History of Russian military ranks

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Russian Armed Forces

* Ministry of Defence

Staff

* General Staff of the Armed Forces

Services (vid)

* Russian Ground Forces
* Russian Aerospace Forces
* Russian Navy

Independent troops (rod)

* Strategic Rocket Forces
* Russian Airborne Forces

Special operations force (sof)

* Special Operations Forces

Other troops

* Logistical Support

Military districts

* Leningrad Military District
* Moscow Military District
* Southern Military District
* Central Military District
* Eastern Military District

History of the Russian military

* Military history of Russia
* History of Russian military ranks
* Military ranks of the Soviet Union

* v
* t
* e

Modern Russian military ranks trace their roots to the 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 the Russian regular army in the late 17th century.

## Russian Tsardom

[edit]

The Kievan Rus had no standing army apart from small druzhina (Russian: дружи́на), a permanent group of personal guards for the local knyaz (Russian: Князь, lit. 'prince'); an individual member of such a unit called a druzhinnik (дружи́нник). In times of war, the 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 did not need permanent ranks or positions; they were created ad hoc, based on the task(s) at 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 one hundred men'), acting as captain

These were not personal ranks and were retained only as long as the officer held the position. For battles, the 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 the Romanov dynasty the companies of foreign mercenaries were formed; these incorporated the foreign ranks of Lieutenant and Rittmeister. They were later changed into the 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
Non-commissioned officer(s)
(ru: У́нтер-офице́р(ы))
(de: Unteroffizier(e)) | Kapral (капра́л; en: corporal)  | Desyatnik (деся́тник; en: group leader of ten)  | OR-2  | Corporal
Podpraporshchik (подпра́порщик; en: praporshchik junjor rank)  | —  | OR-8  | Master sergeant
Company-grade officers
(ru: Обер-офице́р(ы)))
(de: Oberoffizier(e) | Praporshchik (пра́порщик, Flag bearer basing on Old Slavonic prapor (прапор), flag)  | —  | OF-1b[2] |

* Officer cadet
* Ensign

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
Line officers
(ru: Штаб-офицер(ы))
(de: Stabsoffizier(e)) | Mayor (ru: 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

[edit]

Main article: Ranks and rank insignia of the Russian armed forces until 1917

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 in the Army's Rules of engagement since 1716 until they were finally incorporated into the first variant of Table of Ranks in 1722. Compared to Strelets Troops, a few more non-commissioned ranks were added, the soldier rank was replaced with many specialty 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.

### 1722–1917: Army

[edit]

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, the 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.

Ranks of the Imperial Russian Army Grade  | Category  | Army, Infantry | Cavalry, (since 1731)  | Artillery, Engineer | Cossacks

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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)
Adjutant General (генера́л-адъюта́нт ) (1701–1917)
Quartermaster General (генера́л-квартирме́йстер) (1701–1916)

| General of the Cavalry (генера́л от кавале́рии)  | General of the Artillery (генера́л от артилле́рии) (since 1796)

General Feldzeugmeister (генера́л-фельдцейхме́йстер) until 1796
Engineer-General (инжене́р-генера́л) (since 1802)
General Provisionsmeister (генера́л-провиантме́йстер) 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 (подполко́вник)
* Krigskomissar logistics (Кригскомиссар по снабжению) 1713—1868

| 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)
Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1765–1826)
Senior Sergeant (ста́рший сержа́нт)

| Wachtmeister/Watch Master (вáхмистр) (until 1884); none (since 1884)  | Deputy Praporshchik/Probationary Ensign (зауряд-пра́порщик) (since 1884)

Sub-Praporshchik/Junior Ensign(подпра́порщик) (1826–1884)
Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1765–1826)

| No equivalent
Sub-Praporshchik (подпра́порщик) (since 1884)

Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1826–1884)
Portupey Praporshchik (портупе́й пра́порщик) (1798–1826)
Sergeant (сержа́нт) (1765–1798)
Junior Sergeant (мл́адший сержа́нт)

| Wachtmeister (вáхмистр) (since 1884)

Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1826–1884)
Estandart Junker (эстандáрт-ю́нкер) (1798–1826)

| Sub-Praporshchik/Junior Ensign (подпра́порщик) (since 1884)

Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1826–1884)
Portupey Junker (портупéй-ю́нкер) (1798–1826)

| Junior Ensign (подхорунжий)
Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1884–1917)

Sergeant (сержа́нт) (1826–1884)
Sub-Praporshchik (подпра́порщик) (until 1826)

Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1884–1917)
Sub-Praporshchik (подпра́порщик) (1765–1826)
Gefreit-Corporal (гефре́йт-капра́л) (1731–1765)

| 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, Handlanger, Sapper, Pioneer, Miner, Pontooner etc. (канони́р, гандлаге́р, сапёр, пионе́р, минёр, понтонёр и т.д.)  | Cossack (каза́к)

### 1722–1917: Navy

[edit]

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.

