Military ranks of the Soviet Union
Encyclopedia
The military ranks of the Soviet Union
were those introduced after the October Revolution
of 1917. At that time the Imperial Russian Table of Ranks was abolished, as were the privileges of the pre-Soviet Russian nobility
.
Immediately after the Revolution, personal military ranks were abandoned in favor of a system of positional ranks, which were acronyms of the full position names. For example, KomKor
was an acronym of Corps
Commander, KomDiv was an acronym of Division
Commander, KomBrig stood for Brigade
Commander, KomBat
stood for Battalion
Commander, and so forth. These acronyms have survived as informal position names to the present day.
Personal ranks were reintroduced in 1935, and general officer ranks were restored in May 1940. The ranks were based on those of the Russian Empire, although they underwent some modifications. Modified Imperial-style rank insignia
were reintroduced in 1943.
The Soviet ranks ceased to be used after the 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union
, although the military ranks and insignia
of the modern Russian Federation and Ukraine
have been largely adopted from the Soviet system.
as a "heritage of tsarism" in the course of the Revolution. In particular, the Bolsheviks condemned the use of the word "officer" and used the word "commander
" instead. The Red Army abandoned epaulette
s and rank
s, using purely functional title
s such as "Division Commander", "Corps Commander", and similar titles. In 1924 it supplemented this system with "service categories", from K-1 (lowest) to K-14 (highest). The service categories essentially operated as ranks in disguise: they indicated the experience and qualifications of a commander. The insignia
now denoted the category, not the position of a commander. However, one still had to use functional titles to address commanders, which could become as awkward as "comrade deputy head-of-staff of corps". If one did not know a commander's position, one used one of the possible positions - for example: "Regiment Commander" for K-9.This rank system stayed until 1925, when a new range of ranks for the Red Army for officers, NCO's and enlisted were created.
On September 22, 1935 the Red Army abandoned service categories and introduced personal ranks. These ranks, however, used a unique mix of functional titles and traditional ranks. For example, the ranks included "Lieutenant
" and "Comdiv
" (Комдив, Division Commander). Further complications ensued from the functional and categorical ranks for political officers (e.g., "Brigade Commissar", "Army Commissar 2nd Rank"), for technical corps (e.g., "Engineer 3rd Rank", "Division Engineer"), for administrative, medical and other non-combatant branches.
The Marshal of the Soviet Union
(Маршал Советского Союза) rank was introduced on March 17, 1934 as part of the proposal by Kliment Voroshilov
to rationalise ranks. On May 7, 1940 further modifications to the system took place. The ranks of "General
" or "Admiral
" replaced the senior functional ranks of Combrig
, Comdiv
, Comcor
, Comandarm
; the other senior functional ranks ("Division Commissar", "Division Engineer", etc.) remained unaffected. The Arm or Service distinctions remained (e.g. General of Cavalry, Marshal of Armoured Troops). On November 2, 1940 the system underwent further modification with the abolition of functional ranks for NCOs
and the reintroduction of the Podpolkovnik
(sub-colonel) rank. For the most part the new system restored that used by the Imperial Russian Army
at the conclusion of its participation in WWI.
In early 1942 all the functional ranks in technical and administrative corps became regularized ranks (e.g., "Engineer Major", "Engineer Colonel", "Captain Intendant Service", etc.). On October 9, 1942 the authorities abolished the system of military commissars, together with the commissar ranks. The functional ranks remained only in medical, veterinary and legislative corps and Private became the basic rank for the enlisted and NCOs.
In early 1943 a unification of the system saw the abolition of all the remaining functional ranks. The word "officer" became officially endorsed, together with the epaulette
s that superseded the previous rank insignia
, and Marshal and Chief Marshal ranks created for the various arms and branch commands of the Red Army and the Red Army Air Forces save for the infantry.
The ranks and insignia of 1943 did not change much until the last days of the USSR; the contemporary Russian Ground Forces
uses largely the same system. The old functional ranks of Combat
(Battalion or Battery Commander), Combrig
(Brigade Commander) and Comdiv
(Division Commander) continue in informal use.
After the war, the new rank of Generalissimus of the Soviet Union was created for Joseph Stalin in his role as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. The rank insignia featured the USSR arms above a large Marshal's Star surrounded by a wreath. The rank became inactive upon his demise in 1953, and inspired similar ranks in North Korea
(Dae Wonsu
) and the People's Republic of China
(Da Yuan Shuai
).
In 1970 all Starshinas became full time senior NCOs and enlisted personnel and the new NCO rank of Praporshchik became a Warrant Officer rank, with a new rank of Senior Praporshchik created for senior rank holders later in 1981. And in 1974, Generals of the Army had one star on their shoulder epaulettes rather than four. The final rank structure from these reforms stayed well until the Union's dissoution and are the basis for the current ranks of the Russian Ground Forces.
These ranks also because the basic ranks for the Soviet Air Forces in 1918 and the Soviet Air Defense Forces (from 1932-1949 part of the Red Army, 1949 independent branch, and from 1954 a full service arm of the Soviet Armed Forces), and from 1991 onward became the basis for the present ranks of the Russian Air Force
(including the Air Defense Forces from 1998 onward) and from 2001, the Russian Space Forces. The only exceptions were the use of the ranks of Marshal of Aviation and Chief Marshal of Aviation, which replaced the rank of General of the Army until the latter became the highest officer rank in 1993.
Most of the officer ranks were revived in 1935, save for the high ranking officers, and the new NCO rank of Squad Commander. The NCO rank of Starshina was retained, however.
In 1939 all flag officer ranks were reinstated and Midshipman became the highest NCO rate in the Navy, and in the course of the Great Patriotic War, all Redfleetmen became Seamen in another rank change.
Even though traditional personal ranks for Red Army
officers were re-established in 1935, General ranks were not introduced until 1940, probably because they were associated with the White Army movement. So, in 1935-1940 the personal rank system in the Red Army consisted of the following General-grade ranks:
When the Marshal of the Soviet Union was introduced later in 1935, it became the highest rank in the Red Army, extending an already complex rank system.
However, when personal General ranks were introduced in 1940, the updated rank system did not feature a Brigadier
-grade rank, mirroring a situation in the Russian Imperial Russian army where the Brigadier rank ceased to exist in early 19th century. Most of the officers holding the kombrig rank were demoted to Colonels, and only a few were promoted to Major General.
