History of Russian military ranks

Armed Forces of the
Russian Federation

Ministry of Defence Services (Vid) Russian Air Force Russian Ground Forces Russian Navy Independent troops (Rod) Strategic Missile Troops Russian Space Forces Russian Airborne Troops Other troops Naval Infantry Naval Aviation Missiles and Artillery Agency Ranks of the Russian Military Air Force ranks and insignia Army ranks and insignia Navy ranks and insignia History of the Russian Military Military History of Russia History of Russian military ranks Military ranks of the Soviet Union

Modern Russian military ranks trace their roots to Table of Ranks established by Peter the Great. Most of the rank names were borrowed from existing German/Prussian, French, English, Dutch, and Polish ranks upon the formation of Russian regular army in late 17th century.

Muscovy

The rulers of the Kievan Rus entities had no standing army besides permanent group of personal guards, druzhina (дружи'на); members of the unit were called druzhinnik (дружи'нник). In case of emergency, a militia was raised from volunteers from the peasantry, and the druzhina served as the core of the troops. The local knyaz served as the military leader of the troops. Thus there were no need in permanent ranks or positions and they were created randomly, based on the task(s) in hand.

Upon the formation of Strelets troops, the low-level commanding officers were appointed to one of the following ranks:

• strelets (стреле́ц), a basic soldier;
• desyatnik (деся́тник, 'of ten men'), acting as sergeant/corporal;
• sotnik (со́тник, 'of hundred men'), acting as captain.

These were not personal ranks and were retained only as long as the officer held the position. For battles, the troops were organized unto temporary high-level units, usually polk (полк, Old Slavonic for group of troops), a regiment commanded by golova (голова́, head) or voyevoda (воево́да, war leader); these commanding positions were not permanent and did not sustain 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), new ranks were inserted in between of 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) rank was introduced; eventually golova was renamed polkovnik (полко́вник, regimental commander), 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.

At the same time, the companies of foreign mercenaries were formed; these incorporated foreign ranks of Lieutenant and Rittmeister. They were later changed into New Regiments of the Streltsy Troops and more Western ranks were adopted, including General. Finally, by 1680 the ranks of the New Regiments were unified with Strelets Troops.

Category	Foreign regiments	Streltsy	Equivalent Western rank
Privates	Soldat (солда́т), Reiter (рейта́р), Dragoon (драгу́н)	Strelets (стреле́ц)	Private/Soldier
Line Officers (low grades)	Kapral (капра́л)	Desyatnik (деся́тник)	Corporal
	Podpraporshchik (подпра́порщик, a rank of sub-ensign)	—	Sergeant
Line officers (middle grade)	Praporshchik (пра́порщик, Flag Bearer basing on Old Slavonic prapor (прапор), flag)	—	Master Sergeant/Ensign
	Leytenant, Poruchik (лейтена́нт, пору́чик; the latter is based on Polish porucznik)	Pyatidesyatnik (пятидеся́тник)	Lieutenant
	Kapitan, Rotmistr (капита́н, ро́тмистр; the latter is adaptation of German Rittmeister)	Sotnik (со́тник)	Captain
Line officers (high grade)	Mayor (майо́р)	—	Major
	Podpolkovnik, also polupolkovnik (подполко́вник, полуполко́вник, a sub-polkovnik)	Polugolova, also pyatisotenny golova (полуголова́, пятисо́тенный голова́)	Lieutenant Colonel
	Polkovnik (полко́вник, from Russian polk for regiment)	Golova, also polkovnik ( голова́, полко́вник)	Colonel
Generals	General-Mayor (генера́л-майо́р)	—	Major General
	General-Poruchik (генера́л-пору́чик)	—	Lieutenant General

Russian Empire

During the beginning of 18th century, military ranks were frequently changed by the tzar during efforts to reform the army and create a strong Navy. These many changes were routinely documented into Army's Rules of Engagement since 1716, until they were finally incorporated into the first variant of Table of Ranks in 1722. Comparing to Strelets Troops, a few more non-commissioned ranks were added, the soldier rank was replaced with many speciality ranks and a few more General ranks were added. The naval ranks were created from scratch.

