Every detail of a military uniform is endowed with a practical meaning and did not appear on it by chance, but as a result of certain events. We can say that elements of military uniforms have both historical symbolism and utilitarian purpose.

The appearance and development of shoulder straps in the Russian Empire

The opinion that shoulder straps come from a part of knight's armor, designed to protect the shoulders from blows, is one of the most common misconceptions. A simple study of armor and army uniforms of the past, from the second half of the 12th century to the end of the 17th century, allows us to conclude that nothing like this existed in any army in the world. In Rus', even the strictly regulated uniform of the archers did not have anything similar to protect the shoulders.

Shoulder straps of the Russian army were first introduced by Emperor Peter I in the period between 1683-1698 and had a purely utilitarian meaning. Soldiers of the grenadier regiments and fusiliers used them as an additional mount for backpacks or cartridge bags. Naturally, shoulder straps were worn exclusively by soldiers, and only on the left shoulder.

However, after 30 years, as the branches of troops increase, this element spreads throughout the troops, serving in one or another regiment. In 1762, this function was officially assigned to shoulder straps, beginning to decorate officers’ uniforms with them. At that time, it was impossible to find a universal model of shoulder straps in the army of the Russian Empire. The commander of each regiment could independently determine its type of weaving, length and width. Often wealthy officers from prominent aristocratic families wore the regimental insignia in a more luxurious version - with gold and precious stones. Nowadays, shoulder straps of the Russian army (pictures below) are a coveted item for collectors of military uniforms.

During the reign of Emperor Alexander I, shoulder straps took on the appearance of a fabric flap with clear regulation of color, fastenings and decor, depending on the number of the regiment in the division. Officers' shoulder straps differ from soldiers' shoulder straps only by being trimmed with gold cord (galloon) along the edge. When the knapsack was introduced in 1803, there were two of them - one on each shoulder.

After 1854, not only uniforms, but also cloaks and overcoats began to be decorated. Thus, the role of “determiner of ranks” is forever assigned to the shoulder straps. TO end of the 19th century Century, soldiers begin to use a duffel bag instead of a backpack, and additional attachment on the shoulders is no longer required. Shoulder straps are removed from the fastenings in the form of buttons and are tightly sewn into the fabric.

After the collapse of the Russian Empire, and with it the tsarist army, shoulder straps and epaulettes disappear from military uniforms for several decades, recognized as a symbol of “inequality of workers and exploiters.”

Shoulder straps in the Red Army from 1919 to 1943

The USSR sought to get rid of the “remnants of imperialism,” which also included the ranks and shoulder straps of the Russian (tsarist) army. On December 16, 1917, by the decrees of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars "On the elective principle and organization of power in the army" and "On the equalization of rights of all military personnel", all previously existing army ranks and insignia were abolished. And on January 15, 1918, the country's leadership adopted a decree on the creation of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army (RKKA).

For some time, a strange mixture of military symbols was in effect in the army of the new country. For example, insignia are known in the form of armbands of red (revolutionary) color with the inscription of the position, stripes of a similar tone on the sleeves of a tunic or overcoat, metal or cloth stars of different sizes on the headdress or chest.

Since 1924, in the Red Army it was proposed to recognize the ranks of military personnel by the buttonholes on the collar of the tunic. The color of the field and border was determined by the type of troops, and the gradation was extensive. For example, infantry wore crimson buttonholes with a black frame, cavalry wore blue and black, signalmen wore black and yellow, etc.

The buttonholes of the highest commanders of the Red Army (generals) had the color of the field according to the branch of service and were trimmed along the edge with a narrow golden cord.

