Army ranks and ranks. What are the ranks of generals in the Russian army?

Shoulder straps and ranks in Russian army created in order to clearly delineate responsibilities between the military. The higher the status, the more responsibility is assigned to the soldier to whom the rank is assigned. Shoulder straps play an identifying role, that is, they create a visual image of a military man, namely, what position he holds, as well as his military rank.

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

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

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

The following military personnel are included in the conscript and contact personnel:

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

After the fundamental ranks come sergeants and foremen. Further, they follow the order of the hierarchy of shoulder straps and military ranks:

Junior Sergeant. This rank is an intermediate step between corporal and sergeant major. Typically, promotion signifies acceptance of a new position. upon receiving his new rank, he is appointed commander of a squad, or a tank or vehicle. Another narrow strip is added to the shoulder straps of the Russian junior sergeant. This title can also be obtained in exceptional cases, if a soldier is sent to the reserve and at the time of dispatch he held the rank of corporal. However, this corporal must distinguish himself by merit and be one of the best.
Sergeant. This is the next level to which a soldier moves after surpassing the rank of junior sergeant. Upon receipt of this title, the shoulder straps are supplemented with another narrow stripe. By this time the soldier has three of them. Another designation is “non-commissioned officer”, and in many countries, especially Germany, where this term comes from, it sounds the same.
Senior Sergeant. Soldier awarded this title, receives one wide one instead of three narrow stripes on the shoulder straps of the Russian army. occupies an intermediate level between sergeant major and sergeant.
Sergeant major. If before this rank the identifying lines were located across the shoulder strap, then the wide line already runs along the shoulder strap. Among the military personnel of its composition, this rank is the most senior. As a rule, foremen are also official and command an entire company. In relation to sergeants and soldiers who stand at the very first steps of military ranks, he is a commander. In his job responsibilities includes monitoring the observance of discipline among subordinates, telling juniors what to do in a given situation, and ensuring that all subordinates fulfill their duties.

After this, the composition of the ranks of the RF Armed Forces goes into the category of warrant officers:

Ensign. Military shoulder straps for this rank slightly change their appearance, since instead of stripes, starting with ensign, stars are used. The ensign has them small and has two pieces. This is a different level military service Accordingly, the requirements are becoming more stringent in relation to the military personnel who have been awarded this rank.
Senior warrant officer. It is also an intermediate link between warrant officer and officer ranks. Another small star is added to the shoulder straps. Just like on the shoulder straps of an ensign, there are red lines along both sides. This rank of military personnel is used not only in the territory Russian Federation, but also in many other states.

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

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

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

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

Major General. This rank is the first step in the so-called elite of our military hierarchy. The shoulder straps at this stage are crowned with large stars; this title has one such star. The red line now outlines the entire shoulder strap.
Lieutenant General. A serviceman of this rank is awarded two large stars on his shoulder straps. Although a major is superior to a lieutenant, a lieutenant general will be superior to a major general in the highest system of military service.
Colonel General. Has three large stars on shoulder straps, located in a row. Represents the middle rank between a lieutenant general and an army general.
Army General. A soldier of this rank has four large stars. In the USA or Ukraine it is the highest military rank. However, in countries where there are ranks such as field marshal or marshal, it ranks second in seniority.
Marshal of the Russian Federation. The highest military rank in our country. On the shoulder straps is the coat of arms of the Russian Federation and a star in a range of two colors - gold and silver. This title was established in 1993 by a corresponding resolution.

Military ranks and shoulder straps in the Russian naval forces

The obligations and status in the naval forces are similar to those used in the land forces, but the designations for sailors are different.

Junior ranks:

foreman 2 articles;
foreman 1st article;
chief petty officer;
chief petty officer;
midshipman;
senior midshipman.

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

Junior lieutenant, there is one lane in the clearing.
The lieutenant has two stars on either side of the red line.
Senior lieutenant, has three stars on his shoulder straps.
Lieutenant-Captain, there are four stars in the gaps.