The officers were styled according to their rank as defined by the Table.

1722-1917

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.

Commissioned officers of artillery, engineers enjoyed a handicap of 1 grade, and the Leib Guard enjoyed a handicap of 2 grades.

In the 1798–1884 timeline, the General ranks were streamlined and a Brigadier was abolished. The Captain-Poruchik rank was reestablished again, this time as Staff-Captain. Courious Second Major and Premier Major ranks were united. In 1826, Russian Army adopted shoulder insignia and distinct Cossack cavalry ranks.

In 1884, Major and Captain-Lieutenant ranks were abolished again and the ranks below were shifted several grades up. The latter was not reintroduced until 1907, but then again abolished in 1911.

Ranks of the Imperial Russian Army

Grade	Category	Army, Infantry	Cavalry, (since 1731)	Artillery, Engineer
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 ) (since 1796) 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
III		General-Poruchik (генера́л-пору́чик) (until 1800) Lieutenant General (генера́л-лейтена́нт) (since 1800)		General-Poruchik (генера́л-пору́чик)
IV		Major General (генера́л-майо́р)
V	Staff Officers	Brigadier (бригади́р) (until 1798)		—
VI		Polkovnik/Colonel (полко́вник)		Polkovnik/Colonel (полко́вник)
VII		Sub-Polkovnik/Lieutenant Colonel (подполко́вник)		Sub-Polkovnik/Lieutenant Colonel (подполко́вник)
VIII		Premier/First Major (премье́р-майо́р) Second Major (секу́нд-майо́р)		Major (майо́р)
	Officers	—		Captain (капита́н)
IX		Captain (капита́н)	Rittmeister/Ride Master (ро́тмистр)	Captain-Poruchik/Captain Lieutenant (капита́н-пору́чик) (until 1731 and since 1765)
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)
XI		Lieutenant (лейтена́нт) or Poruchik (пору́чик) (since 1765)		Sub-Poruchik/Sub-lieutenant (подпору́чик) (since 1765)
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
XIV		Praporshchik/Fähnrich/Senior Ensign (пра́порщик / фе́нрих / фе́ндрик)	Cornet (корне́т)	Regular Praporshchik/Ensign (зауряд-пра́порщик)
Under-Officers		Senior Sergeant (ста́рший сержа́нт); Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1765–1826); Sub-Praporshchik (подпра́порщик) (1826–1884); Regular Praporshchik/Regular Ensign (зауряд-пра́порщик) (since 1884)	Wachtmeister/Watch Master (вáхмистр) (until 1884); none (since 1884)	Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1765–1826); Sub-Praporshchik/Junior Ensign(подпра́порщик) (1826–1884); Regular Praporshchik/Regular Ensign (зауряд-пра́порщик) (since 1884)
		Junior Sergeant (мл́адший сержа́нт); Sergeant (сержа́нт) (1765–1798); Portupey Praporshchik (портупе́й пра́порщик) (1798–1826); Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1826–1884); Sub-Praporshchik (подпра́порщик) (since 1884)	Estandart Junker (эстандáрт-ю́нкер) (1798–1826); Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1826–1884); Wachtmeister (вáхмистр) (since 1884)	Portupey Junker (портупéй-ю́нкер) (1798–1826); Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1826–1884); Sub-Praporshchik/Junior Ensign (подпра́порщик) (since 1884)
		Sub-Praporshchik (подпра́порщик) (until 1826); Sergeant (сержа́нт) (1826–1884); Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1884–1917)	Gefreit-Corporal (гефре́йт-капра́л) (1731–1765); Sub-Praporshchik (подпра́порщик) (1765–1826); Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1884–1917)	Sub-Praporshchik (подпра́порщик) (until 1826); Feldwebel (фельдфе́бель) (1884–1917)
		Kaptenarmus (каптена́рмус); Senior Unteroffizier/Under Officer (ста́рший у́нтер-офице́р) (since 1800)
		Farrier (фурье́р)
		Corporal (капра́л); Unteroffizier (у́нтер-офице́р)
Privates		Gefreiter (гефре́йтор)
		Musketeer, Fusilier, Jaeger, Grenadier, Pikenier, Hajduk, Strelets, Archer, Rifleman etc. (мушкетё́р, фузилё́р, е́герь, гренадё́р, пикинё́р, гайду́к, стреле́ц, лу́чник и т.д.)	Dragoon, Hussar, Cuirassiers, Uhlan, Lancers, Cossacks, Carabiner, etc. (драгу́н, гуса́р, кираси́р, улáн, ланцéр, каза́к и т.д.)	Cannonier, Handlageer, Sapper, Pioneer, Miner, Pontooner etc. (канони́р, гандлаге́р, сапё́р, пионе́р, минё́р, понтонё́р и т.д.)

