History of Russian military ranks
Armed Forces of the Russian Federation |
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Services (vid) |
Independent troops (rod) |
Other troops |
Ranks of the Russian Military |
History of the Russian military |
Modern Russian military ranks trace their roots to Table of Ranks established by Peter the Great. Most of the rank names were borrowed from existing German/Prussian, French, English, Dutch, and Polish ranks upon the formation of Russian regular army in the late 17th century.
Muscovy
The Kievan Rus had no standing army apart from small druzhina (дружи́на), a permanent group of personal guards for the local ruler (knyaz, prince); an individual member of such a unit called a druzhinnik (дружи́нник). In case of emergency, knyaz raised a militia comprising volunteers from the peasantry, and the druzhina served as the core of the troops. Each local knyaz served as the military leader of his troops. Such arrangements had no need for permanent ranks or positions; they were created ad hoc, based on the task(s) in hand.
Upon the formation of Strelets troops in the mid-16th century, the low-level commanding officers were appointed to one of the following ranks:
- strelets (стреле́ц), a basic soldier
- desyatnik (деся́тник, 'of ten men'), acting as sergeant/corporal
- sotnik (со́тник, 'of hundred men'), acting as captain
These were not personal ranks and were retained only as long as the officer held the position. For battles, knyaz organized his troops into temporary high-level units, usually a polk (полк, Old Slavonic for group of troops), a regiment commanded by a golova (голова́, head) or voyevoda (воево́да, war leader); these commanding positions were not permanent and did not persist after the battle. The cossack cavalry units had their own ranks of Kazak (коза́к), yesaul (есау́л) and ataman (атама́н); they were not comparable to the strelets ranks.
Upon the formation of standing regiments (prikaz, later polk) by Ivan IV, new ranks insinuated themselves into the hierarchy between the existing grades: pyatidesyatnik (пятидеся́тник, of fifty men) acting as lieutenant, golova acting as colonel of the regiment (also, tysyatskiy (ты́сяцкий, 'of thousand men'). Later, a polugolova (полуголова́. half-golova) rank appeared; eventually golova was renamed polkovnik (полко́вник, of the polk), and polugolova was renamed podpolkovnik (sub-polkovnik). As usual, voyevoda was simply a commander of a large military group and not a rank of any kind.
Later, under Romanov dynasty the companies of foreign mercenaries were formed; these incorporated foreign ranks of Lieutenant and Rittmeister. They were later changed into New Regiments of the Streltsy Troops and more Western ranks were adopted, including General. Finally, by 1680 the ranks of the New Regiments were unified with Strelets Troops.
Category | Foreign regiments | Streltsy | rank | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Private ranks | Soldat (солда́т), Reiter (рейта́р), Dragoon (драгу́н) | Strelets (стреле́ц) | OR-1[1] | Private/Soldier |
Unter-ofizers (У́нтер-офице́р(ы)) (de: Unteroffizier(e)) (en: NCOs) |
Kapral (капра́л; en: corporal) | Desyatnik (деся́тник; en: group leader of ten) | OR-2 | Corporal |
Podpraporshchik (подпра́порщик; en: praporshchik junjor rank) | — | OR-8 | Master sergeant | |
Ober-ofizers (de: Oberoffizier(e); en: Upper officer(s)) |
Praporshchik (пра́порщик, Flag bearer basing on Old Slavonic prapor (прапор), flag) | — | OF-1b[2] | |
Leytenant, Poruchik (лейтена́нт, пору́чик/ porucznik (latter is based on pl)) | Pyatidesyatnik (пятидеся́тник; en: group leader of fifty) | OF-1a | 1st Lieutenant | |
Kapitan, Rotmistr (ru: капита́н, ро́тмистр; the latter is adaptation of German Rittmeister) | Sotnik (со́тник; en: group leader of one hundred) | OF-2 | Captain | |
Stab-ofizers (de: Stabsoffizier; en: Staff officers) |
Mayor (майо́р) | — | OF-3 | Major |
Podpolkovnik, also polupolkovnik (полуполко́вник, a halv-polkovnik) | Polugolova, also pyatisotenny golova (полуголова́, пятисо́тенный голова́) | OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel | |
Polkovnik (полко́вник, from Russian polk for regiment) | Golova, also polkovnik (голова́, полко́вник) | OF-5 | Colonel | |
General ranks | General-mayor (ru: генера́л-майо́р) |
— | OF-6 | Major general |
General-poruchik (генера́л-пору́чик) |
— | OF-7 | Lieutenant general |
Russian Empire
During the beginning of the 18th century, military ranks were frequently changed by the tsar during efforts to reform the army and create a strong Navy. These many changes were routinely documented into Army's Rules of engagement since 1716, until they were finally incorporated into the first variant of Table of Ranks in 1722. Comparing to Strelets Troops, a few more non-commissioned ranks were added, the soldier rank was replaced with many speciality ranks and a few more General ranks were added. The naval ranks were created from scratch, ranks for the naval infantry and engineers would only come in the 19th century.
The officers were styled according to their rank as defined by the Table.
- See also
1722-1917: Army
By 1722, the ranks of both enlisted staff and commissioned/non-commissioned officers were somewhat settled; these ranks survived until the Russian Revolution with only minor adjustments.
Captain-Poruchik rank is comparable to Lieutenant Captain. Note that Poruchik can sometimes be styled as Porutchik, as it was originally written by the tsar himself.
Commissioned officers of artillery and engineers enjoyed a handicap of 1 grade, and the Leib Guards units enjoyed a handicap of 2 grades, ending in Life Guards Colonel.
In the 1798–1884 timeline, the General ranks were streamlined and the Brigadier rank was abolished. The Captain-Poruchik rank was reestablished again, this time as Staff-Captain. The Second Major and First Major ranks were united. In 1826, Russian Army adopted shoulder insignia and distinct Cossack cavalry ranks.