Average officers naval ranks are divided as follows:

Captain (3rd rank), mid-level epaulets already have two gaps, and the stars are larger in size. For this rank, the star is located between the red stripes.
Captain (2nd rank), two stars located directly on the gaps.
Captain (1st rank), three stars, two on the stripes, one between them.

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

Rear Admiral. Shoulder straps of this rank do not have gaps; stars are immediately embroidered on them. The size of the star increases again. Military personnel of this rank wear one star.
Vice Admiral. There are two stars on the shoulder straps.
Admiral. Military personnel of this rank wear three stars on their shoulder straps.
Admiral of the Fleet. A serviceman awarded this rank, which is the highest in the navy, wears one large star on his shoulder straps, which is 4 cm in diameter.

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

Ranks in the Russian army: comparison table + samples of shoulder straps + 12 interesting facts on topic + 7 army customs.

Even if during military training lessons a mustachioed military instructor forced you to cram ranks in the Russian army, we are sure that nothing remains in your head except the uncontrollable “laughing” in class, the braids of your classmates and the first cigarettes smoked around the corner of the school.

It’s time to fill this gap in order to distinguish a “real colonel” from a “warrant officer Shmatko” at first glance.

Ranks in the Russian army? Where are they “distributed”?

Everyone in the Russian army military ranks divided into 2 large categories:

ship's (those received by brave sailors);
military (assigned to “land rats”).

Category No. 1. “Ship”: “You are a sailor, I am a sailor...”

Those who serve in:

Navy(its submarine and surface forces). Oh, these brave officers in naval uniform - how many girls’ hearts they broke!;
military naval units Ministry of Internal Affairs. Yes, yes, there are also marine policemen!

protection of the (coastal) Border Service of the Russian FSB.

No, they do not catch poachers with two buckets of crucian carp, but protect water boundaries from illegal immigrants and other violators.

Category No. 2. “Military”: “And I love military men, handsome, hefty ones...”.

Meeting a sea captain in a white jacket is quite a difficult task if you do not live somewhere near the gentle sea. But don't despair!

In the Russian army, ranks are also obtained in:

Armed Forces;
Ministry of Internal Affairs (precinct and other police “people”);

Ministry of Emergency Situations (brave “Malibu rescuers”);

“If you think that the work of the Ministry of Emergency Situations is pure heroism and a thriller, then I have to disappoint you: sometimes you just have to carry out explanatory work with priests so that they don’t burn the church with candles, and with them the old women parishioners and the cats from the trees film and tell grandmothers how to light the stove in winter and not suffocate carbon monoxide. But the title, uniform and social benefits make the work much more bearable.”, – Vadim from Khmelnitsky shares his impressions of the service.

Intelligence Service (external) (yeah, yeah, those same followers of Stirlitz!);
Federal Security Service;
other military units.

All ranks of the Russian army in one table: let’s dispel the “darkness of ignorance”

So that you don’t fall asleep on the third line of a simple listing of ranks in the Russian army, we offer you a simple cheat sheet (military and ship ranks placed on the same line correspond to each other):

	Ranks in the Russian army:
Type	Military	Korabelnoe
Non-officer	private, corporal, junior sergeant sergeant, senior sergeant foreman, ensign, senior warrant officer	sailor, senior sailor, foreman of the second article, foreman of the first article, chief petty officer, chief ship's foreman, midshipman, senior midshipman
Junior officers	junior lieutenant, lieutenant, senior lieutenant, captain	junior lieutenant, lieutenant, senior lieutenant, captain-lieutenant
Senior officers	major, lieutenant colonel, Colonel	captain 1st rank, captain 2nd rank, captain 3rd rank
Senior officers	major general Lieutenant General, Colonel General, army general, Marshal of the Russian Federation	rear admiral, vice admiral, admiral, fleet admiral

As you can see from the table, there is one more military rank! But what!

