- (from Polish porucznik) officer rank in the Russian army from the 17th century. In the Polish Army and some other armies, the military rank of junior officer... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

LIEUTENANT, lieutenant, husband. (pre-rev.). In the tsarist army the second chief officer rank, intermediate between second lieutenant and staff captain. Ushakov's explanatory dictionary. D.N. Ushakov. 1935 1940 … Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

LIEUTENANT, huh, husband. 1. In the tsarist army: an officer rank higher than a second lieutenant and lower than a staff captain, as well as a person holding this rank. 2. In the armies of some countries: the military rank of junior officer, as well as the person holding this rank. | adj. lieutenant,... ... Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

Ah, m., shower. (Polish: porucznik... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

A; m. 1. In the Russian army before 1917: an officer rank higher than second lieutenant and lower than staff captain, the person who bore this rank. Guards p. To be in the rank of lieutenant. 2. In the armies of some countries: military rank of junior officer; the face that wore... encyclopedic Dictionary

lieutenant- a, m. In the Russian army before 1917: junior officer rank above second lieutenant and below staff captain, as well as a person who had this rank. There is only one hope that some passing lieutenant or student will steal you and take you away... (Chekhov).... ... Popular dictionary of the Russian language

lieutenants- ova, ove, zast. Approx. to lieutenant; senior lieutenant... Ukrainian Tlumach Dictionary

Star. military rank, lieutenant, attested in 1701; see Christiani 32. Borrowed. from Polish porucznik – the same thing that, due to the presence of u, came from Czech. poručnik, tracing paper lat. locum tenens, literally – holding a place (Schulz-Basler 2, 21). Wed... ... Etymological Dictionary of the Russian Language by Max Vasmer

1) junior officer rank in the Russian army (highest after second lieutenant). existed since the 17th century. In the Cossack units the rank of centurion corresponded to him. 2) In the Polish Army and in the Czechoslovak People's Army, the military rank of junior officer (see... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Books

• Collection of regulations on artillery allowances and weapons and small arms in infantry and cavalry units. , Lieutenant I. A. Petrov. This book will be produced in accordance with your order using Print-on-Demand technology. A manual for weapons managers in individual units. Reproduced in the original copyright...
• Charter of the field aeronautical service. , Lieutenant Trofimov. The aeronautical team was compiled by Lieutenant Trofimov, edited by Lieutenant Colonel Orlova of the General Staff. Reproduced in the original author's spelling of the 1888 edition...

The shoulder straps of the Tsarist army of 1914 are rarely mentioned in feature films and history books. Meanwhile, this is an interesting object of study: in the imperial age, during the reign of Tsar Nicholas II, uniforms were an object of art. Before the outbreak of the First World War, the distinctive insignia of the Russian Army was significantly different from those used now.

They were brighter and contained more information, but at the same time they did not have functionality: they were easily noticeable both in a field environment and in a forest or snow. For this reason, with the outbreak of major hostilities, the insignia was reformed.

The ranks in the tsarist army before 1917 also differed, which changed with the advent of the revolution. We’ll tell you in detail right now what the ranks of the Tsarist Army of Russia were, what the shoulder straps of the old Tsarist Army looked like.

The main differences between shoulder straps and ranks

In the pre-revolutionary years in Russia, instead of ranks, there were ranks - for both civilians and military personnel. They were introduced by decree of Peter the Great in 1722, who created the “Table of Ranks”. The lower ranks were followed by non-commissioned officers, then chief and staff officers. The ranks of generals were considered the highest. Read more about the ranks in the Tsarist Army of Russia in ascending order with shoulder straps below.

The first difference is in the name. Instead of title - rank. The second difference is in the specific names of the ranks. If now words such as corporal, private are used, then back then there were bombardier, volunteer.

The third difference is the information that is printed on the shoulder straps. Now on them you can find information about the height of a military rank. At the same time, Greek numerals were applied large-scale, almost to the full size, to the shoulder straps. They designated the regiment to which the soldier or officer belonged. The shoulder straps also had Roman numerals and letters; they already served to divide the “height” of the position.

The fact is that in the old days there were a lot of variations of shoulder straps, but despite this, they “intersected” between different ranks. An officer's shoulder straps could be the same as those of a private (by color, regiment number). Therefore, Roman numerals were additionally used, which helped to distinguish an officer from a subordinate. For the same purpose, cockades were used - small metal plaques that are attached to the front of the cap. The soldiers had them in one shape and color, while the higher structures had them in another.

The system of using colors is also different. Nowadays, military shoulder straps vary in color depending on the type of troops. The sailors had blue ones, the infantry had red and yellow ones, but back then the colors could vary even within the same division. So, each brigade within it had its own color of shoulder straps, and if within the brigade there was another division into regiments, then each regiment had its own color of caps or a picture on the cockade. Now the caps do not differ in color, only the highest ranks of sailors wear white hats.

Previously, epaulettes and monograms on them were used, but now the system, in which the main thing is a beautiful and noble picture, has been abolished in favor of the functional qualities of the uniform.

Why did the designations change?

From 1914 to 1917, several modifications were quickly introduced regarding ranks and distinctive features in the army. First of all, with the beginning of the First World War, the colored covering of the shoulder straps was removed, which was noticeable at any time of the year and even in the off-season in November-April. They became a protective khaki color, which at that time was called “peas”.

As can be seen from the above, the Russian army before the revolution gave preference to beautiful uniforms, and a lot of attention was paid to the design component. With the beginning of serious hostilities, military leaders came to the conclusion that the colored elements of the uniform were not functional. They give the soldier away and make him an easy target for the enemy. Therefore, even before the revolution, colors were abolished.

The next change was associated with the coming to power of new people. Tsarism was overthrown, and with it the government wanted to consign into oblivion the Table of Ranks, as well as the titles that were introduced by Paul in the manner of the Prussian army. Therefore, many ranks were renamed. At the same time, shoulder straps and cockades went out of service. They returned to the army again only in 1943, and this gesture shows that not all developments of previous years were failures.

In general, the change in ranks and appearance of uniforms was due to their inadequacy in the conditions of military operations. The constant confusion in ranks and shoulder straps was a strong disadvantage of the uniform design of that time.

Correspondence of old ranks to modern ranks

A hundred years have passed since the First World War, but during this time the structure of the army has not changed much. Niches of soldiers, officers, and generals have been preserved in it. However, the old ranks received new, more convenient and general names.

