Ship ranks in the navy are used in the Russian Navy and are assigned to sailors to the extent they are able to take responsibility for the command of a particular military personnel. They are also assigned to the military coast guard of the border troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, underwater and surface units of the Navy and naval units of the troops.
Almost all naval ranks differ from the missile and ground forces, airborne forces and airborne forces. From 1884 to 1991 they changed due to a number of events:
- the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917;
- the creation of the Soviet Union and its subsequent collapse 1922-1991;
- creation of the Russian Federation in 1991
Modern ranks in the navy are divided into 4 categories:
1. Conscripts of conscript and contract service. These include: sailor, senior sailor, foreman of the second class, petty officer of the first class and the chief petty officer. The senior ranks also include a midshipman and a senior midshipman.
2. Junior officers of the fleet. These are: junior lieutenant, lieutenant, senior lieutenant and lieutenant commander.
3. Senior officers of the Navy. Ranks are divided into: captains of the third, second and first rank.
4. Senior officers. Consists of: rear admiral, vice admiral, admiral and fleet admiral.
Detailed description of ship ranks in ascending order
Sailor- a junior rank in the navy that corresponds to a land private. These are conscripts for military service.
Senior sailor- a parallel to the army rank of corporal, which is assigned to a sailor for maintaining discipline and exemplary performance of duties. Can be an assistant sergeant major and replace a sergeant major of the second class.
Petty Officers
Foreman of the second article- junior rank in the senior ranks, which was introduced on November 2, 1940. Situated in rank above the senior sailor and below the first class petty officer. May be a squad leader.
Petty Officer of the first article- a sailor of the fleet who is ranked higher in rank than the petty officer of the second article, but below the chief petty officer. Second in order of growth in the list of senior officers, introduced on November 2, 1940. This is a squad commander who has shown excellent results in performing military and organizational duties.
Chief petty officer– military rank in the Navy of the Russian Federation and Coast Guard. Occupies a place between the first class petty officer and the midshipman of the fleet. The naval rank of chief naval sergeant corresponds to the army rank of senior sergeant. Can replace a platoon commander.
Midshipman– a word of English origin, which is assigned to a sailor after completing appropriate training programs and courses. In land terms, this is an ensign. Performs organizational and combat duties within the framework of a platoon commander or company sergeant major.
Senior midshipman- a military rank in the Russian Navy, which is higher in rank than midshipman, but lower than junior lieutenant. Similarly - senior warrant officer in other branches of the military.
Junior officers
Rank junior lieutenant comes from French and translates as "substitute". Occupies the first rank in the junior officer ranks, both in the ground and naval forces. May be a post or platoon commander.
Lieutenant- second among ranks in the navy, in rank above junior lieutenant and below senior lieutenant. Awarded upon completion of service with the rank of junior lieutenant.
Senior Lieutenant- a naval rank of junior officers in Russia, which is higher in rank than lieutenant and lower than lieutenant commander. With excellent performance in the service, he can be an assistant to the captain of a ship.
Lieutenant Commander- the highest rank of junior officers, which in the Russian Federation and Germany corresponds to captain of the army of the ground forces. A sailor with this rank is considered the deputy captain of the ship and the commander of a company of hundreds of subordinates.
Senior officers
Captain 3rd rank- corresponds to an army major. The abbreviated name for the shoulder strap is “captri”. Responsibilities include commanding a ship of the appropriate rank. These are small military vessels: landing craft, anti-submarine ships, torpedo ships and minesweepers.
Captain of the second rank, or “kapdva” is the rank of sailor in the Navy, which corresponds to lieutenant colonel in land ranks. This is the commander of a ship of the same rank: large landing ships, missile and destroyers.
Captain of the first rank, or “kapraz”, “kapturang” is a military rank in the Russian Navy, which is higher in rank than captain of the second rank and lower than rear admiral. May 7, 1940 exists among ranks in the navy, decided the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. "Kapturang" commands ships with complex control and enormous military power: aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines and cruisers.
Senior officers
Rear Admiral can command a squadron of ships and replace the commander of a flotilla. Adopted since 1940 and since that time corresponds to major general of the ground forces and aviation.
Vice Admiral- a rank of sailors in Russia, which allows you to replace an admiral. Corresponds to a lieutenant general of the ground forces. Manages the actions of flotillas.
Admiral translated from Dutch as “lord of the sea”, therefore he is a member of the senior officer corps. Army employees are assigned the rank of Colonel General. Manages the active fleet.
Fleet Admiral- the highest active rank, as well as in other types of troops, army general. Manages the fleet and is assigned to active admirals with excellent combat, organizational and strategic performance.
What types of troops are assigned naval ranks?
The Navy of the Russian Federation (RF Navy) also includes the following units:
- Marine Corps;
- coast guard;
- naval aviation.
The Marine Corps is a unit that carries out the defense of military installations, coastal areas and other sea lines. The Marines include sabotage and reconnaissance groups. The Marine Corps motto is: “Where we are, there is victory.”
The Coast Guard is a branch of the military that defends Russian naval bases and special facilities in the coastal zone. They have at their disposal anti-aircraft, torpedo, mine weapons, as well as missile systems and other artillery.
Naval aviation is troops whose responsibilities include detecting and destroying the enemy, defending ships and other elements from enemy forces, and destroying enemy aircraft, helicopters and other air structures. Russian aviation also carries out air transportation and rescue operations on the high seas.
How and for what is the next rank assigned to sailors?