Ranks of the Imperial Russian Navy

Grade	Category	Rank
I	Admirals	General Admiral (генера́л-адмира́л)
II		Admiral (адмира́л)
III		Vice Admiral (ви́це-адмира́л)
IV		Schout-bij-nacht (шаутбейна́хт); Rear Admiral or Counter Admiral since 1724 (ко́нтр-адмира́л)
V	Staff Officers	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)
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	Officers	Lieutenant (лейтена́нт) or Poruchik (пору́чик) (since 1884)
X		Under-Lieutenant (ýнтер лейтена́нт) (until 1724); Poruchik (пору́чик) (until 1884); Midshipman (ми́чман) (since 1884)
XI		Ship Secretary (корабе́льный секрета́рь) (until 1834); Podporuchik (подпору́чик) (until 1884)
XII		Midshipman (ми́чман) (1864–1884)
XIII		Midshipman (ми́чман) (1758–1864)
XIV
Under-Officers		Stuurman (шту́рман); Senior Unteroffizier (ста́рший у́нтер-офице́р); Conductor (кондукто́р)
		Skipper (шки́пер)
		Midshipman (ми́чман) (until 1758); Unteroffizier (у́нтер-офице́р) (since 1758); Konstapel (конста́пель)
		Bootsmann (Bosun) (бо́цман); Shchieman (Schoonerman) (шхи́ман)
		Sub Skipper (подшхи́ман); Sub Stuurman, (подшту́рман); Bootsmannmaat (боцманма́т); Shchiemanmaat (шхиманма́т)
		Quartermaster (квартирмéйстер)
Privates		1st rank Seaman (матро́с 1-й статьи́)
		2nd rank Seaman (матро́с 2-й статьи́)

RSFSR and Soviet Union

1918–1925

The October Revolution of 1917 abolished the privileges of the Russian nobility (Dvoryanstvo). The Table of Ranks was abolished and so were personal military ranks. Based on the teachings of Karl Marx to replace a regular army with the general arming of the people, the Bolsheviks abolished the Imperial army in 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".

At first the new army had no ranks, aside from the single rank of "RedArmyMan". However, due to a real need, first informally and then more formally (although no document on an introduction of ranks or names of commanders was issued) in official correspondence acronyms began to appear representing position-holder titles. For example, komdiv was an acronym of Division Commander; likewise kombat stood for Battalion Commander, etc. By the middle of the Civil War (January 1919), these "positional ranks" became quite formal, and since January 1920 the names of officers was fixed by the Order of the Red Army. Instead of ranks, these were officially known as "categories of the Red Army." This system was maintained until May 1924. Some of these acronyms have survived as informal position names to the present day.

During the civil war ships did not play a significant role. Many of the sailors and petty officers of the fleet went to fight on land in the Red Army. For a long time a scale of naval ranks did not exist at all. Most of the naval officers were addressed either by their position or by their tsarist rank with the addition of front abbreviation "b.", what meant "former". Since 1924, the real rehabilitation and creation of the fleet began. Personal ranks as such did not exist during this period in the Navy.

By then, the only new rank created was the Sergeant Major (Starshina) rank in the Red Army. It was first introduced in the Worker's and Peasant's Red Navy at the same time, with the old Imperial Naval rank of Bootsmann in the Navy the only old rank still used.