Ranks of the Imperial Russian Navy (Deck personnel)  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)

Ranks of the Imperial Russian Navy (Naval Infantry and shore service personnel)  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  | Admiralty Brigadier (бригади́р по адмиралтейству) (until 1830)
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)

Ranks of the Imperial Russian Navy (Naval Artillery and Coastal Defense)  Grade  | Category  | Rank

|
|

I  | General Officers  | No equivalent
II  | General of Marine Artillery (Генерал морской артиллерии)
III  | Lieutenant General (Генерал-лейтенант морской артиллерии)
IV  | Major General (Генерал-майор морской артиллерии)
V  | Staff Officers  | Brigadier (бригади́р морской артиллерии) (till 1830)
VI  | Colonel (Полковник морской артиллерии)
VII  | Lieutenant Colonel(Подполковник морской артиллерии)
VIII  | Major (Майор морской артиллерии)(1830–1884),
Captain (Капитан морской артиллерии)(1884–1917)
IX  | Officers  | Captain (Капитан морской артиллерии)(1828–1884),
Staff Captain (Штабс-капитан морской артиллерии) (1884–1917)
X  | Staff Captain (Штабс-капитан морской артиллерии) (until 1884)
XI  | Captain Lieutenant (Капитан-пору́чик морской артиллерии)(1907–1912),
Lieutenant (Поручик морской артиллерии) (1884–1917)
XII  | Lieutenant (Поручик морской артиллерии) (1829–1884),
Sub-lieutenant (Подпоручик морской артиллерии) (1885–1917)
XIII  | Sub-lieutenant (Подпоручик морской артиллерии) (until 1885)
XIV  | Ensign (Прапорщик морской артиллерии)
Under-Officers
Acting Ensign (Морской зауряд-прапорщик морской артиллерии) (1884–1917)
Junior Ensign (Морской подпрапорщик морской артиллерии)
Marine Feldwebel (фельдфебель морской артиллерии) (1884–1917),
Marine Sergeant (Морской сержа́нт) (1830–1884)
Marine Senior Unteroffizier (Морской старший унтер-офицер), Marine Senior Gunner (Морской старший фейерверкер)
Marine Junior Unteroffizier (Морской малдший унтер-офицер), Marine Junior Gunner (Морской младший фейерверкер), Marine Corporal (Морской капра́л)
Privates,
Gunners  | Marine Gefreiter, Marine Lance Corporal (Морской ефрейтор)
Private, Marine (Морской солдат)

### White Movement (1918-1921)

[edit]

Main article: Ranks and insignia of the White Movement

Although the White Movement generally retained the old imperial system, there were a few modifications. Most importantly, the ranks of praporshchik and lieutenant colonel were abolished as redundant by 1919.

## RSFSR and Soviet Union

[edit]

### 1918–1925

[edit]

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 were 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 the prefix byvshiy (abbreviated as "b."), which meant "former". In 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 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
Red Commanders
Краскомы
(Kraskomy) | People's Commissar for Military and Naval Affairs
Наркомвоенмор
(Narkomvoyenmor) | Supreme Commanders
(Высший командный и начальствующий состав)
Front Commander
Комфронта
(Komfronta) | No equivalent
Commandarm
Командарм
(Komandarm) | Chief of the Navy[4]
Начморси
(Nachmorsi)
Comcor
Комкор
(Komkor) | Ship Divizia Chief
Начальник дивизии кораблей
(Nachalnik divizii korabley)
Comdiv
Начдив
(Nachdiv) | Ship Brigade Commander
Командир бригады кораблей
(Komandir brigady korabley)
Combrig
Комбриг
(Kombrig) | Ship Divizion Commander
Командир дивизиона кораблей
(Komandir diviziona korabley) | Senior Commanders
(Старший командный и начальствующий состав)
Regimental Commander
Комполка
(Kompolka) | Ship Commander
Командир корабля
(Komandir korablya)
Combat
Комбат
(Kombat) | Senior Assistant of Ship Commander
Старший помощник командира корабля
(Starshiy pomoshchnik komandira korablya)
Assistant of Combat
Помкомбат
(Pomkombat) | Assistant of Ship Commander
Помощник командира корабля
(Pomoshchnik komandira korablya)
Company Commander

Escadron Commander
Комроты or Комэск
(Komroty) or (Komesk) | Combatant Commander
Командир боевой части
(Komandir boyevoy chasti) | Middleweight Commanders
(Средний командный и начальствующий состав)
Assistant of Company Commander

Assistant of Escadron Commander
Помкомроты or Помкомэск
(Pomkomroty) or (Pomkomesk) | Group Commander
Командир группы
(Komandir gruppy)
Platoon Commander
Комвзвода
(Komvzvoda) | Squad Commander
Командир отделения
(Komandir otdeleniya)
Starshina
Старшина
(Starshina) | No equivalent  | Junior Сommanders
(Младший командный и начальствующий состав)
Assistant of Platoon Commander
Помкомвзвода
(Pomkomvzvoda) | Starshina

Boatswain/Bootsmann
Старшина or боцман
(Starshina) or (Botsman)
Squad Commander
Комот
(Komot) | No equivalent
Redarmymen
Красноармейцы
(Krasnoarmeytsy) | Redarmyman
Красноармеец
(Krasnoarmeyets) | Redfleetman
Краснофлотец
(Krasnoflotets) | Privates
(Рядовой состав)

### 1925–1935

[edit]

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
K-14  | Front Commander
Командующий фронтом
(Komanduyushchiy frontom) | Chief of Navy of the Republic[citation needed]
Главнокомандующий флотом республики
(Glavnokomanduyushchiy flotom respubliky)
| Chief of the Soviet Air Force
'Hачальник BBC CCCP
(Nachalnik VVS SSSR)
| Supreme Commanders
(Высший командный и начальствующий состав)
K-13  | Commandarm
Командующий армией
(Komanduyushchiy armiey)

Assistant of Front Commander
Помощник командующего фронтом
(Pomoshchnik komanduyushchego frontom) | Fleet Commander
Командующий флотом
(Komanduyushchiy flotom) | Deputy Chief of the Soviet Air Force
Помощник начальника BBC CCCP
(Pomoshchnik Nachalnika VVS SSSR)

K-12  | Comcor
Командир корпуса
(Komandir korpusa)