Find 10 differences: shoulder straps for different ranks in the Russian army

So that at first glance it is clear “who is who?” V Russian troops, insignia were introduced - sleeve insignia(for sailors) shoulder straps and shoulder straps (for all fighters).

1) Shoulder straps of non-officer ranks

2) Shoulder straps of officer ranks

Top 12 interesting facts about ranks in the Russian army

The only one who can command a Marshal of the Russian Federation (even give him the command “Take a prone position!”) is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, who is also the President of the Russian Federation. Moreover, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief is a position, not a rank in the Russian troops.
The current President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, left the FSB with the rank of colonel, but now the position allows him to “build” the holders of the highest military ranks.
The Minister of Defense commands both sailors and ground forces. Therefore, there is no rank higher than fleet admiral in the Navy.
Do not try to express your respect for the brave warriors by diligently writing down their ranks in the Russian armed forces with capital letters. The fact is that all these words (from sailor to marshal) are written with a small letter;
If you are lucky enough to serve in guards units, then the word “guard” is added to the rank, for example, “guard colonel.” Agree, it sounds!
Even if you have retired or retired and are quietly growing cucumbers in your dacha, your title is assigned to you with the prefix “reserved” or “retired.”
“A colonel, even if he is retired or in reserve, will still embarrass the traffic cop sergeant who stopped him for violating the rules traffic. The poor guy will scold and scold him and let him go without a fine. That’s how the title works for you!”– military pensioner Alexander from Kharkov says with a laugh.
To the ranks of military doctors and lawyers they add “justice” (for example, “captain of justice”) or “medical service” (for example, “colonel of the medical service”).
This, of course, is not George Clooney from ER, but it also sounds great!
Those who entered to study at a military university, but so far only see their dreams in sweet dreams. high ranks in the Russian troops, they are called cadets, and those who have already managed to “sniff gunpowder” (have a military rank) are called listeners.
For a whole year of (command) service, the maximum that you “shine” in the Russian army is the rank of sergeant.
Since 2012, the ranks of chief petty officer and petty officer have not been assigned (they are simply “skipped over”), but they remain on pieces of paper. This is such a “wonderland”!
Although the rank of major is higher than that of lieutenant, by some strange, inexplicable logic, a lieutenant general in the Russian Federation is higher in rank than a major general.

In the Russian army another title awarded for personal merit and length of service. If about your bright moral character, high level"combat and political training“It’s up to your commanders to judge how much you need to “cut off” from rank to rank, we will guide you:

No.	Rank in the Russian army	Length of service
1	Private, sailor	5 months
2	Junior sergeant, sergeant major of the second class	1 year
3	Sergeant, petty officer first class	2 years
4	Senior Sergeant, Chief Petty Officer	3 years
5	Ensign, midshipman	3 years
6	Junior Lieutenant	2 years
7	Lieutenant	3 years
8	Senior Lieutenant	3 years
9	Captain, Lieutenant Commander	4 years
10	Major, captain 3rd rank	4 years
11	Lieutenant Colonel, Captain 2nd Rank	5 years

Then, to get another “star” on your uniform, you will have to serve for 5 years. A necessary condition It is also important to have a position suitable for your new rank:

Rank	Job title
Private	All newly drafted into the army, all lower positions (gunner, driver, gun crew number, driver, sapper, reconnaissance officer, radio operator, etc.)
Corporal	There are no full-time corporal positions. The rank is assigned to highly qualified soldiers in lower positions.
Junior Sergeant, Sergeant	Squad, tank, gun commander
Senior Sergeant	Deputy Platoon Leader
Sergeant Major	Company Sergeant Major
Ensign, Art. ensign	Material support platoon commander, company sergeant major, warehouse chief, radio station chief and other non-commissioned positions that require high qualifications. Can occupy lower officer positions if there is a shortage of officers
Junior Lieutenant	Platoon commander. Usually this rank is awarded in conditions of acute shortage of officers after completing accelerated officer courses
Lieutenant, Art. lieutenant	Platoon commander, deputy company commander.
Captain	Company commander, training platoon commander
Major	Deputy battalion commander. Training company commander
Lieutenant colonel	Battalion commander, deputy regiment commander
Colonel	Regiment commander, deputy brigade commander, brigade commander, deputy division commander
Major General	Division commander, deputy corps commander
Lieutenant General	Corps commander, deputy army commander
Colonel General	Army Commander, Deputy District (Front) Commander
Army General	District (front) commander, deputy minister of defense, minister of defense, chief General Staff, other senior positions
Marshal of the Russian Federation	Honorary title given for special merits