The assignment of the next title is specified in the current laws of the Russian Federation:
- For a senior sailor, you must serve 5 months;
- obtaining a sergeant major 2nd article can be expected after a year of service;
- three years for senior sergeant and chief petty officer;
- three years to become a midshipman;
- 2 years for junior lieutenant;
- 3 for promotion to lieutenant and first lieutenant;
- 4 years to become a captain-lieutenant and captain of the 3rd rank.
- 5 years to captain 2nd and 1st rank;
- for senior officers, at least a year at the previous rank.
It is also worth knowing that military ranks in the navy may be assigned if the due date has not yet passed, but the military man has demonstrated his organizational, tactical and strategic abilities. A bad sailor is one who does not want to become an admiral, especially since it is possible. There are many examples of motivated, big-thinking sailors who became admirals.
Removable shoulder straps for Navy officers with a field of black silk braid, model 1963 (history of wearing)
K.G. Chernoburov
By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated October 24, 1963 “On changes in the description of shoulder straps for military personnel of the SA and Navy,” announced by Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense dated November 5, 1963 No. 247, everyday detachable shoulder straps 6 cm wide with a field of black silk braid were introduced to Navy officers without edges with gaps. For officers of the naval, engineering and technical services (except for naval aviation units), the skylights were set in golden color, for officers of artillery, justice, veterinary and administrative services - red, for officers of aviation units - blue, quartermaster service - crimson, and medical service - green.
Shoulder straps were made with a gasket inside, either from beading or from cardboard.
These shoulder straps were intended for a dark blue jacket and a blue woolen dress (for female officers). The procedure for wearing them in the Navy was determined by Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense dated March 29, 1958 No. 70 “Rules for wearing military uniforms by military personnel of the Soviet Army and Navy (in peacetime).”
To designate military ranks, golden metal stars were used: for senior officers with a diameter of 20 mm, for junior officers with a diameter of 13 mm. The order of their placement on shoulder straps was determined according to military rank:
| Military ranks | Number of stars | ||
| Colonel, captain 1st rank | 3 | 35 | 35 |
| Lieutenant Colonel, Captain 2nd Rank | 2 | 35 | - |
| Major, captain 3rd rank | 1 | 60 | - |
| Captain, lieutenant captain | 4 | 30 | 25 |
| Senior Lieutenant | 3 | 35 | 35 |
| Lieutenant | 2 | 35 | - |
| Ensign | 1 | 60 | - |
| Military ranks | The order of placement of stars on the chase |
| Colonel, captain 1st rank | two lower stars on the gaps, the third above the first two on the longitudinal center line |
| Lieutenant Colonel, Captain 2nd Rank | in the gaps |
| Major, captain 3rd rank | on the longitudinal center line |
| Captain, lieutenant captain | two lower stars in the middle of the field, the third and fourth in the light, above the first two |
| Senior Lieutenant | two lower stars in the middle of the field, the third in the light, above the first two |
| Lieutenant | in the middle of the field |
| Ensign | in the light |
| Service name | Types of emblems | Emblem color |
| Engineering and naval service | Sliding wrench and hammer | Silver |
| Silver | ||
| Engineering and technical service for officers (except aviation units) with higher technical education | Sliding wrench and hammer | Golden |
| The same in aviation units | Golden | |
| Artillery | Gun barrels | Silver |
| Medical service | Bowl with snake | Golden |
| Veterinary service | Bowl with snake | Silver |
| Justice | Shield with two swords | Golden |
The emblems on the shoulder straps were placed on the longitudinal center line at a distance of 90 - 100 mm from the lower edge of the shoulder strap to the center of the emblem.
Stars and emblems were made of both heavy metal (Fig. 1 – 7) and aluminum (Fig. 8 – 13).
To fasten shoulder straps, buttons with a diameter of 14 mm were used, depending on the service, golden or silver in color, made of heavy metal (Fig. 14 - 15) or aluminum (Fig. 16 - 18):
| Service name | Button color |
| Ship service | Golden |
| Engineering and naval service | Golden |
| Engineering and technical service for officers serving on ships and in the headquarters of ship formations | Golden |
| Engineering and technical service (except aviation units) | Silver |
| Aviation | Golden |
| Engineering and technical service in aviation units | Silver |
| Artillery | Golden |
| Medical service | Silver |
| Veterinary service | Silver |
| Justice | Silver |
| Quartermaster service | Silver |
| Administrative service | Silver |
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Fig. 14. Gold-tone brass button with steel tray, 14 mm. |
Fig. 15. Silver “heavy” running button with steel tray, 14 mm. |
Fig. 16. Gold tone aluminum button with steel tray, 14mm. |
Fig. 17. Golden aluminum all-stamped button, 14 mm. |
Fig. 18. Silver aluminum button with steel tray, 14 mm. |
And this is what the shoulder straps of Navy officers of various services look like.
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Engineering and technical service (except for aviation units) officers with higher technical education |
Engineering and technical service (except for aviation units) officers without higher technical education |
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Fig.21. Engineer major and engineer lieutenant |
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Marines |
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By Decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR of September 26, 1963 No. 1036 - 361 and Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense of November 5, 1963 No. 248, officers of the newly created Marine Corps units were introduced with a black field tunic, with a turn-down collar, and a black field jacket. These uniform items were equipped with removable shoulder straps with a field of black silk braid with red gaps of the existing sample (Fig. 31).