In the field of the buttonholes there were copper figures of various shapes covered with red enamel, allowing one to determine the rank of the commander of the Red Army:

• Privates and junior command staff are triangles with a side of 1 cm. They appeared only in 1941. And before that, military personnel of these ranks wore “empty” buttonholes.
• The average command structure is squares measuring 1 x 1 cm. In everyday use, they were more often called “cubes” or “cubes”.
• Senior command staff - rectangles with sides 1.6 x 0.7 cm, called "sleepers".
• Higher command staff - rhombuses 1.7 cm high and 0.8 cm wide. Additional insignia for commanders of these ranks were chevrons made of gold braid on the sleeves of uniforms. The political composition added to them large stars made of red cloth.
• Marshals of the Soviet Union - 1 large gold star in the buttonholes and on the sleeves.

The number of characters varied from 1 to 4 - the more, the higher the rank of the commander.

The system of designating ranks in the Red Army was often subject to changes, which greatly confused the situation. Often, due to supply shortages, military personnel wore outdated or even homemade badges for months. However, the buttonhole system left its mark on the history of military uniforms. In particular, shoulder straps in the Soviet army retained the colors according to the types of troops.

Thanks to the Decree of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of January 6, 1943 and the Order of the People's Commissar of Defense No. 25 of January 15, 1943, shoulder straps and ranks returned to the lives of military personnel. These insignia will last until the collapse of the USSR. The colors of the field and edging, the shape and location of the stripes will change, but in general the system will remain unchanged, and subsequently shoulder straps of the Russian army will be created according to similar principles.

Military personnel received 2 types of such elements - everyday and field, having a standard width of 6 cm and a length of 14-16 cm, depending on the type of clothing. The shoulder straps of non-combat units (justice, military veterinarians and doctors) were deliberately narrowed to 4.5 cm.

The type of troops was determined by the color of the edging and gaps, as well as a stylized symbol on the lower or middle (for privates and junior personnel) part of the shoulder strap. Their palette is less varied than before 1943, but the basic colors have been preserved.

1. Edging (cord):

• Combined arms (military registration and enlistment offices, military institutions), infantry units, motorized rifles, quartermaster services - crimson.
• Artillery, tank troops, military medics - scarlet.
• Cavalry - blue.
• Aviation - blue.
• Other technical troops - black.

2. Clearances.

• The command (officer) composition is Bordeaux.
• Quartermasters, justice, technical, medical and veterinary services - brown.

They were designated by stars of different diameters - for junior officers 13 mm, for senior officers - 20 mm. Marshals of the Soviet Union received 1 large star.

Shoulder straps for everyday wear had a gold or silver field with embossing, rigidly attached to a hard cloth base. They were also used on dress uniforms, which military personnel wore for special occasions.

Field shoulder straps for all officers were made of silk or khaki linen with edging, gaps and insignia corresponding to the rank. At the same time, their pattern (texture) repeated the pattern on everyday shoulder straps.

From 1943 until the collapse of the USSR, military insignia and uniforms were subject to repeated changes, among which the following are particularly worth noting:

1. As a result of the 1958 reform, officers’ everyday shoulder straps began to be made of dark green cloth. For the insignia of cadets and enlisted personnel, only 3 colors were left: scarlet (combined arms, motorized rifle), blue (aviation, airborne forces), black (all other branches of the military). The gaps of officer's shoulder straps could only be blue or scarlet.

2. Since January 1973, the letters “SA” (Soviet Army) appeared on all types of shoulder straps of soldiers and sergeants. Somewhat later, the sailors and foremen of the fleet received the designations “Northern Fleet”, “TF”, “BF” and “Black Sea Fleet” - Northern Fleet, Pacific Fleet, Baltic and Black Sea Fleet, respectively. At the end of the same year, the letter “K” appears among cadets of military educational institutions.

3. The new field uniform, called the “Afghan”, came into use in 1985 and became widespread among military personnel of all branches of the military. Its peculiarity was the shoulder straps, which were an element of the jacket and had the same color as it. Those who wore the "Afghan" sewed stripes and stars onto them, and only generals were given special removable shoulder straps.