The Russian army does not live by rank alone! 7 interesting military signs and customs

Ranks in the Russian army are, of course, a burning topic, but we also want to talk about interesting traditions, signs and customs in the army:

Only the lazy have never heard of “washing” a new rank with the ritual dipping of “stars” into a glass of vodka and sabantuy with their colleagues.
To carry out this important, almost magical ritual there is a whole instruction - https://www.antik-war.lv/viewtopic.php?p=2140415
a paratrooper is unlikely to take someone else's parachute.
We suspect that this sign arose due to the fact that no matter how much you love your brother Seryoga, who sleeps with you in the barracks in the next bed, you cannot be sure that he will prepare the parachute as carefully as you;
“Even though I still feel every unsuccessful jump in my bones and groan at bad weather, but the landing is what made me a real man. And it’s not about shoulder straps, benefits and a normal pension, but the fact that it was there that I learned to do something through “I can’t”, learned what real male friendship is and, thanks to my service, traveled all over the world. I had a chic, rich youth without a mobile phone, the Internet and pretentious coffee shops", - Vladimir from Penza shares his memories.
One match cannot be used to light cigarettes for three or more fighters.
Experienced people say that during this time the sniper will have plenty of time to open aimed fire;
Submariners do not shave during combat missions.
Well, well, you won’t find young ladies on a submarine during the day with fire, so there’s no one to show off to;
Submariners don't like the number 9, since many accidents occurred with boats in which this very “nine” was in the number (K-9, K-129, K-159, etc.);
Paratroopers swimming in fountains on Airborne Forces Day– this is from the “Understand and Forgive” series;

The paratroopers make their first “jumps” from a stool, holding a box of matches between their knees.

Of course, you need to land softly, and the matches should not fall to the floor;

graduates of military universities after the official part prom They hide several bills under each shoulder strap.

The money is received by the junior cadet who is the first to salute the newly-minted junior lieutenant and congratulate him on his promotion to the rank.

All shoulder straps and ranks of the Russian

Federations in one video:

We hope that the article helped you “discover America” of ranks in the Russian army and deal with this interesting issue once and for all.

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There are situations in life when it is vital for a person (often a soldier or conscript) to find out the ranks of the Russian Army in ascending order. Or simply see before your eyes a list of military ranks in order in order to determine who is subordinate to whom. What am I telling you here! Each of us knows that such cases happen and cannot be avoided.

That is why I decided to make a short article-note, which contains the maximum benefit in answering the following questions:

How are the ranks in the Russian army arranged in ascending order?
How are the shoulder straps of military personnel in the Russian Army arranged in ascending order?

From words to deeds. Let's go!

Ranks in the Russian Army in ascending order

I will make one remark before the list. You need to understand that in our army there are 2 types of military ranks of military personnel - military and naval. If we roughly describe the difference between these two types of ranks, we can say this: military are the ranks of those who serve on the ground and in the air. Shipmen - those who serve on and under the water.

In addition, I conditionally divided all titles into 2 categories: officer ranks and ranks of other military personnel. Obviously, the officer > other military personnel. This is the hierarchy. And here she is, by the way:

Non-officer ranks in the army in order (lowest to highest)

Private ~ Sailor.
Corporal ~ Senior sailor.
Junior sergeant ~ Sergeant major of the second class.
Sergeant ~ Foreman of the first article.
Senior Sergeant ~ Chief Petty Officer.
Ensign ~ Midshipman.
Senior Warrant Officer ~ Senior Midshipman.