As an experiment for Navy officers, Order No. 55 of the USSR Ministry of Defense of 1964 introduced everyday removable shoulder straps 6 cm wide with a field of black silk braid with edging made of instrument cloth, the same color as the gaps (Fig. 32 - 33). In parallel with them, shoulder straps of the 1963 model continued to be worn. The procedure for wearing the newly introduced shoulder straps was determined by Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense of May 26, 1964 No. 130. They did not last long, and were canceled by Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense of 1965 No. 179.
On September 17, 1966, by order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 220, in accordance with the resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR of August 31, 1966, No. 700, a raincoat made of cotton or synthetic fabric in black, single-breasted with a belt, with a turn-down collar and open lapels, was introduced for Navy officers. The same raincoat was installed for officers of the KGB Military Police. This piece of uniform was worn with removable shoulder straps with a field of black silk braid of the existing sample.
It should be noted that fittings made of “heavy” metals stopped being produced in the early 60s, and they were gradually forced out of circulation by fittings made of aluminum. Which, in turn, underwent changes in the second half of the 60s (Fig. 34 - 41): thus, the stars of junior officers with a diameter of 13 mm became of a different design, and the emblems acquired a slightly different appearance.
The fittings existed in this form until their cancellation. It can only be mentioned that the emblems of artillery (Fig. 42) and engineering and technical service in aviation units (Fig. 43), as well as running sprockets produced in the 80s, have a rougher design than those made in the late 60s, 70 -s years.
Navy officers' shoulder straps with modified aluminum fittings, second half of the 60s.
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Engineering and technical service for officers serving on ships and in the headquarters of ship formations |
Engineering and technical service (except for aviation units) officers with higher technical education |
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Fig.46. Engineer - major and junior technician - lieutenant |
Fig.47. Engineer - lieutenant colonel and engineer - lieutenant |
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Engineering and technical service of aviation units officers with higher technical education |
Engineering and technical service of aviation units, officers without higher technical education |
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Fig.52. Engineer major and engineer lieutenant |
On July 26, 1969, by order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR No. 190 in execution of the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR of May 30, 1969 No. 417 “On improving the uniform of military personnel of the Soviet Army and Navy,” changes were made to the insignia and uniform items of Navy officers:
- removable shoulder straps with a field of black silk braid with green gaps have been abolished;
- officers of the medical, administrative, veterinary and justice services are equipped with removable shoulder straps with a field of black silk braid with crimson gaps;
- the raincoat of the 1966 model was abolished;
- a blue cotton jacket with removable black shoulder straps of the existing sample was introduced;
- for officers of the Marine Corps, instead of a field tunic, a black woolen or cotton jacket was introduced with a turn-down collar, with a secret fastener, with two welt breast pockets, with removable black shoulder straps of the existing type.
The procedure for wearing shoulder straps in the Navy was determined by Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense dated July 26, 1969 No. 191 “On the implementation of the Rules for wearing military uniforms by military personnel of the Soviet Army and Navy.” The order of placement of stars and emblems on shoulder straps, as well as the color of buttons, remains the same.
An image of the shoulder straps of officers of the medical, administrative, veterinary services and justice of the Navy, model 1969, is shown in Fig. 59 – 62, for other categories the shoulder straps remained the same (Fig. 44 – 53 and 56).
Presumably in 1973 (I have no documentary evidence) the image of the anchor on the buttons changed (Fig. 63 - 64).
On November 1, 1973, Order No. 250 of the USSR Ministry of Defense was issued “On the implementation of the Rules for wearing military uniforms by military personnel of the Soviet Army and Navy,” which established golden buttons for all categories of Navy personnel, abolishing silver ones. The names of some Navy emblems were also changed:
| Service name | Types of emblems | Emblem color |
| Naval officers with engineering military ranks | Sliding wrench and hammer | Silver |
| Officers with military ranks of technical service serving on ships and in the headquarters of ship formations | Gear with three-blade propeller | Silver |
| Officers (except for naval personnel and aviation) with military engineering ranks | Sliding wrench and hammer | Golden |
| Aviation officers with engineering military ranks or military technical service ranks | Red star, motor, propeller and wings | Golden |
| Artillery | Gun barrels | Silver |
| Medical service | Bowl with snake | Golden |
| Veterinary service | Bowl with snake | Silver |
| Justice | Shield with two swords | Golden |
The emblems on the shoulder straps were placed on the longitudinal center line at a distance of 100 mm from the lower edge of the shoulder strap to the center of the emblem.
Removable shoulder straps for Navy officers made of black silk braid according to Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense dated November 1, 1973 No. 250:
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Justice |
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Fig.79. Captain of Justice |
The Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated March 10, 1980, announced by Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense dated March 15, 1980 No. 85, introduced further changes to the insignia of military personnel, among other things, removable shoulder straps made of black silk braid with crimson gaps were canceled. Officers of the medical, quartermaster, administrative, veterinary and justice services are equipped with removable shoulder straps made of black silk braid with red gaps (Fig. 80 – 84).
Fig.83. Colonel of the Administrative Service and Senior Lieutenant of the Administrative Service
The Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated April 15, 1981 “On the insignia of military personnel of the USSR Armed Forces”, announced by order of the USSR Ministry of Defense dated May 28, 1981 No. 145, consolidated the accumulated changes in the insignia of military personnel and established that naval aviation officers should wear shoulder straps (Fig. 86) aviation emblems (Fig. 85).
By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of April 26, 1984, special military ranks of engineering and technical personnel, military ranks of the quartermaster, veterinary and administrative services were abolished for officers. The officers were recertified.
Silver emblems: “Naval officers with engineering military ranks”, “Officers with military ranks of technical service serving on ships and in the headquarters of ship formations”, “Veterinary service” and “Artillery”, as well as golden emblems: "Officers (other than naval and aviation) holding engineering military ranks" and "Aviation officers holding engineering military ranks or technical service military ranks" were abolished in 1986.
