Who comes after the sergeant. The highest military ranks in the history of the armies of the world

Ranks in the army are designed to differentiate duties between employees. The higher the rank, the greater the responsibility lies with the soldier. Shoulder straps perform an identification function, as they allow you to find out what position and rank a person occupies.

Military ranks in Russian army can be military and naval. Military ranks are assigned to those who serve in the following structures:

• Armed forces Russian Federation.
• Ministry of Civil Defense, Emergencies and Relief natural Disasters(Russian Emergency Situations Ministry).
• Foreign Intelligence.
• Internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
• Federal Security Service (FSB).
• Other troops and military formations.

Ship ranks are assigned to the following categories:

• Surface and submarine forces of the Navy.
• Coast guard of the border service of the FSB of Russia.
• Marine military units internal troops MIA.

The ranks of different troops may differ in their meaning and external characteristics. This is due to the fact that each troops have their own characteristics.

Non-officer

Since military ranks in the Russian army are divided into military and ship ranks, they have different names. The military ranks of non-officers are arranged in order. The hierarchy of ship and military ranks is presented in the table below.

Officers

The officers in the Russian army are divided into junior, senior and senior. The hierarchy of officer ranks will be presented in the table below.

Among ship ranks there is no similar title to the Marshal of the Russian Federation. The number of ship ranks is less by one.

If a soldier is in the reserve or retired, then the words "in reserve" or "retired" are added to his rank.

Shoulder straps and insignia

Shoulder straps and insignia applied to them help to distinguish between ranks. Sleeve insignia exist only for ship ranks. Depending on the rank held, shoulder straps differ from each other.

Non-officer

Non-officer epaulettes have the following form:

• Sailors and soldiers. There are no insignia, shoulder straps are clean.
• Sergeants and sergeants. On their shoulder straps there are signs that look like cloth galloons (bads).
• Midshipmen and ensigns. On shoulder straps there are small stars, they are placed vertically. Shoulder straps resemble the look of officers, but there are no gaps (stripes) on them.

Privates and sailors - the most lowest rank in the Russian army. These ranks are considered higher only in comparison with cadets, since privates and sailors are allowed to perform practical tasks. Cadet epaulettes are distinguished by the letter "K".

The rank of cadet is assigned to students in specialized military institutions. higher education. If the training takes place according to secondary education programs, the title of cadet is awarded. In this case, two letters "K" are located on shoulder straps.

Officers

The officer corps begins immediately after the ensigns, which is why visually their shoulder straps are similar. Further higher ranks follow, their epaulettes have characteristic differences. There is the following hierarchy:

• Junior officers. They have one stripe, as well as small metal stars. Their size is 13 mm.
• Senior officers. They have two stripes and large stars. Their size is 20 mm.
• Senior officer corps. The sewn-in stars are located vertically, their size is 22mm. Stripes are missing.
• General of the Navy and General of the Army. On shoulder straps there is one sewn-in star, the size of which is 40 mm.
• Marshal of the Russian Federation. The highest military rank. On shoulder straps there is one large star (40 mm in size), silver rays diverge radially from it, forming a pentagon. The star has a double color scheme- silver and gold. The coat of arms of Russia is also located.

For those who find it difficult to remember the description of military ranks, it is recommended to study them visually in the photo. Those who have to serve in the army for an urgent period are advised to familiarize themselves with all military ranks in advance, since many conscripts have a problem remembering all military ranks. This will greatly facilitate further service.

The titles of "chief ship foreman" and "foreman" are not currently assigned. They are only for those who received them before 2012.

How to get a rank in the army?

The first rank that is assigned to a conscript is private. A private is a simple soldier who does not have any distinctions. The rank of private is written on the military ticket for collection point where military service begins.

The title can be regular and extraordinary. Another rank characterized by the fact that it is assigned after a certain period of service. A sailor or soldier can only be promoted after 5 months of service. Before this time, it is impossible to assign a title, even if the employee was able to distinguish himself on the positive side.

An extraordinary title is awarded if the employee successfully copes with his official duties, has accomplished some feat, or was able to distinguish himself. Organizational skills and perfect deeds will help to get an extraordinary military rank.