Another peculiarity of this new system was the absence of a full General rank, which until 19th century was called General-en-Chef
in the Russian Imperial army, and then was renamed General of the Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery
. Curiously, the initial draft of the new rank system submitted by People's Commissar of Defence Marshal Voroshilov
was more in line with Russian military tradition. In a memorandum submitted on 17 March 1940 to the Politburo
and Sovnarkom, Voroshilov made the following proposal:
However in the final document the two komandarm ranks were replaced with Colonel General and General of the Army, with the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union on top of them. In the end, the number of General-grade ranks did not reduce at all even with the abolition of Brigadier-grade kobmbrig rank, contrary to the initial proposal by Voroshilov.
After the introduction of this new system, most existing kombrigs were ranked as Colonel, although some were ranked as General; existing komdivs were mostly ranked as Major General, komcors and Army Commanders 2nd rank were mostly ranked Lieutenant General, and Army Commanders 1st rank were ranked as Colonel General
or General of the Army (a notable exception is Georgy Zhukov
who was promoted to General of the Army directly from komcor rank). Later in 1943, the ranks of Marshal and Chief Marshal
of a service branch were introduced in aviation, artillery, communications troops, and armoured troops; both equivalent to General of the Army.
The final personal rank structure (for the Army and the Air Force) was thus as follows:
Eventually, the Soviet system of general ranks included commonplace Major General
, Lieutenant General
, however the position in between Lieutenant General and General of the Army was occupied by the Colonel General
, which in the Soviet system is the equivalent of a full General
rank in other nations.
This unusual rank structure makes rank comparisons difficult; Marshal of the Soviet Union is arguably not the equivalent to NATO five-star general ranks such as British Field Marshal
or American General of the Army
, but is instead an honorary rank analogous to the Marshal of France
, although without associated state functions.
In the Soviet Navy before 1935 the ranks were personal positions. Since that year the general officer rank structure became as follows:
From 1940, the rank structure for high officers of the Navy became:
In 1943, the rank structure slightly changed into the final rank formation which remained until the dissolution of the Navy in 1991 with more changes in 1955 and 1962:
The Russian Navy still uses this, except that Marshal of the Russian Federation is the highest rank of precedence, and the rank below that, Admiral of the Fleet, is the highest deck rank for officers.
Crimson: infantry, mechanized and motorized infantry Red: artillery, armoured troops Blue: Air Force, airborne troops, air technical services Dark blue: cavalry Black: technical corps (radio communications, engineers, chemicals, technical military schools, road construction, pipeline units, building and airbase construction, military topography service, administrative service, judge advocates, military bands) Dark green: medical and veterinary services Black: Navy
In December 1955 the colours were changed to:
Red: artillery, armoured troops, infantry, cavalry, military educational insititutions Blue: Air Force, airborne troops, air technical services Black: technical corps and Navy
In March 1956 general officers' stars became gold colored.
on June 27, 1945, and he was the only person ever to hold it. It is sometimes regarded as an equivalent to the rank of General of the Armies of the United States, the North Korea
n Dae Wonsu
or the now defunct Chinese
rank of Da Yuan Shuai
.
See also Marshal of the Soviet Union
and Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
were those introduced after the October Revolution
October Revolution
The October Revolution , also known as the Great October Socialist Revolution , Red October, the October Uprising or the Bolshevik Revolution, was a political revolution and a part of the Russian Revolution of 1917...
of 1917. At that time the Imperial Russian Table of Ranks was abolished, as were the privileges of the pre-Soviet Russian nobility
Russian nobility
The Russian nobility arose in the 14th century and essentially governed Russia until the October Revolution of 1917.The Russian word for nobility, Dvoryanstvo , derives from the Russian word dvor , meaning the Court of a prince or duke and later, of the tsar. A nobleman is called dvoryanin...
.
Immediately after the Revolution, personal military ranks were abandoned in favor of a system of positional ranks, which were acronyms of the full position names. For example, KomKor
Comcor
Comcor was a military rank in the Red Army until the end of the 1930s....
was an acronym of Corps
Corps
A corps is either a large formation, or an administrative grouping of troops within an armed force with a common function such as Artillery or Signals representing an arm of service...
Commander, KomDiv was an acronym of Division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
Commander, KomBrig stood for Brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
Commander, KomBat
Combat (military rank)
Combat or Kombat , abbreviated from Командир батальона was a military rank in the Red Army until the end of the 1930s. At that time it was roughly equivalent to the rank of Captain....
stood for Battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
Commander, and so forth. These acronyms have survived as informal position names to the present day.
Personal ranks were reintroduced in 1935, and general officer ranks were restored in May 1940. The ranks were based on those of the Russian Empire, although they underwent some modifications. Modified Imperial-style rank insignia
Insignia
Insignia or insigne pl -nia or -nias : a symbol or token of personal power, status or office, or of an official body of government or jurisdiction...
were reintroduced in 1943.
The Soviet ranks ceased to be used after the 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union
Dissolution of the Soviet Union
The dissolution of the Soviet Union was the disintegration of the federal political structures and central government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , resulting in the independence of all fifteen republics of the Soviet Union between March 11, 1990 and December 25, 1991...
, although the military ranks and insignia
Army ranks and insignia of the Russian Federation
The independent Russia inherited the ranks of the Soviet Union, although the insignia and uniform were altered slightly. The following is a table ranks of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation...
of the modern Russian Federation and Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
have been largely adopted from the Soviet system.
Army and Air Force Ranks
The early Red Army abandoned the institution of a professional officer corpsOfficer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
as a "heritage of tsarism" in the course of the Revolution. In particular, the Bolsheviks condemned the use of the word "officer" and used the word "commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
" instead. The Red Army abandoned epaulette
Epaulette
Epaulette is a type of ornamental shoulder piece or decoration used as insignia of rank by armed forces and other organizations.Epaulettes are fastened to the shoulder by a shoulder strap or "passant", a small strap parallel to the shoulder seam, and the button near the collar, or by laces on the...
s and rank
Military rank
Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...
s, using purely functional title
Title
A title is a prefix or suffix added to someone's name to signify either veneration, an official position or a professional or academic qualification. In some languages, titles may even be inserted between a first and last name...
s such as "Division Commander", "Corps Commander", and similar titles. In 1924 it supplemented this system with "service categories", from K-1 (lowest) to K-14 (highest). The service categories essentially operated as ranks in disguise: they indicated the experience and qualifications of a commander. The insignia
Insignia
Insignia or insigne pl -nia or -nias : a symbol or token of personal power, status or office, or of an official body of government or jurisdiction...
now denoted the category, not the position of a commander. However, one still had to use functional titles to address commanders, which could become as awkward as "comrade deputy head-of-staff of corps". If one did not know a commander's position, one used one of the possible positions - for example: "Regiment Commander" for K-9.This rank system stayed until 1925, when a new range of ranks for the Red Army for officers, NCO's and enlisted were created.