Navy artillery officers were given golden emblems (Fig. 87).
By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of December 27, 1985, announced by Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense of 1986 No. 10, changes were made to the description of the shoulder straps of military personnel, including the detachable shoulder straps of officers made of black silk braid (Fig. 88 - 93).
Removable shoulder straps for Navy officers made of black silk braid according to Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense of 1986 No. 10:
Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense dated March 4, 1988 No. 250 “On the implementation of the Rules for wearing military uniforms by military personnel of the Soviet Army and Navy” changed the distance for attaching stars on officers’ shoulder straps:
| Military ranks | Number of stars | Distance in mm from the bottom edge of the shoulder strap to the center of the first sprocket | Distance in mm between sprocket centers along the shoulder strap |
| Colonel, captain 1st rank | 3 | 30 | 25 |
| Lieutenant Colonel, Captain 2nd Rank | 2 | 30 | - |
| Major, captain 3rd rank | 1 | 45 | - |
| Captain, lieutenant captain | 4 | 30 | 25 |
| Senior Lieutenant | 3 | 30 | 25 |
| Lieutenant | 2 | 30 | - |
| Ensign | 1 | 45 | - |
Removable shoulder straps for Navy officers made of black silk braid according to Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense dated March 4, 1988 No. 250:
In 1991, the USSR ceased to exist. In 1994, a new uniform and insignia were introduced for military personnel of the Russian Armed Forces, including naval officers. Shoulder straps of the 1963 model have become history.
Literature
Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense dated March 29, 1958 No. 70 “Rules for wearing military uniforms by military personnel of the Soviet Army and Navy (in peacetime)”;
Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense dated November 5, 1963 No. 248;
Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense dated May 26, 1964 No. 130 “With the announcement of the Description of uniform items for military personnel of the Soviet Army and Navy”;
Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense dated July 26, 1969 No. 190 “On improving the uniform of military personnel of the Soviet Army and Navy”;
Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense of July 26, 1969 No. 191 “On the implementation of the Rules for wearing military uniforms by military personnel of the Soviet Army and Navy”;
Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense of November 1, 1973 No. 250 “On the implementation of the Rules for wearing military uniforms by military personnel of the Soviet Army and Navy”;
Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense of May 28, 1981 No. 145 “On the insignia of military personnel of the Armed Forces of the USSR and marshal insignia”;
Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of December 27, 1985 “On introducing changes and additions to the description and samples (drawings) of shoulder straps of military personnel and sleeve insignia of admirals and naval officers of the USSR Armed Forces”;
Order of the USSR Ministry of Defense dated March 4, 1988 No. 250 “On the implementation of the Rules for wearing military uniforms by military personnel of the Soviet Army and Navy.”
Every detail of a military uniform is endowed with a practical meaning and did not appear on it by chance, but as a result of certain events. We can say that elements of military uniforms have both historical symbolism and utilitarian purpose.
The appearance and development of shoulder straps in the Russian Empire
The opinion that shoulder straps come from a part of knight's armor, designed to protect the shoulders from blows, is one of the most common misconceptions. A simple study of armor and army uniforms of the past, from the second half of the 12th century to the end of the 17th century, allows us to conclude that nothing like this existed in any army in the world. In Rus', even the strictly regulated uniform of the archers did not have anything similar to protect the shoulders.
Shoulder straps of the Russian army were first introduced by Emperor Peter I in the period between 1683-1698 and had a purely utilitarian meaning. Soldiers of the grenadier regiments and fusiliers used them as an additional mount for backpacks or cartridge bags. Naturally, shoulder straps were worn exclusively by soldiers, and only on the left shoulder.
However, after 30 years, as the branches of troops increase, this element spreads throughout the troops, serving in one or another regiment. In 1762, this function was officially assigned to shoulder straps, beginning to decorate officers’ uniforms with them. At that time, it was impossible to find a universal model of shoulder straps in the army of the Russian Empire. The commander of each regiment could independently determine its type of weaving, length and width. Often wealthy officers from prominent aristocratic families wore the regimental insignia in a more luxurious version - with gold and precious stones. Nowadays, shoulder straps of the Russian army (pictures below) are a coveted item for collectors of military uniforms.
During the reign of Emperor Alexander I, shoulder straps took on the appearance of a fabric flap with clear regulation of color, fastenings and decor, depending on the number of the regiment in the division. Officers' shoulder straps differ from soldiers' shoulder straps only by being trimmed with gold cord (galloon) along the edge. When the knapsack was introduced in 1803, there were two of them - one on each shoulder.
After 1854, not only uniforms, but also cloaks and overcoats began to be decorated. Thus, the role of “determiner of ranks” is forever assigned to the shoulder straps. By the end of the 19th century, soldiers began to use a duffel bag instead of a backpack, and additional shoulder straps were no longer required. Shoulder straps are removed from the fastenings in the form of buttons and are tightly sewn into the fabric.
After the collapse of the Russian Empire, and with it the tsarist army, shoulder straps and epaulettes disappeared from military uniforms for several decades, recognized as a symbol of “inequality of workers and exploiters.”
Shoulder straps in the Red Army from 1919 to 1943
The USSR sought to get rid of the “remnants of imperialism,” which also included the ranks and shoulder straps of the Russian (tsarist) army. On December 16, 1917, by the decrees of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars "On the elective principle and organization of power in the army" and "On the equalization of rights of all military personnel", all previously existing army ranks and insignia were abolished. And on January 15, 1918, the country's leadership adopted a decree on the creation of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army (RKKA).