Assistant of Army Commander
Помощник командующего армией
(Pomoshchnik komanduyushchego armiey) | Flotilla Commander
Командующий флотилией
(Komanduyushchiy flotiliey) | Air Brigade Commander
Командующий авиабригады
(Komanduyushchiy aviabrigadi)
K-11  | Comdiv
Командир дивизии
(Komandir divizii)

Assistant of Corps Commander
Помощник командира корпуса
(Pomoshchnik komandira korpusa) | Escadre Commander
Командующий эскадрой
(Komanduyushchiy eskadroy) |
K-10  | Combrig
Командир бригады
(Komandir brigady)

Assistant of the Divizia Commander
Помощник командира дивизии
(Pomoshchnik komandira divizii) | Ship Brigade Commander
Командир бригады кораблей
(Komandir brigady korabley) | Air Squadron Commander
Командующий эскадрильи
(Komanduyushchiy eskadrily)
K-9  | Regimental Commander
Командир полка
(Komandir polka)

Assistant of the Brigade Commander
Помощник командира бригады
(Pomoshchnik komandira brigady) | Ship Commander, 1st rank
Командир корабля 1-го ранга
(Komandir korablya 1-go ranga) | Air Park Commander
Командующий авиапарка
(Komanduyushchiy aviaparka) | Senior Commanders
(Старший командный и начальствующий состав)
K-8  | Assistant of the Regimental Commander
Помощник командира полка
(Pomoshchnik komandira polka) | Senior Assistant of Ship Commander 1st rank
Старший помощник командира корабля 1-го ранга
(Starshiy pomoshchnik komandira korablya 1-ranga) | Air Flight Senior Commander
Командующий отдельного авиаотряда
(Komanduyushchiy otdelynogo aviaotryada)
K-7  | Combat
Командир батальона
(Komandir bataliona) | Ship Commander, 2nd rank
Командир корабля 2-го ранга
(Komandir korablya 2-go ranga) | Air Flight Commander
Командующий авиаотряда
(Komanduyushchiy aviaotryada)
K-6  | Assistant of Battalion Commander
Помощник командира батальона
(Pomoshchnik komandira bataliona) | Ship Commander, 3rd rank
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) | Air Detail Commander
Командующий авиазвена
(Komanduyushchiy aviazvena) | Middleweight Commanders
(Средний командный и начальствующий состав)
K-5  | Company Commander
Командир роты
(Komandir roty) | Ship Commander, 4th rank
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) | Senior Pilot
Старший летчик
(Starshiy Letchik)
K-4  | Assistant of Company Commander
Помощник командира роты
(Pomoshchnik komandira roty) | Senior Assistant of Ship Commander 4th rank
Старший помощник командира корабля 4-го ранга
(Starshiy pomoshchnik komandira korablya 4-ranga) | Junior Pilot
Младший летчик
(Mladshy lyotchik)
K-3  | Platoon Commander
Командир взвода
(Komandir vzvoda) | Combatant Commander
Командир боевой части
(Komandir boyevoy chasti)

Assistant of Ship Commander 4th rank
Помощник командира корабля 4-го ранга
(Pomoshchnik komandira korablya 4-ranga) | Air Platoon Commander
Командир взвода
(Komandir vzvoda)
K-2  | Starshina
Старшина
(Starshina) | Chief Starshina
Главный cтаршина
(Glavni Starshina)

Chief Boatswain/Bootsmann
Главный боцман
(Glavniy botsman) | Senior Motorist
Старший моторист
(Starshiy Motorist) | Junior Сommanders
(Младший командный и начальствующий состав)
Assistant of Platoon Commander
Помощник командира взвода
(Pomoshchnik komandira vzvoda) | Senior Boatswain/Bootsmann
Старший боцман
(Starshiy botsman) | Motorist
Mоторист
(Motorist)
K-1  | Squad Commander
Командир отделения
(Komandir otdeleniya) | Squad Commander
Командир отделения
(Komandir otdeleniya)

Boatswain/Bootsmann
Боцман
(Botsman) | Junior Motorist
Младший моторист
(Mladshy motorist)
Fireteam Commander
Командир звена
(Komandir zvena)

Assistant of Squad Commander
Помощник командира отделения
(Pomoshchnik komandira otdeleniya) | Group Commander
Командир группы
(Komandir gruppy)

Assistant of Squad Commander
Помощник командира отделения
(Pomoshchnik komandira otdeleniya) |
К-0  | Redarmyman
Красноармеец
(Krasnoarmeyets) | Redfleetman
Краснофлотец
(Krasnoflotets) | Redairfleetman
Красновоздухоплаватель
(Krasnoboedukhoplavately) | Privates
(Рядовой состав)

### 1935–1940

[edit]

Personal ranks were formally introduced in the Red Army on September 22, 1935, including the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union which was adopted the year before.

