is a junior lieutenant. Today it is often possessed by cadets completing their studies in 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 warrant officers who have shown zeal and ability to serve.

Usually, graduates of military universities become lieutenants. After an appropriate period of service and passing certification with a positive result, junior lieutenants move to the next stage - lieutenant. The next step among the ranks of the junior officer corps 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 - the battalion commander (battery commander). In infantry units, a captain is in command of a company.

Senior officer ranks include Major, Lieutenant Colonel, and Colonel. The major has the right to command a training company or be an assistant to the battalion commander. The lieutenant colonel commands a battalion or serves as an assistant to the regiment 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 (a combination of up to 15 thousand personnel), and also be a deputy corps commander.

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

A colonel general can 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 - General of the Army - is ranked higher. Today, the top officers of certain branches of the armed forces - artillery, communications, etc., can become army generals.

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 think of the military leaders of the USSR during the Great Patriotic War, the owners of the title of "Marshal" - G.K. Zhukov, I.S. Konev, K.K. Rokossovsky. Nevertheless, in the post-Soviet period, this rank practically disappeared, and the functions of marshals passed to the generals of the army.

In 1935, Marshal of the Soviet Union was introduced as the highest personal military rank. It was awarded to the most worthy of the highest military leaders and could serve as a distinction. In 1935, a number of the country's highest military leaders of the Soviets became marshals, who held responsible posts in the army.

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

During the war years, the highest rank of Marshal was awarded to the most distinguished commanders. The first of the "wartime" marshals was Georgy Zhukov. Almost all the top military men who led the fronts became marshals. Joseph Stalin was promoted to marshal in 1943. The basis was the "positions held by him" of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and People's Commissar of Defense.

In the post-war period, a rare military rank for the country was received by Secretary General L.I. Brezhnev. The persons holding the post of the Minister of Defense - Nikolai Bulgarin, Dmitry Ustinov and Sergey Sokolov - became marshals. 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 to survive.

In 1943, while the war was going on, the title of marshal of the military branch 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 country's top military councils became such marshals. In particular, the famous military leader Pavel Rotmistrov became a marshal of tank forces. In 1943, the rank of chief marshal of the branch was also introduced.

Most of the ranks of chief marshals were abolished in 1984 - they remained exclusively for aviation and artillery. But even after 1984, none of the representatives of the country's top military leadership received them. The ranks of marshals and chief marshals of the branches of the armed forces were finally abolished in 1993. In 1991, Evgeny Shaposhnikov became the last air marshal in the country's modern history.

In the modern army of our country there is a title - "Marshal of the Russian Federation". As in the pre-war period, this is a personal highest military rank. The reason for obtaining 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 bore the rank of retired marshal.

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

Generality:
General's chase and:

-field marshal general * - crossed wands.
-General from Infantry, Cavalry, etc. (the so-called "full general") - without stars,
- lieutenant general - 3 stars
-general-major - 2 stars,

Headquarters officers:
Two enlightenments and:


Colonel - without stars.
- lieutenant colonel (since 1884 at the Cossacks' military foreman) - 3 stars
-mayor** (until 1884 at the Cossacks' military foreman) - 2 stars

Ober-officers:
One enlighten and:


-captain(captain, esaul) - without stars.
-shtabs-captain(staff-rotmistr, podsaul) - 4 stars
- lieutenant(centurion) - 3 stars
-supporteur(kornet, khorunzhiy) - 2 stars
- ensign*** - 1 star

Lower ranks


-Zauryad-ensign - 1 galloon patch in the length of the shoulder strap with 1 star on the patch
- ensign - 1 galloon patch in the length of the shoulder strap
-feldwebel(vakhmistr) - 1 wide transverse patch
-st. non-commissioned officer(st. fireworks, st. uryadnik) - 3 narrow transverse stripes
-ml. non-commissioned officer(junior fireworks, junior police officer) - 2 narrow cross stripes
-freitor (bombardier, clerk) - 1 narrow transverse patch
- private (gunner, kazak) - without stripes

*In 1912, the last General Field Marshal Milyutin Dmitriy Aleksuevich, who held the post of Minister of War from 1861 to 1881, dies. More this rank was not assigned to anyone, but nominally this rank was preserved.
** the rank of major was abolished in 1884 and was not restored anymore.
*** In 1884, the rank of warrant officer was left only for wartime (it is assigned only during the war, and when it ends, all warrant officers are subject to either dismissal in retirement or they must 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 as with chief officers?" When, in 1827, stars appeared on the epaulettes in the Russian army as signs of distinction, the major general received two stars on the epaulette at once.
There is a version that one star was due to the foreman - this rank had not been assigned since the time of Paul I, but by 1827 they still existed
retired foremen who have the right to wear uniforms. True, retired military men were not entitled to epaulettes. And hardly many of them survived until 1827 (passed
for about 30 years, the brigadier rank has been canceled). Very soon, two general's stars were simply copied from the epaulette of the French brigadier general. In this there is nothing strange, because the epaulettes themselves came to Russia from France. Most likely, there was never one general's star in the Russian imperial army. This version seems more plausible.