In 1884, Major and Captain-Lieutenant ranks were abolished again and the ranks below were shifted several grades up. The latter was not reintroduced until 1907, but then again abolished in 1911.
Grade | Category | Army, Infantry | Cavalry, (since 1731) | Artillery, Engineer | Cossacks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I | Generals | Generalissimo (Генерали́ссимус) General-Fieldmarshal of Russia (генерал-фельдмаршал) | |||
II | Général en Chef (генера́л-анше́ф) (1730—1796) General of the Infantry (генера́л от инфанте́рии ) (1796-1917) |
General of the Cavalry (генера́л от кавале́рии) | General of the Artillery (генера́л от артилле́рии) (since 1796) General Feldzeugmeister (генера́л-фельдцейхме́йстер) until 1796 |
No equivalent | |
III | General-Poruchik (генера́л-пору́чик) (until 1800) Lieutenant General (генера́л-лейтена́нт) (since 1800) |
General-Poruchik (генера́л-пору́чик) | Lieutenant General (генера́л-лейтена́нт) | ||
IV | Major General (генера́л-майо́р) | ||||
V | Stab-ofizers | Brigadier (бригади́р) (until 1798) | — | No equivalent | |
VI | Polkovnik (полко́вник) | Polkovnik | |||
VII |
|
Podpolkovnik | Podpolkovnik (abolished 1884), Cossack major, Войсковой старшина (from 1884 onward) | ||
VIII | Premier/First Major (премье́р-майо́р) Second major (секу́нд-майо́р)(both until 1827), Major (майо́р) |
Major (майо́р) | Cossack Major (войсковой старшина) (until 1884) | ||
Ober-ofizers | — | Kapitan (капита́н) | Yesaul (есаул) | ||
IX | Kapitan (капита́н) | Rittmeister/Ride Master (ро́тмистр) | Captain-Poruchik/Captain Lieutenant (капита́н-пору́чик) (until 1731 and since 1765) | Junior Yesaul (подъесаул) | |
X | Captain-Poruchik/Captain lieutenant (капита́н-пору́чик) (until 1731) Stabs-Captain/Staff captain (штабс-капита́н) |
Stabs-Rittmeister/Staff-Ritmeister/Ride Master (штабс-ро́тмистр) (until 1798) | Poruchik (пору́чик) | Centurion (сотник) | |
XI | Leytenant (лейтена́нт) or Poruchik (пору́чик) (since 1765) | Sub-Poruchik/Sub-lieutenant (подпору́чик) (since 1765) | Ensign (хорунжий) | ||
XII | Lieutenant (лейтена́нт) or Poruchik (пору́чик) (until 1765); Sub-Poruchik/Sub-lieutenant (подпору́чик) since 1765 | Sub-Poruchik/Sub-lieutenant (подпору́чик) (until 1765) | |||
XIII | Sub-Poruchik/Sub-lieutenant (подпору́чик) (until 1765) | Bayonet-Junker (штык-ю́нкер); Praporshchik/Ensign (пра́порщик) since 1765 | No equivalent | ||
XIV | Praporshchik/Fähnrich/Senior Ensign (пра́порщик / фе́нрих / фе́ндрик) | Cornet (корне́т) | Deputy Praporshchik/Ensign (зауряд-пра́порщик) | No equivalent | |
Unter-ofizers | Deputy Praporshchik/Probationary Ensign (зауряд-пра́порщик) (since 1884) Sub-Praporshchik (подпра́порщик) (1826–1884) |
Wachtmeister/Watch Master (вáхмистр) (until 1884); none (since 1884) | Deputy Praporshchik/Probationary Ensign (зауряд-пра́порщик) (since 1884) Sub-Praporshchik/Junior Ensign(подпра́порщик) (1826–1884) |
No equivalent | |
Sub-Praporshchik (подпра́порщик) (since 1884) Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1826–1884) |
Wachtmeister (вáхмистр) (since 1884) Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1826–1884) |
Sub-Praporshchik/Junior Ensign (подпра́порщик) (since 1884) Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1826–1884) |
Junior Ensign (подхорунжий) | ||
Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1884–1917) Sergeant (сержа́нт) (1826–1884) |
Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1884–1917) |
Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1884–1917) Sub-Praporshchik (подпра́порщик) (until 1826) |
Wachtmeister (вáхмистр) (since 1884) | ||
Kaptenarmus (каптена́рмус); Senior Unteroffizier/Under Officer (ста́рший у́нтер-офице́р) (since 1800) | Senior Gunner (старший фейерверкер) | Senior Warden (старший урядник) | |||
Farrier (фурье́р) | |||||
Corporal (капра́л); Unteroffizier (у́нтер-офице́р) (later Junior Unteroffizier) (младший унтер-офицер) | Junior Gunner (младший фейерверкер) | Junior Warden (младший урядник) | |||
Privates | Gefreiter (гефре́йтор) | Bombardier (бомбардир) | Trooper First Class (приказный) | ||
Private, Musketeer, Fusilier, Jaeger, Grenadier, Pikenier, Hajduk, Strelets, Archer, Rifleman etc. (рядовой, мушкетёр, фузилёр, е́герь, гренадёр, пикинёр, гайду́к, стреле́ц, лу́чник и т.д.) | Dragoon, Hussar, Cuirassiers, Uhlan, Lancer, Chevau-léger, Horse Grenadier, Carabinier, etc. (драгу́н, гуса́р, кираси́р, улáн, ланцéр и т.д.) | Cannonier, Gunner, Handlageer, Sapper, Pioneer, Miner, Pontooner etc. (канони́р, гандлаге́р, сапёр, пионе́р, минёр, понтонёр и т.д.) | Cossack (каза́к) |
1722-1917: Navy
As stated earlier, most of the naval ranks and rates were formed from scratch in the 18th century, with many changes since then. Ranks for naval infantry, shore service personnel and engineers would only come in the 19th century.