Ranks in the old Tsarist army before 1917 with shoulder straps are given in accordance with the modern Russian ranking system:

• Private, aka bombardier, Cossack, volunteer, sailor 2 articles, etc. The sailor of the second class was in the navy, the Cossack belonged to the Cossack army, the bombardier was classified as a sapper infantry. Only in the cavalry the lower ranks were called the same - private. Volunteer is an outdated concept that referred to people who voluntarily went to serve (analogous to modern contract soldiers). They were distinguished by their privileges in the service.
• Corporal. Previously, only cavalry employees were called corporals, which is where most of the modern names come from. A corporal in the navy was called a sailor of the first class; among the Cossacks, a higher rank was called “order.” In the artillery army and sapper divisions there was no division into corporals and privates; everyone was called “bombardiers”.

• Junior non-commissioned officer. This included Junior Fireworker, Jr. constable, quartermaster (in the navy).
• Senior non-commissioned officer. This is the boatswain's mate in the fleet, the senior sergeant in the Life Guards and among the Cossacks, and the senior fireworksman among sappers.
• Feldwebel. This includes the sergeant among the Cossacks and cavalry, and the boatswain in the fleet.
• Sub-ensign. Conductor in the naval forces, in the infantry the name is the same as the modern one.
• An ordinary ensign. Sub-sergeant, ordinary ensign of the cavalry and life guard are among the ranks associated with this rank.

Higher officer ranks

More serious officer recognition began with receiving the rank of chief officer. Then the lower ones began to address the military “Your Honor.” The officer's cap badge, starting with this rank, is gold. Among the ranks (in ascending order) are ensign, second lieutenant, staff captain, captain, all these ranks were associated with the Table of Ranks.

The officer rank of “ensign” was considered the 14th, lowest rank; staff captain was already the 9th in honor. Due to the fact that the title “captain” was previously used, confusion may arise in comparing modern and ancient military ranks. Until 1917, the “captain” ranks in the tsarist army were considered such ranks as captain, Cossack captain, and only in the guard the captain was called the same as now. Therefore, when answering the question “Captain – what is this rank now?”, you need to answer that captain. The captain was almost equal to the staff officers, wearing eye-catching blue shoulder straps.

"Elite" and general ranks

The last level, which preceded the catalog of generals, were staff officers, these are lieutenant colonels and colonels. In the navy they were called captains and captains of 2nd rank. The next highest ranking commander in the army was a general, and in the navy - an admiral.

Staff officers were called “High Nobility”, generals – “Your Excellency”. Among the generals there were divisions: major general, colonel general, engineer general, etc. The general rank was appointed by the royal council. The generals were distinguished by the most elaborate military cockade, white gloves, and a large number of awards, which is no different from the modern state.

Military ranks in the tsarist army before 1917 and shoulder straps were very different from modern ones. This indicates a noticeable backwardness of the then system of names and uniforms. Now the uniforms and ranks of those times can be used as an example of history, but one should not use as an example the old imperfect shoulder straps that caused confusion among the military themselves.

The military rank in the Russian Imperial Army, which existed in the 18th and 19th centuries, is below major general and above colonel. It was introduced by Peter I.

His equivalent in the navy was the rank of captain-commander. in some armies today the rank of "brigadier" corresponds.

Sergeant

This position was common in the cavalry, its non-commissioned officers, as well as in the artillery in the army of our country (Cossack troops, cavalry, and also the gendarme corps). It existed until 1917, when the military ranks of the Tsarist Army of Russia were in effect. Not everyone had an analogue of titles in the USSR. The sergeant, for example, was not there. The duty of a person with this rank was to assist the squadron commander in training troops and organizing internal order and economy. The corresponding rank in the infantry is sergeant major. For non-commissioned officers this rank would be the highest until 1826.

Lieutenant General

We continue to describe military ranks in Tsarist Russia, let's move on to lieutenant general. This rank and military rank was in the Ukrainian and Russian armies. It was used simultaneously (almost as a synonym) with the latter. During the Northern War, more precisely, in its second half, it replaced the rank of lieutenant general.

Field Marshal General

This is the highest military rank in the ground forces of the Austrian, German and Russian armies. It was introduced in our country by Peter I in 1699. This 1st class rank corresponded to the rank of admiral general in the navy, and to the chancellor in the civil service, as well as privy councilor (also 1st class). The field marshal's baton served as a sign of distinction; since the 19th century, in the buttonholes of field marshals, they began to be depicted in a crossed form. In Tsarist Russia, military ranks were distinguished by shoulder straps, where representatives of the rank we are describing also had batons depicted. An example of a famous field marshal general in the history of our country is D. A. Milyutin.

Since 2009, this symbol has also been present on the emblem of the current entire Armed Forces of our country.

Generalissimo

In the Holy Roman Empire, this was the highest military rank, and later became such in the Russian Empire, as well as in the USSR and a number of other countries.

Historically, it was assigned to commanders of several, mainly allied, armies, generals, and in some cases also to statesmen or persons belonging to the families of reigning dynasties, as an honorary title. This rank stood outside the system of other officer ranks.

A.V. Suvorov received this title on October 28, 1799 in accordance with the Military Regulations, since he was the prince of the Sardinian kingdom, and at the same time the count of the Roman Empire, the prince of the Russian, as well as the commander-in-chief of the Austrian, Sardinian and Russian troops. Currently in our country it is not provided for by law.

Esaul

Our list of “Military ranks in Tsarist Russia” continues with the following rank. Esaul is the rank of chief officer in the Cossack and Russian troops. This rank designates an assistant, deputy military commander. Yesauls are: military, general, hundred, regimental, marching, village, artillery.

Captain Commander

This rank existed in 1707-1732, as well as in 1751-1827 in the navy of our country. It was introduced in 1707 and entered into the Table of Ranks in 1722, belonged to class V, and was considered lower than rear admiral and higher than the rank of ship captain (captain of the first rank - since 1713). In the army, this rank corresponded to a brigadier, and in state (civilian) positions - a state councilor. The address to a representative of this rank is “Your Highness.” His duties included commanding detachments of ships (small), as well as temporarily replacing the rear admiral.