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

The only exceptions were the signs of distinction in the hussar regiments in the ceremonial and ordinary (everyday) forms, in which instead of the chase, shoulder cords were worn.
Shoulder cords.
Instead of the epaulette of the cavalry model, the hussars on dolomans and mentics have
hussar shoulder cords. For all officers, the same gold or silver doubled soutache cord is removed from the same color as the cords on the dolman, for the lower ranks, shoulder cords from the doubled soutache cord are colored
orange for regiments that have the color of the instrument metal - gold or white for the regiments that have the color of the instrument metal - silver.
These shoulder cords form a ring at the sleeve, and at the collar a loop, fastened with a uniform button, sewn on half an inch from the collar seam.
To distinguish the names on the cords, gombochki are put on (a ring from the same chilled cord covering the shoulder cord):
-y corporal - one, one color with a cord;
-y non-commissioned officers three-colored hombochki (white with St. George's thread), in number, like stripes on shoulder straps;
-y sergeant - gold or silver (like for officers) on an orange or white cord (like for lower ranks);
-y ensign - a smooth officer's shoulder cord with a sergeant's bomber;
for officers on officers' cords, gombochki with stars (metal, like on shoulder straps) - in accordance with the name.

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

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

Below are images of shoulder cords

1. Officers and generals

2. Lower ranks

The shoulder cords of the chief, staff officers and generals did not differ in any way. For example, the cornet could be distinguished from the major general only by the appearance and width of the lace on the cuffs and, in some shelves, on the collar.
Twisted cords were relied only on adjutants and aide-de-camp!

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

Officer's shoulder straps: lieutenant colonel of the air squadron of the 19th army corps and the captain of the 3rd field air squadron. In the center - shoulder straps of the cadets of the Nikolaev Engineering School. On the right is a captain's shoulder strap (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 was formed partly under the influence of European systems, partly under the influence of a historically established purely Russian system of ranks. However, at that time there were no military ranks in the sense in which we are used to understanding. There were specific military units, there were also quite specific positions and, accordingly, their names. There was, for example, the title of "captain", there was the position of "captain", i.e. company commander. By the way, in the civilian 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 "harbor master". In the 18th century, many words existed in a slightly different meaning than now.
So "General"meant -" chief "and not only" supreme commander ";
"Major" - "senior" (senior among regimental officers);
"Lieutenant" - "assistant"
"Wing" - "Jr".

"The table of the ranks of all ranks of the military, civilian 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 existed until December 16, 1917. The word "officer" came into Russian from German. But in German, as in English, this word has a much broader meaning. With regard to the army, this term is understood as all military leaders in general. In a narrower translation, it means - "employee", "clerk", "employee". Therefore, it is quite natural that "non-commissioned officers" are junior commanders, "chief officers" are senior commanders, "headquarters officers" are staff officers, "generals" are chief officers. Non-commissioned officers 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 servicemen "... from the highest general to the last musketeer, horse or pedestrian ..." Therefore, soldiers and non-commissioned officers were not included in the Report Card. 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 servicemen who are assistants to the captain, that is, the company commander; and continued to be used in the framework of the Table, as Russian-language synonyms for the positions "non-commissioned lieutenant" and "lieutenant", that is, "sub-assistant" and "assistant". Well, or, if you like, "assistant officer for assignments" and "officer for assignments." The name "ensign" as a more understandable one (carrying a banner, ensign), quickly replaced the obscure "fendrik", which meant "candidate for an officer position. Over time, there was a process of separating the concepts of" position "and" rank. "After the beginning of the 19th century, these concepts With the development of means of warfare, the emergence 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, to take into the background the concept " position".

However, in the modern army, the position, so to speak, is more important than the rank. According to the charter, seniority is determined by the 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: civilian, 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 (privates)

By specialty (grenadier. Fuzeler ...)