Army Ranks[1]		Naval Ranks[2]
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[2] 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 or 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 or 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 or 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

By that year, the ranks were expanded to match the military ranks of other countries' armed forces.

Categories	Names of key posts		Groups
	Army Ranks[3]	Naval Ranks[4]
K-14	Front Commander Командующий фронтом (Komanduyushchiy frontom)	Chief of Navy of the Republic[citation needed] Главнокомандующий флотом республики (Glavnokomanduyushchiy flotom respubliky)	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)
K-12	Comcor Командир корпуса (Komandir korpusa) & Assistant of Army Commander Помощник командующего армией (Pomoshchnik komanduyushchego armiey)	Flotilla Commander Командующий флотилией (Komanduyushchiy flotiliey)
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)
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)	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)
K-7	Combat Командир батальона (Komandir bataliona)	Ship Commander, 2nd rank Командир корабля 2-го ранга (Komandir korablya 2-go ranga)
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)	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)
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)
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)
K-2	Starshina Старшина (Starshina)	Starshina Старшина (Starshina) & Chief Boatswain/Bootsmann Главный боцман (Glavniy botsman)	Junior Сommanders (Младший командный и начальствующий состав)
	Assistant of Platoon Commander Помощник командира взвода (Pomoshchnik komandira vzvoda)	Senior Boatswain/Bootsmann Старший боцман (Starshiy botsman)
K-1	Squad Commander Командир отделения (Komandir otdeleniya)	Squad Commander Командир отделения (Komandir otdeleniya) & Boatswain/Bootsmann Боцман (Botsman)
	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)
-	Redarmyman Красноармеец (Krasnoarmeyets)	Redfleetman Краснофлотец (Krasnoflotets)	Privates (Рядовой состав)

1935–1940

Personal ranks were not reintroduced until 1935 but the Marshal of the Soviet Union rank was introduced in 1934, a year earlier.

Categories	Ranks[5]
	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 комвзвода (Mladshiy komvzvoda)	No equivalent
	Starshina Старшина (Starshina)	Starshina Старшина (Starshina)
Middleweight Commanders (Средний командный и начальствующий состав)	Junior Lieutenant Младший лейтенант (Mladshiy leytenant)	Junior Lieutenant Младший лейтенант (Mladshiy leytenant)		Junior Military Technician Младший воентехник (Mladshiy voentehnik)	Junior Military Technician Младший воентехник (Mladshiy voentehnik)
	Lieutenant Лейтенант (Leytenant)	Lieutenant Лейтенант (Leytenant)	Junior Politruk Младший политрук (Mladshiy politruk)	Military Technician 2nd rank Воентехник 2 ранга (Voentehnik 2 ranga)	Military Technician 2nd rank Воентехник 2 ранга (Voentehnik 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 (Mladshiy voenyurist)
	Senior Lieutenant Старший лейтенант (Starshiy leytenant)	Senior Lieutenant Старший лейтенант (Starshiy 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 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

General ranks were restored in May 1940. The new ranks were based on the military ranks of the Russian Empire, although they underwent some modifications; modified Imperial rank insignia were reintroduced in 1943. The new ranks also abolished the specialist ranks for the other arms and services, and they were replaced by the new ranks with the service name attached.

Categories	Ranks[6]
	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 (Mladshiy 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 (Starshiy serzhant)	Chief Starshina Главный старшина (Glavniy starshina)
	Starshina Старшина (Starshina)	Midshipman Мичман (Michman)
Middleweight Commanders (Средний командный и начальствующий состав)	Junior Lieutenant Младший лейтенант (Mladshiy leytenant)	Junior Lieutenant Младший лейтенант (Mladshiy leytenant)		Junior Military Technician Младший воентехник (Mladshiy voentehnik)	Junior Military Technician Младший воентехник (Mladshiy voentehnik)
	Lieutenant Лейтенант (Leytenant)	Lieutenant Лейтенант (Leytenant)	Junior Politruk Младший политрук (Mladshiy politruk)	Military Technician 2nd rank Воентехник 2 ранга (Voentehnik 2 ranga)	Military Technician 2nd rank Воентехник 2 ранга (Voentehnik 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 (Mladshiy voenyurist)
	Senior Lieutenant Старший лейтенант (Starshiy leytenant)	Senior Lieutenant Старший лейтенант (Starshiy 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 1940. By then the Army rank of Corporal and the Naval rank of Midshipman were revived, and the old rank of Junior Sergeant reinstated into its modern form (the rank is from the Estonian Army but has a Russian origin in the Imperial Russian Army).