Grade | Category | Rank |
---|---|---|
I | Admirals | General Admiral (генера́л-адмира́л) |
II | Admiral (адмира́л) | |
III | Vice Admiral (ви́це-адмира́л) | |
IV | Schout-bij-nacht (шаутбейна́хт) until 1724; Rear Admiral or Counter Admiral since 1724 (ко́нтр-адмира́л) | |
V | Stab-ofizers | Captain-Commodore (капита́н-командо́р) (until 1764) and (1798–1826); Captain of Brigadier rank (капита́н брагади́рского ра́нга) (1764–1798) |
VI | Captain 1st rank (капита́н 1-го ра́нга) (from 1751 onward), Ship-of-the-line captain (Капитан корабля) (1701 – 1713 and 1732 – 1751) | |
VII | Captain 2nd rank (капита́н 2-го ра́нга) | |
VIII | Captain 3rd rank (капита́н 3-го ра́нга) (until 1730); Captain-Poruchik (капита́н-поручи́к) (until 1784); Captain Lieutenant (капита́н-лейтена́нт) (since 1784) | |
IX | Ober-ofizers | Senior Lieutenant (Старший лейтенант) (1909–17), Lieutenant (лейтена́нт) or Poruchik (пору́чик) (since 1884) |
X | Unter leytenant (ýнтер лейтена́нт) (until 1724); Poruchik (пору́чик) (until 1884); Michman (ми́чман) (since 1884) | |
XI | Ship Secretary (корабе́льный секрета́рь) (until 1834); Podporuchik (подпору́чик) (until 1884) | |
XII | Michman (ми́чман) (1864–1884) | |
XIII | Michman (ми́чман) (1758–1864), Brevet Michman/Gardemarin (гардемарин) (1827-1883) | |
XIV | ||
Unter-ofizers | Senior Boatswain (Старший боцман) | |
Stuurman (шту́рман); Senior Unteroffizier (ста́рший у́нтер-офице́р); Conductor (кондукто́р) | ||
Skipper (шки́пер) | ||
Michman (ми́чман) (until 1758); Unteroffizier (у́нтер-офице́р) (since 1758); Konstapel (конста́пель) | ||
Bootsmann (Bosun) (бо́цман); Shipman, (Schoonerman) (шхи́ман) | ||
Sub Skipper (подшхи́ман); Sub Stuurman, (подшту́рман); Bootsmannmaat (боцманма́т); Shchiemanmaat (шхиманма́т) | ||
Quartermaster (квартирмéйстер) | ||
Seamen | 1st rank Seaman (матро́с 1-й статьи́) | |
2nd rank Seaman (матро́с 2-й статьи́) |
Grade | Category | Rank |
---|---|---|
I | General Officers | No equivalent |
II | Fleet General (Флота генерал) | |
III | Fleet Lieutenant General (Флота генерал-лейтенант) | |
IV | Fleet Major General (Флота генерал-майор) | |
V | Staff Officers | No equivalent |
VI | Admiralty Colonel (Полковник по адмиралтейству) | |
VII | Admiralty Lieutenant Colonel(Подполковник по адмиралтейству) | |
VIII | Admiralty Major (Майор по адмиралтейству)(1830-1884), Admiralty Captain (Капитан по адмиралтейству)(1884-1917) | |
IX | Officers | Admiralty Captain (Капитан по адмиралтейству)(1828-1884), Admiralty Staff Captain (Штабс-капитан по адмиралтейству) (1884-1917) |
X | Admiralty Staff Captain (Штабс-капитан по адмиралтейству) (until 1884) | |
XI | Admiralty Captain Lieutenant (Капитан-пору́чик по адмиралтейству)(1907-1912), Admiralty Lieutenant (Поручик по адмиралтейству) (1884-1917) | |
XII | Admiralty Lieutenant (Поручик по адмиралтейству) (1829-1884), Admiralty Sub-lieutenant (Подпоручик по адмиралтейству) (1885-1917) | |
XIII | Admiralty Sub-lieutenant (Подпоручик по адмиралтейству) (until 1885) | |
XIV | Admiralty Ensign (Прапорщик по адмиралтейству) | |
Under-Officers | ||
Marine Acting Ensign (Морской зауряд-прапорщик) (1884-1917) | ||
Marine Junior Ensign (Морской подпрапорщик) | ||
Marine Feldwebel (Морской фельдфебель) (1884-1917), Marine Sergeant (Морской сержа́нт) (1830–1884) | ||
Marine Senior Unteroffizier (Морской старший унтер-офицер) | ||
Marine Junior Unteroffizier (Морской малдший унтер-офицер), Marine Corporal (Морской капра́л) | ||
Privates, Marines |
Marine Gefreiter, Marine Lance Corporal (Морской ефрейтор) | |
Private, Marine (Морской солдат) |
RSFSR and Soviet Union
1918–1925
The October Revolution of 1917 abolished the privileges of the Russian nobility (Dvoryanstvo). The Table of Ranks was abolished and so were personal military ranks. Based on the teachings of Karl Marx to replace a regular army with the general arming of the people, the Bolsheviks abolished the Imperial army on 16 March 1918. But the need for an armed struggle against the counter-revolution, and foreign military intervention forced the CEC and the CPC, January 15, 1918 to issue a decree establishing of the "Workers' and Peasants' Red Army", very early before the disbandment of the Imperial ground forces.
At first the new army had no ranks, aside from the single rank of "RedArmyMan". However, due to a real need, first informally and then more formally (although no document on an introduction of ranks or names of commanders was issued) in official correspondence acronyms began to appear representing position-holder titles. For example, komdiv was an acronym of Division Commander; likewise kombat stood for Battalion Commander, etc. By the middle of the Civil War (January 1919), these "positional ranks" became quite formal, and since January 1920 the names of officers was fixed by the Order of the Red Army. Instead of ranks, these were officially known as "categories of the Red Army." This system was maintained until May 1924. Some of these acronyms have survived as informal position names to the present day.