Non-commissioned officers

Corporal (part-commander)

Fourier (deputy platoon commander)

Captenarmus

Ensign (foreman of a company, battalion)

Sergeant

Feldwebel

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

Second lieutenant

Lieutenant (deputy company commander)

Lieutenant captain (company commander)

Captain

Major (deputy battalion commander)

Lieutenant colonel (battalion commander)

Colonel (regiment commander)

Foreman (brigade commander)

Generals

Major General (division commander)

Lieutenant general (corps commander)

General-in-Chief (General Feldzehmeister) - (army commander)

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

In the Life Guards, the ranks were two classes higher than in the army. In army artillery and engineering troops, the ranks are one class higher than in infantry and cavalry. 1731-1765 the concepts of "rank" and "position" begin to separate. So in the staff of the field infantry regiment of 1732, when indicating the headquarters ranks, not just the rank of "quartermaster" is already written, but the position with the indication of the title: "quartermaster (of the lieutenant rank)". With regard to company-level officers, the division of the concepts "position" and "rank" has not yet been observed. "fendrick" replaced by " ensign ", in the cavalry - "cornet"... Titles are introduced "seconds-major" and "prime major" During the reign of Empress Catherine II (1765-1798) in army infantry and cavalry ranks are introduced junior and senior sergeant, sergeant major disappears. Since 1796 in the Cossack units, the names of ranks are set the same as those 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, but captain matches the captain. During the reign of Emperor Paul I (1796-1801) the concepts of "rank" and "position" in this period are already divided 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 entry of young noble children into the regiments. All registered in the regiments were required to serve in reality. He introduced disciplinary and criminal liability of officers for soldiers (preserving life and health, training, clothing, living conditions); he prohibited the use of soldiers as a labor force in the estates of officers and generals; introduced the rewarding of soldiers with insignia of the Orders of St. Anne and the Maltese Cross; introduced an advantage in the promotion of officers who graduated from military educational institutions; ordered to promote in ranks only for business qualities and ability to command; introduced holidays for soldiers; limited the duration of officers' leave to one month per 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.). In the lower ranks, ranks are introduced privates junior and senior salary... In the cavalry - sergeant (Company Chief) For Emperor Alexander I (1801-1825) since 1802, all non-commissioned officers of the nobility have been 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 Cossacks and Life Guards Atamansky regiments, the ranks are like all guards cavalry). The Cossack units themselves are transferred from the category of irregular cavalry to the army. The concepts of "rank" and "position" during this period are already completely separated. Under Nicholas I, the inconsistency in the naming of non-commissioned officer ranks disappeared. Since 1884, the rank of warrant officer was left only for wartime (it is assigned only during the war, and with its end all warrant officers must either be dismissed or they must be given the rank of second lieutenant). The rank of the cornet in the cavalry is retained as the first officer's rank. He is a class below the infantry second lieutenant, but in the cavalry there is no rank second lieutenant. This aligns the ranks of the infantry and cavalry. In Cossack units, the officer classes are equated with the cavalry classes, but they have their own names. In this regard, the rank of the military foreman, previously equal to the major, now becomes equal to the lieutenant colonel

"In 1912, the last Field Marshal Dmitry Alekseevich Milyutin, who held the post of Minister of War from 1861 to 1881, dies. No one else was awarded this rank, but this rank was nominally retained."

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

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 canceled ...

The officer's shoulder straps of the tsarist army were arranged completely differently than modern ones. First of all, the gaps were not part of the braid, as has been done in our country since 1943. In the engineering troops, two shoulder straps or one shoulder strap and two staff officer braids were simply sewn onto the shoulder straps. For each type of troops, the type of braid was determined separately. For example, in the hussar regiments on the officer's shoulder straps, a braid of the "hussar zig-zag" type was used. On the shoulder straps of military officials, a "civilian" braid was used. Thus, the gaps of the officer's shoulder straps were always the same color as the field of the soldier's shoulder straps. If shoulder straps in this part did not have a colored edging (edging), as, say, it was in the engineering troops, then edging had the same color as the gaps. But if some of the shoulder straps had colored edging, then it was visible around the officer's shoulder strap. A silver-colored buttonhole without sides with an embossed two-headed eagle sitting on crossed axes. Stars were embroidered with gold thread on the pursuit, and the encryption was gilded metal overhead numbers and letters, or silver monograms (who should be). 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 asterisks was not rigidly established and was determined by the size of the encryption. Two asterisks were supposed to be placed around the encryption, and if it filled the entire width of the shoulder strap, then above it. The third sprocket should have been placed so that it would form an equilateral triangle with the two lower ones, and the fourth sprocket was slightly higher. If there is one asterisk on the pursuit (for the ensign), then it was placed where the third asterisk is usually attached. Special signs were also gilded metal consignment notes, although it was often possible to find 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. Epaulet staff captain 20 sapper battalion

2. Epaulet for lower ranks Uhlansky 2nd Leib of the Ulansky Courland regiment 1910

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

About stars on epaulets

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

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

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

For 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 most ancient. In Ancient Greece, it could be found on coins, on house doors, barns, 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 you can still see it on the window panes of medieval Gothic buildings. The Great French Revolution revived the five-pointed stars as a symbol of the ancient god of war, Mars. They designated the rank of the commanders of the French army - on headdresses, epaulets, scarves, on the coattails of their uniforms.

The military reforms of Nicholas I copied the outward appearance of the French army - so the stars "rolled" from the French sky to the Russian one.