In order to get the first rank in the army after the private, several conditions must be met:

• To obtain the rank of sergeant, you must have experience in the draft service, complete secondary education, no criminal record and good health.
• It is necessary to have leadership qualities and be fully aware of the level of responsibility assigned.
• It is necessary to undergo special training in the educational unit.
• In rare cases, it is possible to get the title ahead of schedule; it is awarded as a reward for certain merits.

Advice! If a member of the army is going to tie his later life with service in any structure, he must inform his company commander about this, since the presence of the rank of sergeant will come in handy in the future. In this case, the title can be awarded if the employee meets all the requirements and adequately copes with all the duties assigned to him.

To increase the military rank, certain grounds are necessary. They may be the signing of a contract by the military, the call on the agenda and the end of a specialized military educational institution. If none of the above happens, then the promotion occurs in regular order. The prescribed period of being in a certain rank can also act as a basis for its promotion.

Senior sergeant (rank) is assigned to the deputy platoon commander. You can call the position of the most responsible among the soldiers. There will be as many such officers in companies as there are platoons.

All senior sergeants are assistants to ensigns and other officers. It is desirable that they are personally acquainted with each of their subordinates, know their strengths and weak sides, knew how to manage, punish, if necessary.

The senior sergeant has a wide corner on the chase.

general information

The senior sergeant is (also found in other units). In accordance with the rank, he is located below the foreman, but above the sergeant. Although all these ranks are only superficially related to the officer corps.

Sometimes senior sergeant is pronounced in conjunction with other words. It all depends on where he is serving:

1. Senior sergeant of the guard, if the officer is present in the corresponding military unit, or serves on the guards ship.
2. Master Medical/Justice Sergeant, if the officer is on the reserve but is skilled in medicine or law.
3. Reserve Senior Sergeant / Retired, if the officer does not continue to serve in the unit.

Other categories are observed in the IMF of Russia. Here the senior sergeant receives the rank of chief foreman. But the position in the staff remains the same. The employee performs the duties of the deputy platoon commander.

Terms of service of junior management

All ranks are assigned to employees of the relevant authorities depending on several parameters: position, education, qualifications and some other factors that are noted in this Regulation. Those that are focused on junior commanding staff are assigned by leaders who are higher in the service.

This Regulation establishes the following terms with length of service:

• private - one year;
• junior sergeant - one year;
• sergeant - two years;
• senior sergeant - three years;
• ensign - five years;

The foreman (rank after senior sergeant) does not have a fixed term of service. He is awarded subsequent ranks depending on his personal attitude to the service, qualifications, and various service achievements. The same is the case with the senior ensign.

Early title assignment

Speaking about how much from a sergeant to a senior sergeant, one cannot but take into account the early assignment of the rank. In the standard version, you will have to serve two years. But the title can be awarded before the expiration of the term. There are several rules:

1. The one who is assigned a new rank ahead of schedule must stand out in the process of service, earn high results, cope with duties perfectly, and also show exemplary behavior.
2. The one who is awarded the title must do something that is not part of his duties, quickly orient himself in his own actions.

Early ranks are assigned by higher management in strict accordance with the implementation of all paragraphs of these Regulations. Also, it cannot be administered to a person "through the head." That is, only a sergeant can become a senior sergeant. If this is an ordinary, then he will not be able to receive such an early increase.

In some cases, an early title cannot be awarded. For example, if a person needs to undergo training or acquire specific skills (senior sergeant of justice and the like).

Delay or deprivation of title

Senior sergeant after seniority may not be obtained. This happens for several reasons:

• The presence of written disciplinary statements.
• There is a violation of the law, because of which a criminal case is initiated.
• An inspection is being carried out to identify service violations.

In such cases, a new rank is not assigned until the end of the proceedings, or the officer is completely deprived of it. It depends on the category of violation.

Demotion is a measure when there is a disciplinary utterance. Sometimes such a decision is made by immediate superiors if they find someone better for a full-time position, in case of non-fulfillment of official obligations, negligent attitude to service. And it is possible to restore the rank no earlier than in a year if the direct superiors make such a decision. They can also completely deprive the title for crimes against the army and Russia as a whole.

Title assignment

The rank of senior sergeant is received before the foreman. In order to rise to such a position, you will need to take special courses in the training program for the relevant staff members service part. In this it differs significantly, for example, from an ordinary or corporal. Accordingly, as an encouragement, this title is not awarded, and regardless of the rank of the higher leadership.

