(in order from sailor to high command) mostly go back to those that appeared during the USSR period.
A little history - naval ranks and tables of ranks
As you know, in the last year of the reign of Peter I, the table of ranks was introduced. It was a table where civil and military service positions were divided into fourteen ranks. However, naval ranks were not included in every row of the table.
The XIV rank among naval ranks was given to a midshipman, corresponding to a collegiate registrar, ensign, cornet and artillery bayonet cadet. At the beginning of the reign of Paul I, the rank of midshipman began to refer to the XII rank. Also included in this rank was the rank of non-commissioned lieutenant, which existed until 1732.
A naval lieutenant was classified as rank X until 1884, after which a midshipman was promoted to this rank. The rank of lieutenant, in turn, began to refer to rank IX.
People who managed to rise to rank VIII in the fleet of the Russian Empire acquired the right to personal nobility. These positions included captains of the first three ranks and a senior lieutenant, who appeared in the navy shortly before the First World War. Rank V included the rank of captain-commander, which was finally abolished in 1827. Among the famous bearers of this title was the pioneer Vitus Bering.
Achieving rank IV in the service opened the door to hereditary nobles for a person. In the navy, people who reached the fourth and higher ranks commanded naval formations: rear admiral, vice admiral, admiral and admiral general.
This also included the rank of Schoutbenacht, who did not take root on Russian soil, and was replaced by a rear admiral. It is noteworthy that this naval rank was used as a pseudonym by the first Russian emperor himself - “Schautbenakht Peter Mikhailov.” The third rank was the General-Kriegskommissar of the Fleet, whose responsibilities included financial support of the naval forces. The title was abolished in 1817. Six people received the highest rank of admiral general in the history of the Russian Empire. Three of them were representatives of the imperial family.
Although the table of ranks ceased to exist after the creation of the USSR, many ranks reappeared in the navy of the Soviet Union and later the Russian Federation.
Main categories of naval ranks
Based on their composition, military personnel can be divided into the following groups:
- Conscript and contract personnel.
- Junior officers.
- Senior officers.
- Senior officers.
Russian citizens undergoing military service in the navy receive the rank of sailor. It roughly corresponds to a private in the ground forces. Sailors appeared in the fleet of the Soviet Union in 1946. Before this, the lowest military rank in the navy was called “red naval officer.” 
Next comes the rank of “senior sailor,” which corresponds to the “corporal” of ground forces. The senior sailor commands the group or serves as an assistant to the chief petty officer. The rank of senior sailor can be obtained by employees who comply well with discipline and their duties.
The following four ranks correspond to the sergeant ranks of the ground forces:
- Foreman of the first article.
- Foreman of the second article.
- Chief Petty Officer.
- Chief ship's foreman.
Following the foremen are the “midshipman” and “senior midshipman.” These naval ranks correspond to the ranks of warrant officer and chief warrant officer.
The modern division of naval ranks dates back to the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, issued in 1943. He approved the division of officers into junior, senior and senior. The decree included titles for each group, which have survived to the present day.
Junior officers of our country's fleet are called: junior lieutenant, lieutenant, senior lieutenant and lieutenant commander. A junior lieutenant can lead a combat post. More senior representatives of this category of officers can be assistant commanders of a ship of the fourth rank or even command such a ship.
Senior officers include captains of the first, second and third ranks. They can also be called captri, kavtorang and caperang. These representatives of the officer corps can command military vessels of the appropriate rank.
In the modern Russian fleet, the rank of a warship is determined based on the complexity of control, the number of personnel and combat power. The first rank includes cruisers, nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers. The second rank includes large landing ships, destroyers, and large missile ships.
The third rank includes small missile and anti-submarine ships, medium landing ships, and minesweepers. The fourth rank includes small landing craft and torpedo boats.
The highest officer ranks of our country's fleet were first established in 1940 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council. This is the system we are familiar with:
In the ground forces, these ranks correspond (in ascending order) to major general, lieutenant general, colonel general and army general. A rear admiral can lead a squadron or serve as an assistant to a flotilla commander. A vice admiral may command a flotilla or operational squadron and also serves as deputy fleet commander. At the head of a separate fleet is an admiral. In modern Russia there is one fleet admiral, who is the commander-in-chief of the naval forces of our country.