As for the British army, even during the Boer War, the stars began to move to shoulder straps. This is about the officers. At 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 acted as insignia. In the Russian army, the insignia were for the lower ranks and for 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, officers wear uniforms, and lower ranks are in charge. 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 among themselves in the braid 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 a-la gefreiter 30-45 years.

It is interesting to note that in the service and field uniform of peacetime, that is, with a tunic of the 1907 model, the officers of the hussar regiments wore shoulder straps that were also somewhat different from the shoulder straps of the rest of the Russian army. For hussar shoulder straps, a braid with the so-called "hussar zigzag" was used
The only part where shoulder straps with the same zigzag were worn, except for hussar regiments, was the 4th battalion (from 1910 regiment) of the shooters of the Imperial family. Here is an example: shoulder straps of the captain of the 9th Kiev hussar regiment.

Unlike the hussars of Germany, who wore uniforms of the same tailoring, differing only in the color of the fabric. With the introduction of shoulder straps, zigzags disappeared as well, ciphering on the shoulder straps indicated that they belonged to the hussars. For example, "6 G", that is, the 6th hussar.
In general, the field uniform of the hussars was of the dragoon model, those of the combined arms. A natural difference indicating belonging to the hussars was indicated by pods with a socket 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 chakchirs by the rest of the shelves was a kind of "non-regulation". But during the war, this was encountered, as well as the wearing of a saber by some officers, instead of the regular Drakun saber, which was relied on with field equipment.

The photograph shows the captain of the 11th Izyum Hussar Regiment K.K. von Rosenschild-Paulin (sitting) and cadet of the Nikolaev Cavalry School K.N. von Rosenschild-Paulin (also later an officer of the Izyum regiment). The captain in a summer full dress or holiday uniform, i.e. in a military jacket of the 1907 model, with galloon shoulder straps and the number 11 (note, on the officer's shoulder straps of the peacetime regiments, only numbers are present, without the letters "G", "D" or "U"), and blue chakchirs worn by officers of this regiment with all forms of clothing.
Regarding "non-statutory", during the years of the world war, apparently, there was also the wearing of galloon shoulder straps of peacetime by hussar officers.

on the galloon officer's shoulder straps of cavalry regiments, only numbers were affixed, and letters were absent. which is confirmed by photographs.

Run-of-the-mill ensign - from 1907 to 1917 in the Russian army, the highest military rank for non-commissioned officers. Insignia for ordinary ensigns were assigned to the shoulder straps of the ensign with a large (more officer) asterisk in the upper third of the shoulder strap on the line of symmetry. The title was awarded to the most experienced super-military non-commissioned officers; with the outbreak of the First World War, it began to be assigned to ensigns in order of encouragement, often immediately before the assignment of the first chief officer rank (ensign or cornet).

From Brockhaus and Efron:
Run-of-the-mill ensign, military During mobilization with a shortage of persons who meet the conditions for production in the officer rank, a certain. non-commissioned officers are awarded the rank of Z. ensign; correcting the duties of the younger. officers, Z. prap. limited in the rights of movement on service

The history of the rank is interesting 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 was matched with the rank of standard-junker, in the Cossack troops - as a lieutenant. Those. it turned out that it was some kind of intermediate rank between the lower ranks and officers. The ensigns who graduated from the junkersike school in the 1st category were promoted to officers not earlier than September of the graduation year, but out of vacancies. Those who graduated in 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 for VV №197 for 1901, with the production in 1903 of the last ensigns, standard-junkers and corpsmen, these ranks were canceled. This was due to the beginning of the transformation of the cadet schools into the military.
Since 1906, the rank of ensign in the infantry and cavalry and a lieutenant in the Cossack troops began to be assigned to super-urgent non-commissioned officers who graduated from a special school. Thus, this title became the maximum for the lower ranks.

Ensign, standard-cadet and lieutenant, 1886:

Shoulder straps of the staff captain of the Cavalier regiment and shoulder straps of the staff captain of the Life Guard 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 edging along the edge of the shoulder strap, and the monogram should be of applied color. And the second shoulder strap is presented as the epaulette of the second lieutenant of the Guards artillery (with such a monogram in the Guards artillery, officers of only two batteries were chased: the 1st battery of the Life Guards of the 2nd Artillery Brigade and the 2nd battery of the Guards Horse Artillery), but the button should not whether to have in this case an eagle with cannons.