Corporal

This military rank, which was held by junior command personnel, is the lowest sergeant (non-commissioned officer) rank. In our country it appeared in 1647, introduced by Peter I in the “Military Regulations”. Later, in the first half of the 19th century, it was replaced by the rank of non-commissioned officer. Today, in modern armed forces, a corporal corresponds to the rank of “junior sergeant.”

Cornet

This is a military rank that was in the armies of some countries, mainly in the cavalry. Its name comes from the ancient position of a trumpeter, located under the commander, who, on his orders, transmitted signals to the troops during the battle. Holders of this rank are listed in the same class as army second lieutenants, and therefore wear the same shoulder straps. Note that in the cavalry the rank of second lieutenant does not exist.

Podesaul

We continue to describe military ranks in Tsarist Russia, presenting to you the following. This position existed since the 16th century, and then in Russia it was the chief officer rank in the Cossack troops of class X (in 1798-1884) and class IX in the above-mentioned list of "Table of Ranks" (1884-1917), in which there were military ranks in Tsarist Russia and their salaries are indicated.

In 1798, it was equated to the rank of staff captain in the cavalry, staff captain in the infantry, and lieutenant in the navy, as well as the rank of titular adviser in the civil service.

Second Lieutenant

This chief officer rank, which existed in the Russian army, was introduced by Peter I in Russia in 1703.

After the rank of ensign for peacetime was abolished in 1884, he became the first officer for all troops except the Cossacks and cavalry, where he corresponded to the ranks of cornet and cornet. In the navy of the Empire, the rank of midshipman was equivalent to it, and in the civil service - the rank of provincial secretary. In the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the rank of second lieutenant corresponds to “lieutenant.”

Lieutenant

The military rank belonging to junior officers in the armies of pre-revolutionary Russia and Poland corresponded to the position of senior lieutenant. In the 18th and 19th centuries, there was also “porutchik” as an orthographic variant of this rank. Military ranks in Tsarist Russia in 1812, for example, included this rank.

This was an assignment officer, which in the USSR and Russia corresponds to the rank of senior lieutenant.

Ensign

We continue to describe military ranks in the royal army. The ensign exists in the armed forces, as well as other security forces in a number of countries. By decree of Alexei Mikhailovich, in the Russian army in 1649, standard bearers began to be called ensigns, who were appointed from among the most physically strong, courageous and battle-tested warriors. Creating a regular army, Peter I in 1712 introduced this rank as a junior (first) rank of officers in the cavalry and infantry. Until 1917, it was awarded to persons who completed an accelerated course at ensign schools or military schools and passed exams according to a certain program. Non-commissioned officers with secondary or higher education were allowed to be awarded it without an examination for military distinction. Warrant officers were usually appointed to the position by platoon commanders. In the Red Army (1917-1946), as well as the Soviet Army (until 1972), there was no equivalent rank of ensign. On January 1, 1972, it was introduced (together with the rank of midshipman) in the Armed Forces of the USSR. In the modern army of our country, he corresponds to the position of junior lieutenant.

Captain

Our list of “Military ranks in the tsarist army” is completed by captain. This was the senior officer rank in the cavalry (in the Russian Empire - chief officer). In 1730, in connection with the creation of heavy cavalry, new names of ranks appeared, among which was captain. Ulan and in 1882 were transformed into dragoons, and in order to establish uniformity in ranks throughout the cavalry, dragoon captains began to be called captains. In 1917, this rank was abolished. In the 20th century it existed, for example, in Poland.

These are the main military ranks in the Tsarist Army of Russia.

The rank of lieutenant in the Russian army

Contrary to a common misconception, the name of the rank of lieutenant comes not from the word “assignment”, but from the word “bail”. Lieutenants were not “mission officers”, their main function was initially to accompany soldiers’ marching teams, while a junior officer was appointed who was officially (in writing) responsible for leading the soldiers to the specified point. This is where the name of the position came from, which later became a rank, and that is why there were no lieutenants in the Streltsy hundreds, orders and regiments - there were no soldiers there, and there was no need to vouch for the Streltsy, they had mutual responsibility.
At the same time, the word itself lieutenant in Russian for a long time it was used as a synonym for the word comrade (i.e., one who vouches for another) and deputy. During the ministerial reform of 1802, the position of lieutenant minister was initially even established, which in the same year was renamed the position of comrade minister, which fell out of use only after the Civil War.
In the Russian army, lieutenant is a rank in most cases of chief officers, entitled “your honor.” The rank was first mentioned in the middle of the 16th century as an analogue of the rank of lieutenant in “foreign” companies. Since 1630, the rank has been used in the same capacity in the regiments of the “new order”, and, with the adoption of the Charter of 1647, it finally replaces the rank of lieutenant. By decree of 1680, Streltsy Pentecostals were renamed lieutenants. During this period, the lieutenant was considered to be higher in status than the ensign and lower than the captain (captain), this position was maintained according to the Charter of A. A. Weide of 1698. Initially, lieutenants were usually appointed as assistant commanders of companies (squadrons), and later as commanders of half-companies and plutongs.
The Naval Charter of 1720 introduced the rank of fleet lieutenant, equal to lieutenant; the status of a fleet lieutenant was higher than a second lieutenant of the fleet and lower than a lieutenant commander. In 1722, with the introduction of the Table of Ranks by Peter I, an attempt was made to remove the rank of lieutenant from use - in all branches of the army it was replaced by the rank of lieutenant and retained only in the supply service (Furleit lieutenants, in status higher than the headquarters of the Fourier and lower than the Chief Wagenmeister). However, while in the navy the rank of lieutenant took root, in the army they soon returned to the rank of lieutenant. The army lieutenant initially belonged to the XII class of the Table and in status was higher than the second lieutenant and lower than the captain-lieutenant (since 1798 - staff captain). Artillery lieutenants belonged to class X, guards lieutenants to class IX. In the cavalry, lieutenants were considered lower in status than captains and higher than ensigns (since 1731, cornets, with the exception of the period 1765-1798, when cavalry ensigns were again introduced instead of cornets), since the ranks of captain-lieutenant and second lieutenant were not there, with the exception of some time dragoons (during the period when infantry ranks were used in dragoon regiments) and guards cavalry, where from 1731 (since its creation) the rank of second captain was established. In 1798, the rank of headquarters captain was introduced throughout the cavalry; from this year, cavalry lieutenants were considered to have a status higher than the cornet and lower than the headquarters captain.
In 1732, the rank of lieutenant of the fleet was restored, and until 1764 it belonged to the VIII class of the Table, and then, until abolition in 1798, to the IX class. Thus, naval lieutenants were for some time two classes higher than even guards lieutenants. During the period of the existence of the life campaign (1741-1761), the lieutenants of the life campaign also belonged to the VIII class of the Table. In 1798, the lieutenants of the guard were transferred to the X class of the Table and this state remained until the reform of 1826; in the “young guard”, the lieutenants until 1826 belonged to the IX class of the Table, then to the X class.
Until 1882, the rank of lieutenant was the primary chief officer rank in a separate corps of gendarmes.
In 1884, a reform was carried out, as a result of which the old and young guards, as well as officers of special troops (artillery, etc.) and the army, were equal in rights, after which army lieutenants belonged to class X of the Table, and guards - to class IX. This position remained until 1917, with the exception of the company of palace grenadiers, in which, since its creation in 1826, the lieutenants belonged to the VIII class of the Table.