For some time, a strange mixture of military symbols was in effect in the army of the new country. For example, insignia are known in the form of armbands of red (revolutionary) color with the inscription of the position, stripes of a similar tone on the sleeves of a tunic or overcoat, metal or cloth stars of different sizes on the headdress or chest.
Since 1924, in the Red Army it was proposed to recognize the ranks of military personnel by the buttonholes on the collar of the tunic. The color of the field and border was determined by the type of troops, and the gradation was extensive. For example, infantry wore crimson buttonholes with a black frame, cavalry wore blue and black, signalmen wore black and yellow, etc.
The buttonholes of the highest commanders of the Red Army (generals) had the color of the field according to the branch of service and were trimmed along the edge with a narrow golden cord.
In the field of the buttonholes there were copper figures of various shapes covered with red enamel, allowing one to determine the rank of the commander of the Red Army:
- Privates and junior command staff are triangles with a side of 1 cm. They appeared only in 1941. And before that, military personnel of these ranks wore “empty” buttonholes.
- The average command structure is squares measuring 1 x 1 cm. In everyday use, they were more often called “cubes” or “cubes”.
- Senior command staff - rectangles with sides 1.6 x 0.7 cm, called "sleepers".
- Higher command staff - rhombuses 1.7 cm high and 0.8 cm wide. Additional insignia for commanders of these ranks were chevrons made of gold braid on the sleeves of uniforms. The political composition added to them large stars made of red cloth.
- Marshals of the Soviet Union - 1 large gold star in the buttonholes and on the sleeves.
The number of characters varied from 1 to 4 - the more, the higher the rank of the commander.
The system of designating ranks in the Red Army was often subject to changes, which greatly confused the situation. Often, due to supply shortages, military personnel wore outdated or even homemade badges for months. However, the buttonhole system left its mark on the history of military uniforms. In particular, shoulder straps in the Soviet army retained the colors according to the types of troops.
Thanks to the Decree of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of January 6, 1943 and the Order of the People's Commissar of Defense No. 25 of January 15, 1943, shoulder straps and ranks returned to the lives of military personnel. These insignia will last until the collapse of the USSR. The colors of the field and edging, the shape and location of the stripes will change, but in general the system will remain unchanged, and subsequently shoulder straps of the Russian army will be created according to similar principles.
Military personnel received 2 types of such elements - everyday and field, having a standard width of 6 cm and a length of 14-16 cm, depending on the type of clothing. The shoulder straps of non-combat units (justice, military veterinarians and doctors) were deliberately narrowed to 4.5 cm.
The type of troops was determined by the color of the edging and gaps, as well as a stylized symbol on the lower or middle (for privates and junior personnel) part of the shoulder strap. Their palette is less varied than before 1943, but the basic colors have been preserved.
1. Edging (cord):
- Combined arms (military registration and enlistment offices, military institutions), infantry units, motorized rifles, quartermaster services - crimson.
- Artillery, tank troops, military medics - scarlet.
- Cavalry - blue.
- Aviation - blue.
- Other technical troops - black.
2. Clearances.
- The command (officer) composition is Bordeaux.
- Quartermasters, justice, technical, medical and veterinary services - brown.
They were designated by stars of different diameters - for junior officers 13 mm, for senior officers - 20 mm. Marshals of the Soviet Union received 1 large star.
Shoulder straps for everyday wear had a gold or silver field with embossing, rigidly attached to a hard cloth base. They were also used on dress uniforms, which military personnel wore for special occasions.
Field shoulder straps for all officers were made of silk or khaki linen with edging, gaps and insignia corresponding to the rank. At the same time, their pattern (texture) repeated the pattern on everyday shoulder straps.
From 1943 until the collapse of the USSR, military insignia and uniforms were subject to repeated changes, among which the following are particularly worth noting:
1. As a result of the 1958 reform, officers’ everyday shoulder straps began to be made of dark green cloth. For the insignia of cadets and enlisted personnel, only 3 colors were left: scarlet (combined arms, motorized rifle), blue (aviation, airborne forces), black (all other branches of the military). The gaps of officer's shoulder straps could only be blue or scarlet.
2. Since January 1973, the letters “SA” (Soviet Army) appeared on all types of shoulder straps of soldiers and sergeants. Somewhat later, the sailors and foremen of the fleet received the designations “Northern Fleet”, “TF”, “BF” and “Black Sea Fleet” - Northern Fleet, Pacific Fleet, Baltic and Black Sea Fleet, respectively. At the end of the same year, the letter “K” appears among cadets of military educational institutions.
3. The new field uniform, called the “Afghan”, came into use in 1985 and became widespread among military personnel of all branches of the military. Its peculiarity was the shoulder straps, which were an element of the jacket and had the same color as it. Those who wore the "Afghan" sewed stripes and stars onto them, and only generals were given special removable shoulder straps.
Shoulder straps of the Russian army. Main features of the reforms
The USSR ceased to exist in the fall of 1991, and along with it, shoulder straps and ranks disappeared. The creation of the Russian Armed Forces began with Presidential Decree No. 466 of May 7, 1992. However, this act did not in any way describe the shoulder straps of the Russian army. Until 1996, military personnel wore SA insignia. Moreover, confusion and mixing of symbols occurred until the year 2000.
