Midshipman - who is this? Ship titles

Both in the army and in the navy there is a system of officer ranks and ranks. Michman - who is it in the system of ranks of the Navy? From the article you can find the answer to this question, as well as get acquainted with other ship ranks.

Origin of the word

Who is this midshipman, and where did this concept come from?

"Midshipman" literally translates from English as "average person on the ship" or "in the middle of the ship."

This title in the fleet dates back to the time of sailing shipbuilding. On large multi-masted ships, one person usually served in the middle of the deck. He was called the midshipman. His duty was to monitor the strict observance by the crew of the ship of the orders of the captain or chief. Wide sails usually blocked the view of some parts of the ship. Therefore, the midshipman served, in fact, as a connecting link between the leadership of the ship and subordinates - sailors.

Most often, this position was given to those sailors who were candidates for the officers - it allowed them to gain practice and experience.

portrait of midshipman

Title History

The role of the midshipman and his responsibilities repeatedly changed. In the Russian fleet, this post first appeared in 1716 as a non-commissioned officer. Subsequently, this rank was considered a junior chief officer, roughly corresponding to the rank of lieutenant. That was until 1917.

In 1981, the title of senior midshipman first appeared in the USSR.

The words "reserve" or "retired" were added to the military rank of a retired citizen.

In 2009, the government of the Russian Federation announced that the ranks of the warrant officer and ensign would be abolished from the country's military forces and replaced by sergeants and foremen. All representatives of these ranks who served at that time were transferred to other posts or written off to the reserve. However, three years ago, a statement was made to restore them to their original rank.

The title was usually awarded after graduating from midshipman schools.

navy midshipmen

Ship ranks in the Navy of the Russian Federation

Nowadays midshipman - who is it on the ship? Ranks and ranks in the fleet of the Russian Federation are a very voluminous structure.

The lowest employee on board is a sailor. His responsibilities include watchkeeping, monitoring rescue equipment, tools, and weapons. He also exercises control of deck mechanisms, helps with loading and unloading, monitors the cleanliness and order of the ship.

Behind the sailor is the officers. It includes ship foremen, midshipman and senior midshipman.

Then follows the junior officer staff, which includes lieutenants of various ranks.

Further senior officers: caperang, kautorang and katrerang.

And the highest ranks: admirals, including the fleet admiral, is the highest military rank in the Russian naval forces.

Thus, the midshipman is one of the junior ranks in the fleet. It is not an officer rank, but is close to it. Nevertheless, even to become a warrant officer, it is necessary to go a few steps from the lowest ship position - the sailor.

Russian sailors

To get this title, you must serve on the ship for at least three years in the lower ranks. However, if certain merits are available, this period may be shortened.

In the modern system of insignia on the midshipman's uniform, there are two stars on a black background. The senior midshipmen have three stars.

In the army, this rank roughly corresponds to the ensign.

Responsibilities

Having figured out who this is - the midshipman, it is worth stopping at his immediate official duties.

In fact, his job descriptions remained the same as in the past. This rank is close to the officer’s, therefore, the midshipman is an intermediary in the transfer of orders from senior management to lower ship ranks. He exercises control over the execution of officer instructions by sailors and foremen. In addition, he monitors ship property and maintains its records.

The title of midshipman is not only in the Navy of the Russian Federation, but also in other states - the United Kingdom, the USA, etc. It is awarded to graduates of naval educational institutions.

women midshipmen

Conclusions on the article:

  1. Midshipman is a navy officer, higher than ship foremen, but lower than any officer.
  2. For duties, this is an intermediary between the officers and lower naval ranks.
  3. Historically, the rank changed, becoming either an officer or not.
  4. In the land army, the warrant officer corresponds to the midshipman.

Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/C42173/


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