But seniors in rank can send a soldier to sergeant training courses. He has no right to do this on his own. Otherwise, all privates or corporals would have become sergeants long ago.

The minimum way from a junior sergeant to a senior one is six months. During this period, an officer can stand out, earn a reputation with higher leadership.

Conclusion

Thus, a senior sergeant is the penultimate rank (the last is a foreman) that an ordinary soldier can receive without graduating from college. It is enough to take several courses, some of them are conducted directly in the unit. In order to receive further promotions, if the officer decides to remain in the army, he will need to undergo training.

Shoulder straps and ranks in the Russian army were created in order to clearly delineate duties between the military. The higher the status, the more responsibility is assigned to the soldier who was awarded the rank. Shoulder straps play an identification role, that is, they create a visual representation of a military man, namely: what position he holds, as well as his military rank.

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

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

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

The following military personnel are included in the number of draft and contact staff:

1. Private. This is the lowest rank of a soldier, from which all conscripts begin their military career. This rank can be considered higher, perhaps, than a cadet, since the latter only theoretically studies all the basics of military art, and the private is already being tested in practice. The shoulder straps of an ordinary soldier are clean, that is, they do not have any identification marks (as the conscripts themselves say, “clean shoulder straps - a clear conscience”).
2. Corporal. As a rule, the most distinguished privates can later be promoted to . It is received by the very best or senior privates, that is, obvious leaders in their environment. The epaulettes of the Russian Federation at the corporal already take on one thin strip as a distinctive sign. It is this symbol that gives other military personnel an idea of ​​​​the role of this soldier in the general military structure. If the commander is absent for some reason, then he is replaced by a corporal.

After the fundamental ranks, sergeants and foremen follow. Further, it is they who follow in order of the hierarchy of shoulder straps and military ranks:

1. Lance Sergeant. This rank is an intermediate step between the corporal and the foreman. As a rule, promotion in rank means acceptance new position. upon receiving his new rank, he is appointed as a squad leader, or as a tank or vehicle. Another narrow stripe is added to the shoulder straps of Russia of a junior sergeant. This rank can also be obtained in exceptional cases if the soldier is sent to the reserve and at the time of sending he had the rank of corporal. However, this corporal should distinguish himself by merit and be one of the best.
2. Sergeant. This is the next link, to which the soldier passes after overcoming the rank of junior sergeant. Upon receipt of this title, shoulder straps are supplemented with another narrow strip. By this time, the soldier has three of them. It is referred to differently as "non-commissioned officer", and in many countries, especially in Germany, where the term comes from, it sounds the same.
3. Staff Sergeant. A soldier awarded this title receives one wide instead of three narrow stripes on the shoulder straps of the Russian army. occupies an intermediate step between foreman and sergeant.
4. Sergeant major. If before this rank the defining lines were located across the shoulder strap, then the wide line already goes along the shoulder strap. Among the military personnel of its composition, this rank is the most senior. As a rule, foremen are also official and command an entire company. In relation to sergeants and soldiers who stand at the very first steps of military ranks, he is a commander. In his official duties It includes monitoring the observance of discipline among subordinates, suggesting to juniors what to do in a given situation, making sure that all subordinates fulfill their duties.

After that, the composition of the ranks of the RF Armed Forces goes into the category of ensigns:

1. Ensign. The shoulder straps of the military in this rank somewhat change their appearance, since instead of stripes, starting with the ensign, stars are used. At the ensign they are small and are available in the amount of two pieces. This is another level military service, respectively, the requirements are tougher in relation to the soldier who was awarded this rank.
2. Senior Warrant Officer. It is also an intermediate link between the ensign and officer ranks. Another small star is added to the shoulder straps. Just like on the shoulder straps of an ensign, red lines run along both sides. This rank of military personnel is used not only on the territory of the Russian Federation, but also in many other states.