On September 22, 1935 the Red Army abandoned service categories and introduced personal ranks. These ranks, however, used a unique mix of functional titles and traditional ranks. For example, the ranks included "Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
" and "Comdiv
Comdiv
Comdiv or Komdiv , abbreviated from команди́р диви́зии was a military rank in the Red Army until the end of the 1930s....
" (Комдив, Division Commander). Further complications ensued from the functional and categorical ranks for political officers (e.g., "Brigade Commissar", "Army Commissar 2nd Rank"), for technical corps (e.g., "Engineer 3rd Rank", "Division Engineer"), for administrative, medical and other non-combatant branches.
The Marshal of the Soviet Union
Marshal of the Soviet Union
Marshal of the Soviet Union was the de facto highest military rank of the Soviet Union. ....
(Маршал Советского Союза) rank was introduced on March 17, 1934 as part of the proposal by Kliment Voroshilov
Kliment Voroshilov
Kliment Yefremovich Voroshilov , popularly known as Klim Voroshilov was a Soviet military officer, politician, and statesman...
to rationalise ranks. On May 7, 1940 further modifications to the system took place. The ranks of "General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
" or "Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
" replaced the senior functional ranks of Combrig
Combrig
Combrig was a military rank used in the Red Army for commanders of brigades between 1935 and 1940 . Kombrigs were senior to polkovniks and junior to comdivs...
, Comdiv
Comdiv
Comdiv or Komdiv , abbreviated from команди́р диви́зии was a military rank in the Red Army until the end of the 1930s....
, Comcor
Comcor
Comcor was a military rank in the Red Army until the end of the 1930s....
, Comandarm
Comandarm
Comandarm was a military rank in the Red Army until the end of the 1930s....
; the other senior functional ranks ("Division Commissar", "Division Engineer", etc.) remained unaffected. The Arm or Service distinctions remained (e.g. General of Cavalry, Marshal of Armoured Troops). On November 2, 1940 the system underwent further modification with the abolition of functional ranks for NCOs
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
and the reintroduction of the Podpolkovnik
Podpolkovnik
Podpolkovnik is a military rank in Slavic countries which corresponds to a lieutenant colonel in English-speaking states. Usually this word is translated as lieutenant colonel, however the transliteration is also in common usage, for the sake of the historical context.The exact name of this rank...
(sub-colonel) rank. For the most part the new system restored that used by the Imperial Russian Army
Imperial Russian Army
The Imperial Russian Army was the land armed force of the Russian Empire, active from around 1721 to the Russian Revolution of 1917. In the early 1850s, the Russian army consisted of around 938,731 regular soldiers and 245,850 irregulars . Until the time of military reform of Dmitry Milyutin in...
at the conclusion of its participation in WWI.
In early 1942 all the functional ranks in technical and administrative corps became regularized ranks (e.g., "Engineer Major", "Engineer Colonel", "Captain Intendant Service", etc.). On October 9, 1942 the authorities abolished the system of military commissars, together with the commissar ranks. The functional ranks remained only in medical, veterinary and legislative corps and Private became the basic rank for the enlisted and NCOs.
In early 1943 a unification of the system saw the abolition of all the remaining functional ranks. The word "officer" became officially endorsed, together with the epaulette
Epaulette
Epaulette is a type of ornamental shoulder piece or decoration used as insignia of rank by armed forces and other organizations.Epaulettes are fastened to the shoulder by a shoulder strap or "passant", a small strap parallel to the shoulder seam, and the button near the collar, or by laces on the...
s that superseded the previous rank insignia
Insignia
Insignia or insigne pl -nia or -nias : a symbol or token of personal power, status or office, or of an official body of government or jurisdiction...
, and Marshal and Chief Marshal ranks created for the various arms and branch commands of the Red Army and the Red Army Air Forces save for the infantry.
The ranks and insignia of 1943 did not change much until the last days of the USSR; the contemporary Russian Ground Forces
Russian Ground Forces
The Russian Ground Forces are the land forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, formed from parts of the collapsing Soviet Army in 1992. The formation of these forces posed economic challenges after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and required reforms to professionalize the force...
uses largely the same system. The old functional ranks of Combat
Combat (military rank)
Combat or Kombat , abbreviated from Командир батальона was a military rank in the Red Army until the end of the 1930s. At that time it was roughly equivalent to the rank of Captain....
(Battalion or Battery Commander), Combrig
Combrig
Combrig was a military rank used in the Red Army for commanders of brigades between 1935 and 1940 . Kombrigs were senior to polkovniks and junior to comdivs...
(Brigade Commander) and Comdiv
Comdiv
Comdiv or Komdiv , abbreviated from команди́р диви́зии was a military rank in the Red Army until the end of the 1930s....
(Division Commander) continue in informal use.
After the war, the new rank of Generalissimus of the Soviet Union was created for Joseph Stalin in his role as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. The rank insignia featured the USSR arms above a large Marshal's Star surrounded by a wreath. The rank became inactive upon his demise in 1953, and inspired similar ranks in North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
(Dae Wonsu
Dae Wonsu
Dae wonsu is the highest possible military rank of North Korea and is intended to be held solely by the nation’s commander-in-chief. The rank is senior to that of wonsu...
) and the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
(Da Yuan Shuai
Da Yuan Shuai
Da Yuan Shuai was a Chinese military rank, usually translated as Grand Marshal or Generalissimo.During the early Republic of China, the rank of "Grand Marshal of the Army and Navy" was assumed by Yuan Shikai in 1913, Sun Yat-sen in 1917 and Zhang Zuolin in 1927.The rank was replaced by the...
).
In 1970 all Starshinas became full time senior NCOs and enlisted personnel and the new NCO rank of Praporshchik became a Warrant Officer rank, with a new rank of Senior Praporshchik created for senior rank holders later in 1981. And in 1974, Generals of the Army had one star on their shoulder epaulettes rather than four. The final rank structure from these reforms stayed well until the Union's dissoution and are the basis for the current ranks of the Russian Ground Forces.