Mayor (Spanish mayor - more, stronger, more significant) - the first rank of senior officers.
The title originated in the 16th century. The major was responsible for the guard and food of the regiment. When the regiments were divided into battalions, the major became the battalion commander as a rule.
In the Russian army, the rank of major was introduced by Peter I in 1698, and was abolished in 1884.
Prime Major - a staff officer rank in the Russian Imperial Army of the 18th century. Belonged to the VIII class "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 combatant and inspector units in the regiment. He commanded the 1st battalion, and in the absence of the regiment 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 - beginning of the 16th centuries. In streltsy regiments, as a rule, lieutenant colonels (often of" mean "origin) performed all administrative functions at the head of the streltsy, appointed from among the nobles or boyars In the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century, the rank (rank) and position were referred to as half-colonel due to the fact that the lieutenant colonel, in addition to his other duties, usually commanded the second "half" of the regiment - the back rows in the formation and the reserve (before the introduction of the battalion formation of regular soldiers' regiments) Since the introduction of the Table of Ranks and until its abolition in 1917, the rank (rank) of lieutenant colonel belonged to the VII class of the Table 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 those dismissed or those who stain themselves with unseemly offenses) are promoted to lieutenant colonel. "

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

Ranks of the Imperial Military Medical Academy

Chevrons of the lower ranks of the long-term service according to "Provisions on the lower ranks of the non-commissioned officer rank, remaining voluntarily in extra-urgent active service" from 1890.

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

To be precise, the article from which these drawings were borrowed says the following: "... the awarding of chevrons to super-conscripts of lower ranks holding the posts of sergeant major (vakhmisters) and platoon non-commissioned officers (fireworks) of front companies, squadrons, batteries was carried out:
- When entering long service - narrow silver chevron
- At the end of the second year of long service - with a silver wide chevron
- At the end of the fourth year of long service - with a gold narrow chevron
- At the end of the sixth year of long-term service - with a golden wide chevron "

In army infantry regiments to designate the rank of corporal, ml. and senior non-commissioned officers used army white tape.

1.Chin the ensign, since 1991 has existed in the army only in wartime.
With the outbreak of the Great War, warrant officers graduated from military schools and warrant officers schools.
2. The rank of the warrant officer of the reserve, in peacetime on the shoulder straps of the warrant officer wears a galloon stripe against the device at the lower rib.
3.The title of ZAURYAD-SENTENCER, in this rank in wartime, when mobilizing military units with a shortage of junior officers, the lower ranks are renamed from non-commissioned officers with an educational qualification, or from sergeant major without
From 1891 to 1907, ordinary warrant officers on the warrant officer's shoulder straps also wear the rank badges from which they were renamed.
4. The title of ZAURYAD-SENTENCER (since 1907). The insignia of the ensign with the officer's star and the cross-patch according to the position. On the sleeve there is a chevron 5/8 inches, angle up. Officer-style shoulder straps were preserved only by those who were renamed Z-Pr. during the Russo-Japanese War and remained in the army, for example, as sergeant-major.
5. The title of Ensign-ZAURYAD of the State Militia Brigade. This rank was renamed reserve non-commissioned officers, 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 appointed to the post of junior squad officer. The ordinary ensigns wore the shoulder straps of an active duty warrant officer with a galloon instrument-colored patch sewn into the lower part of the shoulder strap.

Cossack ranks and titles

At the lowest rung of the career ladder stood an ordinary Cossack, corresponding to an ordinary infantry. This was followed by an orderly, who had one stripe and corresponding to a corporal in the infantry. The next step in the career ladder is a junior non-commissioned officer and a senior non-commissioned officer, corresponding to a junior non-commissioned officer, a non-commissioned officer and a senior non-commissioned officer, and with the number of lines characteristic of a modern non-commissioned officer. This was followed by the rank of sergeant, 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 was the closest assistant to the commander of a hundred, squadron, battery in 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 a lieutenant, an intermediate rank between a ensign and an ensign in the infantry, which was also introduced in wartime. In peacetime, except for the Cossack troops, these ranks existed only for reserve officers. The next degree in the senior officer ranks is a cornet, corresponding to a second lieutenant in the infantry and a cornet in regular cavalry.

In terms of service, he corresponded to a junior lieutenant in the modern army, but wore shoulder straps with a blue gap on a silver field (applied color of the Don Army) with two asterisks. In the old army, in comparison with the Soviet one, the number of asterisks was one more. Then came the centurion - the chief officer's rank in the Cossack troops, corresponding to a lieutenant in the regular army. The centurion wore shoulder straps of the same design, but with three stars, corresponding in its position to a modern lieutenant. The higher step is the lift.

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

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

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

Esauls were general, military, regimental, squadron, stanitsa, marching and artillery. General Esaul (two for the Army) - the highest rank after the hetman. In peacetime, the general esauls performed inspection functions, in war they commanded several regiments, and in the absence of the hetman, the entire Army. But this is typical only for the Ukrainian Cossacks. Troop Esauls were chosen at the Army Circle (in the Donskoy and most others, two for the Troops, in the Volzhsky and Orenburg - one each). We were engaged in administrative matters. Since 1835, they were appointed as adjutants to the military order chief. Regimental esauls (initially two per regiment) performed the duties of staff officers, were the closest assistants of the regiment commander.