Officer ranks in the army in order (lowest to highest)

Military rank ~ Ship rank.

Junior Lieutenant ~ Junior Lieutenant.
Lieutenant ~ Lieutenant.
Senior Lieutenant ~ Senior Lieutenant.
Captain ~ Lieutenant Captain.
Major ~ Captain 3rd rank.
Lieutenant Colonel ~ Captain 2nd rank.
Colonel ~ Captain 1st rank.
Major General ~ Rear Admiral.
Lieutenant General ~ Vice Admiral.
Colonel General ~ Admiral.
General of the Army ~ Admiral of the Fleet.
Marshal of the Russian Federation ~ There are no analogues.

Total: more than 35 titles. Will it be difficult to remember? I hope not! And also that you found the answer to the question that brought you to my site. If not, then I am sure that you will find the answer to it in full version articles about ranks and shoulder straps in the Russian Army in 2017. Here's to her. Go ahead and read!

By the way, there is waiting for you at the end of the article interesting test of 10 questions, which will allow you to consolidate the knowledge gained during reading both articles.

Well, for those who came here for shoulder straps, as promised, I am enclosing a list of shoulder straps for servicemen of the Russian Army in ascending order. Here it is!

Shoulder straps of Russian Army servicemen ascending

For starters, the shoulder straps of military ranks in ascending order. Click on the picture to enlarge!

1. The next military rank is assigned to a serviceman on the day of expiration of his military service in the previous military rank, if he occupies military position(position) for which the state provides a military rank equal to or higher than the military rank assigned to the military personnel.
By Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of March 19, 2007 N 364, paragraph 2 of Article 22 of these Regulations is set out in a new wording, which comes into force on January 1, 2008.
2. Time limits are established for military service in the following military ranks:
private, sailor - five months;
junior sergeant, sergeant major 2 articles - one year;
sergeant, foreman 1st article - two years;
senior sergeant, chief petty officer - three years;
ensign, midshipman - three years;
junior lieutenant - two years;
lieutenant - three years;
senior lieutenant - three years;
captain, captain-lieutenant - four years;
major, captain 3rd rank - four years;
lieutenant colonel, captain 2nd rank - five years.
3. The military rank of a senior officer may be assigned to a military personnel after at least two years of military service in the previous military rank and at least one year in the military position (position) to be filled by senior officers.
The terms of military service in the military rank of colonel general (admiral) and army general (fleet admiral) are not established.
By Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of March 19, 2007 N 364, paragraph 4 of Article 22 of these Regulations was amended, coming into force on January 1, 2008.
4. The period of military service in the military rank of lieutenant for military personnel undergoing military service under a contract who have graduated military educational institution By full-time studies with a five-year term and above are set at two years.
5. The period of military service of military personnel in the assigned military rank is calculated from the date of assignment of the military rank.
6. The period of military service in the assigned military rank includes the time spent in military service.
IN specified period counts:
a) the time of break in military service in case of unjustified involvement of a military man in criminal liability, illegal dismissal a serviceman from military service and his subsequent reinstatement in military service;
b) the time of suspension of military service;
c) time spent in reserve.
7. When a serviceman is appointed to the highest military position (position), at the same time, and if simultaneous registration is not possible, from the date of appointment to the highest military position (position), he is assigned the next military rank if his term of service in the previous military rank has expired, provided that that for this military position (position) the state provides a military rank equal to or higher than the military rank assigned to the military member.
In this case, the military rank of a senior officer is assigned taking into account the requirements of paragraph 3 of this article.
8. A military serviceman who has the military rank of officer and is successfully studying full-time at a military educational institution, postgraduate course, military doctoral program, the next military rank up to lieutenant colonel, captain 2nd rank inclusive, is assigned on the day of expiration of his military service in the assigned military rank, regardless of military position (position) that he held before entering the specified educational institution, postgraduate studies, military doctoral studies.
9. A serviceman who has the military rank of officer, who, before entering a military educational institution, postgraduate course, or military doctoral program, held a military position (position) for which the state provides for the military rank of colonel, captain 1st rank or senior officer, the next military rank up to colonel, captain 1st rank inclusive is assigned in accordance with the military position (position) held before entering the specified educational institution, postgraduate course, military doctoral program after the expiration of the length of service in the assigned military rank.
10. A serviceman may be awarded the next military rank ahead of schedule for special personal merits, but not higher than the military rank provided for by the state for the military position (position) he occupies.
11. A military serviceman whose period of military service in the assigned military rank has expired, for special personal merits, may be awarded a military rank one step higher than the military rank provided by the state for the military position (position) he occupies, but not higher than the military rank of major, captain 3 rank.
12. The military rank of corporal (senior sailor) may be awarded as an incentive for special personal merit to a military personnel holding a military position for which the state provides for the military rank of private (sailor).
13. The military rank of junior sergeant (sergeant major, article 2) is assigned to a private (sailor) holding a military position for which the state provides for the military rank of junior sergeant (sergeant major, article 2) and above, upon expiration of his military service in the previous military rank, as well as a serviceman who has successfully completed training in a military training unit under the sergeant (sergeant major) training program.
14. While serving a sentence in the form of a restriction on military service or arrest, a military serviceman cannot be assigned another military rank.
15. The time spent serving a sentence in the form of a restriction on military service or arrest is not counted towards the period of military service in the assigned military rank.