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2010)

|

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
Privates and Junior Сommanders
(Рядовой и младший командный и начальствующий состав)  | Redarmyman
Красноармеец
(Krasnoarmeyets) | Redfleetman
Краснофлотец
(Krasnoflotets) | No equivalent  | No equivalent  | No equivalent  | No equivalent  | No equivalent  | No equivalent
Squad Commander
Отделенный командир
(Otdelenniy komandir) | Squad Commander
Отделенный командир
(Otdelenniy komandir)
Junior Platoon Commander
Младший комзвода
(Mladshy komzvoda) | No equivalent
Starshina
Старшина
(Starshina) | Starshina
Старшина
(Starshina)
Middleweight Commanders
(Средний командный и начальствующий состав)  | Junior Lieutenant
Младший лейтенант
(Mladshy leytenant) | Junior Lieutenant
Младший лейтенант
(Mladsh leytenant) | Junior Military Technician
Младший воентехник
(Mladshy voentekhnik) | Junior Military Technician
Младший воентехник
(Mladshy voentekhnik)
Lieutenant
Лейтенант
(Leytenant) | Lieutenant
Лейтенант
(Leytenant) | Junior Politruk
Младший политрук
(Mladshy politruk) | Military Technician 2nd rank
Воентехник 2 ранга
(Voentekhnik 2 ranga) | Military Technician 2nd rank
Воентехник 2 ранга
(Voentekhnik 2 ranga) | Technician-Intendant 2nd rank
Техник-интендант 2 ранга
(Tehnik-intendant 2 ranga) | Military Feldscher / Military Vet Feldscher
Военфельдшер/ветвоенфельдшер
(Voenfeldsher/vetvoenfeldsher) | Junior Military Jurist
Младший военюрист
(Mladshy voenyurist)
Senior Lieutenant
Старший лейтенант
(Starshy leytenant) | Senior Lieutenant
Старший лейтенант
(Starshy leytenant) | Politruk
Политрук
(Politruk) | Military Technician 1st rank
Воентехник 1 ранга
(Voentekhnik 1 ranga) | Military Technician 1st rank
Воентехник 1 ранга
(Voentekhnik 1 ranga) | Technician-Intendant 1st rank
Техник-интендант 1 ранга
(Tehnik-intendant 1 ranga) | Senior Military Feldscher / Senior Military Vet Feldscher
Старший военфельдшер / Старший ветвоенфельдшер
(Starshiy voenfeldsher/Starshy vetvoenfeldsher) | Military Jurist
Военюрист
(Voenyurist)
Senior Commanders
(Старший командный и начальствующий состав)  | Captain
Капитан
(Kapitan) | Captain-Lieutenant
Капитан-лейтенант
(Kapitan-leytenant) | Senior Politruk
Старший политрук
(Starshiy politruk) | Military Engineer 3rd rank
Военинженер 3 ранга
(Voeninzhener 3 ranga) | Military Engineer 3rd rank
Военинженер 3 ранга
(Voeninzhener 3 ranga) | Intendant 3 rank
Интендант 3 ранга
(Intendant 3 ranga) | Military Medic 3rd rank / Military Veterinarian 3rd rank
Военврач 3 ранга / Ветвоенврач 3 ранга
(Voenvrach 3 ranga / Vetvoenvrach 3 ranga) | Military Jurist 3rd rank
Военюрист 3 ранга
(Voenyurist 3 ranga)
Major
Майор
(Mayor) | Captain, 3rd rank
Капитан 3 ранга
(Kapitan 3 ranga) | Battalion Commissar
Батальонный комиссар
(Batalionniy komissar) | Military Engineer 2nd rank
Военинженер 2 ранга
(Voeninzhener 2 ranga) | Military Engineer 2nd rank
Военинженер 2 ранга
(Voeninzhener 2 ranga) | Intendant 2nd rank
Интендант 2 ранга
(Intendant 2 ranga) | Military Medic 2nd rank / Military Veterinarian 2nd rank
Военврач 2 ранга / Ветвоенврач 2 ранга
(Voenvrach 2 ranga / Vetvoenvrach 2 ranga) | Military Jurist 2nd rank
Военюрист 2 ранга
(Voenyurist 2 ranga)
Colonel
Полковник
(Polkovnik) | Captain, 2nd rank
Капитан 2 ранга
(Kapitan 2 ranga) | Regimental Commissar
Полковой комиссар
(Polkovoy komissar) | Military Engineer 1st rank
Военинженер 1 ранга
(Voeninzhener 1 ranga) | Military Engineer 1st rank
Военинженер 1 ранга
(Voeninzhener 1 ranga) | Intendant 1st rank
Интендант 1 ранга
(Intendant 1 ranga) | Military Medic 1st rank / Military Veterinarian 1st rank
Военврач 1 ранга / Ветвоенврач 1 ранга
(Voenvrach 1 ranga / Vetvoenvrach 1 ranga) | Military Jurist 1st rank
Военюрист 1 ранга
(Voenyurist 1 ranga)
Supreme Commanders
(Высший командный и начальствующий состав)  | Combrig
Комбриг
(Kombrig) | Captain, 1st rank
Капитан 1 ранга
(Kapitan 1 ranga) | Brigade Commissar
Бригадный комиссар
(Brigadniy komissar) | Brigengineer
Бригинженер
(Briginzhener) | Engineer-Flag officer 3rd rank
Инженер-флагман 3 ранга
(Inzhener-flagman 3 ranga) | Brigintendant
Бригинтендант
(Brigintendant) | Brigade Medic / Brigade Veterinarian
Бригврач/Ветбригврач
(Brigvrach/Vetbrigvrach) | Brigade Military Jurist
Бригвоенюрист
(Brigvoenyurist)
Comdiv
Комдив
(Komdiv) | Flag officer 2nd rank
Флагман 2 ранга
(Flagman 2 ranga) | Divisional Commissar
Дивизионный комиссар
(Divizionniy komissar) | Divengineer
Дивинженер
(Divinzhener) | Engineer-Flag officer 2nd rank
Инженер-флагман 2 ранга
(Inzhener-flagman 2 ranga) | Divintendant
Дивинтендант
(Divintendant) | Divisional Medic / Divisional Veterinarian
Дивврач/Ветдивврач
(Divvrach/Vetdivvrach) | Divisional Military Jurist
Диввоенюрист
(Divvoenyurist)
Comcor
Комкор
(Komkor) | Flag officer 1st rank
Флагман 1 ранга
(Flagman 1 ranga) | Corps Commissar
Корпусной комиссар
(Korpusnoy komissar) | Corengineer
Коринженер
(Korinzhener) | Engineer-Flag officer 1st rank
Инженер-флагман 1 ранга
(Inzhener-flagman 1 ranga) | Corintendant
Коринтендант
(Korintendant) | Corps Medic / Corps Veterinarian
Корврач/Веткорврач
(Korvrach/Vetkorvrach) | Corps Military Jurist
Корвоенюрист
(Korvoenyurist)
2nd rank Commandarm
Командарм 2 ранга
(Komandarm 2 ranga) | Fleet Flag officer 2nd rank
Флагман флота 2 ранга
(Flagman flota 2 ranga) | 2nd Rank Army Commissar
Армейский комиссар 2 ранга
(Armeyskiy komissar 2 ranga) | Armengineer
Арминженер
(Arminzhener) | Fleet Engineer-Flag officer
Инженер-флагман флота
(Inzhener-flagman flota) | Armintendant
Арминтендант
(Armintendant) | Army Medic / Army Veterinarian
Армврач/Ветармврач
(Armvrach/Vetarmvrach) | Army Military Jurist
Армвоенюрист
(Armvoenyurist)
1st rank Commandarm
Командарм 1 ранга
(Komandarm 1 ranga) | Fleet Flag officer 1st rank
Флагман флота 1 ранга
(Flagman flota 1 ranga) | 1st Rank Army Commissar
Армейский комиссар 1 ранга
(Armeyskiy komissar 1 ranga) | No equivalent  | No equivalent  | No equivalent  | No equivalent  | No equivalent
Marshal of the Soviet Union
Маршал Советского Союза
(Marshal Sovietskovo Soyuza) | No equivalent