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

The village esauls were characteristic only of the Don Host. They were chosen at the stanitsa gatherings and were assistants to the stanitsa atamans. The walking esauls (usually two per Host) were chosen when setting out on a campaign. 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 esaul (one for the Army) was subordinate to the chief of artillery and carried out his orders.

Only the military esaul remained with the military order chieftain of the Don Cossack army. the rank of esaul was equated to the rank of captain in the cavalry. Esaul, as a rule, commanded a Cossack hundred. Corresponded in official position to a modern captain. He wore epaulettes with a blue gap on a silver field without stars. Next are the staff officers. In fact, after the reform of Alexander III in 1884, the rank of esaul entered this rank, in connection with which the major's link was removed from the headquarters officer ranks, as a result of which the soldier from the captains immediately became a lieutenant colonel. In the Cossack career ladder, the military foreman goes further. The name of this rank comes from the old name of the executive authority of the Cossacks. In the second half of the 18th century, this name, in a modified form, was extended to those who commanded certain branches of the management of the Cossack army. Since 1754, a military sergeant major was equated with a major, and with the abolition of this rank in 1884 - with a lieutenant colonel. He wore epaulettes with two blue gaps in a silver field and three large stars.

Well, and then the colonel goes, the 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 ladder, since the purely Cossack names of ranks disappear. The official position of a Cossack general fully corresponds to the ranks of generals in the Russian Army.

Private

The military rank of "private" has been established in the armed forces of many states. In the Russian army, it was first introduced by the Table of Ranks (1722), according to which the rank and file were included in a group of soldiers. After the establishment of universal military service in Russia (1874), the rank and file were classified as “lower ranks”. In the Soviet Republic, with the creation of the Red Army in 1918, ordinary soldiers were called Red Army men. The rank of "private" in the Armed Forces of the USSR was introduced in July 1946. It has survived in the Russian Army as well. It is 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 assigned to senior and best soldiers, who, during the absence of squad leaders, replace them. 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 corporal had a bombardier, in the Cossack troops - an orderly. 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 importance. In the Navy, he is a senior sailor.

Awarded for exemplary performance and exemplary military discipline.

Sergeant

For the first time as a military rank appeared in the 15th century. in the French, and then in the German and English armies. In the Russian regular army, this rank existed from 1716 to 1798. Introduced in the Soviet Army by order of the People's Commissar of Defense of November 2, 1940. It is also preserved in the Russian Army. The ranks of sergeant are: junior sergeant, sergeant, senior sergeant and sergeant major. In the fleet, they correspond to: foreman of the 2nd class, foreman of the 1st class, chief foreman, chief ship foreman.

Sergeant Major

This word is Russian. Until the end of the 17th century. Elders were called persons who held positions (orders) of the prigetman, in the regiments and in the hundreds. Hence - the general, regimental, centenary foremen.

Since the beginning of the XVII century. the so-called officials, as well as people who ever occupied the ranks, received estates from the authorities. In the Russian Army, the word “foreman” has 2 meanings: an official in a company (battery) responsible for the correct performance of service by personnel, order in a 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 during the creation of 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 the school of warrant officers in wartime. In the Soviet Army, restored from January 1, 1972. It is also assigned to the Russian Armed Forces. He 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 man. This was the first officer's rank in the Russian Navy. It was assigned to midshipmen who successfully graduated from the Naval Cadet Corps.

By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of November 18, 1971, the institute of warrant officers, like the institute of warrant officers, was introduced in the Soviet Armed Forces on January 1, 1972. This title has been retained at the present time. It is also two-fold: a midshipman and a senior midshipman.

Lieutenant

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

Captain

The military rank of officers in the armed forces of many states. For the first time the title "captain" appeared in the Middle Ages in France, where the so-called chiefs of individual military districts. From 1558, company commanders began to be called captains, and chiefs of military districts - captains-general. In Russia, the title "captain" appeared in the 16th century. for foreign officers. In the XVII century. established for company commanders in the regiments of the "new order", and at the beginning of the XVIII century. - for company commanders in the entire regular army.

In our Armed Forces, this title was established by a decree of the Central Executive Committee and the SNKSSSR dated September 22, 1935 for the command staff of the Ground Forces, the Air Force and the coastal units of the Navy. By the same decree, the titles "captain 1, 2 and 3 ranks" and "lieutenant captain" were introduced for the naval personnel of the Navy. The rank “captain” and its equal for the Navy “lieutenant commander” have been preserved in the Russian Armed Forces.

Major

A word of Latin origin meaning “big, senior”. It appeared as a military rank over 400 years ago in the Spanish army. In Russia - from 1711 In the Red Army entered on September 22, 1935 It remained in the Russian Army. In the Navy, he is equal to the rank of “captain of the 3rd rank”.

Lieutenant colonel

At first, this was the name of the position of assistant commander of a regiment, 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.