Shoulder straps of the Russian army. Main features of the reforms

The USSR ceased to exist in the fall of 1991, and along with it, shoulder straps and ranks disappeared. The creation of the Russian Armed Forces began with Presidential Decree No. 466 of May 7, 1992. However, this act did not in any way describe the shoulder straps of the Russian army. Until 1996, military personnel wore SA insignia. Moreover, confusion and mixing of symbols occurred until the year 2000.

The military uniform of the Russian Federation was almost entirely developed on the basis of the Soviet legacy. However, the reforms of 1994-2000 brought several changes to it:

1. On the shoulder straps of non-commissioned officers (foremen and sailors of the fleet), instead of transverse stripes of braid, metal squares appeared, located with the sharp side up. In addition, naval personnel received a large letter "F" at the bottom of them.

2. Ensigns and midshipmen had shoulder straps similar to those of soldiers, trimmed with colored braid, but without gaps. The long-term struggle of this category of military personnel for the right to officer insignia was devalued in one day.

3. There were almost no changes among the officers - the new shoulder straps developed for them in the Russian army almost completely repeated the Soviet ones. However, their sizes decreased: the width became 5 cm, and the length - 13-15 cm, depending on the type of clothing.

Currently, the ranks and shoulder straps of the Russian army occupy a fairly stable position. The main reforms and unification of insignia have been completed, and in the coming decades the Russian Army does not expect any significant changes in this area.

Shoulder straps for cadets

Students of military (naval) educational institutions are required to wear everyday and field shoulder straps on all types of their uniform. Depending on the clothing (tunics, winter coats and overcoats), they can be sewn on or removable (jackets, demi-season coats and shirts).

Cadet shoulder straps are strips of thick colored cloth, edged with golden braid. On field camouflage of army and aviation schools, the letter “K” must be sewn 15 mm from the bottom edge. yellow color 20 mm high. For other types of educational institutions, the designations are as follows:

• ICC- Naval Cadet Corps.
• QC- Cadet Corps.
• N- Nakhimov School.
• Anchor symbol- Navy cadet.
• SVU- Suvorov School.

On the field of students' shoulder straps there are also metal or sewn squares facing upward at an acute angle. Their thickness and brightness depend on the rank. A sample of shoulder straps with a diagram of the location of insignia, presented below, belongs to a military university cadet with the rank of sergeant.

In addition to shoulder straps, belonging to the military educational institutions and the position of the cadet can be determined by the sleeve emblems with the symbol-coat of arms, as well as by the “course” - coal stripes on the sleeve, the number of which depends on the time of training (one year, two, etc.).

Shoulder straps for privates and sergeants

Privates in the Russian land army are the lowest. In the Navy, it corresponds to the rank of sailor. A soldier who conscientiously serves can become a corporal, and on a ship - a senior sailor. Further, these servicemen are able to advance to the rank of sergeant for the ground forces or petty officer for the Navy.

Representatives of the lower military personnel of the army and navy wear shoulder straps of a similar type, the description of which is as follows:

• The upper part of the insignia has the shape of a trapezoid, within which a button is located.
• The field color of the shoulder straps of the RF Armed Forces is dark green for everyday uniforms and camouflage for field uniforms. Sailors wear black cloth.
• The color of the edging indicates the type of troops: blue for the Airborne Forces and Aviation, and red for all others. The Navy frames its shoulder straps with white cord.
• At the bottom of the everyday shoulder straps, 15 mm from the edge, are the letters “VS” (Armed Forces) or “F” (navy) in golden color. The field workers do without such “excesses”.
• Depending on the rank within the private and sergeant corps, sharp-angled stripes are attached to shoulder straps. The higher the position of the serviceman, the greater their number and thickness. On the shoulder straps of the sergeant major (the highest rank of non-commissioned officers) there is also a troop emblem.