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

[edit]

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.

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2010)

|

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
Privates
(Рядовой состав)  | Redarmyman
Красноармеец
(Krasnoarmeyets) | Redfleetman
Краснофлотец
(Krasnoflotets) | No equivalent  | No equivalent  | No equivalent  | No equivalent  | No equivalent  | No equivalent
Efreitor
Ефрейтор
(Yefreytor) | Senior Redfleetman
Старший краснофлотец
(Starshiy krasnoflotets)
Junior Сommanders
(Младший командный и начальствующий состав)  | Junior Sergeant
Младший сержант
(Mladshy serzhant) | Starshina 2nd rank
Старшина 2 статьи
(Starshina 2 stat'i)
Sergeant
Сержант
(Serzhant) | Starshina 1st rank
Старшина 1 статьи
(Starshina 1 stat'i)
Senior Sergeant
Старший сержант
(Starshy serzhant) | Chief Starshina
Главный старшина
(Glavny starshina)
Starshina
Старшина
(Starshina) | Michman
Мичман
Middleweight Commanders
(Средний командный и начальствующий состав)  | Junior Lieutenant
Младший лейтенант
(Mladshy leytenant) | Junior Lieutenant
Младший лейтенант
(Mladshy leytenant) | Junior Military Technician
Младший воентехник
(Mladshy voentekhnik) | Junior Military Technician
Младший воентехник
(Mladshy voentekhnik)
Lieutenant
Лейтенант
(Leytenant) | Lieutenant
Лейтенант
(Leytenant) | Junior Politruk
Младший политрук
(Mladshy politruk) | Military Technician 2nd rank
Воентехник 2 ранга
(Voentehnik 2 ranga) | Military Technician 2nd rank
Воентехник 2 ранга
(Voentekhnik 2 ranga) | Technician-Intendant 2nd rank
Техник-интендант 2 ранга
(Tehknik-intendant 2 ranga) | Military Feldscher / Military Vet Feldscher
Военфельдшер/ветвоенфельдшер
(Voenfeldsher/vetvoenfeldsher) | Junior Military Jurist
Младший военюрист
(Mladshy voenyurist)
Senior Lieutenant
Старший лейтенант
(Starshy leytenant) | Senior Lieutenant
Старший лейтенант
(Starshy leytenant) | Politruk
Политрук
(Politruk) | Military Technician 1st rank
Воентехник 1 ранга
(Voentehnik 1 ranga) | Military Technician 1st rank
Воентехник 1 ранга
(Voentehnik 1 ranga) | Technician-Intendant 1st rank
Техник-интендант 1 ранга
(Tehnik-intendant 1 ranga) | Senior Military Feldscher / Senior Military Vet Feldscher
Старший военфельдшер / Старший ветвоенфельдшер
(Starshiy voenfeldsher/Starshiy vetvoenfeldsher) | Military Jurist
Военюрист
(Voenyurist)
Senior Commanders
(Старший командный и начальствующий состав)  | Captain
Капитан
(Kapitan) | Captain-Lieutenant
Капитан-лейтенант
(Kapitan-leytenant) | Senior Politruk
Старший политрук
(Starshiy politruk) | Military Engineer 3rd rank
Военинженер 3 ранга
(Voeninzhener 3 ranga) | Military Engineer 3rd rank
Военинженер 3 ранга
(Voeninzhener 3 ranga) | Intendant 3rd rank
Интендант 3 ранга
(Intendant 3 ranga) | Military Medic 3rd rank / Military Veterinarian 3 rank
Военврач 3 ранга / Ветвоенврач 3 ранга
(Voenvrach 3 ranga / Vetvoenvrach 3 ranga) | Military Jurist 3rd rank
Военюрист 3 ранга
(Voenyurist 3 ranga)
Major
Майор
(Mayor) | Captain, 3rd rank
Капитан 3 ранга
(Kapitan 3 ranga) | Battalion Commissar
Батальонный комиссар
(Batalionniy komissar) | Military Engineer 2nd rank
Военинженер 2 ранга
(Voeninzhener 2 ranga) | Military Engineer 2nd rank
Военинженер 2 ранга
(Voeninzhener 2 ranga) | Intendant 2 rank
Интендант 2 ранга
(Intendant 2 ranga) | Military Medic 2nd rank / Military Veterinarian 2 rank
Военврач 2 ранга / Ветвоенврач 2 ранга