During the civil war ships did not play a significant role. Many of the sailors and petty officers of the fleet went to fight on land in the Red Army. For a long time a scale of naval ranks did not exist at all. Most of the naval officers were addressed either by their position or by their tsarist rank with the addition of front abbreviation "b.", what meant "former". Since 1924, the real rehabilitation and creation of the fleet began. Personal ranks as such did not exist during this period in the Navy.
By then, the only new rank created was the Sergeant Major (Starshina) rank in the Red Army. It was first introduced in the Worker's and Peasant's Red Navy at the same time, with the old Imperial Naval rank of Bootsmann in the Navy the only old rank still used.
The Soviet Air Forces began as a committee for ex-Imperial military aviation in 1918, and was later transformed into a separate service later as the Workers and Peasants Red Air Fleet. It shared the same ranks as the Army and the naval air component shared the ranks of its mother service.
Army appointments[3] | Naval appointments[4] | ||
---|---|---|---|
Categories | Names of key posts | Groups | |
Краскомы (Kraskomy) |
Наркомвоенмор (Narkomvoyenmor) |
(Высший командный и начальствующий состав) | |
Комфронта (Komfronta) |
|||
Командарм (Komandarm) |
Начморси (Nachmorsi) | ||
Комкор (Komkor) |
Начальник дивизии кораблей (Nachalnik divizii korabley) | ||
Начдив (Nachdiv) |
Командир бригады кораблей (Komandir brigady korabley) | ||
Комбриг (Kombrig) |
Командир дивизиона кораблей (Komandir diviziona korabley) |
(Старший командный и начальствующий состав) | |
Комполка (Kompolka) |
Командир корабля (Komandir korablya) | ||
Комбат (Kombat) |
Старший помощник командира корабля (Starshiy pomoshchnik komandira korablya) | ||
Помкомбат (Pomkombat) |
Помощник командира корабля (Pomoshchnik komandira korablya) | ||
or Escadron Commander Комроты or Комэск (Komroty) or (Komesk) |
Командир боевой части (Komandir boyevoy chasti) |
(Средний командный и начальствующий состав) | |
or Assistant of Escadron Commander Помкомроты or Помкомэск (Pomkomroty) or (Pomkomesk) |
Командир группы (Komandir gruppy) | ||
Комвзвода (Komvzvoda) |
Командир отделения (Komandir otdeleniya) | ||
Старшина (Starshina) |
(Младший командный и начальствующий состав) | ||
Помкомвзвода (Pomkomvzvoda) |
or Boatswain/Bootsmann Старшина or боцман (Starshina) or (Botsman) | ||
Комот (Komot) |
|||
Красноармейцы (Krasnoarmeytsy) |
Красноармеец (Krasnoarmeyets) |
Краснофлотец (Krasnoflotets) |
(Рядовой состав) |
1925–1935
By that year, the ranks were expanded to match the military ranks of other countries' armed forces. The Soviet Air Forces soon received its own ranks.
Categories | Names of key posts | Groups | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Army appointments[5] | Naval appointments[6] | Aviation appointments | ||
Командующий фронтом (Komanduyushchiy frontom) |
Главнокомандующий флотом республики (Glavnokomanduyushchiy flotom respubliky) |
'Hачальник BBC CCCP (Nachalnik VVS SSSR) |
(Высший командный и начальствующий состав) | |
Командующий армией (Komanduyushchiy armiey) & Assistant of Front Commander Помощник командующего фронтом (Pomoshchnik komanduyushchego frontom) |
Командующий флотом (Komanduyushchiy flotom) |
Помощник начальник BBC CCCP (Pomoshchnik Nachalnik VVS SSSR) | ||
Командир корпуса (Komandir korpusa) & Assistant of Army Commander Помощник командующего армией (Pomoshchnik komanduyushchego armiey) |
Командующий флотилией (Komanduyushchiy flotiliey) |
Командующий авиабригады (Komanduyushchiy aviabrigadi) | ||
Командир дивизии (Komandir divizii) & Assistant of Corps Commander Помощник командира корпуса (Pomoshchnik komandira korpusa) |
Командующий эскадрой (Komanduyushchiy eskadroy) |
|||
Командир бригады (Komandir brigady) & Assistant of the Divizia Commander Помощник командира дивизии (Pomoshchnik komandira divizii) |
Командир бригады кораблей (Komandir brigady korabley) |
Командующий эскадрильи (Komanduyushchiy eskadrily) | ||
Командир полка (Komandir polka) & Assistant of the Brigade Commander Помощник командира бригады (Pomoshchnik komandira brigady) |
Командир корабля 1-го ранга (Komandir korablya 1-go ranga) |
Командующий авиапарка (Komanduyushchiy aviaparka) |
(Старший командный и начальствующий состав) | |
Помощник командира полка (Pomoshchnik komandira polka) |
Старший помощник командира корабля 1-го ранга (Starshiy pomoshchnik komandira korablya 1-ranga) |
Командующий отдельного авиаотряда (Komanduyushchiy otdelynogo aviaotryada) | ||
Командир батальона (Komandir bataliona) |
Командир корабля 2-го ранга (Komandir korablya 2-go ranga) |
Командующий авиаотряда (Komanduyushchiy aviaotryada) | ||
Помощник командира батальона (Pomoshchnik komandira bataliona) |
Командир корабля 3-го ранга (Komandir korablya 3-go ranga) & Senior Assistant of Ship Commander 2nd rank Старший помощник командира корабля 2-го ранга (Starshiy pomoshchnik komandira korablya 2-ranga) |