These ranks also because the basic ranks for the Soviet Air Forces in 1918 and the Soviet Air Defense Forces (from 1932-1949 part of the Red Army, 1949 independent branch, and from 1954 a full service arm of the Soviet Armed Forces), and from 1991 onward became the basis for the present ranks of the Russian Air Force
Russian Air Force
The Russian Air Force is the air force of Russian Military. It is currently under the command of Colonel General Aleksandr Zelin. The Russian Navy has its own air arm, the Russian Naval Aviation, which is the former Soviet Aviatsiya Voyenno Morskogo Flota , or AV-MF).The Air Force was formed from...
(including the Air Defense Forces from 1998 onward) and from 2001, the Russian Space Forces. The only exceptions were the use of the ranks of Marshal of Aviation and Chief Marshal of Aviation, which replaced the rank of General of the Army until the latter became the highest officer rank in 1993.
Naval ranks and rates
In 1918, the Soviet Navy was raised from the pro-Bolshevik sailors and officers of the Imperial Russian Navy as the Workers' and Peasants' Red Fleet by virtue of a decree by the Soviet Council of People's Commissars. The ranks and rates were, just like in their counterparts in the Army, personal postions for officers, NCO's and enlisted rates. The former officers of the IRN who joined the ranks of this new navy retained their ranks with the abbreviation "b." meaning "former" while the new officers where addressed by their positionary ranks. They stayed that way until 1925, when new ranks and rates were created.Most of the officer ranks were revived in 1935, save for the high ranking officers, and the new NCO rank of Squad Commander. The NCO rank of Starshina was retained, however.
In 1939 all flag officer ranks were reinstated and Midshipman became the highest NCO rate in the Navy, and in the course of the Great Patriotic War, all Redfleetmen became Seamen in another rank change.
Rank comparisons
The Red Army abolished all personal officer and general ranks, retaining only personal positions. Thus, a komvzvoda (Platoon Commander) was a position for an officer who would typically hold a Lieutenant of Senior Lieutenant rank, kombat (Battalion Commander) was an equivalent of Captain or Major, and kompolka was an equivalent of Lieutenant Colonel or Colonel.Even though traditional personal ranks for Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
officers were re-established in 1935, General ranks were not introduced until 1940, probably because they were associated with the White Army movement. So, in 1935-1940 the personal rank system in the Red Army consisted of the following General-grade ranks:
- kombrig (Brigade Commander), a Brigadier equivalent;
- komdiv (Division Commander), a Major General equivalent;
- komcor (Corps Commander), a Lieutenant General equivalent;
- komandarm (Army Commander) 2nd rank, a Lieutenant General or full General equivalent;
- komandarm (Army Commander) 1st rank, a FrontFront (Soviet Army)A front was a major military organization in the Soviet Army during many wars. It was roughly equivalent to an army group in the militaries of most other countries except Germany...
Commander or Supreme Commander position, and an equivalent to Colonel GeneralColonel GeneralColonel General is a senior rank of General. North Korea and Russia are two countries which have used the rank extensively throughout their histories...
, General of the Army, or Field Marshal in other nations.
When the Marshal of the Soviet Union was introduced later in 1935, it became the highest rank in the Red Army, extending an already complex rank system.
However, when personal General ranks were introduced in 1940, the updated rank system did not feature a Brigadier
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
-grade rank, mirroring a situation in the Russian Imperial Russian army where the Brigadier rank ceased to exist in early 19th century. Most of the officers holding the kombrig rank were demoted to Colonels, and only a few were promoted to Major General.
Another peculiarity of this new system was the absence of a full General rank, which until 19th century was called General-en-Chef
General-in-Chief
General-in-Chief has been a military rank or title in various armed forces around the world.- France :In France, General-in-Chief was first an informal title for the lieutenant-general commanding over others lieutenant-generals, or even for some marshals in charge of an army...
in the Russian Imperial army, and then was renamed General of the Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery
General of the Artillery (Imperial Russia)
In the Imperial Russian army, General of the Artillery was the second-highest possible rank, below Generalissimo of Russia or General-Fieldmarshal, produced by splitting General-in-Chief into service branches....
. Curiously, the initial draft of the new rank system submitted by People's Commissar of Defence Marshal Voroshilov
Voroshilov
Voroshilov may refer to:*Kliment Voroshilov , Marshal of the Soviet Union*Viktor Voroshilov, Soviet footballer*Vladimir Voroshilov , Russian TV personality*Voroshilov, former name of Ussuriysk, Primorsky Krai, Russia...
was more in line with Russian military tradition. In a memorandum submitted on 17 March 1940 to the Politburo
Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
The Politburo , known as the Presidium from 1952 to 1966, functioned as the central policymaking and governing body of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.-Duties and responsibilities:The...
and Sovnarkom, Voroshilov made the following proposal:
However in the final document the two komandarm ranks were replaced with Colonel General and General of the Army, with the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union on top of them. In the end, the number of General-grade ranks did not reduce at all even with the abolition of Brigadier-grade kobmbrig rank, contrary to the initial proposal by Voroshilov.
After the introduction of this new system, most existing kombrigs were ranked as Colonel, although some were ranked as General; existing komdivs were mostly ranked as Major General, komcors and Army Commanders 2nd rank were mostly ranked Lieutenant General, and Army Commanders 1st rank were ranked as Colonel General
Colonel General
Colonel General is a senior rank of General. North Korea and Russia are two countries which have used the rank extensively throughout their histories...
or General of the Army (a notable exception is Georgy Zhukov
Georgy Zhukov
Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov , was a Russian career officer in the Red Army who, in the course of World War II, played a pivotal role in leading the Red Army through much of Eastern Europe to liberate the Soviet Union and other nations from the Axis Powers' occupation...
who was promoted to General of the Army directly from komcor rank). Later in 1943, the ranks of Marshal and Chief Marshal
Chief Marshal
The ranks of Marshal of a branch and Chief Marshal of a branch were senior military ranks of the Soviet Armed Forces. Immediately above the rank "Marshal of a branch" is the rank "Chief Marshal of a branch". Both ranks are immediately above the rank "Colonel General" and equal to Soviet General...
of a service branch were introduced in aviation, artillery, communications troops, and armoured troops; both equivalent to General of the Army.