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

Colonel

This was the name of the person who commanded the regiment; he was either appointed or selected (from 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 position of regiment commander were called colonels.

Since 1632, this rank was assigned to all commanders who headed 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 the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR dated September 22, 1935. It is also awarded in the Russian Army. In the Navy, he corresponds to "captain 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. It was first mentioned in Russia in 1657 under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. In our Armed Forces, the ranks of generals were introduced by a 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 fleet they correspond to: Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, Admiral, Admiral of the Fleet.

Admiral

Translated from Arabic means "ruler of the sea." In its modern meaning, this term came into use in the XII century. In Russia, the military rank “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 was not always the same. In the Middle Ages in France and other countries this was the name of the position. The one appointed to her was responsible for the formation of troops for the campaign - march and battle, supervised the conduct of the guard service, was in charge of the economic part of the army, and also commanded the vanguard, chose the place for the camp, etc. voivods. At first, marshals were appointed only for the duration of the campaigns, but gradually the temporary position turned into a permanent rank, the highest in comparison with other titles. During the Great 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") - the highest military rank in the armed forces of a number of countries. It was awarded to generals who commanded several, often allied, armies during the war, as well as sometimes to persons from families of reigning dynasties and statesmen as an honorary title.

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

It was assigned to I. Stalin. Not provided for in the Russian Army.

Why is the lieutenant general older than the major general?

Previously, ranks meant only the duties that were assigned to commanders.

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

Now the generals. The highest rank was field marshal general, who was entitled to an assistant, that is, a lieutenant. Therefore, the rank was Lieutenant General.

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

Overall material rating: 5

SIMILAR MATERIALS (BY LABELS):

Global Counterstrike - Fast and Global Response to US Missile Defense Americans and Turks will have to ask Moscow for permission to take off Will the Chinese be able to copy the export Su-35

Shoulder straps and ranks in the Russian army were created in order to clearly delineate responsibilities between the military. The higher the status, the more responsibility is assigned to the soldier who has been awarded the title. Shoulder straps play an identifying role, that is, they create a visual representation of a military man, namely: what position he occupies, 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 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 the general order are the basis of military discipline. They also talk about this to ordinary soldiers who are just beginning to get acquainted in practice with military service. In the ground forces, servicemen are divided according to the composition.

The number of conscripts and contact personnel includes the following military personnel:

1. Private. This is the lowest rank of a soldier, with which all conscripts begin their military career. This title can be considered higher, perhaps, of a cadet, since the second only theoretically learns all the basics of military art, and the private is already being tested in practice. The private shoulder straps are clean, that is, they do not have any identification marks (as the recruits themselves say, “clean shoulder straps are a clear conscience”).
2. Corporal. As a rule, the most distinguished privates can subsequently be promoted to. It is received by the best or senior rank and file, that is, the obvious leaders in their midst. The shoulder straps of the Russian Federation from the corporal already take on one thin strip as a distinctive sign. It is this symbol that gives other military personnel an idea of \u200b\u200bthe role of a given soldier in the overall military structure. If the commander for some reason is absent, then the corporal replaces him.

The fundamental ranks are followed by sergeants and petty officers. Further, it is they who follow in the order of the hierarchy of shoulder straps and military ranks:

1. Lance Sergeant. This rank is an intermediate step between corporal and 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 strip is added to the shoulder straps of the Russian 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 wore the rank of corporal. However, this corporal must be distinguished by merit and be one of the best.
2. Sergeant. This is already the next link to which the soldier goes after overcoming the rank of junior sergeant. Upon receiving this title, shoulder straps are supplemented with another narrow strip. By this time, the soldier has three. In another way it is designated as "non-commissioned officer", and in many countries, especially in Germany, where this term comes from, it sounds the same.
3. Staff Sergeant. A soldier awarded this title receives one wide one instead of three narrow stripes on the shoulder straps of the Russian army. takes an intermediate step between the sergeant major and the sergeant.
4. Sergeant Major. If before this rank the identification lines were located across the shoulder strap, then in a wide line it 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 an official and command an entire company. In relation to sergeants and soldiers who are at the very first steps of military ranks, he is a commander. His job responsibilities include monitoring the observance of discipline among his subordinates, advising those in junior rank how to act in a given situation, and making sure that all subordinates fulfill their duties.

After that, the ranks of the RF Armed Forces are transferred to the category of ensigns:

1. Ensign. The shoulder straps of the military in this rank somewhat change the appearance, since instead of stripes, starting with the ensign, stars are used. For 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 becoming more stringent in relation to the serviceman who was awarded this rank.
2. Senior Warrant Officer. He is also an intermediate link between the ensign and the ranks of officers. One more small star is added on the shoulder straps. Just like on an ensign's shoulder straps, red lines run along both sides of it. This rank of servicemen is used not only on the territory of the Russian Federation, but also in many other states.