The military uniform of the Russian Federation was almost entirely developed on the basis of the Soviet legacy. However, the reforms of 1994-2000 brought several changes to it:
1. On the shoulder straps of non-commissioned officers (foremen and sailors of the fleet), instead of transverse stripes of braid, metal squares appeared, located with the sharp side up. In addition, naval personnel received a large letter "F" at the bottom of them.
2. Ensigns and midshipmen had shoulder straps similar to those of soldiers, trimmed with colored braid, but without gaps. The long-term struggle of this category of military personnel for the right to officer insignia was devalued in one day.
3. There were almost no changes among the officers - the new shoulder straps developed for them in the Russian army almost completely repeated the Soviet ones. However, their sizes decreased: the width became 5 cm, and the length - 13-15 cm, depending on the type of clothing.
Currently, the ranks and shoulder straps of the Russian army occupy a fairly stable position. The main reforms and unification of insignia have been completed, and in the coming decades the Russian Army does not expect any significant changes in this area.
Shoulder straps for cadets
Students of military (naval) educational institutions are required to wear everyday and field shoulder straps on all types of their uniform. Depending on the clothing (tunics, winter coats and overcoats), they can be sewn on or removable (jackets, demi-season coats and shirts).
Cadet shoulder straps are strips of thick colored cloth, edged with golden braid. On field camouflage of army and aviation schools, the letter “K”, yellow in color and 20 mm high, must be sewn 15 mm from the bottom edge. For other types of educational institutions, the designations are as follows:
- ICC- Naval Cadet Corps.
- QC- Cadet Corps.
- N- Nakhimov School.
- Anchor symbol- Navy cadet.
- SVU- Suvorov School.
On the field of students' shoulder straps there are also metal or sewn squares facing upward at an acute angle. Their thickness and brightness depend on the rank. A sample of shoulder straps with a diagram of the location of insignia, presented below, belongs to a military university cadet with the rank of sergeant.
In addition to shoulder straps, affiliation with military educational institutions and the position of a cadet can be determined by sleeve emblems with a coat of arms symbol, as well as by “course” - coal stripes on the sleeve, the number of which depends on the time of training (one year, two, etc.).
Shoulder straps for privates and sergeants
Privates in the Russian land army are the lowest. In the Navy, it corresponds to the rank of sailor. A soldier who conscientiously serves can become a corporal, and on a ship - a senior sailor. Further, these servicemen are able to advance to the rank of sergeant for the ground forces or petty officer for the Navy.
Representatives of the lower military personnel of the army and navy wear shoulder straps of a similar type, the description of which is as follows:
- The upper part of the insignia has the shape of a trapezoid, within which a button is located.
- The field color of the shoulder straps of the RF Armed Forces is dark green for everyday uniforms and camouflage for field uniforms. Sailors wear black cloth.
- The color of the edging indicates the type of troops: blue for the Airborne Forces and Aviation, and red for all others. The Navy frames its shoulder straps with white cord.
- At the bottom of the everyday shoulder straps, 15 mm from the edge, are the letters “VS” (Armed Forces) or “F” (navy) in golden color. The field workers do without such “excesses”.
- Depending on the rank within the private and sergeant corps, sharp-angled stripes are attached to shoulder straps. The higher the position of the serviceman, the greater their number and thickness. On the shoulder straps of the sergeant major (the highest rank of non-commissioned officers) there is also a troop emblem.
Separately, it is worth mentioning warrant officers and midshipmen, whose precarious position between privates and officers is fully reflected in their insignia. For them, the shoulder straps of the new Russian army seem to consist of 2 parts:
1. Soldier's "field" without gaps, trimmed with colored braid.
2. Officer stars along the central axis: 2 for a regular warrant officer, 3 for a senior warrant officer. A similar number of badges is provided to simply midshipmen and senior midshipmen.
Shoulder straps for junior officers
The lower officer ranks begin with a junior lieutenant and are completed by a captain. The stars on the shoulder straps, their number, size and location are identical for the ground forces and the Navy.
Junior officers are distinguished by one gap and from 1 to 4 stars of 13 mm each along the central axis. In accordance with Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 1010 of May 23, 1994, shoulder straps can have the following colors:
- For a white shirt - shoulder straps with a white field, emblems and golden stars.
- For a green shirt, everyday tunic, jacket and overcoat - green insignia with gaps according to the type of troops, emblems and gold-colored stars.
- For the Air Force (aviation) and everyday outerwear - blue shoulder straps with blue clearance, an emblem and golden stars.
- For the ceremonial jacket of any branch of the military, the insignia is silver with colored gaps, braid and gold stars.
- For field uniforms (aircraft only) - camouflage shoulder straps without gaps, with gray stars.
Thus, for junior officers there are 3 types of shoulder straps - field, everyday and dress, which they use depending on the type of uniform worn. Naval officers only have casual and dress uniforms.
Shoulder straps for middle officers
The group of ranks of the Armed Forces begins with major and ends with colonel, and in the Navy - from captain 3rd rank to, respectively. Despite the differences in the names of the ranks, the principles of construction and the location of insignia remain almost identical.
Shoulder straps of the Russian army and navy for medium personnel have the following distinctive features:
- In everyday and formal versions, the texture (embossing) is more pronounced, almost aggressive.
- There are 2 gaps along the shoulder straps, spaced 15 mm from the edges and 20 mm from each other. They are absent in the field.
- The size of the stars is 20 mm, and their number varies from 1 to 3 depending on the rank. On field uniform shoulder straps, their color is muted from golden to silver.
Middle-ranking officers of the Armed Forces also have 3 types of shoulder straps - field, everyday and dress. Moreover, the latter have a rich golden color and are sewn only on the jacket. To be worn on a white shirt (summer version of the uniform), white shoulder straps with standard insignia are provided.