The final personal rank structure (for the Army and the Air Force) was thus as follows:
- Colonel - Brigade or Division level;
- Major General - Сorps, Division or (rarely) Brigade level;
- Lieutenant General - Corps or Army level;
- Colonel General - Army or Front level;
- General of the Army - Army or Front level;
- Marshal or Chief Marshal - service branch, Army level;
- Marshal of the Soviet Union - Front or Supreme Command level, reserved for most honoured field commanders.
Eventually, the Soviet system of general ranks included commonplace Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
, Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
, however the position in between Lieutenant General and General of the Army was occupied by the Colonel General
Colonel General
Colonel General is a senior rank of General. North Korea and Russia are two countries which have used the rank extensively throughout their histories...
, which in the Soviet system is the equivalent of a full General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
rank in other nations.
This unusual rank structure makes rank comparisons difficult; Marshal of the Soviet Union is arguably not the equivalent to NATO five-star general ranks such as British Field Marshal
Field Marshal
Field Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical...
or American General of the Army
General of the Army (United States)
General of the Army is a five-star general officer and is the second highest possible rank in the United States Army. A special rank of General of the Armies, which ranks above General of the Army, does exist but has only been conferred twice in the history of the Army...
, but is instead an honorary rank analogous to the Marshal of France
Marshal of France
The Marshal of France is a military distinction in contemporary France, not a military rank. It is granted to generals for exceptional achievements...
, although without associated state functions.
In the Soviet Navy before 1935 the ranks were personal positions. Since that year the general officer rank structure became as follows:
- Flag Officer 2nd Rank
- Flag Officer 1st Rank
- Fleet Flag Officer 2nd Rank
- Fleet Flag Officer 1st Rank
From 1940, the rank structure for high officers of the Navy became:
- Captain 1st Rank
- Rear Admiral
- Vice Admiral
- Admiral
In 1943, the rank structure slightly changed into the final rank formation which remained until the dissolution of the Navy in 1991 with more changes in 1955 and 1962:
- Captain 1st Rank
- Rear Admiral
- Vice Admiral
- Admiral
- Admiral of the FleetAdmiral of the FleetAn admiral of the fleet is a military naval officer of the highest rank. In many nations the rank is reserved for wartime or ceremonial appointments...
(became Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet UnionAdmiral of the Fleet of the Soviet UnionAn Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union was the highest naval rank of the Soviet Union.The rank was largely honorary and could be considered equivalent to Admiral of the Navy in other nations...
in 1955, reinstated in 1962)
The Russian Navy still uses this, except that Marshal of the Russian Federation is the highest rank of precedence, and the rank below that, Admiral of the Fleet, is the highest deck rank for officers.
Rank Table
This table shows the rank structure and epaulettes used in 1943–1993.| Category | Soviet All-forces ground troop ranks (Army Infantry and educational institutions, MVD Militsiya and Internal Troops, Civil Defense Forces of the USSR) |
Soviet Air Forces, Soviet Air Defense Forces and other Soviet military branches ranks (Space Troops of the PVO, Artillery, Tank and Armored Forces, Airborne Landing Troops, Engineer Forces and Signal and Communications Forces, Medical Service, Military Bands Service, Military Judicial Service, other Special and Technical Services) |
Soviet Navy Ranks and Rates (Soviet Deck Ranks and Rates) |
|---|---|---|---|
Generalissimus of the Soviet Union (Генерали́ссимус Сове́тского Сою́за) |
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or General Officers |
Marshal of the Soviet Union Marshal of the Soviet Union Marshal of the Soviet Union was the de facto highest military rank of the Soviet Union. .... (Ма́ршал Совéтского Сою́за) |
Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union An Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union was the highest naval rank of the Soviet Union.The rank was largely honorary and could be considered equivalent to Admiral of the Navy in other nations... (Адмира́л Фло́та Совéтского Сою́за) |
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General of the Army Army General (USSR) Army General was a rank of the Soviet Union which was first established in June 1940 as a high rank for Red Army generals, inferior only to the Marshal of the Soviet Union... (Генера́л а́рмии) since 1974 General of the Army Army General (USSR) Army General was a rank of the Soviet Union which was first established in June 1940 as a high rank for Red Army generals, inferior only to the Marshal of the Soviet Union... (Генера́л а́рмии) before 1974 |
Chief Marshal of Aviation of the Soviet Union Chief Marshal The ranks of Marshal of a branch and Chief Marshal of a branch were senior military ranks of the Soviet Armed Forces. Immediately above the rank "Marshal of a branch" is the rank "Chief Marshal of a branch". Both ranks are immediately above the rank "Colonel General" and equal to Soviet General... (Гла́вный Ма́ршал Авиа́ции Совéтского Сою́за) Chief Marshal of Artillery of the Soviet Union Chief Marshal The ranks of Marshal of a branch and Chief Marshal of a branch were senior military ranks of the Soviet Armed Forces. Immediately above the rank "Marshal of a branch" is the rank "Chief Marshal of a branch". Both ranks are immediately above the rank "Colonel General" and equal to Soviet General... (Гла́вный Ма́ршал Aртилерии Совéтского Сою́за) Chief Marshal of Armoured Troops of the Soviet Union Chief Marshal The ranks of Marshal of a branch and Chief Marshal of a branch were senior military ranks of the Soviet Armed Forces. Immediately above the rank "Marshal of a branch" is the rank "Chief Marshal of a branch". Both ranks are immediately above the rank "Colonel General" and equal to Soviet General... (Гла́вный Ма́ршал Бронетанковых Войск Совéтского Сою́за) Chief Marshal of Engineer Troops of the Soviet Union Chief Marshal The ranks of Marshal of a branch and Chief Marshal of a branch were senior military ranks of the Soviet Armed Forces. Immediately above the rank "Marshal of a branch" is the rank "Chief Marshal of a branch". Both ranks are immediately above the rank "Colonel General" and equal to Soviet General... (Гла́вный Ма́ршал Инженерных Войск Совéтского Сою́за) Chief Marshal of Signals Troops of the Soviet Union Chief Marshal The ranks of Marshal of a branch and Chief Marshal of a branch were senior military ranks of the Soviet Armed Forces. Immediately above the rank "Marshal of a branch" is the rank "Chief Marshal of a branch". Both ranks are immediately above the rank "Colonel General" and equal to Soviet General... (Гла́вный Ма́ршал Войск Связи Совéтского Сою́за) |
Admiral of the Fleet Admiral of the Fleet (USSR) The rank of Admiral of the Fleet was the highest naval rank of the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1955 and second-highest from 1962.The rank has a rather confusing history... (адмира́л фло́та) since 1974 Admiral of the Fleet Admiral of the Fleet (USSR) The rank of Admiral of the Fleet was the highest naval rank of the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1955 and second-highest from 1962.The rank has a rather confusing history... (адмира́л фло́та) before 1974 |