(Voenvrach 2 ranga / Vetvoenvrach 2 ranga) | Military Jurist 2nd rank
Военюрист 2 ранга
(Voenyurist 2 ranga)
Lieutenant Colonel
Подполковник
(Podpolkovnik) | Captain, 2nd rank
Капитан 2 ранга
(Kapitan 2 ranga) | Senior Battalion Commissar
Старший батальонный комиссар
(Starshiy batalionniy komissar) | Military Engineer 1st rank
Военинженер 1 ранга
(Voeninzhener 1 ranga) | Military Engineer 1st rank
Военинженер 1 ранга
(Voeninzhener 1 ranga) | Intendant 1 rank
Интендант 1 ранга
(Intendant 1 ranga) | Military Medic 1st rank / Military Veterinarian 1 rank
Военврач 1 ранга / Ветвоенврач 1 ранга
(Voenvrach 1 ranga / Vetvoenvrach 1 ranga) | Military Jurist 1st rank
Военюрист 1 ранга
(Voenyurist 1 ranga)
Colonel
Полковник
(Polkovnik) | Captain, 1st rank
Капитан 1 ранга
(Kapitan 1 ranga) | Regimental Commissar
Полковой комиссар
(Polkovoy komissar) | No equivalent  | No equivalent  | No equivalent  | No equivalent  | No equivalent
Supreme Commanders
(Высший командный и начальствующий состав)  | General-Major
Генерал-майор
(General-mayor) | Counter-Admiral
Контр-адмирал
(Kontr-admiral) | Divisional Commissar
Дивизионный комиссар
(Divizionniy komissar) | Divengineer
Дивинженер
(Divinzhener) | Engineer-Flag officer 2nd rank
Инженер-флагман 2 ранга
(Inzhener-flagman 2 ranga) | Divintendant
Дивинтендант
(Divintendant) | Divisional Medic / Divisional Veterinarian
Дивврач/Ветдивврач
(Divvrach/Vetdivvrach) | Divisional Military Jurist
Диввоенюрист
(Divvoenyurist)
General-Lieutenant
Генерал-лейтенант
(General-leytenant) | Vice-Admiral
Вице-адмирал
(Vitse-admiral) | Corps Commissar
Корпусной комиссар
(Korpusnoy komissar) | Corengineer
Коринженер
(Korinzhener) | Engineer-Flag officer 1st rank
Инженер-флагман 1 ранга
(Inzhener-flagman 1 ranga) | Corintendant
Коринтендант
(Korintendant) | Corps Medic / Corps Veterinarian
Корврач/Веткорврач
(Korvrach/Vetkorvrach) | Corps Military Jurist
Корвоенюрист
(Korvoenyurist)
General-Colonel
Генерал-полковник
(General-polkovnik) | Admiral
Адмирал
(Admiral) | Army Commissar 2nd rank
Армейский комиссар 2 ранга
(Armeyskiy komissar 2 ranga) | Armengineer
Арминженер
(Arminzhener) | Fleet Engineer-Flag Officer
Инженер-флагман флота
(Inzhener-flagman flota) | Armintendant
Арминтендант
(Armintendant) | Army Medic / Army Veterinarian
Армврач/Ветармврач
(Armvrach/Vetarmvrach) | Army Military Jurist
Армвоенюрист
(Armvoenyurist)
General of the Army
Генерал армии
(General armii) | No equivalent  | Army Commissar 1st rank
Армейский комиссар 1 ранга
(Armeyskiy komissar 1 ranga) | No equivalent  | No equivalent  | No equivalent  | No equivalent  | No equivalent
Marshal of the Soviet Union
Маршал Советского Союза
(Marshal Sovietskovo Soyuza) | No equivalent

Ranks "Lieutenant Colonel" and "Senior Battalion Commissar" were introduced in 1937. By 1940 the Army rank of Corporal and the Naval rank of Midshipman were revived, and the old rank of Junior Sergeant was 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

[edit]

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 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 with new Soviet Navy regulations for officers.

On June 27, 1945, the rank of Generalissimus Sovietskogo Soyuza (Generalissimo 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 to the ranks of warrant officers.

The table of Soviet military ranks can be seen in military ranks of the Soviet Union or in the section below (as they were the same as the present military ranks of the Russian Federation).