According to surveys, the major, whose uniform stars are single (and it is very difficult to make a mistake in determining the rank), is the most recognizable serviceman among that part of the population that is in no way connected with the military sphere.
Shoulder straps of senior officers of the Armed Forces
The ranks in the ground forces underwent significant changes during the creation of the army of the Russian Federation. Presidential Decree No. 466 of May 7, 1992 not only abolished the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union, but also stopped the division of generals by branch of the military. Following this, the uniform and shoulder straps (shape, size and insignia) underwent adjustments.
Currently, high-echelon officers wear the following types of shoulder straps:
1. Ceremonial - a golden-colored field on which sewn stars are located in the number corresponding to the rank. Army generals and marshals of the Russian Federation have the coats of arms of the army and the country in the upper third of their shoulder straps. Color of the edging and stars: red - for the ground forces, blue - for aviation, airborne forces and military space forces, cornflower blue - for the FSB.
2. Everyday - the color of the field is blue for senior officers of aviation, airborne forces and aerospace forces, for others - green. There is a cord edge, only the General of the Army and the Marshal of the Russian Federation also have a star outline.
3. Field - khaki field, not camouflage, like other categories of officers. The stars and coats of arms are green, several tones darker than the background. There is no colored edging.
It’s worth mentioning the stars that adorn the shoulder straps of the generals. For country marshals and army generals, their size is 40 mm. Moreover, the latter symbol has a backing made of silver. The stars of all other officers are smaller - 22 mm.
The rank of a serviceman, according to the general rule, is determined by the number of characters. In particular, 1 star adorns the lieutenant general - 2, and the colonel general - 3. Moreover, the first of those listed is the lowest in position in the category. The reason for this is one of the traditions of the Soviet era: in the USSR army, lieutenant generals were deputy generals of troops and took on part of their functions.
Shoulder straps of senior officers of the Navy
The leadership of the Russian Navy is represented by such ranks as rear admiral, vice admiral, admiral and fleet admiral. Since there is no field uniform in the Navy, these ranks wear only everyday or ceremonial shoulder straps, which have the following features:
1. The color of the field of the ceremonial version is gold with zigzag embossing. The shoulder strap is framed by a black edging. In everyday shoulder straps, the colors are reversed - a black field and a gold cord along the edge.
2. Senior officers of the Navy may wear shoulder straps on white or cream shirts. The field of the shoulder strap corresponds to the color of the clothing, and there is no piping.
3. The number of sewn stars on shoulder straps depends on the rank of the serviceman and increases depending on his promotion. Their main difference from similar signs in the ground forces is the backing of silver rays. Traditionally, the largest star (40 mm) belongs to the fleet admiral.
When dividing troops into the Navy and the Armed Forces, it is assumed that some swim, while others move on land or, in extreme cases, by air. But in fact, the naval forces are heterogeneous and, in addition to ship commands, include coastal troops and naval aviation. This division could not but affect the shoulder straps, and if the former are classified as ground forces and have the corresponding insignia, then with naval pilots everything is much more complicated.
Senior officers of naval aviation, on the one hand, bear ranks similar to generals of the Armed Forces. On the other hand, their shoulder straps correspond to the uniform established for the Navy. They are distinguished only by the blue color of the edging and the star without a radial backing with the appropriate design. For example, the ceremonial shoulder straps of a major general of naval carrier aviation have a gold field with an azure border around the edge and a star outline.
In addition to shoulder straps and the uniform itself, military personnel are distinguished by many other insignia, including sleeve insignia and chevrons, cockades on headdresses, symbols of the military branches in buttonholes and breastplates (badges). Together, they can provide an informed person with basic information about a military man - type of military service, rank, duration and place of service, expected scope of authority.
Unfortunately, most people fall into the “ignorant” category, so they pay attention to the most noticeable detail of the form. The shoulder straps of the Russian army are quite rewarding material in this matter. They are not overloaded with unnecessary symbolism and are of the same type for different types of troops.
IN Russian Federation two types are installed military ranks military personnel- military and naval. Ship military ranks assigned to seamen surface And underwater strength Navy(Navy), naval military units of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia And Coast Guard Border Service FSB of Russia. Military military ranks assigned to other military personnel undergoing military service in Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, others troops, military formations and authorities.
It should be understood that in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, military military ranks are assigned to military personnel not only in Ground forces, Air Force, strategic missile forces, space And Airborne troops, but also in such components of the Navy as naval aviation, coastal naval forces And Marines. At the same time, for example, in diving units of non-naval military units, naval military ranks are assigned.
To military ranks of military personnel guards units the prefix “guard” is used (for example, “guard major"). In relation to military personnel of the legal and medical services, the words “justice” and “medical service” are added, respectively. For military personnel who are in reserve or retired, the words “reserve” and “retired” are added, respectively.
The list of military ranks is established by the federal law of the Russian Federation “On military duty and military service.”
Infographics Arguments and Facts (data for 2017)
Colors and types of shoulder straps
Types of shoulder straps
Front
Everyday
Types of shoulder straps of the Navy
Front
Everyday
Soldiers, sergeants, petty officers, warrant officers (except for the Navy)
· Dress tunic and winter coat - red sewn shoulder straps (in aviation, Airborne Forces, aerospace defense forces- blue) color.
· Ceremonial shirt (green) - similar in color to the shoulder straps on the ceremonial jacket, but removable.