Separately, it is worth mentioning warrant officers and midshipmen, whose precarious position between privates and officers is fully reflected in their insignia. For them, the shoulder straps of the new Russian army seem to consist of 2 parts:

1. Soldier's "field" without gaps, trimmed with colored braid.

2. Officer stars along the central axis: 2 for a regular warrant officer, 3 for a senior warrant officer. A similar number of badges is provided to simply midshipmen and senior midshipmen.

Shoulder straps for junior officers

The lower officer ranks begin with a junior lieutenant and are completed by a captain. The stars on the shoulder straps, their number, size and location are identical for the ground forces and the Navy.

Junior officers are distinguished by one gap and from 1 to 4 stars of 13 mm each along the central axis. In accordance with Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 1010 of May 23, 1994, shoulder straps can have the following colors:

• For a white shirt - shoulder straps with a white field, emblems and golden stars.
• For a green shirt, everyday tunic, jacket and overcoat - green insignia with gaps according to the type of troops, emblems and gold-colored stars.
• For the Air Force (aviation) and everyday top uniform - shoulder straps of blue color with a blue gap, an emblem and golden stars.
• For the ceremonial jacket of any branch of the military, the insignia is silver with colored gaps, braid and gold stars.
• For field uniforms (aircraft only) - camouflage shoulder straps without gaps, with gray stars.

Thus, for junior officers there are 3 types of shoulder straps - field, everyday and dress, which they use depending on the type of uniform worn. Naval officers only have casual and dress uniforms.

Shoulder straps for middle officers

The group of ranks of the Armed Forces begins with major and ends with colonel, and in the Navy - from captain 3rd rank to, respectively. Despite the differences in the names of the ranks, the principles of construction and the location of insignia remain almost identical.

Shoulder straps of the Russian army and navy for medium personnel have the following distinctive features:

• In everyday and formal versions, the texture (embossing) is more pronounced, almost aggressive.
• There are 2 gaps along the shoulder straps, spaced 15 mm from the edges and 20 mm from each other. They are absent in the field.
• The size of the stars is 20 mm, and their number varies from 1 to 3 depending on the rank. On field uniform shoulder straps, their color is muted from golden to silver.

Middle-ranking officers of the Armed Forces also have 3 types of shoulder straps - field, everyday and dress. Moreover, the latter have a rich golden color and are sewn only on the jacket. To be worn on a white shirt (summer version of the uniform), white shoulder straps with standard insignia are provided.

According to surveys, the major, whose uniform stars are single (and it is very difficult to make a mistake in determining the rank), is the most recognizable serviceman among that part of the population that is in no way connected with the military sphere.

Shoulder straps of senior officers of the Armed Forces

Ranks in ground forces underwent significant changes during the creation of the army Russian Federation. Presidential Decree No. 466 of May 7, 1992 not only abolished the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union, but also stopped the division of generals by branch of the military. Following this, the uniform and shoulder straps (shape, size and insignia) underwent adjustments.

Currently, senior officers wear the following types shoulder strap:

1. Ceremonial - a golden-colored field on which sewn stars are located in the number corresponding to the rank. Army generals and marshals of the Russian Federation have the coats of arms of the army and the country in the upper third of their shoulder straps. Color of the edging and stars: red - for the ground forces, blue - for aviation, airborne forces and military space forces, cornflower blue - for the FSB.

2. Everyday - the color of the field is blue for senior officers of aviation, airborne forces and aerospace forces, for others - green. There is a cord edge, only the General of the Army and the Marshal of the Russian Federation also have a star outline.

3. Field - khaki field, not camouflage, like other categories of officers. The stars and coats of arms are green, several tones darker than the background. There is no colored edging.

It’s worth mentioning the stars that adorn the shoulder straps of the generals. For country marshals and army generals, their size is 40 mm. Moreover, the latter symbol has a backing made of silver. The stars of all other officers are smaller - 22 mm.