In 1942, the political commissars' service in the Red Army was finally disbanded for good, and its ranks dissolved.

1943–1991

In 1943, all ranks became standardized throughout the Soviet Armed Forces, with the full inclusion of Air/Arm/Branch Marshal and Air/Arm/Branch Chief Marshal ranks. All specialist ranks remaining were replaced by the 1940 standard ranks with the service name attached to them, and Private and Seaman became the basic enlisted ranks. The new Imperial Russian Armed Forces-style shoulder rank insignia also debuted.

From 1943 to 1961, naval ranks were adjusted to match the naval ranks of other countries. The rank of Admiral of the Fleet was introduced during the Great Patriotic War, and was the equivalent rank to Marshal of the Soviet Union that in 1955, it was renamed Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union. The rank was soon revived in 1962 as a General of the Army-equivalent rank in compliance to new Soviet Navy regulations for officers.

On June 27, 1945 the rank of Generalissimus Sovietskogo Soyuza (Generalissimus of the Soviet Union) was created and granted to Joseph Stalin following the tradition of the Russian Imperial Army which granted to the Tsars the military rank in their capacity as Commanders-in-Chief. Formally it existed until 1993 but it was never used after Stalin's death.

In the 1970s, the non-commissioned officers serving under contract and holding Starshina (Master Sergeant) rank were reassigned to newly-created Praporshchik rank (not to be confused with similarly named Russian Empire rank of commissioned officers); starshina was reserved for conscripts only. In the Soviet Navy, however, as the Midshipman rank was formally elevated to that of a warrant officer, the NCO role of Midshipmen was replaced by the new rank of Ship Chief Master Sergeant as a result of the naval rank change. At the same time all rank insignia became uniform for the Army and Air Force plus the other services, the Navy retained theirs.

Generals of the Army and Admirals soon had their insignia changed in 1974.

The final change was in 1981 when Senior Praporshchik and Senior Midshipman ranks were added in the ranks of warrant officers.

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

Russian Federation

The independent Russia inherited the ranks of the Soviet Union, although the insignia and uniforms were altered a little. The following is a table of ranks of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

Russian armed forces have two styles of ranks: deck ranks (navy style ranks) and troop ranks (army and other forces style ranks). The following table of Ranks is based on those of the Russian Federation.

Troop ranks are used by:

• Ground Forces
• Air Force
• Strategic Missile Troops (Independent Corps)
• Airborne Troops (Independent Corps)
• Military Space Troops (Independent Corps)
• Naval Infantry, Naval Aviation and other various shore services of the navy
• Federal Agency of Special Construction – Under Ministry of Defence
• Internal Troops – under Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD)
• Federal Security Service (FSB), Border Guard service of the FSB
• Federal Protective Service (FSO)
• Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR)
• Chief directorate of special programs of the President
• Civil Defense Troops, Military personnel of State Firefighting Service – under Ministry of Civil Defense And Emergency Situations

Deck (Navy) ranks are used by:

• Navy (deck personnel)
• Maritime Guard of the Border Service of FSB

The highest troop rank is Marshal of the Russian Federation.

The highest Navy 'deck' rank is Admiral of the Fleet. In the Soviet era the rank Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union was equivalent to the rank of Marshal and only three persons were given that rank. Since 1991 this rank is no longer used.

Ranks can have additional descriptors according to assignment or status. For example, the rank of a serviceman of a "Guards" unit, formation or ship may be followed by the word "Guards" ("Gefreitor of Guards"); the rank of a serviceman of the legal, medical or veterinary professions is followed by "of Justice", "of the Medical service", or "of the Veterinary service" ("Captain of the Medical Service"); and the rank of a reserve or retired serviceman is followed by the words “Reserve” or “Retired,” respectively ("Major of Reserve"). The Russian Federation abolished the descriptor "of Aviation" for pilots, however, that descriptor is still in common use.