The officer corps goes immediately after the composition of ensigns, it includes the following ranks of the military:

1. Ensign. The first stage of junior officers. The appearance of the shoulder straps also changes, as the two longitudinal stripes are replaced with 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 with one larger one. The star is located 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. He is the middle link between a junior lieutenant and a senior. Instead of one medium-sized star, there are two on the shoulder straps. However, not along the red line, but along its sides.
3. Senior lieutenant.A third medium-sized star is added to the shoulder straps, which is located just above the two side ones, on the red central line. This military rank also applies to the junior officer corps, it is used both in power structures and in the armed forces both in our country and on the territory of foreign states.
4. Captain. On the captain's shoulder straps, another, fourth, medium-sized star is added, which is located just above the third and also on the red central line. This title is available both in the land forces of our country and in the navy. Initially, the chiefs of military naval districts were called captains, and later it acquired a modern meaning.

1. Major. The title has one star, an order of magnitude more than the stars of the captain or lieutenant. The 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 agencies in many European countries, as well as in Russia.
3. Colonel. A third star is added on the shoulder straps, located just above the other two. This stage is the final one in the senior officer corps. The name comes from the ancient concept of "regiment", that is, the leader of this very regiment. The rank is used in the armed forces of our country, as well as in the power structures. The title exists not only on the territory of Russia, but also in other states.

The senior 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 hierarch. Shoulder straps at this stage are crowned with large stars, this title has one such star. The red line now surrounds the entire shoulder strap.
2. Lieutenant General. A soldier of this rank was awarded two large stars on his shoulder straps. Despite the fact that a major is taller than a lieutenant, a lieutenant general in the highest military service system will be higher than a major general.
3. Colonel General. 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 USA 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 seniority.
5. Marshal of the Russian Federation.The highest military rank in our country. On the shoulder straps there is the emblem of the Russian Federation and a star in a range of two colors - gold and silver. This title was established in 1993 by a corresponding decree.

Military ranks and shoulder straps in the naval forces of Russia

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

Junior ranks:

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

Graduation of ranks in the naval forces is as follows (starting with junior officer ranks):

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

Average naval officer 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. At this rank, the star is located between the red stripes.
2. Captain (Rank 2), two stars located directly in the skylights.
3. Captain (1st rank), three stars, two on the stripes, one in between.

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

1. Rear Admiral. Shoulder straps of this rank do not wear gaps, stars are immediately embroidered on them. The size of the star increases again. Soldiers of this rank carry one star.
2. Vice Admiral. There are two stars on the shoulder straps.
3. Admiral. Servicemen of this rank wear three stars on their shoulder straps.
4. Admiral of the Fleet. A soldier awarded this title, which is the highest in the navy, wears one large star on his shoulder straps, which is 4 cm in diameter.

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

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 school on OBZH, boys are forced to learn them by heart, but it is so easy to get confused in them that it is better not even to 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 talking to or who is talking to you. There are only two types of military ranks in Russia, these are military and naval. The naval ranks usually include sailors:

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

Military titles include all other people serving in military units:

• Military establishment;
• other military units and bodies.

Now let's decide what titles are - from lowest to highest. There are only a few subtypes of titles:

1. Unofficial title.
2. Officer title.

The unofficial titles include privates, corporals, junior sergeants, "middle" sergeants, senior sergeants, foremen, warrant officers, and also senior warrant officers. In the ship type: sailors, senior sailors, foremen on the second and first ranks, chief foremen, chief ship foremen, warrant officers and senior warrant officers.

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 have no distinguishing marks. The sergeant and the sergeant major have the so-called stripes - these are cloth braids. In the army they were nicknamed "snot". The ensign and midshipman wear vertical stars with edging on their shoulder straps, but without gaps. The officers differ in the number and size of stars.

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

Now let's look at the faces of all titles, that is, people leading the Russian army. It should be noted 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 title, 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 the commander-in-chief of the land and naval forces.

Interesting facts about ranks in the army of the Russian Federation

The military ranks that are assigned to the servicemen of the guards units have the prefix "guard", that is, "guard 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 servicemen who are retired or in the reserve composition, the word "reserve" or "retired", depending on the situation, is added to the rank.
3. People who entered the military service and who are trained in 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 sailor or soldier when they enter an educational institution, have the title of cadet. In other cases, all assigned ranks are retained upon admission.
5. People who do military service receive titles only for good services to the state. Also, based on the statute of the passage of service in military units, a specific period of time is determined, that is, the title can be obtained:

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

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

1. Based on new laws passed in 2012, the titles of Petty Officer and Chief Petty Officer are no longer assigned. However, they still remained 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, however, major generals are lower in rank than lieutenant general.
4. At the moment, for 365 days, a soldier has the right to receive the highest title - sergeant.