Serviceman's rank, according to general rule, determined by the number of characters. In particular, 1 star adorns the lieutenant general - 2, and the colonel general - 3. Moreover, the first of those listed is the lowest in position in the category. The reason for this is one of the traditions of the Soviet era: in the USSR army, lieutenant generals were deputy generals of troops and took on part of their functions.

Shoulder straps of senior officers of the Navy

The leadership of the Russian Navy is represented by such ranks as rear admiral, vice admiral, admiral and fleet admiral. Since there is no field uniform in the Navy, these ranks wear only everyday or ceremonial shoulder straps, which have the following features:

1. The color of the field of the ceremonial version is gold with zigzag embossing. The shoulder strap is framed by a black edging. In everyday shoulder straps, the colors are reversed - a black field and a gold cord along the edge.

2. Senior officers of the Navy may wear shoulder straps on white or cream shirts. The field of the shoulder strap corresponds to the color of the clothing, and there is no piping.

3. The number of sewn stars on shoulder straps depends on the rank of the serviceman and increases depending on his promotion. Their main difference from similar signs in the ground forces is the backing of silver rays. Traditionally, the largest star (40 mm) belongs to the fleet admiral.

When dividing troops into the Navy and the Armed Forces, it is assumed that some swim, while others move on land or, in extreme cases, by air. But in fact, the naval forces are heterogeneous and, in addition to ship commands, include coastal troops and naval aviation. This division could not but affect the shoulder straps, and if the former are classified as ground forces and have the corresponding insignia, then with naval pilots everything is much more complicated.

Senior officers of naval aviation, on the one hand, bear ranks similar to generals of the Armed Forces. On the other hand, their shoulder straps correspond to the uniform established for the Navy. They are distinguished only by the blue color of the edging and the star without a radial backing with the corresponding design. For example, the ceremonial shoulder straps of a major general of naval carrier aviation have a gold field with an azure border around the edge and a star outline.

In addition to shoulder straps and the uniform itself, military personnel are distinguished by many other insignia, including sleeve insignia and chevrons, cockades on headdresses, symbols of military branches in buttonholes and breast symbols (badges). Together, they can provide an informed person with basic information about a military man - type of military service, rank, duration and place of service, expected scope of authority.

Unfortunately, most people fall into the “ignorant” category, so they pay attention to the most noticeable detail of the form. The shoulder straps of the Russian army are quite rewarding material in this matter. They are not overloaded with unnecessary symbolism and are of the same type for different types of troops.

In the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, two types of ranks have been established for persons undergoing military service - military and naval. In ancient Rus', the presence of insignia and certain military units formed on a permanent basis was completely excluded. The division of the then still pitiful semblance of a standing army into separate formations took place in accordance with the number of soldiers who were in one or another formation. The principle was as follows: ten warriors - a unit called the “ten”, led by the “ten”. Then everything is in the same spirit.

The history of the emergence of military ranks in Russia

Under Ivan the Terrible, and later under Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, this system underwent some changes: Streltsy hundreds appeared, and military ranks appeared in them. At that time, the hierarchy of ranks was the following list:

• Sagittarius
• foreman
• Pentecostal
• centurion
• head

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

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

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

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

Categories of military ranks in the Russian Army

One of the largest political events XX century that occurred in Russia, namely the October Revolution of 1917, became the last stage towards the formation of an established system of military ranks, which has not undergone any changes for a whole century.

Military ranks

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

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

Ship ranks

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

1. Sailor, senior sailor.
   
2. Foreman 2 (second) article, foreman 1 (first) article, chief foreman, chief ship's foreman - representatives of a group of military personnel classified as sergeants and foremen.
   
   
3. Midshipman, senior midshipman - military personnel of the group of warrant officers and midshipmen.
   
4. Junior lieutenant, lieutenant, senior lieutenant, captain-lieutenant - a group of military personnel representing junior officers.
   