The rank of "fleet admiral" was introduced in the Soviet Union in 1940. It corresponded to “general of the army.” None of the naval commanders of the country of the Soviets received it at that moment. In fact, the highest rank was admiral.
In 1944, two naval commanders received it. The first was Nikolai Kuznetsov, who at that time held the post of People's Commissar of the Fleet. He was a member of the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, and Nikolai Kuznetsov’s actions in commanding the country’s fleet were successful. In 1945, the title of “Admiral of the Fleet” was given to Ivan Isakov, who led the main naval headquarters during the war before his injury.
In 1955, an additional decree was issued that adjusted the highest naval ranks of the country of the Soviets. To the rank of “Admiral of the Fleet” was added “Soviet Union”. Holders of this rank had the right to wear the "Marshal's Star" - an insignia introduced in 1940.
This highest naval rank was abolished in 1993 because the country referred to in its name no longer existed. The highest rank of naval officers became again "admiral of the fleet".
The rank introduced in 1955 was personal. In the history of the Soviet state, only three people received the title “Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union.” Immediately after the introduction of the new military rank, N.G. received it. Kuznetsov and I.S. Isakov. A year later, Kuznetsov fell into disgrace and lost his highest rank. It was returned to the naval commander posthumously during the years of Perestroika. In 1967, Sergei Gorshkov was awarded the highest naval rank, who went through the war with the rank of rear admiral and supervised the construction and rearmament of the fleet in the post-war years.
The rank of Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union corresponded in the 1960-1990s to the rank of Marshal of the USSR. In turn, the “admiral of the fleet”, who was of lower rank, corresponded to the general of the army and the marshal of the military branch.
The Commander-in-Chief of our country's naval forces may bear the rank of admiral or admiral of the fleet. Thus, the first naval officer to hold this position in post-Soviet Russia, Felix Gromov, became commander-in-chief in 1992, being an admiral. He received the rank of fleet admiral four years later, shortly before retirement.
The next commanders-in-chief (Vladimir Kuroyedov and Vladimir Masorin) took this post as admirals, and after that they received a higher rank. Vladimir Vysotsky and Vladimir Chirkov were commanders-in-chief, remaining with the rank of admiral. Also, the current Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Korolev retains the rank of admiral, received in 2013.
The chiefs of the General Staff of the Fleet, who were the first deputies of the commander-in-chief, as a rule, bore the rank of vice admiral or admiral. Andrei Volozhinsky, who began serving in this post in 2016, retains the rank of vice admiral.
The Navy of modern Russia became the successor to the fleet. Most senior naval officers began their service in the Soviet Navy. For this reason, the ranks in the fleet in modern Russia (in order from sailor to admiral) have not undergone fundamental changes compared to the Soviet period.
Naval ranks. What are the naval ranks? From the lowest to the highest...
- In ascending order:
Sailor
Senior sailor
Petty Officer 2 articles
Petty Officer 1st article
Chief Petty Officer
Chief petty officer
Midshipman
Senior midshipman
Ensign
Lieutenant
Senior Lieutenant
Lieutenant Commander
Captain 3rd rank
Captain 2nd rank
Captain 1st rank
Rear Admiral
Vice Admiral
Admiral
Fleet Admiral - Fleet employees:
1. Sailor
a junior military rank in the Navy, corresponding to the rank of private in other branches of the military.2. Senior sailor
Senior sailor is a military rank awarded for exemplary performance of official duties and exemplary military discipline to the senior and best sailors who replace them during the absence of squad commanders.
In the category of army servicemen, the rank of senior sailor corresponds to the rank of corporal.3. Foreman of the second article
Sergeant Major#769; second#769;th article#769; military rank in the navy, in rank higher than senior sailor and lower than petty officer of the 1st article, the most junior rank of senior officers. Introduced November 2, 1940.