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

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

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

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

1. Major General. This title is the first step in the so-called elite of our military hierarchy. Shoulder straps at this stage are crowned with large stars, this title has one such star. The red line now wraps around the entire shoulder strap.
2. Lieutenant general. A soldier of this rank was awarded two large stars on shoulder straps. Despite the fact that a major is higher than a lieutenant, a lieutenant general in the highest system of military service will be higher than a major general.
3. Colonel General. It has three large stars on shoulder straps, arranged in a row. Represents the middle link between a lieutenant general and an army general.
4. Army General. A soldier of this rank has four large stars. In the United States or Ukraine, it is the highest military rank. However, in countries where there are such ranks as field marshal or marshal, it is in second place in terms of seniority.
5. Marshal of the Russian Federation. The highest military rank in our country. On shoulder straps is the coat of arms of the Russian Federation and a star in a range of two colors - gold and silver. This title was established in 1993 by a relevant decree.

Military ranks and epaulettes in the naval forces of Russia

Obligations and status in naval forces similar to those used in the land, but the names of the sailors are different.

junior ranks:

• foreman 2 articles;
• foreman 1 article;
• chief foreman;
• chief ship foreman;
• midshipman;
• senior midshipman.

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

1. Junior lieutenant, there is one stripe in the gap.
2. The lieutenant has two stars on the sides of the red line.
3. Senior lieutenant, there are three stars on shoulder straps.
4. Lieutenant-captain, there are four stars in the gaps.

Middle officer naval ranks are subdivided as follows:

1. Captain (rank 3), there are already two gaps on the shoulder straps of the middle link, and the stars are larger in size. At this rank, the star is between the red stripes.
2. Captain (rank 2), two stars located directly on the gaps.
3. Captain (1st rank), three stars, two on the stripes, one between them.

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

1. Rear Admiral. Shoulder straps of this rank do not have gaps on them, stars are immediately embroidered on them. The size of the star is increasing again. Members of this rank wear one star.
2. Vice admiral. There are two stars on the shoulder straps.
3. Admiral. Soldiers of this rank wear three stars on shoulder straps.
4. Fleet Admiral. A serviceman awarded this rank, which is the highest in the navy, wears one large star on shoulder straps, which is 4 cm in diameter.

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

In the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, two types of ranks have been established for persons undergoing military service- military and naval. AT ancient Russia the presence of insignia and certain military units that were formed on an ongoing basis was completely excluded. The division of the then still pitiful semblance of a standing army into separate formations took place in accordance with the number of soldiers who were in one formation or another. The principle was as follows: ten soldiers - a unit called the "ten" headed by the "ten". Further all in the same spirit.

The history of the emergence of military ranks in Russia

Under Ivan the Terrible, and later under Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, this system has undergone some changes: there were hundreds of archers, and in them - military ranks. At that time, the hierarchy of ranks was the following list:

• Sagittarius
• foreman
• Pentecostal
• centurion
• head

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

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

• soldier
• corporal
• ensign
• lieutenant called lieutenant
• captain (captain)
• quartermaster
• major
• lieutenant colonel
• colonel

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

Categories of military ranks in the Russian army

One of the largest political events of the 20th century that took place in Russia, namely October Revolution 1917 was the last stage on the way to the formation of an established system of military ranks, which has not been subject to any changes for a whole century.

Military ranks

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

1. Major.
2. Lieutenant colonel.
3. Colonel.

Ship ranks

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

1. Sailor, senior sailor.
   
2. Foreman of the 2nd (second) article, foreman of the 1st (first) article, chief foreman, chief ship foreman - representatives of a group of military personnel belonging to sergeants and foremen.
   
   
3. Midshipman, senior midshipman - military personnel of the group of ensigns and midshipmen.
   
4. Junior lieutenant, lieutenant, senior lieutenant, lieutenant commander - a group of military personnel representing junior officers.
   
   
5. Captain of the 3rd (third) rank, captain of the 2nd (second) rank, captain of the 1st (first) rank - representatives of senior officers.
   
   
6. Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, Admiral, Admiral of the Fleet - representatives of the highest officers, respectively.
   

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

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

Colors and types of shoulder straps

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

Shoulder straps are usually distinguished according to the following criteria:

• the color of the shoulder strap itself (different depending on the military structure);
• the order of location of the distinctive signs on shoulder straps (also depending on a particular military structure);
• the color of the decals themselves on shoulder straps (by analogy with the points above).

There is another important criterion - the form of clothing. Accordingly, the army does not have the richest selection of clothing that is permitted by the charter. More precisely, there are only three of them: everyday uniform, field and full dress.