Generality:
General's shoulder strap and:

-Field Marshal General* - crossed wands.
-general of infantry, cavalry, etc.(the so-called “full general”) - without asterisks,
- Lieutenant General- 3 stars
- major general- 2 stars,

Staff officers:
Two clearances and:


-colonel- without stars.
- lieutenant colonel(since 1884 the Cossacks had a military sergeant major) - 3 stars
-major**(until 1884 the Cossacks had a military foreman) - 2 stars

Chief officers:
One gap and:


- captain(captain, esaul) - without asterisks.
-staff captain(headquarters captain, podesaul) - 4 stars
- lieutenant(centurion) - 3 stars
- second lieutenant(cornet, cornet) - 2 stars
- ensign*** - 1 star

Lower ranks


- mediocre - ensign- 1 galloon stripe along the shoulder strap with 1 star on the stripe
- second ensign- 1 braided stripe the length of the shoulder strap
-sergeant major(sergeant) - 1 wide transverse stripe
-st. non-commissioned officer(Art. fireworker, Art. sergeant) - 3 narrow transverse stripes
-ml. non-commissioned officer(junior fireworker, junior constable) - 2 narrow transverse stripes
-corporal(bombardier, clerk) - 1 narrow transverse stripe
-private(gunner, Cossack) - without stripes

*In 1912, the last Field Marshal General, Dmitry Alekseevich Milyutin, who served as Minister of War from 1861 to 1881, dies. This rank was not assigned to anyone else, but nominally this rank was retained.
** The rank of major was abolished in 1884 and was never restored.
*** Since 1884, the rank of warrant officer was reserved only for wartime (assigned only during the war, and with its end, all warrant officers are subject to either retirement or the rank of second lieutenant).
P.S. Encryptions and monograms are not placed on shoulder straps.
Very often one hears the question “why does the junior rank in the category of staff officers and generals begin with two stars, and not with one like for chief officers?” When in 1827 stars on epaulettes appeared in the Russian army as insignia, the major general received two stars on his epaulette at once.
There is a version that one star was awarded to the brigadier - this rank had not been awarded since the time of Paul I, but by 1827 there were still
retired foremen who had the right to wear a uniform. True, retired military men were not entitled to epaulets. And it’s unlikely that many of them survived until 1827 (passed
It’s been about 30 years since the abolition of the brigadier rank). Most likely, the two general's stars were simply copied from the epaulette of the French brigadier general. There is nothing strange in this, because the epaulettes themselves came to Russia from France. Most likely, there never was one general’s star in the Russian Imperial Army. This version seems more plausible.

As for the major, he received two stars by analogy with the two stars of the Russian major general of that time.

The only exception was the insignia in hussar regiments in ceremonial and ordinary (everyday) uniforms, in which shoulder cords were worn instead of shoulder straps.
Shoulder cords.
Instead of epaulettes of the cavalry type, the hussars have on their dolmans and mentiks
Hussar shoulder cords. For all officers, the same gold or silver double soutache cord of the same color as the cords on the dolman for the lower ranks are shoulder cords made of double soutache cord in color -
orange for regiments with a metal color - gold or white for regiments with a metal color - silver.
These shoulder cords form a ring at the sleeve, and a loop at the collar, fastened with a uniform button sewn to the floor an inch from the seam of the collar.
To distinguish ranks, gombochki are put on the cords (a ring made of the same cold cord encircling the shoulder cord):
-y corporal- one, the same color as the cord;
-y non-commissioned officers three-color gombochki (white with St. George's thread), in number, like stripes on shoulder straps;
-y sergeant- gold or silver (like officers) on an orange or white cord (like lower ranks);
-y sub-ensign- a smooth officer's shoulder cord with a sergeant's gong;
Officers have gombochkas with stars on their officer cords (metal, like on shoulder straps) - in accordance with their rank.

Volunteers wear twisted cords of Romanov colors (white, black and yellow) around their cords.

The shoulder cords of chief officers and staff officers are in no way different.
Staff officers and generals have the following differences in their uniforms: on the collar, generals have a wide or gold braid up to 1 1/8 inches wide, while staff officers have a gold or silver braid of 5/8 inches, running the entire length.
hussar zigzags", and for chief officers the collar is trimmed with only cord or filigree.
In the 2nd and 5th regiments, the chief officers also have galloon along the upper edge of the collar, but 5/16 inches wide.
In addition, on the cuffs of the generals there is a galloon identical to that on the collar. The braid stripe extends from the sleeve slit at two ends and converges at the front above the toe.
The staff officers have a braid that is also the same as that on the collar. The length of the entire patch is up to 5 inches.
But chief officers are not entitled to braid.

Below are pictures of the shoulder cords

1. Officers and generals

2. Lower ranks

The shoulder cords of chief officers, staff officers and generals did not differ in any way from each other. For example, it was possible to distinguish a cornet from a major general only by the type and width of the braid on the cuffs and, in some regiments, on the collar.
Twisted cords were only reserved for adjutants and wing adjutants!