In the category of army servicemen, the rank of senior sergeant, article 2, corresponds to the rank of junior sergeant.4. Foreman of the first article
Sergeant Major#769; ne#769;first article#769; a military rank in the navy, higher in rank than petty officer of the 2nd article and lower than chief petty officer. Introduced November 2, 1940.
In the category of army servicemen, the rank of foreman of the 1st article corresponds to the rank of sergeant.5. Chief Petty Officer
Chief Sergeant#769; a military rank in the navy, in rank higher than petty officer 1st article and lower than chief petty officer.
In the category of army servicemen, the rank of chief sergeant corresponds to the rank of senior sergeant.6. Chief petty officer
Chief ship's foreman#769; military rank in the Russian Navy and maritime units of the Federal Border Service. The rank is higher than chief petty officer and lower than midshipman.
In the category of army servicemen, the rank of chief petty officer corresponds to the rank of petty officer.7. Midshipman
Midshipman is a military rank of military personnel in the Navy (Navy) of a number of countries. The rank of midshipman is usually awarded upon completion of the relevant schools (courses).8. Senior midshipman
Senior midshipman is a military rank in the Russian Navy and in some other countries, higher in rank than midshipman, but lower than officers such as junior lieutenant.Fleet officers:
1. Jr. lieutenant
Junior lieutenant is the primary military rank of junior officers in the armies and navies of many countries.2. Lieutenant
Leiten#769;nt is a military rank of junior officer in the army of many countries.
Junior lieutenants are awarded the rank of lieutenant upon expiration of the established period of service upon positive certification.3. Art. Lieutenant
Senior lieutenant is a military rank of junior officers in the armed forces of many states, including Russia.
He corresponded to the ranks of captain in the infantry, captain in the cavalry, captain in the Cossack troops and collegiate assessor in the civil service. The current Army rank is junior command, below captain, above lieutenant.4. Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant-Commander is the highest rank of junior officer in the Navy of some countries; in Germany and Russia it corresponds to an army captain. In the old days, it was also an army military rank, below the rank of captain. Literally a deputy captain (as in the commander of a ship or company).5. Captain 3rd rank
Captain 3rd rank in the Russian Navy is a military rank corresponding to the rank of major in the ground forces and aviation. Sometimes the abbreviated name captri is used.6. Captain 2nd rank
Captain 2nd rank in the Navy of the Russian Empire, the USSR, the Russian Federation and some other countries is a military rank corresponding to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the ground forces and aviation. Sometimes the abbreviated name kavtorang, kapdva is used.7. Captain 1st rank
Captain 1st rank in the Navy of the Russian Empire, USSR, Russian Federation, former republics of the Soviet Union, a military rank corresponding to the rank of colonel in the ground forces and aviation. Sometimes the abbreviated name caperang or capraz is used.
In the navy - In ascending order:
Sailor
Senior sailor
Petty Officer 2 articles
Petty Officer 1st article
Chief Petty Officer
Chief petty officer
Midshipman
Senior midshipman
Ensign
Lieutenant
Senior Lieutenant
Lieutenant Commander
Captain 3rd rank
Captain 2nd rank
Captain 1st rank
Rear Admiral
Vice Admiral
Admiral
Fleet Admiral - crucian carp
- In ascending order:
Sailor
Senior sailor
Petty Officer 2 articles
Petty Officer 1st article
Chief Petty Officer
Chief petty officer
Midshipman
Senior midshipman
Ensign
Lieutenant
Senior Lieutenant
Lieutenant Commander
Captain 3rd rank
Captain 2nd rank
Captain 1st rank
Rear Admiral
Vice Admiral
Admiral
Fleet Admiral - sailor, petty officer, midshipman, captain, admiral
- What for you, you're a landlubber
- life captain, corporal. boatswain, pilot, helmsman, cormorant, bomber, torpedo...
- there is nothing to add and the second girl forgot about the admirals.