In the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, two types of ranks have been established for persons undergoing military service- military and naval. IN ancient Rus' The presence of insignia and certain military units formed on a permanent basis was completely excluded. The division of the then pitiful semblance of a standing army into separate formations took place in accordance with the number of soldiers who were in one or another formation. The principle was as follows: ten warriors - a unit called the “ten”, led by the “ten”. Then everything is in the same spirit.

The history of the emergence of military ranks in Russia

Under Ivan the Terrible, and later under Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, this system underwent some changes: Streltsy hundreds appeared, and military ranks appeared in them. At that time, the hierarchy of ranks was the following list:

Sagittarius
foreman
Pentecostal
centurion
head

Of course, between all the above ranks and the ranks that currently exist, the following analogy can be drawn: a foreman is a warrior, in our time performing the duties of a sergeant, or a foreman, a pentecostal is a lieutenant, and a centurion, respectively, is a captain.

After some time, already during the reign of Peter the Great, the hierarchical system of ranks was again transformed to the following:

soldier
corporal
ensign
lieutenant, called lieutenant
captain (captain)
quartermaster
major
lieutenant colonel
Colonel

The year 1654 became outstanding in the history of the formation of military ranks in Russia. It was then that for the first time in the history of Russia the rank of general was awarded. Its first owner was Alexander Ulyanovich Leslie, the leader of the operation to capture and liberate Smolensk.

Categories of military ranks in the Russian Army

One of the largest political events of the 20th century that occurred in Russia, namely October Revolution 1917 was the last stage towards the formation of an established system of military ranks, which has not undergone any changes for a whole century.

Military ranks

Private. One of the first, considered the lowest military rank armed forces RF.
Corporal. A rank that is awarded to military personnel who are part of the armed forces of the Russian Federation for any military distinction.

Major.
Lieutenant colonel.
Colonel.

Ship ranks

Ship ranks can simply be listed in order of seniority (from lowest to highest) due to their full correspondence with the land equivalent:

Sailor, senior sailor.
Foreman of the 2nd (second) article, foreman of the 1st (first) article, chief foreman, chief foreman - representatives of a group of military personnel classified as sergeants and foremen.
Midshipman, senior midshipman - military personnel of the group of warrant officers and midshipmen.
Junior lieutenant, lieutenant, senior lieutenant, captain-lieutenant - a group of military personnel representing junior officers.
Captain 3 (third) rank, captain 2 (second) rank, captain 1 (first) rank - representatives of senior officers.
Rear admiral, vice admiral, admiral, and fleet admiral are representatives of senior officers, respectively.