## Russian Federation

[edit]

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)
* Aerospace Forces
* Navy — Naval Infantry (Marines), Naval Aviation other various shore services of the navy
* Special Operations Forces (Spetsnaz)
* Strategic Importance Missile Troops (Independent Corps)
* Airborne Troops (Independent Corps)
* Federal Agency of Special Construction
* Railway Troops of the Russian Federation
* Rear of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
* Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD)
* Police, formerly Militia
* National Guard of Russia
* National Guard Forces Command
* Federal Security Service (FSB) and
* Border Service of the FSB
* 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 the Russian State Fire Service

Deck (Navy) ranks are used by:

* Ministry of Defence
* Navy — deck personnel
* Federal Security Service
* Coast Guard of the Border Service of FSB
* National Guard
* National Guard Naval Service Corps

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  | Aerospace Forces Insignia  | Naval Shoulder Insignia  | Rank Name  | Naval Sleeve Insignia
Supreme Officers,
General Officers |  | Marshal of the Russian Federation
(currently inactive[9][10])
Ма́ршал Росси́йской Федера́ции
| General of the Army
генера́л а́рмии |  |  | Admiral of the Fleet
адмира́л фло́та |
| General-Colonel
генера́л-полко́вник |  |  | Admiral
адмира́л |
| General-Lieutenant
генера́л-лейтена́нт |  |  | Vice Admiral
ви́це-адмира́л |
| General-Major
генера́л-майо́р |  |  | Counter Admiral (Rear Admiral)
ко́нтр-адмира́л |
Senior Officers,
Field Grade Officers |  | Polkovnik (Colonel)
полко́вник |  |  | Captain, 1st rank
капита́н 1-го ра́нга |
| Podpolkovnik (Lieutenant Colonel)
подполко́вник |  |  | Captain, 2nd rank
капита́н 2-го р́анга |
| Major
майо́р |  |  | Captain, 3rd rank
капита́н 3-го р́анга |
Junior Officers,
Company Grade Officers |  | Captain
капита́н |  |  | Captain-Lieutenant
капита́н-лейтена́нт |
| Senior Lieutenant
ста́рший лейтена́нт |  |  | Senior Lieutenant
ста́рший лейтена́нт |
| Lieutenant
лейтена́нт |  |  | Lieutenant
лейтена́нт |
| Junior Lieutenant
мла́дший лейтена́нт |  |  | Junior Lieutenant
мла́дший лейтена́нт |
Under-Officers,
Master Non-Commissioned Officers |  | Senior Praporshchik (Senior Warrant Officer)
ста́рший пра́порщик |  |  | Senior Midshipman (Senior Warrant Officer)
ста́рший ми́чман | no sleeve insignia
| Praporshchik (Warrant Officer)
пра́порщик |  |  | Midshipman (Warrant Officer)
ми́чман
Sergeants,
Petty Officers  |  | Starshina (Sergeant Major)
старшина́ |  |  | Chief Ship Starshina (Chief petty officer)
гла́вный корабе́льный старшина́
| Senior Sergeant
ста́рший сержа́нт |  |  | Chief petty officer
гла́вный старшина́
| Sergeant
сержа́нт |  |  | Petty Officer, 1st class
старшина́ 1-й статьи́
| Junior Sergeant
мла́дший сержа́нт |  |  | Petty Officer, 2nd class
старшина́ 2-й статьи́
Soldiers,
Seamen,
Airmen |  | Efreitor
ефре́йтор |  |  | Senior Seaman (Matros)
ста́рший матро́с
| Private
рядово́й |  |  | Seaman (Matros)
матро́с

Note: the descriptor "of Aviation" has been officially abolished but usage is still common within the Air Force and Naval Aviation.

On March 11, 2010, by Law No.2010-293 of the President of Russia, a new set of rank insignia debuted. Privates, Airmen, and Seamen sport plain shoulder epaulets and the chevrons are 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 petty officers and Ship CPOs).

WO's and Officer ranks received updated shoulder rank epaulets (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 epaulets were replaced by the army green, aerospace forces blue and navy blue epaulets (duty dress depending on service) and gold (parade dress) epaulets 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 epaulet, 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 epaulets, but in the epaulets of all warrant officers and officers, the gold and black epaulets 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 generals and flag officers were spotted wearing the old pre-1994 rank insignia instead of the new.

## See also

[edit]

* List of 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 Armed Forces
* Russia

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ The abbreviation "OR" stands for "Other Ranks / fr: sous-officiers et militaires du rang / ru:другие ранги, кроме офицероф"
2. ^ The abbreviation "OF" stands for de: "Offizier / en: officer / fr: officier / ru: офицер"
3. ^ (in Russian) Анатомия Армии – Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия 1918–1924 гг.
4. ^ a b (in Russian) Анатомия Армии – Рабоче-Крестьянский Красный Флот 1924(18)-1925 гг.
5. ^ (in Russian) Анатомия Армии – Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия 1924–1935 гг.
6. ^ (in Russian) Анатомия Армии – Рабоче-Крестьянский Красный Флот 1925–1935 гг.
7. ^ (in Russian) ВОВ-60 Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine
8. ^ (in Russian)ВОВ-60 Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine
9. ^ 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
10. ^ Russia.Federal Law "On military duty and military service" (with changes at 28 June 2009) (in Russian)

## External links

[edit]

* 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

* v
* t
* e

Military ranks and insignia by country

* List of comparative military ranks

Africa|

* Algeria
* Angola
* Benin
* Botswana
* Burkina Faso
* Burundi
* Cameroon
* Cape Verde
* Central African Republic
* Chad
* Comoros
* DR Congo
* Republic of the Congo
* Djibouti
* Egypt
* Equatorial Guinea
* Eritrea
* Eswatini
* Ethiopia
* Gabon
* Gambia
* Ghana
* Guinea
* Guinea-Bissau
* Ivory Coast
* Kenya
* Lesotho
* Liberia
* Libya
* Madagascar
* Malawi
* Mali
* Mauritania
* Morocco
* Mozambique
* Namibia
* Niger
* Nigeria
* Rwanda
* São Tomé and Príncipe
* Senegal
* Seychelles
* Sierra Leone
* Somalia
* South Africa
* South Sudan
* Sudan
* Tanzania
* Togo
* Tunisia
* Uganda
* Zambia
* Zimbabwe