Shoulder cords of the aide-de-camp (left) and adjutant (right)

Officer's shoulder straps: lieutenant colonel of the aviation detachment of the 19th army corps and staff captain of the 3rd field aviation detachment. In the center are the shoulder straps of the cadets of the Nikolaev Engineering School. On the right is the shoulder strap of a captain (most likely a dragoon or uhlan regiment)

The Russian army in its modern understanding began to be created by Emperor Peter I at the end of the 18th century. The system of military ranks of the Russian army was formed partly under the influence of European systems, partly under the influence of the historically established purely Russian system of ranks. However, at that time there were no military ranks in the sense in which we are accustomed to understand. There were specific military units, there were also very specific positions and, accordingly, their names. There was no, for example, the rank of “captain”, there was the position of “captain”, i.e. company commander. By the way, in the civilian fleet even now, the person in charge of the crew of the ship is called “captain”, the person in charge of the seaport is called “port captain”. In the 18th century, many words existed in a slightly different meaning than they have now.
So "General" meant "chief", and not just "highest military leader";
"Major"- “senior” (senior among regimental officers);
"Lieutenant"- "assistant"
"Outbuilding"- "Jr".

“The table of ranks of all military, civil and court ranks, in which class the ranks are acquired” was put into effect by Decree of Emperor Peter I on January 24, 1722 and existed until December 16, 1917. The word "officer" came into Russian from German. But in German, as in English, the word has a much broader meaning. When applied to the army, this term refers to all military leaders in general. In a narrower translation, it means “employee”, “clerk”, “employee”. Therefore, it is quite natural that “non-commissioned officers” are junior commanders, “chief officers” are senior commanders, “staff officers” are staff employees, “generals” are the main ones. Non-commissioned officer ranks also in those days were not ranks, but positions. Ordinary soldiers were then named according to their military specialties - musketeer, pikeman, dragoon, etc. There was no name “private”, and “soldier”, as Peter I wrote, means all military personnel “... from the highest general to the last musketeer, horseman or foot...” Therefore, soldier and non-commissioned officer ranks were not included in the Table. The well-known names “second lieutenant” and “lieutenant” existed in the list of ranks of the Russian army long before the formation of the regular army by Peter I to designate military personnel who were assistant captains, that is, company commanders; and continued to be used within the framework of the Table, as Russian-language synonyms for the positions of “non-commissioned lieutenant” and “lieutenant”, that is, “assistant” and “assistant”. Well, or if you want, “assistant officer for assignments” and “officer for assignments.” The name "ensign" as more understandable (carrying a banner, ensign), quickly replaced the obscure "fendrik", which meant "candidate for an officer position. Over time, there was a process of separation of the concepts of "position" and "rank". After the beginning of the 19th century, these concepts were already divided quite clearly. With the development of means of warfare, the advent of technology, when the army became large enough and when it was necessary to compare the service positions of a fairly large set of job titles, this is where the concept of “rank” often began to be obscured, to be relegated to the background. job title".

However, even in the modern army, position, so to speak, is more important than rank. According to the charter, seniority is determined by position and only in case of equal positions is the one with the higher rank considered senior.

According to the “Table of Ranks” the following ranks were introduced: civilian, military infantry and cavalry, military artillery and engineering troops, military guards, military navy.

In the period from 1722-1731, in relation to the army, the system of military ranks looked like this (the corresponding position is in brackets)

Lower ranks (private)

Specialty (grenadier. Fuseler...)

Non-commissioned officers

Corporal(part-commander)

Fourier(deputy platoon commander)

Captainarmus

Sub-ensign(sergeant major of company, battalion)

Sergeant

Sergeant Major

Ensign(Fendrik), bayonet-junker (art) (platoon commander)

Second Lieutenant

Lieutenant(deputy company commander)

Captain-lieutenant(company commander)

Captain

Major(deputy battalion commander)

Lieutenant colonel(battalion commander)

Colonel(regiment commander)

Brigadier(brigade commander)

Generals

Major General(division commander)

Lieutenant General(corps commander)

General-in-chief (General-feldtsehmeister)– (army commander)

Field Marshal General(Commander-in-Chief, honorary title)

In the Life Guards the ranks were two classes higher than in the army. In the army artillery and engineering troops, the ranks are one class higher than in the infantry and cavalry. During the period 1731-1765 the concepts of “rank” and “position” begin to separate. Thus, in the staff of a field infantry regiment of 1732, when indicating staff ranks, it is no longer just the rank of “quartermaster” that is written, but a position indicating the rank: “quartermaster (lieutenant rank).” In relation to company-level officers, the separation of the concepts of “position” and “rank” is not yet observed. In the army "fendrick" is replaced by " ensign", in the cavalry - "cornet". Ranks are being introduced "sec-major" And "prime major" During the reign of Empress Catherine II (1765-1798) ranks are introduced in the army infantry and cavalry junior and senior sergeant, sergeant major disappears. Since 1796 in Cossack units, the names of ranks are established the same as the ranks of army cavalry and are equated to them, although Cossack units continue to be listed as irregular cavalry (not part of the army). There is no rank of second lieutenant in the cavalry, but captain corresponds to the captain. During the reign of Emperor Paul I (1796-1801) The concepts of “rank” and “position” during this period were already separated quite clearly. The ranks in the infantry and artillery are compared. Paul I did a lot of useful things to strengthen the army and discipline in it. He forbade the enrollment of young noble children into the regiments. All those enrolled in the regiments were required to actually serve. He introduced disciplinary and criminal liability of officers for soldiers (preservation of life and health, training, clothing, living conditions) and prohibited the use of soldiers as labor on the estates of officers and generals; introduced the awarding of soldiers with insignia of the Order of St. Anne and the Order of the Maltese Cross; introduced an advantage in promotion to the ranks of officers who graduated from military educational institutions; ordered promotion in ranks only based on business qualities and ability to command; introduced leaves for soldiers; limited the duration of officers' vacations to one month per year; dismissed from the army a large number of generals who did not meet the requirements of military service (old age, illiteracy, disability, absence from service for a long time, etc.). Ranks were introduced in the lower ranks junior and senior privates. In the cavalry - sergeant(company sergeant) For Emperor Alexander I (1801-1825) since 1802, all non-commissioned officers of the noble class are called "cadet". Since 1811, the rank of “major” was abolished in the artillery and engineering troops and the rank of “ensign” was returned. During the reign of Emperor Nicholas I (1825-1855) , who did a lot to streamline the army, Alexander II (1855-1881) and the beginning of the reign of Emperor Alexander III (1881-1894) Since 1828, army Cossacks have been given ranks different from the army cavalry (In the Life Guards Cossack and Life Guards Ataman regiments, ranks are the same as those of the entire Guards cavalry). The Cossack units themselves are transferred from the category of irregular cavalry to the army. The concepts of “rank” and “position” during this period are already completely separated. Under Nicholas I, the discrepancy in the names of non-commissioned officer ranks disappeared. Since 1884, the rank of warrant officer was reserved only for wartime (assigned only during the war, and with its end, all warrant officers are subject to either retirement or the rank of second lieutenant). The rank of cornet in the cavalry is retained as the first officer rank. He is a grade lower than an infantry second lieutenant, but in the cavalry there is no rank of second lieutenant. This equalizes the ranks of infantry and cavalry. In Cossack units, officer classes are equal to cavalry classes, but have their own names. In this regard, the rank of military sergeant major, previously equal to a major, now becomes equal to a lieutenant colonel