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Marshal of Aviation Marshal Marshal , is a word used in several official titles of various branches of society. The word is an ancient loan word from Old French, cf... (Ма́ршал Авиа́ции) Marshal of Artillery Marshal Marshal , is a word used in several official titles of various branches of society. The word is an ancient loan word from Old French, cf... (Ма́ршал Aртилерии) Marshal of Armoured Troop Marshal Marshal , is a word used in several official titles of various branches of society. The word is an ancient loan word from Old French, cf... (Ма́ршал Бронетанковых Войск) Marshal of Engineer Troops Marshal Marshal , is a word used in several official titles of various branches of society. The word is an ancient loan word from Old French, cf... (Ма́ршал Инженерных Войск) Marshal of Signals Troops Marshal Marshal , is a word used in several official titles of various branches of society. The word is an ancient loan word from Old French, cf... (Ма́ршал Войск Связи) |
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Colonel General Colonel General Colonel General is a senior rank of General. North Korea and Russia are two countries which have used the rank extensively throughout their histories... or General-Polkovnik Colonel General Colonel General is a senior rank of General. North Korea and Russia are two countries which have used the rank extensively throughout their histories... (генера́л-полко́вник) |
Colonel General Colonel General Colonel General is a senior rank of General. North Korea and Russia are two countries which have used the rank extensively throughout their histories... or General-Polkovnik Colonel General Colonel General is a senior rank of General. North Korea and Russia are two countries which have used the rank extensively throughout their histories... of aviation (генера́л-полко́вник авиа́ции) Colonel General Colonel General Colonel General is a senior rank of General. North Korea and Russia are two countries which have used the rank extensively throughout their histories... or General-Polkovnik Colonel General Colonel General is a senior rank of General. North Korea and Russia are two countries which have used the rank extensively throughout their histories... of branches (генера́л-полко́вник ро́да во́йск) |
Admiral Admiral Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"... (адмира́л) |
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Lieutenant General Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... (генера́л-лейтена́нт) |
Lieutenant General Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... of aviation (генера́л-лейтена́нт авиа́ции) Lieutenant General Lieutenant General Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General.... of branches (генера́л-лейтена́нт ро́да во́йск) |
Vice Admiral Vice Admiral Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral... (ви́це-адмира́л) |
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Major General Major General Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general... (генера́л-майо́р) |
Major General Major General Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general... of aviation (генера́л-майо́р авиа́ции) Major General Major General Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general... of branches (генера́л-майо́р ро́да во́йск) |
Counter Admiral Counter Admiral Counter admiral is a rank found in many navies of the world, but no longer used in English-speaking countries, where the equivalent rank is rear admiral... (ко́нтр-адмира́л) |
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or Field Grade Officers |
 Colonel Colonel Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures... or Polkovnik Polkovnik Polkovnik is often a military rank in Slavic countries which corresponds to a colonel in English-speaking states. However, in the Ukraine, polkovnyk was an administrative rank similar to a governor... (полко́вник) |
Colonel Colonel Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures... or Polkovnik Polkovnik Polkovnik is often a military rank in Slavic countries which corresponds to a colonel in English-speaking states. However, in the Ukraine, polkovnyk was an administrative rank similar to a governor... of aviation (полко́вник авиа́ции) Colonel Colonel Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures... or Polkovnik Polkovnik Polkovnik is often a military rank in Slavic countries which corresponds to a colonel in English-speaking states. However, in the Ukraine, polkovnyk was an administrative rank similar to a governor... of branches (полко́вник ро́да во́йск) |
Captain Captain at Sea Captain at Sea, is a naval rank corresponding to command of a ship-of-the-line or capital ship.... , 1st rank (капита́н 1-го ра́нга) |
Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant colonel Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence... or Podpolkovnik Podpolkovnik Podpolkovnik is a military rank in Slavic countries which corresponds to a lieutenant colonel in English-speaking states. Usually this word is translated as lieutenant colonel, however the transliteration is also in common usage, for the sake of the historical context.The exact name of this rank... (подполко́вник) |
Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant colonel Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence... or Podpolkovnik Podpolkovnik Podpolkovnik is a military rank in Slavic countries which corresponds to a lieutenant colonel in English-speaking states. Usually this word is translated as lieutenant colonel, however the transliteration is also in common usage, for the sake of the historical context.The exact name of this rank... of aviation (подполко́вник авиа́ции) Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant colonel Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence... or Podpolkovnik Podpolkovnik Podpolkovnik is a military rank in Slavic countries which corresponds to a lieutenant colonel in English-speaking states. Usually this word is translated as lieutenant colonel, however the transliteration is also in common usage, for the sake of the historical context.The exact name of this rank... of branches (подполко́вник ро́да во́йск) |
Captain Frigate Captain Frigate captain is a naval rank in the naval forces of several countries.It is, usually, equivalent to the Commonwealth/US Navy rank of commander.Countries using this rank include Argentina and Spain , France , Belgium , Italy ,... , 2nd rank (капита́н 2-го р́анга) |
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Major Major Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ... (майо́р) |
Major Major Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ... of aviation (майо́р авиа́ции) Major Major Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ... of branches (майо́р ро́да во́йск) |
Captain Corvette Captain Corvette captain is a rank in many navies which theoretically corresponds to command of a corvette . The equivalent rank in the United Kingdom, Commonwealth and USA is lieutenant commander... , 3rd rank (капита́н 3-го р́анга) |
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or Company Grade Officers |
Captain (капита́н) |
Captain of aviation (капита́н авиа́ции) Captain of branches (капита́н ро́да во́йск) |
Captain Lieutenant Captain Lieutenant Captain lieutenant or captain-lieutenant is a military rank, used in a number of different navies worldwide.It is generally equivalent to the Commonwealth or US rank of lieutenant, and has the NATO rank code of OF-2, though this can vary.... (капита́н-лейтена́нт) |
Senior Lieutenant Lieutenant A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank... (ста́рший лейтена́нт) |