Category	Troop Ranks			Deck Ranks
	Ground Forces Insignia	Rank Name	Air Force Insignia	Shoulder Insignia	Rank Name	Sleeve Insignia
Supreme Officers, General Officers		Marshal of the Russian Federation (currently inactive[7]) Ма́ршал Росси́йской Федера́ции		Marshal of the Russian Federation Ма́ршал Росси́йской Федера́ции[8]
		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 (Warrant Officer) ста́рший пра́порщик			Senior Midshipman (Senior Warrant Officer) ста́рший ми́чман	no sleeve insignia
		Praporshchik (Warrant Officer) пра́порщик			Midshipman (Warrant Officer) ми́чман	no sleeve insignia
Sergeants, Petty Officers		Starshina (Sergeant Major) старшина́			Chief Ship Starshina гла́вный корабе́льный старшина́	no sleeve insignia
		Senior Sergeant ста́рший сержа́нт			Chief Starshina гла́вный старшина́	no sleeve insignia
		Sergeant сержа́нт			Starshina, 1st class старшина́ 1-й статьи́	no sleeve insignia
		Junior Sergeant мла́дший сержа́нт			Starshina, 2nd class старшина́ 2-й статьи́	no sleeve insignia
Soldiers, Seamen, Airmen		Efreitor ефре́йтор			Senior Seaman (Matros) ста́рший матро́с	no sleeve insignia
		Private рядово́й			Seaman (Matros) матро́с	no sleeve insignia

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

On March 11, 2010, by virtue of Law No.2010-293 of the President of Russia, a new set of rank insignia debuted. Privates, Airmen and Seamen sport plain shoulder epaulettes and the chevrons removed for the ranks of senior NCOs and are now replaced by plain bars (small horizontal from Corporal/Senior Airman/Leading Seaman to Sergeant/Staff Sergeant/Petty Officer increasing by seniority, large horizontal for Staff Sergeants, Flight Sergeants and Chief Petty Officers, and vertical bars for Starshinas and Ship CPO's).

WO's and Officer ranks received updated shoulder rank epaulettes (and for the Navy, cuff rank insignia) and all General Officer and Flag Officer rank insignia now reflecting service affiliation (the once gold epaulettes were replaced by the army green, air force blue and navy blue epaulettes depending on service). This was also the case for the Marshal of the Russian Federation rank epaulette, which still retained the Coat of arms of Russia and the Marshal's Star. But this change is now evident in the battle dress and duty uniforms only, in the new 2008 dress uniforms the change is evident in the enlisted and NCO epaulettes, but in the epaulettes of all warrant officers and officers the gold and black epaulettes stayed as is in the dress uniforms.

Notes

1. ^ (Russian) Анатомия Армии – Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия 1918–1924 гг.
2. ^ ^{a b} (Russian) Анатомия Армии – Рабоче-Крестьянский Красный Флот 1924(18)-1925 гг.
3. ^ (Russian) Анатомия Армии – Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия 1924–1935 гг.
4. ^ (Russian) Анатомия Армии – Рабоче-Крестьянский Красный Флот 1925–1935 гг.
5. ^ (Russian) ВОВ-60
6. ^ (Russian)ВОВ-60
7. ^ 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
8. ^ Russia.Federal Law "On military duty and military service" (with changes at 28 June 2009) (in Russian)

See also

• Comparative military ranks
• Military ranks of the Soviet Union
• Military Ranks, Special Ranks and Class Rates in Russia
• Russian military
• Russia

External links

• Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD)
• Federal Security Service (FSB)
• Border Guard service of the FSB.
• Ministry of Civil Defense And Emergency Situations.
• Federal Law No. 58-FZ from March 12, 1998 "On military duty and military service" (in Russian)
• Presidential Decree No. 531 from May 8, 2005 "On military uniform, rank insignia of the servicemen and state bodies' rank insignia" (in Russian)
• Анатомия армии