   
5. Captain 3 (third) rank, captain 2 (second) rank, captain 1 (first) rank - representatives of senior officers.
   
   
6. Rear admiral, vice admiral, admiral, and fleet admiral are representatives of senior officers, respectively.
   

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

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

Colors and types of shoulder straps

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

Shoulder straps are usually distinguished according to the following series of criteria:

• the color of the shoulder strap itself (different depending on the military structure);
• the order of arrangement of distinctive signs on shoulder straps (also depending on a particular military structure);
• the color of the decals themselves on the shoulder straps (similar to the points above).

There is another important criterion - the form of clothing. Accordingly, the army does not have the widest selection of clothing, which is allowed according to the regulations. More precisely, there are only three of them: everyday uniform, field uniform and dress uniform.

Shoulder straps of non-officers

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

The everyday uniform of non-officers includes shoulder straps with two narrow stripes along the edges of the longitudinal part. Such shoulder straps can be seen on the shoulders of privates, non-commissioned officers, and warrant officers. All these images are presented above in the sections of military and ship ranks.

Officer's shoulder straps

Shoulder straps for the everyday uniform of officers are divided into three more subtypes:

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

An interesting fact is that on February 22, 2013, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin signed a decree that on the shoulder straps of army generals and admirals of the Russian Navy there will be one star with a diameter of 40 mm instead of 4 stars in one line as before. The corresponding image is presented above.

• Non-officer field uniform: shoulder straps are a regular rectangle, camouflaged as a summer taiga with a transverse (or longitudinal) stripe.
• Field uniform for junior officers: stars of relatively small size serve as a distinctive sign.
• Field uniform of senior officers: major, lieutenant colonel have one and two large stars on their shoulder straps, respectively, colonel - three.
• Field uniform of senior officers: all persons holding ranks in accordance with the previously announced composition have absolutely the same structure (dark green stars, strictly in a row), but shoulder straps different in the number of distinctive insignia. Just like in everyday uniforms, the General of the Army and the Marshal of the Russian Federation are distinguished by large stars

These features can be seen in more detail in the picture:

It was not long before military clothing became comfortable and practical. Initially, her beauty was valued more than the qualities mentioned a little earlier. Fortunately, under Alexander III (the third), it was realized that rich uniforms were too expensive. It was then that practicality and convenience began to be considered the primary value.

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

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

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

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

EMAPOLDS AS A SYMBOL OF HONOR

“...A sign of honor placed on the shoulders”

A. Nesmelov (Miropolsky)

Russian poet, officer of the Russian Imperial Army, in exile after 1920

We often come across this piece of uniform, which distinguishes a civil servant from an ordinary citizen. They have become so familiar that sometimes we don’t even notice. Especially today, when they can be seen on the shoulders not only of military personnel, but also, sometimes, of people who have nothing to do with law enforcement agencies or the state.

Shoulder straps have a long history and now we will try to tell about it.

First, let’s try to understand that titles, ranks, awards, and corresponding insignia and distinctions regulate social relations V military formations any state. Insignia traditionally refers to conventional distinctive signs on the uniform of military personnel, designed to indicate personal military ranks, belonging to a military specialty or service. These, as a rule, include shoulder straps, as well as buttonholes, various kinds of breast and sleeve badges, cockades, stars, gaps, piping, stripes, etc.

The appearance of shoulder straps in the Russian army

There is a widespread misconception that shoulder straps as an element of a military uniform come from knightly armor, or rather metal shoulder plates that protected a warrior’s shoulders from saber strikes. It is a myth.

Shoulder straps have a long history in the Russian army. They were first introduced by Emperor Peter the Great back in 1696, when he began to build his army according to the European type. But in those days, shoulder straps served only as a strap that kept the belt of a gun, backpack or cartridge bag from slipping off the shoulder. Shoulder straps were most often an attribute of the uniform of lower ranks: officers were not armed with guns, and therefore they did not need shoulder straps.