- Sailor
Senior sailor
Petty Officer 2 articles
Petty Officer 1st article
Chief Petty Officer
Chief petty officer
Midshipman
Senior midshipman
Ensign
Lieutenant
Senior Lieutenant
Lieutenant Commander
Captain 3rd rank
Captain 2nd rank
Captain 1st rank
Rear Admiral
Vice Admiral
Admiral
Fleet Admiral
Regardless of the number of draft dodgers, which is recorded annually after the completion of conscription campaigns, there have always been enough guys who would like to devote their lives to the army. There are usually two career trends here. The first is to remain in the army under a contract after military service. However, under such circumstances one cannot count on an officer rank. An alternative is to enroll in a higher military educational institution.
It should be recalled that service in some law enforcement agencies, which is equivalent to military service, is no less prestigious and desirable, but you can often get into such a structure after completing military service. Moreover, military everyday life in elite troops is the key to any employment.
The navy in the dreams of young men occupies the same status as Airborne Forces, special forces or MP. The dream can not only come true, but also lead to serious career growth if you fulfill a few not so difficult requirements.
The next step, which can bring a guy significantly closer to serving in the navy, is an application to the military registration and enlistment office. And yet the decisive moment will be the demand for young replenishment, which is determined already at the distribution point. As they say in army slang, everything depends on the availability of a buyer.
The importance of the navy in the defense of the country
Even having devoted an article to an issue covering ranks in the Russian Navy and Marine Corps, one cannot do without mentioning the merits of this type of troops in the defense capability of the state. Considering the fact that the length of Russia’s maritime borders is about 40 thousand kilometers, only a reliable, powerful fleet can prevent a threat from the sea.
Depending on their bases, they distinguish between the Northern Fleet, the Black Sea Fleet, the Pacific Fleet, the Baltic Fleet and the Caspian Fleet. The sovereignty of a country is a guarantee of the security of every citizen. Navy has a rather complex structure, it is represented by submarine and surface forces, naval aviation and the marine corps. Each unit has its own personal mission, military personnel wear distinctive uniforms, and there are also certain differences in ranks.
Military ranks in the Russian army
In the army there is a clear distribution of rights and responsibilities of all personnel. Moreover, a strict hierarchy is implemented through military ranks. All these ranks can be divided into two types: military and naval. Moreover, military ranks are not necessarily assigned only to the ground forces. On the other hand, ship ranks are not only for those who serve on the ship.
The two types of titles only differ in pronunciation, but the general structure of the hierarchy is the same. Thus, we can distinguish between non-officers and officers. Each military rank will correspond to a specific ship rank. Military personnel are allowed to maintain subordination shoulder straps .
Naval ranks in ascending order
For greater clarity, it is necessary not only to list all the ship ranks, but also to draw an analogy with the military ones, since it is the latter that are studied in sufficient detail in the life safety course of the section of initial military training. It becomes clear why confusion arises among the younger generation precisely when trying to arrange hierarchical ranks in ascending order. Navy, after all, no time is allocated at school for naval ranks with their shoulder straps.
The most junior rank that a sailor receives upon enlistment is sailor. Since 1946, this rank was renamed from the previously existing “red naval officer”, which still corresponds to private in the ground forces. On the sailor’s shoulder strap there is only the letter “F”, corresponding to the navy.
For excellent achievements in military service sailor may be promoted to senior seaman. They are on the same level as corporals and can be appointed to the position of squad commander. The senior sailor's shoulder strap contains one metal strip or golden-colored fabric strip.
Increasing rank in the navy involves conferring the title " foreman 2 articles" NCOs begin with it, and in military names it is positioned as Lance Sergeant. The two stripes on the shoulder strap are absolutely similar to the corresponding land rank. The only difference is the color.
Until now, the ship ranks considered were at least in some way consonant with the land ranks. Purely maritime term - midshipman means the rank that is assigned to a military personnel after graduating from the appropriate school. On land, similar provisions apply to warrant officers. Midshipman And senior midshipman on the shoulder straps they have two or three stars, respectively, located lengthwise.