Командующий авиазвена (Komanduyushchiy aviazvena) |
(Средний командный и начальствующий состав) | |
Командир роты (Komandir roty) |
Командир корабля 4-го ранга (Komandir korablya 4-go ranga) & Senior Assistant of Ship Commander 3rd rank Старший помощник командира корабля 3-го ранга (Starshiy pomoshchnik komandira korablya 3-ranga) |
Старший летчик (Starshiy Letchik) | ||
Помощник командира роты (Pomoshchnik komandira roty) |
Старший помощник командира корабля 4-го ранга (Starshiy pomoshchnik komandira korablya 4-ranga) |
Младший летчик (Mladshy lyotchik) | ||
Командир взвода (Komandir vzvoda) |
Командир боевой части (Komandir boyevoy chasti) & Assistant of Ship Commander 4th rank Помощник командира корабля 4-го ранга (Pomoshchnik komandira korablya 4-ranga) |
Командир взвода (Komandir vzvoda) | ||
Старшина (Starshina) |
Главный cтаршина (Glavni Starshina) ,& Chief Boatswain/Bootsmann Главный боцман (Glavniy botsman) |
Старший моторист (Starshiy Motorist) |
(Младший командный и начальствующий состав) | |
Помощник командира взвода (Pomoshchnik komandira vzvoda) |
Старший боцман (Starshiy botsman) |
Mоторист (Motorist) | ||
Командир отделения (Komandir otdeleniya) |
Командир отделения (Komandir otdeleniya) & Boatswain/Bootsmann Боцман (Botsman) |
Младший моторист (Mladshy motorist) | ||
Командир звена (Komandir zvena) & Assistant of Squad Commander Помощник командира отделения (Pomoshchnik komandira otdeleniya) |
Командир группы (Komandir gruppy) & Assistant of Squad Commander Помощник командира отделения (Pomoshchnik komandira otdeleniya) |
|||
Красноармеец (Krasnoarmeyets) |
Краснофлотец (Krasnoflotets) |
Красновоздухоплаватель (Krasnoboedukhoplavately) |
(Рядовой состав) |
1935–1940
Personal ranks were formally introduced in the Red Army on September 22, 1935, including the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union that was adopted the year before.
Categories | Ranks[7] | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Privates & Commanders | Political staff | Technical staff | Administrative staff | Medical (Vet) staff | Juristical staff | |||
Ground and Air Forces | Naval Forces | Ground and Air Forces | Naval Forces | |||||
(Рядовой и младший командный и начальствующий состав) |
Красноармеец (Krasnoarmeyets) |
Краснофлотец (Krasnoflotets) |
||||||
Отделенный командир (Otdelenniy komandir) |
Отделенный командир (Otdelenniy komandir) | |||||||
Младший комзвода (Mladshy komzvoda) |
||||||||
Старшина (Starshina) |
Старшина (Starshina) | |||||||
(Средний командный и начальствующий состав) |
Младший лейтенант (Mladshy leytenant) |
Младший лейтенант (Mladsh leytenant) |
Младший воентехник (Mladshy voentekhnik) |
Младший воентехник (Mladshy voentekhnik) | ||||
Лейтенант (Leytenant) |
Лейтенант (Leytenant) |
Младший политрук (Mladshy politruk) |
Воентехник 2 ранга (Voentekhnik 2 ranga) |
Воентехник 2 ранга (Voentekhnik 2 ranga) |
Техник-интендант 2 ранга (Tehnik-intendant 2 ranga) |
Военфельдшер/ветвоенфельдшер (Voenfeldsher/vetvoenfeldsher) |
Младший военюрист (Mladshy voenyurist) | |
Старший лейтенант (Starshy leytenant) |
Старший лейтенант (Starshy leytenant) |
Политрук (Politruk) |
Воентехник 1 ранга (Voentekhnik 1 ranga) |
Воентехник 1 ранга (Voentekhnik 1 ranga) |
Техник-интендант 1 ранга (Tehnik-intendant 1 ranga) |
Старший военфельдшер / Старший ветвоенфельдшер (Starshiy voenfeldsher/Starshy vetvoenfeldsher) |
Военюрист (Voenyurist) | |
(Старший командный и начальствующий состав) |
Капитан (Kapitan) |
Капитан-лейтенант (Kapitan-leytenant) |
Старший политрук (Starshiy politruk) |
Военинженер 3 ранга (Voeninzhener 3 ranga) |
Военинженер 3 ранга (Voeninzhener 3 ranga) |
Интендант 3 ранга (Intendant 3 ranga) |
Военврач 3 ранга / Ветвоенврач 3 ранга (Voenvrach 3 ranga / Vetvoenvrach 3 ranga) |
Военюрист 3 ранга (Voenyurist 3 ranga) |
Майор (Mayor) |
Капитан 3 ранга (Kapitan 3 ranga) |
Батальонный комиссар (Batalionniy komissar) |
Военинженер 2 ранга (Voeninzhener 2 ranga) |
Военинженер 2 ранга (Voeninzhener 2 ranga) |
Интендант 2 ранга (Intendant 2 ranga) |
Военврач 2 ранга / Ветвоенврач 2 ранга (Voenvrach 2 ranga / Vetvoenvrach 2 ranga) |
Военюрист 2 ранга (Voenyurist 2 ranga) | |
Полковник (Polkovnik) |
Капитан 2 ранга (Kapitan 2 ranga) |
Полковой комиссар (Polkovoy komissar) |
Военинженер 1 ранга (Voeninzhener 1 ranga) |
Военинженер 1 ранга (Voeninzhener 1 ranga) |
Интендант 1 ранга (Intendant 1 ranga) |
Военврач 1 ранга / Ветвоенврач 1 ранга (Voenvrach 1 ranga / Vetvoenvrach 1 ranga) |
Военюрист 1 ранга (Voenyurist 1 ranga) | |
(Высший командный и начальствующий состав) |
Комбриг (Kombrig) |
Капитан 1 ранга (Kapitan 1 ranga) |
Бригадный комиссар (Brigadniy komissar) |
Бригинженер (Briginzhener) |
Инженер-флагман 3 ранга (Inzhener-flagman 3 ranga) |
Бригинтендант (Brigintendant) |
Бригврач/Ветбригврач (Brigvrach/Vetbrigvrach) |
Бригвоенюрист (Brigvoenyurist) |
Комдив (Komdiv) |
Флагман 2 ранга (Flagman 2 ranga) |
Дивизионный комиссар (Divizionniy komissar) |
Дивинженер (Divinzhener) |
Инженер-флагман 2 ранга (Inzhener-flagman 2 ranga) |
