Every adult man knows from what rank the officer corps originates - this, of course, is a lieutenant. Can you list all the army ranks in order now? If not, then you should read this article to the end. As a schoolboy or student, you probably were told at the lessons of the NVP (pre-conscription training) about subordination in the armed forces. Some of the information received was deposited in the baggage of knowledge. Be that as it may, knowledge in this area is not superfluous. This is especially true for men, so that, if necessary, without hesitation, to understand who is in front of you: captain, ensign, sergeant or general. In this article, you will learn in detail about the military ranks of officers. In order not to get confused, let's start with the basics.
What are military insignia and why are they needed
In the Russian army, military ranks are granted to everyone who enters the service without exception, regardless of where in the place a person will serve and what post he will occupy. Ranks are a kind of hierarchy that determines the status, terms of reference and degree of responsibility of servicemen of all military branches. Accordingly, it establishes a hierarchy (subordination) between military personnel. This also applies to the ranks of officers. In the army, it is customary to distinguish regalia by the type of troops:
- ship ranks (naval component of the army);
- combined arms ranks (land based units and formations).
If a military unit or warship has a guard status, then in addressing a military man who serves in this unit, the word “Guard” is added. An example is the phrase: “Guard Lieutenant,” “Guard Major.” Having received a certain rank, after dismissal from service for seniority, the rank remains with the person for life. “Retired” will be added to the rank, an example in this case will be “retired major.”
an officer
For the first time, the notion of an officer familiar to us arose in the era of Tsar Peter the Great. The sovereign issued a decree establishing the procedure for military service for the nobility. The decree introduced a hierarchy of military ranks. The ranks of the officers first appeared in the Russian army. Since then, military differences have been repeatedly supplemented, and the structure has changed several times. Over a long history, the officer corps has become a kind of core, a fundamental element in the construction of the modern army of the Russian Federation. For several centuries, traditions and the concept of “honor” have been formed, which are carefully stored and passed on from generation to generation.
Hierarchical structure
The ranks of officers have a certain structure. Each group of officer links includes the corresponding army ranks. It is customary to distinguish the following command links:
- junior command link;
- mid-level commanders;
- high-level officers.
In addition to the above categories, the army of the Russian Federation consists of:
- from ordinary soldiers and sailors;
- a sergeant in land units, in the navy an analogue is the rank of foreman;
- warrant officers (in the tsarist army were called non-commissioned officers) and warrant officers (naval counterpart).
Junior Team Link
The early stage of a military career begins with the assignment of the rank of junior officer staff. It includes:
- Ensign. On the pursuit of one small star. Can command a platoon. These days it is rarely assigned. The required service life for receiving the next rank is at least two years.
- Lieutenant. Celebrated by two small stars. The most common initial officer rank. Receive after graduation from a military school. It is also assigned when enlisted for military service under a contract, if the applicant has a diploma of graduation from a university, institute or academy. If a soldier has the rank of ensign, then after graduation he also receives lieutenant epaulets. A three-year service life is required to receive the next rank.
- Senior lieutenant. The chin is marked by three small stars. Status makes it possible to serve as deputy company commander. It will take a three-year service life for further advancement.
- Captain. The status is marked by small stars in the amount of four units. The next step in the career hierarchy. The rank makes it possible to be a company commander, and the officer can also serve as deputy battalion commander. A four-year service life is required for another career advancement.
Mid-level commanders
The group of servicemen is a kind of pivot of the middle command link of the army. The list of ranks of senior officers:
- Major. Chin is marked with a medium-sized star. Shoulder carriers serve as service managers at the training company or battalion level. They can be the commandant's office, battalion headquarters, as well as the position of battalion commander. Four-year service life for the next rank.
- Lieutenant colonel. The chin is marked by two middle stars. The rank allows you to hold the post of battalion commander, deputy commander or chief of staff at the regimental level. In this title, they often retire after length of service. It will take a five-year service life for the next rank.
- Colonel Epaulet has three medium sized stars. The highest career level of the senior team. Bearers of this status serve as the commander of a military unit or serve as chief of staff of a division. The highest ranks are assigned extremely rarely, therefore, for the majority, the rank of colonel becomes the peak of an army career.
Senior officers
What lieutenant at the dawn of his army career did not dream of becoming a general. But, unfortunately, this title is rarely assigned. The ranks of senior officers include:
- Major General. Regalia are marked with a large star, so it is impossible to mix. Junior senior representative. This rank allows you to exercise command of the division, to hold the post of deputy commander of the district.
- Lieutenant General. The chin is marked by two large stars. Status allows you to command the district. Storage media shoulder straps occupy the offices of the General Staff of the MO. In parts they are only at inspections, and they are also present and carry out general management during major exercises at the training grounds.
- Colonel General. The status is marked by three large stars. The carriers command the military districts and hold the posts of deputy army commander. As well as staff positions in the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
- Army General. Shoulder straps of two types, four large-sized stars or one larger-diameter star with a frame. They carry out the operational management of the army and the okrug (during the war - the front). They are appointed to the posts of chief of the General Staff or Minister of Defense. In the army of the USSR, it corresponded to the status of Marshal.
- Marshal of the Russian Federation. The status is marked by the largest star framed by a red piping. Appointed only by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation for special services (in the Russian Federation, the President of the Russian Federation occupies the post of Commander-in-Chief). To date, one officer has been awarded the honorary title - Igor Dmitrievich Sergeev.
Ship titles
The military ranks of the senior officers assigned to the Russian Navy:
- Ensign;
- lieutenant;
- senior lieutenant;
- captain lieutenant.
- Captain 3 ranks;
- captain of the 2nd rank;
- Captain 1st rank.
- rear admiral;
- Vice Admiral
- Admiral
- Fleet Admiral.
The ship ranks and positions occupied by military personnel correspond to combined arms ranks adjusted for departmental differences.
Rights, duties, tasks of officers
The main task that officers in the Armed Forces perform is to ensure the functioning and arrangement of army service in the area entrusted to them. Training, education for military personnel and maintaining combat readiness of personnel and equipment. A competent officer must also take care, solve problems and questions arising in the process of serving his subordinates.
The officer not only monitors the execution of orders, but also bears personal responsibility for the actions of people who are under his command. The rights and obligations of military personnel are clearly regulated by the charter of military service.
Conclusion
After the collapse of the USSR, the Russian army for ten years was funded on a residual basis. This led to the poor state of the armed forces, and, as a consequence, to the mass dismissal of cadre officers from the army. The prestige of military service also suffered, it was not fashionable to be an officer. But nothing stands still, new people came to government and the Russian state began to revive step by step. At the moment, the armed forces are being equipped with new types of weapons, the monetary allowance of staff officers has also grown significantly. The military universities are again a big competition. Today, being an officer is not only fashionable, but also prestigious.