Officer ranks begin with lieutenant. At this level of ranking there are no differences, even shoulder straps the same. Along the shoulder strap there is a golden stripe, which designates a group of junior officers. A junior lieutenant has one star, a lieutenant has two, and a senior lieutenant has three. Three stars are arranged in a triangle, two across the shoulder strap and one along.
A naval rank that crowns a group of junior officer ranks, as opposed to the combined arms rank " captain", is listed as captain-lieutenant. Two stars across the shoulder strap and two along it give the right to receive the position of commander of a warship. The rank of lieutenant commander is awarded to a senior lieutenant only after 4 years of service.
Those serving in the Russian Navy who are capable of taking responsibility for commanding military personnel are awarded ranks in the fleet. Each of them has characteristic insignia. To receive a specific rank, a person in the service must prove his worth and show zeal for further promotion.
Naval ranks in the Navy are divided into several categories:
- Conscripts of contract and military service;
- Junior officers;
- Senior officers;
- Senior officers.
Each military personnel who falls into one of the above categories is assigned certain responsibilities. He must strictly follow the charter and not neglect the tasks the implementation of which is his primary goal.
Ranks
Military ranks are divided into naval or naval and military ranks. The former can be assigned to employees of surface and submarine forces. Military personnel refers to individuals who serve in the airborne, ground and space forces.
The Law “On Military Duty and Military Service” of the Russian Federation (Russian Federation) establishes the military rank for military MAFs.
Sailors
In the navy, the lowest rank is sailor The junior rank in the Navy is Seaman. In the Navy, it corresponds to the private rating given to a member of the Army. It is received by a conscript for military service. The title is also given to contract soldiers who are just beginning to get acquainted with military affairs.
Next comes the senior sailor. In importance he is equal to a corporal in the army. This rank is given to a serviceman who has never violated discipline and takes his own responsibilities responsibly. Often a senior sailor becomes an assistant or even a deputy foreman of the second class.
Petty Officers
The most junior rank in the senior ranks is sergeant major of the second class. A soldier of this category can count on permission to command a squad.
The sergeant major of the first article becomes a sailor who is ranked higher in rank than the sergeant major of the first article. He is the squad leader. This rank is awarded to military personnel who were able to show good results in the process of performing combat missions. They are also characterized by high organizational skills.
Midshipmen
Midshipman's shoulder straps The rank of midshipman is awarded to a sailor who has completed a number of training courses and programs. He corresponds to the rank of warrant officer in the ground forces. The midshipman is considered responsible for carrying out combat duties and organizational affairs.
Above him in rank is the senior midshipman. This rank is similar to senior warrant officer in the army. He has the same responsibilities.
Junior officers
The junior lieutenant occupies the initial rank in the officer ranks. This rule applies to both naval and ground forces. A soldier with this rank may be assigned the duties of commander of a post or an entire platoon. It all depends on his professional skills and discipline.
The naval rank of senior lieutenant is given to a sailor who has performed well during service as an ordinary lieutenant. If the serviceman continues to give excellent performance, he will be able to become an assistant captain of a sea vessel.
The junior officer corps is completed by a lieutenant commander. This is the highest rank, which in the Russian Federation corresponds to the rank of company captain in the army. A sailor has the right to become a deputy captain of a ship. He also has the prospect of becoming a company commander, who has several hundred subordinates under his command.
Senior officers
A captain in the naval fleet has the right to occupy command positions on military vessels A captain of the third category is the equivalent of a major in the army of the Russian Federation. Duties include commanding a ship appropriate to his rank. This includes anti-submarine, landing, torpedo vessels, as well as minesweepers.
Captains of the second rank are the same in importance as lieutenant colonels in the ground forces. This title is given to commanders of missile and landing ships, as well as destroyers.
The captain of the first category of the navy has the right to command ships, which are distinguished by complex control and great military power. We are talking about nuclear submarines, cruisers and aircraft carriers.
Senior officers
The rank of senior officers begins with the rear admiral. He has a naval squadron at his disposal. Also, a serviceman with this rank can temporarily occupy the position of flotilla commander. In terms of importance and responsibilities, a rear admiral corresponds to a major general in the ground army.