Дивинтендант (Divintendant) |
Дивврач/Ветдивврач (Divvrach/Vetdivvrach) |
Диввоенюрист (Divvoenyurist) | |
Комкор (Komkor) |
Флагман 1 ранга (Flagman 1 ranga) |
Корпусной комиссар (Korpusnoy komissar) |
Коринженер (Korinzhener) |
Инженер-флагман 1 ранга (Inzhener-flagman 1 ranga) |
Коринтендант (Korintendant) |
Корврач/Веткорврач (Korvrach/Vetkorvrach) |
Корвоенюрист (Korvoenyurist) | |
Командарм 2 ранга (Komandarm 2 ranga) |
Флагман флота 2 ранга (Flagman flota 2 ranga) |
Армейский комиссар 2 ранга (Armeyskiy komissar 2 ranga) |
Арминженер (Arminzhener) |
Инженер-флагман флота (Inzhener-flagman flota) |
Арминтендант (Armintendant) |
Армврач/Ветармврач (Armvrach/Vetarmvrach) |
Армвоенюрист (Armvoenyurist) | |
Командарм 1 ранга (Komandarm 1 ranga) |
Флагман флота 1 ранга (Flagman flota 1 ranga) |
Армейский комиссар 1 ранга (Armeyskiy komissar 1 ranga) |
||||||
Маршал Советского Союза (Marshal Sovietskovo Soyuza) |
||||||||
Ranks of Junior Lieutenant and Junior Military Technician were introduced in 1937. Also restored were most of the military officer ranks in the Army and Navy, except for the General officer ranks and the Admiral officer ranks, with the naval rank of 3rd class Captain being the new officer rank introduced.
1940–1943
General ranks were restored in May 1940. The new ranks were based on the military ranks of the Russian Empire, although they underwent some modifications; modified Imperial rank insignia were reintroduced in 1943. The new ranks also abolished the specialist ranks for the other arms and services, and they were replaced by the new ranks with the service name attached.
Categories | Ranks[8] | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Privates & Commanders | Political staff | Technical staff | Administrative staff | Medical (Vet) staff | Juristical staff | |||
Ground and Air Forces | Naval Forces | Ground and Air Forces | Naval Forces | |||||
(Рядовой состав) |
Красноармеец (Krasnoarmeyets) |
Краснофлотец (Krasnoflotets) |
||||||
Ефрейтор (Yefreytor) |
Старший краснофлотец (Starshiy krasnoflotets) | |||||||
(Младший командный и начальствующий состав) |
Младший сержант (Mladshy serzhant) |
Старшина 2 статьи (Starshina 2 stat'i) | ||||||
Сержант (Serzhant) |
Старшина 1 статьи (Starshina 1 stat'i) | |||||||
Старший сержант (Starshy serzhant) |
Главный старшина (Glavny starshina) | |||||||
Старшина (Starshina) |
Мичман | |||||||
(Средний командный и начальствующий состав) |
Младший лейтенант (Mladshy leytenant) |
Младший лейтенант (Mladshy leytenant) |
Младший воентехник (Mladshy voentekhnik) |
Младший воентехник (Mladshy voentekhnik) | ||||
Лейтенант (Leytenant) |
Лейтенант (Leytenant) |
Младший политрук (Mladshy politruk) |
Воентехник 2 ранга (Voentehnik 2 ranga) |
Воентехник 2 ранга (Voentekhnik 2 ranga) |
Техник-интендант 2 ранга (Tehknik-intendant 2 ranga) |
Военфельдшер/ветвоенфельдшер (Voenfeldsher/vetvoenfeldsher) |
Младший военюрист (Mladshy voenyurist) | |
Старший лейтенант (Starshy leytenant) |
Старший лейтенант (Starshy leytenant) |
Политрук (Politruk) |
Воентехник 1 ранга (Voentehnik 1 ranga) |
Воентехник 1 ранга (Voentehnik 1 ranga) |
Техник-интендант 1 ранга (Tehnik-intendant 1 ranga) |
Старший военфельдшер / Старший ветвоенфельдшер (Starshiy voenfeldsher/Starshiy vetvoenfeldsher) |
Военюрист (Voenyurist) | |
(Старший командный и начальствующий состав) |
Капитан (Kapitan) |
Капитан-лейтенант (Kapitan-leytenant) |
Старший политрук (Starshiy politruk) |
Военинженер 3 ранга (Voeninzhener 3 ranga) |
Военинженер 3 ранга (Voeninzhener 3 ranga) |
Интендант 3 ранга (Intendant 3 ranga) |
Военврач 3 ранга / Ветвоенврач 3 ранга (Voenvrach 3 ranga / Vetvoenvrach 3 ranga) |
Военюрист 3 ранга (Voenyurist 3 ranga) |
Майор (Mayor) |
Капитан 3 ранга (Kapitan 3 ranga) |
Батальонный комиссар (Batalionniy komissar) |
Военинженер 2 ранга (Voeninzhener 2 ranga) |
Военинженер 2 ранга (Voeninzhener 2 ranga) |
Интендант 2 ранга (Intendant 2 ranga) |
Военврач 2 ранга / Ветвоенврач 2 ранга (Voenvrach 2 ranga / Vetvoenvrach 2 ranga) |
Военюрист 2 ранга (Voenyurist 2 ranga) | |
Подполковник (Podpolkovnik) |
Капитан 2 ранга (Kapitan 2 ranga) |
Старший батальонный комиссар (Starshiy batalionniy komissar) |
Военинженер 1 ранга (Voeninzhener 1 ranga) |
Военинженер 1 ранга (Voeninzhener 1 ranga) |
Интендант 1 ранга (Intendant 1 ranga) |
Военврач 1 ранга / Ветвоенврач 1 ранга (Voenvrach 1 ranga / Vetvoenvrach 1 ranga) |
Военюрист 1 ранга (Voenyurist 1 ranga) | |
Полковник (Polkovnik) |
Капитан 1 ранга (Kapitan 1 ranga) |
Полковой комиссар (Polkovoy komissar) |
||||||
(Высший командный и начальствующий состав) |
Генерал-майор (General-mayor) |
Контр-адмирал (Kontr-admiral) |
Дивизионный комиссар (Divizionniy komissar) |
Дивинженер (Divinzhener) |
Инженер-флагман 2 ранга (Inzhener-flagman 2 ranga) |
Дивинтендант (Divintendant) |
Дивврач/Ветдивврач (Divvrach/Vetdivvrach) |
Диввоенюрист (Divvoenyurist) |
Генерал-лейтенант (General-leytenant) |
Вице-адмирал (Vitse-admiral) |
Корпусной комиссар (Korpusnoy komissar) |