“In 1912, the last Field Marshal General, Dmitry Alekseevich Milyutin, who served as Minister of War from 1861 to 1881, dies. This rank was not awarded to anyone else, but nominally this rank was retained.”

In 1910, the rank of Russian field marshal was awarded to King Nicholas I of Montenegro, and in 1912 to King Carol I of Romania.

P.S. After the October Revolution of 1917, by the Decree of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars (the Bolshevik government) of December 16, 1917, all military ranks were abolished...

Officer's shoulder straps of the tsarist army were designed completely differently than modern ones. First of all, the gaps were not part of the braid, as it has been done here since 1943. In the engineering troops, two belt braids or one belt braid and two headquarters braids were simply sewn onto the shoulder straps. For each branch of the military, the type of braid was determined specifically. For example, in the hussar regiments, the “hussar zig-zag” braid was used on officer’s shoulder straps. On the shoulder straps of military officials, "civilian" braid was used. Thus, the gaps of the officer's shoulder straps were always the same color as the field of the soldiers' shoulder straps. If the shoulder straps in this part did not have a colored edging (piping), as, say, it was in the engineering troops, then the piping had the same color as the gaps. But if in part the shoulder straps had colored piping, then it was visible around the officer’s shoulder straps. The shoulder strap was silver-colored without edges with an embossed double-headed eagle sitting on crossed axes. The stars were embroidered with gold thread on the shoulder straps, and the encryption was metal gilded applied numbers and letters or silver monograms (as appropriate). At the same time, it was widespread to wear gilded forged metal stars, which were supposed to be worn only on epaulettes.

The placement of asterisks was not strictly established and was determined by the size of the encryption. Two stars were supposed to be placed around the encryption, and if it filled the entire width of the shoulder strap, then above it. The third asterisk had to be placed so as to form an equilateral triangle with the two lower ones, and the fourth asterisk was slightly higher. If there is one sprocket on the shoulder strap (for an ensign), then it was placed where the third sprocket is usually attached. Special signs also had gilded metal overlays, although they could often be found embroidered with gold thread. The exception was special aviation insignia, which were oxidized and had a silver color with a patina.

1. Epaulet staff captain 20th Engineer Battalion

2. Epaulet for lower ranks Ulan 2nd Life Ulan Kurland Regiment 1910

3. Epaulet full general from the retinue cavalry His Imperial Majesty Nicholas II. The silver device of the epaulette indicates the high military rank of the owner (only the marshal was higher)

About stars on uniform

For the first time, forged five-pointed stars appeared on the epaulettes of Russian officers and generals in January 1827 (back in the time of Pushkin). One golden star began to be worn by warrant officers and cornets, two by second lieutenants and major generals, and three by lieutenants and lieutenant generals. four are staff captains and staff captains.

And with April 1854 Russian officers began to wear sewn stars on newly established shoulder straps. For the same purpose, the German army used diamonds, the British used knots, and the Austrian used six-pointed stars.

Although the designation of military rank on shoulder straps is a characteristic feature of the Russian and German armies.

Among the Austrians and the British, shoulder straps had a purely functional role: they were sewn from the same material as the jacket so that the shoulder straps did not slip. And the rank was indicated on the sleeve. The five-pointed star, pentagram is a universal symbol of protection and security, one of the most ancient. In Ancient Greece it could be found on coins, on house doors, stables and even on cradles. Among the Druids of Gaul, Britain, and Ireland, the five-pointed star (Druid cross) was a symbol of protection from external evil forces. And it can still be seen on the window panes of medieval Gothic buildings. The Great French Revolution revived five-pointed stars as a symbol of the ancient god of war, Mars. They denoted the rank of commanders of the French army - on hats, epaulettes, scarves, and on uniform coattails.

The military reforms of Nicholas I copied the appearance of the French army - this is how the stars “rolled” from the French horizon to the Russian one.

As for the British army, even during the Boer War, stars began to migrate to shoulder straps. This is about officers. For lower ranks and warrant officers, the insignia remained on the sleeves.
In the Russian, German, Danish, Greek, Romanian, Bulgarian, American, Swedish and Turkish armies, shoulder straps served as insignia. In the Russian army, there were shoulder insignia for both lower ranks and officers. Also in the Bulgarian and Romanian armies, as well as in the Swedish. In the French, Spanish and Italian armies, rank insignia was placed on the sleeves. In the Greek army, it was on officers' shoulder straps and on the sleeves of lower ranks. In the Austro-Hungarian army, the insignia of officers and lower ranks were on the collar, those on the lapels. In the German army, only officers had shoulder straps, while the lower ranks were distinguished by the braid on the cuffs and collar, as well as the uniform button on the collar. The exception was the Kolonial truppe, where as additional (and in a number of colonies the main) insignia of the lower ranks there were chevrons made of silver galloon sewn on the left sleeve of a-la gefreiter 30-45 years.

It is interesting to note that in peacetime service and field uniforms, that is, with a tunic of the 1907 model, officers of the hussar regiments wore shoulder straps that were also somewhat different from the shoulder straps of the rest of the Russian army. For hussar shoulder straps, galloon with the so-called “hussar zigzag” was used
The only part where shoulder straps with the same zigzag were worn, besides the hussar regiments, was the 4th battalion (since 1910 regiment) of the Imperial Family riflemen. Here is a sample: shoulder straps of the captain of the 9th Kyiv Hussar Regiment.