Ensigns (except Navy)
· Dress tunic and winter coat - sewn shoulder straps in khaki color, with red edging on the sides (in aviation, Airborne Forces, space force- blue) color.
· Ceremonial shirt (green) - similar in color to the shoulder straps on the ceremonial jacket, but removable and without edging.
· Field uniform - removable shoulder straps in camouflage color.
Officers (except Navy)
· Ceremonial jacket - sewn shoulder straps of golden color, red edging on the sides (in aviation, Airborne Forces, space force- blue) color.
· Casual jacket, winter coat, wool jacket, demi-season jacket, summer raincoat - khaki-colored false shoulder straps with red edging on the sides (in aviation, airborne forces, space forces - blue). On a casual tunic and a winter coat there are sewn shoulder straps, on other items they are removable.
· Casual shirt (green) - removable khaki shoulder straps without piping.
· Ceremonial shirt (white) - removable white shoulder straps without edging.
· Field uniform - removable shoulder straps in camouflage color.
Sailors, foremen and midshipmen of the Navy
· Dress tunic and winter coat - sewn shoulder straps of gray and black color with squares in a checkerboard pattern.
· Ceremonial shirt (beige for midshipmen. Not provided for sailors and foremen) - similar in color to the shoulder straps on the ceremonial jacket, but removable.
· Everyday clothing (sailors, petty officers) - blue shoulder strap (or blue with silver trim) with a yellow letter “F” and yellow stripes according to rank.
Navy officers
· Ceremonial jacket - sewn shoulder straps of golden color, black edging on the sides.
· Casual jacket, winter coat - black shoulder straps with yellow edging on the sides.
· Casual shirt (beige) - removable beige shoulder straps without edging.
· Ceremonial shirt (white) - removable golden-colored shoulder straps without edging.
Shoulder straps
Shoulder strap cadet NE
This section is about modern shoulder straps, adopted in 2010. About shoulder straps from the period 1994-2010. see article Military ranks 1994-2010
Introduced by decree of the President of the Russian Federation. from 11th of March 2010 № 293
Soldiers and sailors
They do not have any insignia on their shoulder straps.
Sergeants and petty officers
They have insignia in the form of fabric braid - stripes. Strap colors:
· Field uniform - khaki color;
· Everyday and dress uniforms are yellow;
Ensigns and midshipmen
They have insignia in the form of small stars located vertically. The shoulder straps are similar to the officer's, but without gaps and may have edgings.
Officers
Shoulder straps for army general and navy admiral until 2013
Army General (Casual)
Army General (field)
Fleet Admiral
Junior officers
· One vertically located strip - clearance. The sprockets are metal, small (13 mm). There is no clearance on field shoulder straps.
Senior officers
· Two clearances and large metal sprockets (20 mm). There is no clearance on field shoulder straps.
Senior officers
· Vertically located large size embroidered stars (22 mm), no gaps.
· General of the Army, Admiral of the Fleet- one large embroidered star with a diameter of 40 mm (Since February 22, 2013)
Marshal of the Russian Federation
Features one very large embroidered star (40 mm) against a background of radiating silver rays forming a pentagon, and coat of arms of Russia(without heraldic shield).
Military ranks values of shoulder straps in Russia table. Notes: uhthat section about modern shoulder straps adopted in Russia in 2010. Wikipedia the meaning of Russian military shoulder straps
The well-being and confidence of every state is based on its army. It is the military, which is an indestructible symbol of strength and power, that is respected by all citizens without exception. In addition to the infantry, paratroopers, tank crews and signalmen representing the ground forces, there is also this military power that protects the peace of the citizens of their country from the water borders. In accordance with the regulations, each military man is assigned a rank. This also applies to sailors. True, they have a slightly different gradation.
Naval ranks are divided into:
a) qualification and professional;
b) naval;
c) honorary.
The first category includes the ranks of sailors who sail on civilian ships. These naval ranks were first used in the 18th century. These include: boatswain, skipper and navigator. A person could receive one of them only after passing a special certification approved by the Russian Admiralty. At the beginning of the 20th century, this system underwent a total reform, as a result of which naval ranks were replenished with another category - navigation ranks, which began to include captain and navigator. The merit of each of them was measured in four categories. Reforms have affected the flotilla more than once. Today, the naval ranks of the civil fleet include the following categories:
Navigators:
a) long-distance/short-distance captains;
b) long/short navigation navigators;
c) ship mechanics of three categories;
d) ship electromechanics of three categories;
e) ship radio specialists of the first and second category, as well as ship radio telegraphists and operators.
Assigned to people who joined or were called up to serve in the navy. However, the initial rank depends on qualifications, special military training, as well as skills. A young man called up for military service on a ship receives the rank of sailor. It corresponds to the rank of private in the ground forces.
A senior sailor is commensurate with the rank of corporal. The commanders of the ground squads are similar to the foreman of the first and second articles. The ranks of chief petty officer and chief petty officer in the fleet correspond to such ranks on land as deputy platoon commander and combat unit foreman. An ensign of the ground forces is not inferior to a midshipman on a ship. For this reason, the senior warrant officer should not be the first to give the military salute to the senior midshipman, since their ranks are equal. The gradation of lieutenants (from junior to senior) is similar. Then the differences begin. Thus, a lieutenant commander in the navy corresponds to a captain in the ground forces. The admiral of the fleet is the same general. The highest naval rank is admiral general - it is similar to field marshal general.
Naval ranks and shoulder straps are inseparable, however, like ranks, military epaulettes in the navy differ from those of the ground forces: along with the stars, stripes are sewn onto them - drags.