Коринженер (Korinzhener) |
Инженер-флагман 1 ранга (Inzhener-flagman 1 ranga) |
Коринтендант (Korintendant) |
Корврач/Веткорврач (Korvrach/Vetkorvrach) |
Корвоенюрист (Korvoenyurist) | |
Генерал-полковник (General-polkovnik) |
Адмирал (Admiral) |
Армейский комиссар 2 ранга (Armeyskiy komissar 2 ranga) |
Арминженер (Arminzhener) |
Инженер-флагман флота (Inzhener-flagman flota) |
Арминтендант (Armintendant) |
Армврач/Ветармврач (Armvrach/Vetarmvrach) |
Армвоенюрист (Armvoenyurist) | |
Генерал армии (General armii) |
Армейский комиссар 1 ранга (Armeyskiy komissar 1 ranga) |
|||||||
Маршал Советского Союза (Marshal Sovietskovo Soyuza) |
||||||||
Ranks "Lieutenant Colonel" and "Senior Battalion Commissar" were introduced in 1940. By then the Army rank of Corporal and the Naval rank of Midshipman were revived, and the old rank of Junior Sergeant reinstated into its modern form (the rank is from the Estonian Army but has a Russian origin in the Imperial Russian Army).
In 1942, the political commissars' service in the Red Army was finally disbanded for good, and its ranks dissolved.
1943–1991
In 1943, all ranks became standardized throughout the Soviet Armed Forces, with the full inclusion of Air/Arm/Branch Marshal and Air/Arm/Branch Chief Marshal ranks. All specialist ranks remaining were replaced by the 1940 standard ranks with the service name attached to them, and Private and Seaman became the basic enlisted ranks. The new Imperial Russian Armed Forces-style shoulder rank insignia also debuted.
From 1943 to 1961, naval ranks were adjusted to match the naval ranks of other countries. The rank of Admiral of the Fleet was introduced during the Great Patriotic War, and was the equivalent rank to Marshal of the Soviet Union that in 1955, it was renamed Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union. The rank was soon revived in 1962 as a General of the Army-equivalent rank in compliance to new Soviet Navy regulations for officers.
On June 27, 1945 the rank of Generalissimus Sovietskogo Soyuza (Generalissimus of the Soviet Union) was created and granted to Joseph Stalin following the tradition of the Russian Imperial Army which granted to the Tsars the military rank in their capacity as Commanders-in-Chief. Formally it existed until 1993 but it was never used after Stalin's death.
In the 1970s, the non-commissioned officers serving under contract and holding Starshina (Master Sergeant) rank were reassigned to newly created Praporshchik rank (not to be confused with similarly named Russian Empire rank of commissioned officers); starshina was reserved for conscripts only. In the Soviet Navy, however, as the Midshipman rank was formally elevated to that of a warrant officer, the NCO role of Midshipmen was replaced by the new rank of Ship Chief Master Sergeant as a result of the naval rank change. At the same time all rank insignia became uniform for the Army and Air Force plus the other services, the Navy retained theirs.
Generals of the Army and Admirals soon had their insignia changed in 1974.
The final change was in 1981 when Senior Praporshchik and Senior Midshipman ranks were added in the ranks of warrant officers.
The table of Soviet military ranks can see in Military ranks of the Soviet Union or in the section below (as they were the same as present military ranks of the Russian Federation).
Russian Federation
The independent Russia inherited the ranks of the Soviet Union, although the insignia and uniforms were altered a little. The following is a table of ranks of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Russian armed forces have two styles of ranks: deck ranks (navy style ranks) and troop ranks (army and other forces style ranks). The following table of Ranks is based on those of the Russian Federation.
Troop ranks are used by:
- Ministry of Defence
- Ground Forces (Army)
- Air Force
- Navy — Naval Infantry, Naval Aviation other various shore services of the navy
- Strategic Missile Troops (Independent Corps)
- Airborne Troops (Independent Corps)
- Aerospace Defence Force (Independent Corps)
- Federal Agency of Special Construction
- Railway Troops of the Russian Federation
- Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD)
- Internal Troops
- Police, formerly Militia
- Federal Security Service (FSB) and
- Federal Protective Service (FSO)
- Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR)
- Chief directorate of special programs of the President
- Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM)
- Civil Defense Troops
- Military personnel of State Firefighting Service
Deck (Navy) ranks are used by:
- Ministry of Defence
- Navy — deck personnel
- Federal Security Service
The highest troop rank is Marshal of the Russian Federation.
The highest Navy 'deck' rank is Admiral of the Fleet. In the Soviet era the rank Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union was equivalent to the rank of Marshal and only three persons were given that rank. Since 1991 this rank is no longer used.