Unlike the German hussars, who wore uniforms of the same design, differing only in the color of the fabric. With the introduction of khaki-colored shoulder straps, the zigzags also disappeared; membership in the hussars was indicated by encryption on the shoulder straps. For example, "6 G", that is, the 6th Hussar.
In general, the field uniform of the hussars was of the dragoon type, they were combined arms. The only difference indicating belonging to the hussars was the boots with a rosette in front. However, the hussar regiments were allowed to wear chakchirs with their field uniform, but not all regiments, but only the 5th and 11th. The wearing of chakchirs by the rest of the regiments was a kind of “hazing”. But during the war, this happened, as well as the wearing by some officers of a saber, instead of the standard dragon saber, which was required for field equipment.

The photograph shows the captain of the 11th Izyum Hussar Regiment K.K. von Rosenschild-Paulin (sitting) and cadet of the Nikolaev Cavalry School K.N. von Rosenchild-Paulin (also later an officer in the Izyum Regiment). Captain in summer dress or dress uniform, i.e. in a tunic of the 1907 model, with galloon shoulder straps and the number 11 (note, on the officer's shoulder straps of peacetime valery regiments there are only numbers, without the letters "G", "D" or "U"), and blue chakchirs worn by the officers of this regiment for all forms of clothing.
Regarding “hazing,” during the World War it was apparently also common for hussar officers to wear galloon shoulder straps in peacetime.

on galloon officer's shoulder straps of cavalry regiments, only numbers were affixed, and there were no letters. which is confirmed by photographs.

Ordinary ensign- from 1907 to 1917 in the Russian army the highest military rank for non-commissioned officers. The insignia for ordinary ensigns was the shoulder straps of a lieutenant officer with a large (larger than an officer's) asterisk in the upper third of the shoulder strap on the line of symmetry. The rank was awarded to the most experienced long-term non-commissioned officers; with the beginning of the First World War, it began to be assigned to ensigns as an incentive, often immediately before the assignment of the first chief officer rank (ensign or cornet).

From Brockhaus and Efron:
Ordinary ensign, military During mobilization, if there were a shortage of persons meeting the conditions for promotion to the officer rank, there was no one. non-commissioned officers are awarded the rank of warrant officer; correcting the duties of junior officers, Z. great. restricted in the rights to move in the service.

Interesting history of the rank sub-ensign. During the period 1880-1903. this rank was awarded to graduates of cadet schools (not to be confused with military schools). In the cavalry he corresponded to the rank of estandart cadet, in the Cossack troops - sergeant. Those. it turned out that this was some kind of intermediate rank between the lower ranks and officers. Sub-ensigns who graduated from the Junkers College in the 1st category were promoted to officers no earlier than September of their graduation year, but outside of vacancies. Those who graduated in the 2nd category were promoted to officers no earlier than the beginning of the next year, but only for vacancies, and it turned out that some waited several years for promotion. According to order No. 197 of 1901, with the production of the last ensigns, estandard cadets and sub-warrants in 1903, these ranks were abolished. This was due to the beginning of the transformation of cadet schools into military ones.
Since 1906, the rank of ensign in the infantry and cavalry and sub-ensign in the Cossack troops began to be awarded to long-term non-commissioned officers who graduated from a special school. Thus, this rank became the maximum for lower ranks.

Sub-ensign, estandard cadet and sub-ensign, 1886:

Shoulder straps of the staff captain of the Cavalry Regiment and shoulder straps of the staff captain of the Life Guards of the Moscow Regiment.

The first shoulder strap is declared as the shoulder strap of an officer (captain) of the 17th Nizhny Novgorod Dragoon Regiment. But Nizhny Novgorod residents should have dark green piping along the edge of the shoulder strap, and the monogram should be a applied color. And the second shoulder strap is presented as the shoulder strap of a second lieutenant of the Guards artillery (with such a monogram in the Guards artillery there were shoulder straps for officers of only two batteries: the 1st battery of the Life Guards of the 2nd Artillery Brigade and the 2nd battery of the Guards Horse Artillery), but the shoulder strap button should not Is it possible to have an eagle with guns in this case?

Major(Spanish mayor - bigger, stronger, more significant) - the first rank of senior officers.
The title originated in the 16th century. The major was responsible for the guard and food of the regiment. When regiments were divided into battalions, the battalion commander usually became a major.
In the Russian army, the rank of major was introduced by Peter I in 1698 and abolished in 1884.
Prime Major is a staff officer rank in the Russian Imperial Army of the 18th century. Belonged to class VIII of the Table of Ranks.
According to the charter of 1716, majors were divided into prime majors and second majors.
The prime major was in charge of the regiment's combat and inspection units. He commanded the 1st battalion, and in the absence of the regiment commander, the regiment.
The division between prime and second majors was abolished in 1797."

"Appeared in Russia as a rank and position (deputy regiment commander) in the Streltsy army at the end of the 15th - early 16th centuries. In Streltsy regiments, as a rule, lieutenant colonels (often of “vile” origin) performed all administrative functions for the Streltsy head, appointed from among the nobles or In the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century, the rank (rank) and position were referred to as half-colonel due to the fact that the lieutenant colonel usually, in addition to his other duties, commanded the second “half” of the regiment - the back ranks in the formation and the reserve (before the introduction of battalion formation of regular soldier regiments) From the moment of the introduction of the Table of Ranks until its abolition in 1917, the rank (rank) of lieutenant colonel belonged to the VII class of the Table and until 1856 gave the right to hereditary nobility. In 1884, after the abolition of the rank of major in the Russian army, all majors (with the exception of those dismissed). or those who have stained themselves with unseemly misconduct) are promoted to lieutenant colonel."

INSIGNIA OF CIVIL OFFICERS OF THE WAR MINISTRY (here are military topographers)

Officers of the Imperial Military Medical Academy

Chevrons of combatant lower ranks of long-term service according to “Regulations on the lower ranks of non-commissioned officers who remain voluntarily on long-term active service” from 1890.

From left to right: Up to 2 years, Over 2 to 4 years, Over 4 to 6 years, Over 6 years

To be precise, the article from which these drawings were borrowed says the following: “...the awarding of chevrons to long-term servicemen of the lower ranks holding the positions of sergeant majors (sergeant majors) and platoon non-commissioned officers (fireworks officers) of combat companies, squadrons, and batteries was carried out:
– Upon admission to long-term service - a narrow silver chevron
– At the end of the second year of extended service - a silver wide chevron
– At the end of the fourth year of extended service - a narrow gold chevron
- At the end of the sixth year of extended service - a wide gold chevron"

In army infantry regiments to designate the ranks of corporal, ml. and senior non-commissioned officers used army white braid.