Shoulder straps of non-officers

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

The casual uniform of a non-officer includes epaulettes with two narrow strips along the edges of the longitudinal part. Such shoulder straps can be seen on the shoulders of privates, sergeants, as well as ensigns. All these images are presented above in the sections of military and ship ranks.

Shoulder straps of officers

Shoulder straps of everyday uniforms for officers are divided into three more subspecies:

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

Interesting fact that on February 22, 2013, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin signed a decree that one star with a diameter of 40 mm instead of 4 stars in one line as before would be flaunted on the shoulder straps of army generals and fleet admirals of the Russian Federation. The corresponding image is shown above.

• Field uniform of non-officers: shoulder straps are regular rectangle, camouflaged as a summer taiga with a transverse (or longitudinal) stripe.
• Field uniform of junior officers: hallmark serve as relatively small stars.
• The field uniform of senior officers: a major, a lieutenant colonel have one and two large stars on their shoulder straps, respectively, a colonel has three.
• Field uniform of senior officers: all persons with ranks in accordance with the previously announced composition have exactly the same structure (dark green stars, following strictly in a row), but different in the number of distinctive signs of shoulder straps. As well as in everyday uniforms, the Army General and Marshal of the Russian Federation are distinguished by large stars.

In more detail these features can be seen in the picture:

Far from immediately, the clothes of military personnel became comfortable and practical. Initially, beauty was valued more in her than the qualities mentioned a little earlier. Fortunately, at Alexandra III(third) came the realization that rich uniforms are too expensive. It was then that practicality and convenience began to be considered the primary value.

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

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

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

If you have read the article in full and you are interested in testing your knowledge, then we suggest taking the test -

Ranks in the Russian army is a topic that I could understand only thanks to my military service. I remember how at the OBZh lessons the teacher forced all the guys to learn them by heart, but even after a long cramming, only empty sounds were put off in my head.

Now I have the opportunity to compare these words with real people that I meet around. Thanks to this, I was able to structure this knowledge very simply and intelligibly so that each of you, dear readers, could easily and for a long time remember what soldiers sometimes take a whole week to do ...

What are the ranks in the Russian army

As you already understood, before joining the army, I had almost no understanding of military ranks. Knew only the basics. The service made me learn them by heart so that I could easily determine who I was addressing or, conversely, who was addressing me.

As always in such articles, I want to start by defining the main concept. Let's deal with what are the ranks in the Russian army.

In our country, two types of military ranks of military personnel have been established - military and shipborne.

Ship military ranks are assigned to sailors:

• surface and submarine forces of the Navy;
• maritime military units internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia;
• coast guard Border Guard FSB of Russia.

Military military ranks are assigned to other military personnel serving in the military:

• Russian Emergency Situations Ministry;
• the Federal Security Service;
• Foreign Intelligence Service;
• Federal Security Service;
• Internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation;
• other troops, military units and organs.

Excellent. Understood the concepts. Now let's go up. From the lowest rank to the highest. What is their hierarchy?

Non-commissioned ranks in the army

1. Private ~ Sailor.
2. Corporal ~ Senior sailor.
3. Junior sergeant ~ Petty officer of the second article.
4. Sergeant ~ Petty Officer of the first article.
5. Senior Sergeant ~ Chief Petty Officer.
6. Foreman ~ Chief ship foreman.
7. Ensign ~ Midshipman.
8. Senior warrant officer ~ Senior midshipman.

What did you think that's all? What are all the ranks in our army? No, my friends. The most interesting thing is ahead - the officer corps. It is divided into several parts:

• Junior officers.
• Senior officers.
• Senior officer corps.

Officer ranks in the army

Military rank ~ Ship rank.

1. Second Lieutenant ~ Second Lieutenant
2. Lieutenant ~ Lieutenant.
3. Senior Lieutenant ~ Senior Lieutenant.
4. Captain ~ Lieutenant Commander.

It was a junior officer. Now let's move on to the older one.

1. Major ~ Captain 3rd rank.
2. Lieutenant colonel ~ Captain 2nd rank.
3. Colonel ~ Captain 1st rank.

And finally, the senior officers.

1. Major General ~ Rear Admiral.
2. Lieutenant General ~ Vice Admiral.
3. Colonel General ~ Admiral.
4. General of the Army ~ Admiral of the Fleet.
5. Marshal of the Russian Federation ~ There are no analogues.