Senior Lieutenant Lieutenant A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank... of aviation (ста́рший лейтена́нт авиа́ции) Senior Lieutenant Lieutenant A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank... of branches (ста́рший лейтена́нт ро́да во́йск) |
Senior Lieutenant Lieutenant A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank... (старший лейтенант) |
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Lieutenant Lieutenant A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank... (лейтена́нт) |
Lieutenant Lieutenant A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank... of aviation (лейтена́нт авиа́ции) Lieutenant Lieutenant A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank... of branches (лейтена́нт ро́да во́йск) |
Lieutenant Lieutenant A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank... (лейтена́нт) |
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Junior Lieutenant Lieutenant A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank... (мла́дший лейтена́нт) |
Junior Lieutenant Lieutenant A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank... of aviation (мла́дший лейтена́нт авиа́ции) Junior Lieutenant Lieutenant A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank... of branches (мла́дший лейтена́нт ро́да во́йск) |
Junior Lieutenant Lieutenant A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank... мла́дший лейтена́нт) |
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or Master non-commissioned officers |
Senior Warrant Officer Warrant Officer A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first... or Senior Praporshchik Praporshchik Praporshchik is a rank in the Russian military.-Imperial Russia:Praporshchik was originally a name of a junior commissioned officer rank in the military of the Russian Empire equivalent to ensign... (ста́рший пра́порщик) |
Senior Warrant Officer Warrant Officer A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first... or Senior Praporshchik Praporshchik Praporshchik is a rank in the Russian military.-Imperial Russia:Praporshchik was originally a name of a junior commissioned officer rank in the military of the Russian Empire equivalent to ensign... of aviation (ста́рший пра́порщик авиа́ции) Senior Warrant Officer Warrant Officer A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first... or Senior Praporshchik Praporshchik Praporshchik is a rank in the Russian military.-Imperial Russia:Praporshchik was originally a name of a junior commissioned officer rank in the military of the Russian Empire equivalent to ensign... of branches (ста́рший пра́порщик ро́да во́йск) |
Senior Midshipman Midshipman A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya... (ста́рший ми́чман) |
Warrant Officer Warrant Officer A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first... or Praporshchik Praporshchik Praporshchik is a rank in the Russian military.-Imperial Russia:Praporshchik was originally a name of a junior commissioned officer rank in the military of the Russian Empire equivalent to ensign... (пра́порщик) |
Warrant Officer Warrant Officer A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first... or Praporshchik Praporshchik Praporshchik is a rank in the Russian military.-Imperial Russia:Praporshchik was originally a name of a junior commissioned officer rank in the military of the Russian Empire equivalent to ensign... of aviation (пра́порщик авиа́ции) Warrant Officer Warrant Officer A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first... or Praporshchik Praporshchik Praporshchik is a rank in the Russian military.-Imperial Russia:Praporshchik was originally a name of a junior commissioned officer rank in the military of the Russian Empire equivalent to ensign... of branches (пра́порщик ро́да во́йск) |
Midshipman Midshipman A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya... (ми́чман) |
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and Petty Officers |
Sergeant Major Sergeant Major Sergeants major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. In Commonwealth countries, Sergeants Major are usually appointments held by senior non-commissioned officers or warrant officers... or Starshina Starshina Starshina, or Starshyna , initially was a Cossacks officership, but in Soviet times was used as the top non-commissioned officer.Among Cossacks and in Ukraine, starshina was a collective noun for categories of officership or a military elite: junior starshina , general starshina , military... (старшина́) before 1963 |
Sergeant Major Sergeant Major Sergeants major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. In Commonwealth countries, Sergeants Major are usually appointments held by senior non-commissioned officers or warrant officers... or Starshina Starshina Starshina, or Starshyna , initially was a Cossacks officership, but in Soviet times was used as the top non-commissioned officer.Among Cossacks and in Ukraine, starshina was a collective noun for categories of officership or a military elite: junior starshina , general starshina , military... of aviation (старшина́ авиа́ции) Sergeant Major Sergeant Major Sergeants major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. In Commonwealth countries, Sergeants Major are usually appointments held by senior non-commissioned officers or warrant officers... or Starshina Starshina Starshina, or Starshyna , initially was a Cossacks officership, but in Soviet times was used as the top non-commissioned officer.Among Cossacks and in Ukraine, starshina was a collective noun for categories of officership or a military elite: junior starshina , general starshina , military... of branches (старшина́ ро́да во́йск) |
Chief Ship Starshina Petty Officer A petty officer is a non-commissioned officer in many navies and is given the NATO rank denotion OR-6. They are equal in rank to sergeant, British Army and Royal Air Force. A Petty Officer is superior in rank to Leading Rate and subordinate to Chief Petty Officer, in the case of the British Armed... (гла́вный корабе́льный старшина́) |
Senior Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent.... (ста́рший сержа́нт) |
Senior Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent.... of aviation (ста́рший сержа́нт авиа́ции) Senior Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent.... of branches (ста́рший сержа́нт ро́да во́йск) |
Chief Starshina Petty Officer A petty officer is a non-commissioned officer in many navies and is given the NATO rank denotion OR-6. They are equal in rank to sergeant, British Army and Royal Air Force. A Petty Officer is superior in rank to Leading Rate and subordinate to Chief Petty Officer, in the case of the British Armed... (гла́вный старшина́) |
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Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent.... (сержа́нт) |
Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent.... of aviation (сержа́нт авиа́ции) Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent.... of branches (сержа́нт ро́да во́йск) |
Starshina Petty Officer A petty officer is a non-commissioned officer in many navies and is given the NATO rank denotion OR-6. They are equal in rank to sergeant, British Army and Royal Air Force. A Petty Officer is superior in rank to Leading Rate and subordinate to Chief Petty Officer, in the case of the British Armed... , 1st class (старшина́ 1-й статьи́) |
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Junior Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent.... (мла́дший сержа́нт) |
Junior Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent.... of aviation (мла́дший сержа́нт авиа́ции) Junior Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent.... of branches (мла́дший сержа́нт ро́да во́йск) |