1. The rank of WARRANT OFFICER has existed in the army since 1991 only in wartime.
With the beginning of the Great War, ensigns are graduated from military schools and ensign schools.
2. The rank of WARRANT OFFICER in the reserve, in peacetime, on the warrant officer's shoulder straps, wears a braided stripe against the device at the lower rib.
3. The rank of WARRANT OFFICER, to this rank in wartime, when military units are mobilized and there is a shortage of junior officers, lower ranks are renamed from non-commissioned officers with an educational qualification, or from sergeant majors without
educational qualification. From 1891 to 1907, ordinary warrant officers on ensign's shoulder straps also wore stripes of the ranks from which they were renamed.
4. The title of ENTERPRISE-WRITTEN OFFICER (since 1907). Shoulder straps of a lieutenant officer with an officer's star and a transverse badge for the position. On the sleeve there is a 5/8 inch chevron, angled upward. Officer's shoulder straps were retained only by those who were renamed Z-Pr. during the Russo-Japanese War and remained in the army, for example, as a sergeant major.
5. Title of WARRANT OFFICER-ZAURYAD of the State Militia. This rank was renamed to non-commissioned officers of the reserve, or, if they had an educational qualification, who served for at least 2 months as a non-commissioned officer of the State Militia and appointed to the position of junior officer of the squad. Ordinary warrant officers wore shoulder straps of an active-duty warrant officer with an instrument-colored galloon patch sewn into the lower part of the shoulder strap.

Cossack ranks and titles

At the lowest rung of the service ladder stood an ordinary Cossack, corresponding to an infantry private. Next came the clerk, who had one stripe and corresponded to a corporal in the infantry. The next step in the career ladder is junior sergeant and senior sergeant, corresponding to junior non-commissioned officer, non-commissioned officer and senior non-commissioned officer and with the number of badges characteristic of modern non-commissioned officers. This was followed by the rank of sergeant, who was not only in the Cossacks, but also in the non-commissioned officers of the cavalry and horse artillery.

In the Russian army and gendarmerie, the sergeant was the closest assistant to the commander of a hundred, squadron, battery in drill training, internal order and economic affairs. The rank of sergeant corresponded to the rank of sergeant major in the infantry. According to the regulations of 1884, introduced by Alexander III, the next rank in the Cossack troops, but only for wartime, was sub-short, an intermediate rank between ensign and warrant officer in the infantry, also introduced in wartime. In peacetime, except for the Cossack troops, these ranks existed only for reserve officers. The next grade in the chief officer ranks is cornet, corresponding to second lieutenant in the infantry and cornet in the regular cavalry.

According to his official position, he corresponded to a junior lieutenant in the modern army, but wore shoulder straps with a blue clearance on a silver field (the applied color of the Don Army) with two stars. In the old army, compared to the Soviet army, the number of stars was one more. Next came the centurion - a chief officer rank in the Cossack troops, corresponding to a lieutenant in the regular army. The centurion wore shoulder straps of the same design, but with three stars, corresponding in his position to a modern lieutenant. A higher step is podesaul.

This rank was introduced in 1884. In the regular troops it corresponded to the rank of staff captain and staff captain.

Podesaul was the assistant or deputy of the captain and in his absence commanded the Cossack hundred.
Shoulder straps of the same design, but with four stars.
In terms of service position he corresponds to a modern senior lieutenant. And the highest rank of chief officer is esaul. It is worth talking about this rank in particular, since from a purely historical perspective, the people who wore it held positions in both the civil and military departments. In various Cossack troops, this position included various service prerogatives.

The word comes from the Turkic “yasaul” - chief.
It was first mentioned in the Cossack troops in 1576 and was used in the Ukrainian Cossack army.

Yesauls were general, military, regimental, hundred, village, marching and artillery. General Yesaul (two per Army) - the highest rank after the hetman. In peacetime, general esauls performed inspector functions; in war they commanded several regiments, and in the absence of the hetman, the entire Army. But this is typical only for Ukrainian Cossacks. Military esauls were elected on the Military Circle (in Donskoy and most others - two per Army, in Volzhsky and Orenburg - one each). We were engaged in administrative matters. Since 1835, they were appointed as adjutants to the military ataman. Regimental esauls (initially two per regiment) performed the duties of staff officers and were the closest assistants to the regiment commander.

Hundred esauls (one per hundred) commanded hundreds. This link did not take root in the Don Army after the first centuries of the existence of the Cossacks.

The village esauls were characteristic only of the Don Army. They were elected at village gatherings and were assistants to the village atamans. Marching esauls (usually two per Army) were selected when setting out on a campaign. They served as assistants to the marching ataman; in the 16th-17th centuries, in his absence, they commanded the army; later they were executors of the marching ataman’s orders. The artillery esaul (one per Army) was subordinate to the chief of artillery and carried out his orders. General, regimental, village and other esauls were gradually abolished

Only the military esaul was preserved under the military ataman of the Don Cossack army. In 1798 - 1800. The rank of esaul was equal to the rank of captain in the cavalry. Esaul, as a rule, commanded a Cossack hundred. His official position corresponded to that of a modern captain. He wore shoulder straps with a blue gap on a silver field without stars. Next come the headquarters officer ranks. In fact, after the reform of Alexander III in 1884, the rank of esaul entered this rank, due to which the rank of major was removed from the staff officer ranks, as a result of which a serviceman from captains immediately became a lieutenant colonel. Next on the Cossack career ladder is a military foreman. The name of this rank comes from the ancient name of the executive body of power among the Cossacks. In the second half of the 18th century, this name, in a modified form, extended to individuals who commanded individual branches of the Cossack army. Since 1754, a military foreman was equivalent to a major, and with the abolition of this rank in 1884, to a lieutenant colonel. He wore shoulder straps with two blue gaps on a silver field and three large stars.

Well, then comes the colonel, the shoulder straps are the same as those of a military sergeant major, but without stars. Starting from this rank, the service ladder is unified with the general army one, since the purely Cossack names of ranks disappear. The official position of a Cossack general fully corresponds to the general ranks of the Russian Army.