In Russia, the rank of vice admiral is provided. This soldier can replace the admiral. In importance, he is on a level with a lieutenant general in the ground forces. Flotillas are subordinate to the vice admiral.
An admiral, which in the land army corresponds to a colonel general, is a rank higher than a vice admiral. He controls and directs the actions of the fleet.
A serviceman who has managed to positively prove himself in the process of performing strategic, combat and organizational tasks can become an admiral of the fleet.
Insignia
Fleet Admiral is the highest rank in the Navy. The Russian Navy has two categories of shoulder straps. Some of them are intended for officers, while others are for junior personnel.
Sailors, midshipmen and foremen wear blue everyday clothes. Sometimes it is decorated with a silver-tone edging. There is an embroidered letter “F” on the shoulder strap. Midshipmen's dress shirt is beige. The ceremonial uniform is complemented by gray and black sewn shoulder straps, a jacket and a coat.
Officers wear a white dress shirt, which is complemented by detachable shoulder straps without piping. They have a golden color. Also presented is a beige dress shirt with shoulder straps that match the tone of the clothing. It goes with a casual coat and jacket. The latest version of the uniform is complemented by black shoulder straps, which are decorated with yellow edging. On an important occasion, officers wear a ceremonial jacket, which has golden shoulder straps with black edging.
According to the laws and regulations of the Russian Federation, military personnel of the Navy have insignia presented in the table. These data apply only to the Russian Federation.
| Rank | Marks of Excellence |
| Sailors | Shoulder straps without distinctive insignia. Senior sailors have a transverse stripe on them, also known as galloon. |
| Petty Officers | Yellow braid and stripes. The number of braids depends on the category of petty officer. The main serviceman of this rank has a wide longitudinal braid. |
| Midshipmen | Shoulder straps with vertical sewn stripes without gaps. Sometimes there are edgings. There are small stars in the amount of 2 or 3 pieces. |
| Junior officers | Shoulder straps with a yellow vertical stripe and one gap. There are stars measuring 13 mm. The number of stars depends on the rank. |
| Senior officers | Shoulder straps with two gaps. They are complemented by stars, the size of which reaches 20 mm. The number of stars depends on the rank of the senior officer. |
| Senior officers | Shoulder straps without gaps. They are decorated with stars that reach 22 mm in size. The largest star is present on the shoulder straps of Admiral Flor. It is equal to 40 mm. |
Rivermen and sailors' shoulder straps look exactly like this. Military personnel of the river and sea fleets have another insignia - sleeve ones. They must be present on the uniform, namely on the jackets. Stars and yellow stripes are considered to be the sleeve insignia. They are presented in the following options:
- Junior and senior officers - a continuous stripe.
- Higher composition - there is an anchor inside the star.
The number of stripes and their width depend on the rank of the serviceman.
In what other units are naval ranks awarded?
Naval aviation has similar ranks to the naval forces In the order (with a certain sequence) for awarding insignia and ranks of the Navy, several parts are involved:
- Coast security.
- Marines.
- Naval aviation.
Each of these military units is responsible for a specific range of tasks. For example, the infantry is responsible for the defense of military installations, aviation is responsible for detecting and destroying enemy air structures, and the coast guard defends the country's fleet bases.
How are titles awarded?
Ranks are assigned to military personnel in accordance with established deadlines.
Important! A sailor can be given a new rank ahead of schedule if he shows special zeal for service.
Military personnel of the Navy are assigned ranks through the following periods:
- Senior sailor - after 5 months;
- Petty Officer of the second article - after 1 year;
- Chief Petty Officer - after 3 years;
- Midshipman - after 3 years;
- Junior lieutenant - after 2 years;
- Lieutenant and senior lieutenant - after 3 years;
- Captain 3rd category - after 4 years;
- Captain 2nd and 1st category - after 5 years.
Higher ranks are awarded after one year of service in the previous rank. To achieve a promotion, a sailor must prove himself as a good specialist who is ready to take on important tasks and carry them out competently.