All military ranks of the Russian army

The military rank is assigned to a soldier in accordance with his official position, belonging to one or another type of armed forces.

The history of the emergence of military ranks

In Russia, the emergence of permanent military formations was associated with the beginning of the use of firearms. Indeed, in order to learn how to use this type of weapon, frequent and regular exercises were needed, as well as specific knowledge. During the reign of Ivan the Terrible, archery hundreds appeared in Russia, and military ranks appeared in them. The first military ranks of the Russian army were: Sagittarius, foreman, centurion. However, they were an alloy of military rank and position held in a military formation. Later, under Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, two more titles appeared - Pentecost and the head. After that, the hierarchy of military ranks began to look like this:

1. Sagittarius.

2. The ten's manager.

3. Pentecost.

4. The centurion.

5. The head.

A ten man can be equated to the rank of sergeant or foreman, Pentecost to the lieutenant, the centurion, respectively, to the captain, but the head is the same as the colonel. By the way, under Boris Godunov, foreign military units - companies - already had the ranks of "captain and captain" and "lieutenant" - lieutenant, but these ranks were not used in the Russian units. And by the end of the XVII century during the reign of Peter the Great, the military ranks of the Russian army were replenished with the rank of half-head and colonel, the latter is still used today. In the same period, foreign regiments formed. Both Russian and foreign mercenaries served in them. The system of these units was almost in line with European ones, and the hierarchy of ranks was formed from the following ranks:

I. The soldier.

II. Corporal.

III. Ensign.

IV. Lieutenant (lieutenant).

V. Captain (captain).

VI. Quartermaster

VII. Major.

Viii. Lieutenant colonel.

IX. Colonel

Until 1654, the military ranks of the tsarist Russian army did not include the rank of general. For the first time this title was awarded to Abram Leslie Peter the Great for the return of the city of Smolensk. It was this king who introduced this title as an addition to the highest ranks of the state. Thus appeared the ranks of the general-general, general-field marshal, general-auditor , etc.

The hierarchy of ranks in the Imperial Russian army at the beginning of the twentieth century

Generality (highest military ranks of the Russian army):

• general - (field marshal; lieutenant; major);

• general from infantry, cavalry, etc.

Headquarters officers (top military ranks of the Russian army):

• colonel;

• lieutenant colonel;

• major.

Chief officers (middle officer ranks):

• captain (captain);

• staff captain;

• lieutenant;

• second lieutenant (cornet).

Warrant officers (lower officer ranks):

• Warrant Officer, Warrant Officer and Warrant Officer.

Non-commissioned officers:

• sergeant major;

• non-commissioned officer (senior, junior).

Private:

• corporal;
• private.

Military ranks in the modern Russian army (ground forces)

After the October Revolution, the establishment of Soviet power in the territory of the Russian Empire and the birth of the Soviet Army, the military charter underwent some changes. A new hierarchy of ranks was created, which, in principle, does not differ from the modern one. Below is a list that includes the military ranks of the Russian army.

Private:

• Private and corporal.

Junior command staff:

• Sergeant (junior, senior).
• Foreman.
• Warrant Officer (Senior).

Officers:

• Lieutenant (junior, senior).
• Captain.
• Major.

Officers commanding staff:

• Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel.
• General- (major, lieutenant, colonel, army).

Here is the complete list, including all military ranks of the Russian army. Epaulettes corresponding to each rank are shoulder marks, by which one can determine the rank of a particular soldier.