Starshina Petty Officer A petty officer is a non-commissioned officer in many navies and is given the NATO rank denotion OR-6. They are equal in rank to sergeant, British Army and Royal Air Force. A Petty Officer is superior in rank to Leading Rate and subordinate to Chief Petty Officer, in the case of the British Armed... , 2nd class (старшина́ 2-й статьи́) |
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seamen, airmen |
Efreitor (ефре́йтор) |
Efreitor of aviation (ефре́йтор авиа́ции) Efreitor of branches (ефре́йтор ро́да во́йск) |
Senior Matrose Seaman Seaman is one of the lowest ranks in a Navy. In the Commonwealth it is the lowest rank in the Navy, followed by Able Seaman and Leading Seaman, and followed by the Petty Officer ranks.... or Seaman Seaman Seaman is one of the lowest ranks in a Navy. In the Commonwealth it is the lowest rank in the Navy, followed by Able Seaman and Leading Seaman, and followed by the Petty Officer ranks.... , Sailor Sailor A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses... (ста́рший матро́с) или (ста́рший моря́к) |
Private Private (rank) A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career... or Soldier Soldier A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary... (рядово́й) или (солдáт) |
Private Private (rank) A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career... of aviation (рядово́й авиа́ции) Private Private (rank) A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career... of branches (рядово́й ро́да во́йск) |
Matrose Seaman Seaman is one of the lowest ranks in a Navy. In the Commonwealth it is the lowest rank in the Navy, followed by Able Seaman and Leading Seaman, and followed by the Petty Officer ranks.... or Seaman Seaman Seaman is one of the lowest ranks in a Navy. In the Commonwealth it is the lowest rank in the Navy, followed by Able Seaman and Leading Seaman, and followed by the Petty Officer ranks.... , Sailor Sailor A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses... (матро́с) или (моря́к) |
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Colours of the rank insignia
From 1943 to 1955 all the rank insignia were khaki with edge colour indicating the corps:Crimson: infantry, mechanized and motorized infantry Red: artillery, armoured troops Blue: Air Force, airborne troops, air technical services Dark blue: cavalry Black: technical corps (radio communications, engineers, chemicals, technical military schools, road construction, pipeline units, building and airbase construction, military topography service, administrative service, judge advocates, military bands) Dark green: medical and veterinary services Black: Navy
In December 1955 the colours were changed to:
Red: artillery, armoured troops, infantry, cavalry, military educational insititutions Blue: Air Force, airborne troops, air technical services Black: technical corps and Navy
In March 1956 general officers' stars became gold colored.
Letter codes
The letters over the shoulder's badges, since 1972, stand for:- ВВ (Внутренние войска, Vnutrennie voiska) - Interior Ministry's troops
- К (Курсант, Kursant) - Higher military college cadet
- ГБ (КГБ, KGB) - KGBKGBThe KGB was the commonly used acronym for the . It was the national security agency of the Soviet Union from 1954 until 1991, and was the premier internal security, intelligence, and secret police organization during that time.The State Security Agency of the Republic of Belarus currently uses the...
- ПВ (Пограничные войска, Pogranichnye voiska) - Border Troops
- СА (Советская Армия, Sovietskaya Armiya) - Soviet Army
- СШ (специальная школа, spetsialnaya shkola) - special school
- Ф (Флот, Flot) - Navy
- СФ (Северный флот, Severnyi flot) - Northern Fleet
- ЧФ (Черноморский флот, Chernomorskiy flot) - Black Sea Fleet
- БФ (Балтийский флот, Baltiyskiy flot) - Baltic fleet
- ТФ (Тихоокеанский флот, Tikhookeanskiy flot) - Pacific Fleet
- СВУ (Суворовец, Suvorovets) - Suvorov School cadet
- ВМУ (Военно-музыкальное Училище Voyenno-muzikalnoye Uchilishche) - Military Music School
- H (Нахимовец, Nakhimovets) - Nakhimov School cadet
Generalissimus of the Soviet Union
This rank was created for Joseph StalinJoseph Stalin
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was the Premier of the Soviet Union from 6 May 1941 to 5 March 1953. He was among the Bolshevik revolutionaries who brought about the October Revolution and had held the position of first General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union's Central Committee...
on June 27, 1945, and he was the only person ever to hold it. It is sometimes regarded as an equivalent to the rank of General of the Armies of the United States, the North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
n Dae Wonsu
Dae Wonsu
Dae wonsu is the highest possible military rank of North Korea and is intended to be held solely by the nation’s commander-in-chief. The rank is senior to that of wonsu...
or the now defunct Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
rank of Da Yuan Shuai
Da Yuan Shuai
Da Yuan Shuai was a Chinese military rank, usually translated as Grand Marshal or Generalissimo.During the early Republic of China, the rank of "Grand Marshal of the Army and Navy" was assumed by Yuan Shikai in 1913, Sun Yat-sen in 1917 and Zhang Zuolin in 1927.The rank was replaced by the...
.
Marshal of an arm
The ranks of Marshal of an arm and Chief Marshal of an arm were used in five Soviet military branches (the Air Force, Artillery, Tank Forces, Engineer Forces, and Signal Forces). These ranks were established in 1943. Marshal of an arm was equivalent to General of the Army.See also Marshal of the Soviet Union
Marshal of the Soviet Union
Marshal of the Soviet Union was the de facto highest military rank of the Soviet Union. ....
and Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union
Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union
An Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union was the highest naval rank of the Soviet Union.The rank was largely honorary and could be considered equivalent to Admiral of the Navy in other nations...
See also
- Air Force ranks and insignia of the Russian FederationAir Force ranks and insignia of the Russian FederationThe following table presents images of the rank insignia used by the Russian Federation Air Force . The independent Russia inherited the ranks of the Soviet Union, although the insignia and uniform was altered a little, especially the re-introduction of the old Czarist crown and double eagle. The...
- Army ranks and insignia of the Russian FederationArmy ranks and insignia of the Russian FederationThe independent Russia inherited the ranks of the Soviet Union, although the insignia and uniform were altered slightly. The following is a table ranks of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation...
- Naval ranks and insignia of the Russian FederationNaval ranks and insignia of the Russian FederationThe Navy of the Russian Federation inherited the ranks of the Soviet Navy, although the insignia and uniform were slightly altered.The Russian armed forces have two styles of ranks:*Troop ranks and*Deck ranks ....
- History of Russian military ranksHistory of Russian military ranksModern 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...
- Military ranks of UkraineMilitary ranks of UkraineThe military ranks of Ukraine were created in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.Ukrainian armed forces have two styles of ranks - Army, which is used by Ground forces and the Air Force, and Navy. Ukraine like the Russian Federation eliminated the descriptor "of Aviation" following...