As with military ranks, the highest military rank for the navy is Marshal of the Russian Federation.

What is very noteworthy is that naval and military military ranks are also assigned to the following formations: the security forces of the Russian Federation - the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, etc., as well as water border formations that ensure security near coastal borders.

Colors and types of shoulder straps

Now let's turn to the shoulder straps. With them, unlike ranks, things are somewhat more complicated.

Shoulder straps are usually distinguished according to the following series of criteria:

the color of the shoulder strap itself (different depending on the military structure);
the order of arrangement of distinctive signs on shoulder straps (also depending on a particular military structure);
the color of the decals themselves on the shoulder straps (similar to the points above).

There is another important criterion - the form of clothing. Accordingly, the army does not have the widest selection of clothing, which is allowed according to the regulations. More precisely, there are only three of them: everyday uniform, field uniform and dress uniform.

Shoulder straps of non-officers

Let's start with a description of the everyday uniform and the shoulder straps that come with it:

The everyday uniform of non-officers includes shoulder straps with two narrow stripes along the edges of the longitudinal part. Such shoulder straps can be seen on the shoulders of privates, non-commissioned officers, and warrant officers. All these images are presented above in the sections of military and naval ranks.

Officer's shoulder straps

Shoulder straps for the everyday uniform of officers are divided into three more subtypes:

Shoulder straps for the everyday uniform of junior officers: have only one stripe running down the center along the shoulder strap itself.
Shoulder straps for the everyday uniform of senior officers: they have two longitudinal stripes, also located in the center.
Shoulder straps for the everyday uniform of senior officers: they differ sharply from each of the previous types in that they have a special fabric relief over the entire area of the shoulder strap. The edges are framed by one narrow strip. A distinctive sign is also the stars that follow strictly in one row.
It is impossible not to bear in separate group Marshal of the Russian Federation and the type of shoulder straps corresponding to his everyday uniform: they also have a special fabric relief, which was mentioned in the paragraph above, but they differ fundamentally in color. If the shoulder straps in each of the previous paragraphs were a rectangle dark green, then these same ones are distinguished by their immediately striking golden color, which is quite consistent with the high-profile title of their bearer.

An interesting fact is that on February 22, 2013, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin signed a decree that on the shoulder straps of army generals and admirals of the Russian Navy there will be one star with a diameter of 40 mm instead of 4 stars in one line as before. The corresponding image is presented above.

Non-officer field uniform: shoulder straps are a regular rectangle, camouflaged as a summer taiga with a transverse (or longitudinal) stripe.
Field uniform for junior officers: stars of relatively small size serve as a distinctive sign.
Field uniform of senior officers: major, lieutenant colonel have one and two large stars on their shoulder straps, respectively, colonel - three.
Field uniform of senior officers: all persons holding ranks in accordance with the previously announced composition have absolutely the same structure (dark green stars, strictly in a row), but shoulder straps different in the number of distinctive insignia. Just like in everyday uniforms, the General of the Army and the Marshal of the Russian Federation are distinguished by large stars

These features can be seen in more detail in the picture:

It was not long before military clothing became comfortable and practical. Initially, her beauty was valued more than the qualities mentioned a little earlier. Fortunately, when Alexandra III(third) came the understanding that rich uniforms are too expensive. It was then that practicality and convenience began to be considered the primary value.

In certain periods of time, the soldier's uniform resembled ordinary peasant attire. Even in the conditions of the already existing Red Army, little attention was paid to the fact that there was no unified military uniform. The only distinctive sign of all soldiers was a red bandage on their sleeves and hats.

Even shoulder straps managed to be replaced for some time with ordinary triangles and squares, and only in 1943 were they returned as distinctive signs.

By the way, to this day, military personnel of the Russian Federation wear a uniform that was designed by the well-known fashion designer V. Yudashkin in 2010.