Ranks can have additional descriptors according to assignment or status. For example, the rank of a serviceman of a "Guards" unit, formation or ship may be followed by the word "Guards" ("Gefreitor of Guards"); the rank of a serviceman of the legal, medical or veterinary professions is followed by "of Justice", "of the Medical service", or "of the Veterinary service" ("Captain of the Medical Service"); and the rank of a reserve or retired serviceman is followed by the words “Reserve” or “Retired,” respectively ("Major of Reserve"). The Russian Federation abolished the descriptor "of Aviation" for pilots, however, that descriptor is still in common use.
Category | Troop Ranks | Deck Ranks | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ground Forces Insignia | Rank Name | Air Force Insignia | Shoulder Insignia | Rank Name | Sleeve Insignia | |
General Officers |
(currently inactive[9]) Ма́ршал Росси́йской Федера́ции |
Ма́ршал Росси́йской Федера́ции[10] | ||||
генера́л а́рмии |
адмира́л фло́та |
|||||
генера́л-полко́вник |
адмира́л |
|||||
генера́л-лейтена́нт |
ви́це-адмира́л |
|||||
генера́л-майо́р |
ко́нтр-адмира́л |
|||||
Field Grade Officers |
полко́вник |
капита́н 1-го ра́нга |
||||
подполко́вник |
капита́н 2-го р́анга |
|||||
майо́р |
капита́н 3-го р́анга |
|||||
Company Grade Officers |
капита́н |
капита́н-лейтена́нт |
||||
ста́рший лейтена́нт |
ста́рший лейтена́нт |
|||||
лейтена́нт |
лейтена́нт |
|||||
мла́дший лейтена́нт |
мла́дший лейтена́нт |
|||||
Master Non-Commissioned Officers |
ста́рший пра́порщик |
ста́рший ми́чман |
||||
пра́порщик |
ми́чман |
|||||
Petty Officers |
старшина́ |
гла́вный корабе́льный старшина́ |
||||
ста́рший сержа́нт |
гла́вный старшина́ |
|||||
сержа́нт |
старшина́ 1-й статьи́ |
|||||
мла́дший сержа́нт |
старшина́ 2-й статьи́ |
|||||
Seamen, Airmen |
ефре́йтор |
ста́рший матро́с |
||||
рядово́й |
матро́с |
Note: the descriptor "of Aviation" has been officially abolished but usage is still common within the Air Forces and Naval Aviation.
On March 11, 2010, by virtue of Law No.2010-293 of the President of Russia, a new set of rank insignia debuted. Privates, Airmen and Seamen sport plain shoulder epaulettes and the chevrons removed for the ranks of senior NCOs and are now replaced by plain bars (small horizontal from Corporal/Senior Airman/Leading Seaman to Sergeant/Staff Sergeant/Petty Officer increasing by seniority, large horizontal for Staff Sergeants, Flight Sergeants and Chief Petty Officers, and vertical bars for Starshinas and Ship CPO's).
WO's and Officer ranks received updated shoulder rank epaulettes (and for the Navy, cuff rank insignia) and all General Officer and Flag Officer rank insignia now reflecting service affiliation in the duty dress uniform (the old pattern epaulettes were replaced by the army green, air force blue and navy blue epaulettes (duty dress depending on service) and gold (parade dress) epaulettes similar to those used in the mid 1970s by the Soviet Armed Forces). This was also the case for the Marshal of the Russian Federation rank epaulette, which still retained the Coat of arms of Russia and the Marshal's Star. But this change is now evident in the battle dress and duty uniforms only, in the new 2008 dress uniforms the change is evident in the enlisted and NCO epaulettes, but in the epaulettes of all warrant officers and officers the gold and black epaulettes stayed as is in the dress uniforms.
As part of the 2008 Russian military reform, the Praporshchik(Warrant Officer) rank was effectively abolished in the Russian Armed Forces, though the rank still may be used in other uniformed services of the government such as the Interior Ministry, the Police, The Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Border Guard Service.
The general and flag officer ranks changed again on February 22, 2013. Thus, for Generals of the Army and Fleet Admirals, instead of sporting 4 stars, the shoulder rank insignia for both were changed back to the Marshal's Star with additional emblems for Generals of the Army and Fleet Admiral's Star for Fleet Admirals. Some retired general and flag officers were spotted wearing the old pre-1994 rank insignia instead of the new.
See also
- Comparative military ranks
- Military ranks of the Soviet Union
- Military Ranks, Special Ranks and Class Rates in Russia
- Rank insignia of the Russian Police
- Russian military
- Russia
Notes
- ↑ The abbreviation "OR" stands for "Other Ranks / fr: sous-officiers et militaires du rang / ru:другие ранги, кроме офицероф"
- ↑ The abbreviation "OF" stands for de: "Offizier / en: officer / fr: officier / ru: офицер"
- ↑ (Russian) Анатомия Армии – Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия 1918–1924 гг.
- 1 2 (Russian) Анатомия Армии – Рабоче-Крестьянский Красный Флот 1924(18)-1925 гг.
- ↑ (Russian) Анатомия Армии – Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия 1924–1935 гг.
- ↑ (Russian) Анатомия Армии – Рабоче-Крестьянский Красный Флот 1925–1935 гг.
- ↑ (Russian) ВОВ-60
- ↑ (Russian)ВОВ-60
- ↑ There is currently no serving officer of the rank of Marshal of the Russian Federation. The only person (thus far) to hold this rank was the late Igor Sergeyev, former Minister of Defence, who was elevated from the General of the Army of the Strategic Rocket Forces
- ↑ Russia.Federal Law "On military duty and military service" (with changes at 28 June 2009) (in Russian)
External links
- Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD)
- Federal Security Service (FSB)
- Border Guard service of the FSB.
- Ministry of Civil Defense And Emergency Situations.
- Federal Law No. 58-FZ from March 12, 1998 "On military duty and military service" (in Russian)
- Presidential Decree No. 531 from May 8, 2005 "On military uniform, rank insignia of the servicemen and state bodies' rank insignia" (in Russian)
- Анатомия армии