States with
limited recognition|

* Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
* Somaliland

Former|

* People's Republic of Angola
* Biafra
* Bophuthatswana
* Ciskei
* Kingdom of Egypt
* Ethiopian Empire
* Katanga
* People's Republic of Mozambique
* Rhodesia
* South West Africa
* Transkei
* Venda
* Zaire

Comparative|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Apartheid States in Southern Africa

Americas|

* Antigua and Barbuda
* Argentina
* Bahamas
* Barbados
* Belize
* Bolivia
* Brazil
* Canada
* Chile
* Colombia
* Cuba
* Dominican Republic
* Ecuador
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Guyana
* Haiti
* Honduras
* Jamaica
* Mexico
* Nicaragua
* Paraguay
* Peru
* Saint Kitts and Nevis
* Suriname
* Trinidad and Tobago
* United States
* Officers:
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Coast Guard
* Enlisted:
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Coast Guard
* Other:
* Marine Corps
* Space Force
* Warrant officer
* Opposing forces
* Uruguay
* Venezuela

Former|

* Canada (pre-Unification)
* Confederate States of America
* Union
* Army
* Navy
* Costa Rica
* Republic of Cuba
* Empire of Brazil
* Panama
* Republic of Texas
* Army
* Navy
* United States Army enlisted
* World War I
* World War II

Comparative|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Asia|

* Afghanistan
* Bahrain
* Bangladesh
* Bhutan
* Brunei
* Cambodia
* PR of China
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Rocket Force
* Armed Police
* India
* Army
* Air Force
* Navy
* Coast Guard
* Border Roads Organisation
* Paramilitary forces
* Indonesia
* Iran
* Iraq
* Israel
* Japan
* Jordan
* Kazakhstan
* Korea
* North
* South
* Kuwait
* Kyrgyzstan
* Laos
* Lebanon
* Malaysia
* Maldives
* Mongolia
* Myanmar
* Nepal
* Oman
* Pakistan
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Marines
* Civil Armed Forces
* Maritime Security Agency
* Philippines
* Qatar
* Saudi Arabia
* Singapore
* Sri Lanka
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Coast Guard
* Syria
* Tajikistan
* Thailand
* Timor-Leste
* Turkmenistan
* United Arab Emirates
* Uzbekistan
* Vietnam
* Yemen

States with
limited recognition|

* Abkhazia
* Palestine
* South Ossetia
* Taiwan (Republic of China)

Former|

* Artsakh
* China
* Empire
* Republic (1912–1949)
* Dutch East Indies
* East Turkestan (Second Republic)
* People's Republic of Kampuchea
* Imperial Iran
* Imperial Japan
* Army
* Navy
* Korea
* Empire
* Liberation Army
* Kingdom of Laos
* Manchukuo
* Mengjiang
* Mongolian People's Republic
* Vietnam
* State
* South
* South Yemen
* Tibet
* Tuva

Comparative|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Europe|

* Albania
* Armenia
* Austria
* Azerbaijan
* Belarus
* Belgium
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Bulgaria
* Croatia
* Cyprus
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Home Guard
* Estonia
* Finland
* France
* Army
* Navy
* Gendarmerie
* Air and Space Force
* Foresters
* Germany
* Georgia
* Greece
* Hungary
* Iceland
* Land Forces
* Coast Guard
* Ireland
* Italy
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Carabinieri
* Finance Guard
* Latvia
* Lithuania
* Luxembourg
* North Macedonia
* Malta
* Moldova
* Monaco
* Montenegro
* Netherlands
* Norway
* Poland
* Portugal
* Romania
* Russia
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Cossacks
* Between 1994 and 2010
* San Marino
* Serbia
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Turkey
* Ukraine
* United Kingdom
* Officers:
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Other:
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Vatican

States with
limited recognition|

* Kosovo
* Northern Cyprus
* Transnistria

Former|

* Albania
* Kingdom
* People's Socialist Republic
* Austria–Hungary
* Army
* Navy
* Bulgaria
* Kingdom
* People's Republic
* Independent State of Croatia
* Czechoslovakia
* German Empire
* Weimar Republic
* Nazi Germany
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* East Germany
* Kingdom of Greece
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* France
* Napoleonic Grand Army
* Hungary
* Kingdom
* People's Republic
* Italy
* Kingdom
* Social Republic
* Ottoman Empire
* Polish People's Republic
* Republika Srpska
* Romania
* Kingdom
* Socialist Republic
* Russian Empire
* White Movement
* Slovakia (First Republic)
* Soviet Union
* 1918–35
* 1935–40
* 1940–43
* 1943–55
* 1955–91
* Spain
* 2nd Republic
* State
* Yugoslavia
* Kingdom
* Socialist Federal Republic
* Federal Republic

Comparative|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Oceania|

* Australia
* Fiji
* New Zealand
* Papua New Guinea
* Tonga
* Vanuatu

Comparative|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Language|

| Anglophone|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

|

Arabophone|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Francophone|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Gendarmerie
* Officers
* Enlisted

Hispanophone|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Lusophone|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Military police
* Officers
* Enlisted

Post-Soviet states|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Commonwealth of Nations|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

European Union|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air force
* Officers
* Enlisted

NATO|

* Army
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Navy
* Officers
* Enlisted
* Air Force
* Officers
* Enlisted

Comparative ranks of

* Star ranking
* WWI
* Officers
* WWII
* Officers
* Women's services
* Marine forces
* Space forces
* Gendarmeries
* UK and US

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[lit.]: Literal translation