As you can see, the number of ship ranks is exactly one less than the number of military ranks. But what!

OK then. We figured out the titles and their order. How now to distinguish between them? And for this, dear readers, people came up with shoulder straps and sleeve badges differences (the latter - only for ship ranks).

It is them that we will now analyze. First - in words, then - graphically.

Shoulder straps

• Soldiers and sailors

On shoulder straps they do not have any insignia.

• Sergeants and foremen

They have insignia in the form of cloth galloons - stripes. In the army, these stripes are called "snot".

• Ensigns and midshipmen

They have insignia in the form of small stars arranged vertically. Shoulder straps are similar to officer's, but without gaps and may have edges (for more details, see the pictures below).

• junior officers

One vertically located strip - clearance. Asterisks metal, small (13 mm).

• Senior officers

Two gaps and large metal stars (20 mm).

• Senior officer corps

Vertical embroidered stars big size(22 mm), no gaps.

• General of the Army, Admiral of the Navy

One large embroidered star with a diameter of 40 mm.

• Marshal of the Russian Federation

It has one very large embroidered star (40 mm) against the background of radially diverging silver rays forming a pentagon, and the coat of arms of Russia (without a heraldic shield).

For those who find it difficult to perceive the text and just to consolidate the information received, I suggest taking a look at the pictures corresponding to the above.

Shoulder straps of non-officers

Shoulder straps of officers

Russian army command

The next point of our analysis is faces. Those people who lead our army.

First of all, of course, I want to name the Supreme Commander-in-Chief - the President of the Russian Federation.

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief is not a title, but a position. The only position that allows you to lead the Marshal of the Russian Federation.
An interesting fact is that Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin ended his service in the FSB with the rank of colonel, and his current position allows him to lead representatives of the highest officer ranks.

Please note that Sergei Kuzhugetovich bears the rank and shoulder straps of an army general.

The Minister of Defense combines the commander and ground forces, and the Navy. That is why there is no higher rank in the Navy than Admiral of the Fleet.

By the way. Which of you, friends, noticed that I began to write such high ranks as admiral and marshal with small letters? Think it's a mistake? Forced to disappoint you. Not! Why? Read the next part of the article.

Interesting facts about ranks in the army

• The prefix "guards" is applied to the military ranks of the military personnel of the guards units (for example, "guards major").
• In relation to the military personnel of the legal and medical services, the words "justice", "medical service" are added, respectively.
• For military personnel who are in the reserve or retired, the words “reserve”, “retired” are added, respectively.
• Soldiers studying in a military educational institution vocational education, are called: those who do not have a military rank of officers - cadets, and those who have a military rank - listeners.
• Citizens who did not have a military rank before entering the military educational institution or who had the military rank of sailor or soldier, upon admission to study, the military rank of cadet is assigned. Other military ranks assigned before entering a military educational institution of vocational education are retained.
• Military ranks are given after the length of service of the required time and for personal merit. If everything is clear with merit, then let's figure out how much time it takes to serve in order to reach the desired rank. In accordance with paragraph 2 of Art. 22 "Regulations on the procedure for military service" for military service in military ranks, the following terms are established:
  - private, sailor - five months;
  - junior sergeant, foreman of the 2nd article - one year;
  - sergeant, foreman of the 1st article - two years;
  - senior sergeant, chief foreman - three years;
  - warrant officer, midshipman - three years;
  - junior lieutenant - two years;
  - lieutenant - three years;
  - senior lieutenant - three years;
  - captain, captain-lieutenant - four years;
  - Major, captain of the 3rd rank - four years;
  - lieutenant colonel, captain of the 2nd rank - five years.
  Further - for 5 years.

An important point. The title can only be obtained if there is a suitable position in the unit. About positions and what ranks you can reach in a particular position, in the next article.

• The ranks of foreman and chief ship foreman have not been awarded since 2012. The documents still exist.
• All military ranks - from private to marshal of the Russian Federation are written with a small letter.
• The rank of major is higher than the rank of lieutenant, but major general< генерал-лейтенант.
• Most high rank, which can be obtained for a year of military service now - sergeant.

Dear readers. I hope that while reading this short but very important article, you have formed an understanding of what ranks are in our army, and in what order they are located.