In 1762, an attempt was made to use shoulder straps as a means of distinguishing military personnel from different regiments and distinguishing soldiers and officers. To solve this problem, each regiment was given shoulder straps of different weaving from a harness cord, and to separate soldiers and officers, the weaving of shoulder straps in the same regiment was different. However, since there was no single standard, the shoulder straps performed the task of the insignia poorly.

Under Emperor Paul I, only soldiers began to wear shoulder straps, and again only for a practical purpose: to keep ammunition on their shoulders.

They began to be used again as insignia with the accession of Alexander I to the throne. However, now they did not denote rank, but membership in a particular regiment. The shoulder straps showed a number indicating the number of the regiment, and the color of the shoulder strap indicated the number of the regiment in the division: red indicated the first regiment, blue the second, white the third, and dark green the fourth.

To distinguish a soldier from an officer, officer's shoulder straps At first they were trimmed with galloon, and from 1807 officers' shoulder straps were replaced with epaulettes. Since 1827, officer and general ranks began to be designated by the number of stars on their epaulettes: for warrant officers - 1, second lieutenant, major and major general - 2; lieutenant, lieutenant colonel and lieutenant general - 3; staff captain - 4; Captains, colonels and full generals did not have stars on their epaulettes. One star was retained for retired brigadiers and retired second majors - these ranks no longer existed by 1827, but retirees with the right to wear a uniform who retired in these ranks were preserved.

Why was a star chosen as a sign of distinction? And why five-pointed?

Stars in heraldry and emblems differ both in the number of rays forming them and in color. The combination of both gives different semantic and national meanings for each star. Five-pointed star - ancient symbol protection, security, safety. 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 largely imitated the French army - this is how the stars “rolled” from the French horizon to the Russian one.

65From April 8, 1843, insignia also appeared on the shoulder straps of lower ranks: one badge went to the corporal, two to the junior non-commissioned officer, and three to the senior non-commissioned officer. The sergeant-major received a 2.5-centimeter-thick transverse stripe on his shoulder strap, and the ensign received exactly the same, but located longitudinally from golden braid, and for non-commissioned officers - from white (silver) braided braid.

The presence of epaulettes, sewing and buttonholes among officers sharply distinguished them from the mass of soldiers, which created a particular danger for officers during combat operations. This was especially evident during Crimean War 1853-1856 There is a version that Admiral P.S. Nakhimov in 1855 in Sevastopol was killed by a bullet from a French sniper, who was guided by the brightly visible epaulettes, which the general basically did not remove from his uniform.

The Crimean War revealed the inconsistency of some, especially ceremonial, items of officer uniform with the new, positional nature of combat operations. Instead of uniforms, helmets and shakos, officers preferred to wear frock coats and caps in positions. On April 29, 1854, Nicholas I, by a personal decree, prescribed instead of overcoats with a cape “in war time In general, all generals, staff and chief officers of the infantry, cavalry, pioneers, artillery and gendarmes should have military overcoats of the soldier's type. Like the lower ranks, the officer's field overcoats were made of coarse thick cloth and had a stand-up collar in colors according to the military branches and colored cloth shoulder straps assigned to the lower ranks of the unit.

To distinguish the categories of officers, gaps appeared on the shoulder straps: chief officer shoulder straps had one gap, headquarters officers had two gaps, general shoulder straps were made of solid braid of a special weave and had no gaps.

The ranks were distinguished by forged stars, like on epaulettes. The uniforms of adjutant generals and wing adjutants were supposed to have imperial monograms on their shoulder straps.

Speaking of terminology. For many, such names as lumen and edging are incomprehensible. But all this is as simple as shelling pears. The piping is a cloth edging along the edge of the shoulder strap. Clearance - a longitudinal strip of fabric dividing the shoulder strap into two or three parts. Junior officers have only one gap. The older ones have two. True, before the revolution, the juniors were called, in the German manner, “chief officers,” and the seniors were called “staff officers.”

The reign of Alexander II ushered in a period of special love among the people for their army. The unprecedented rise of patriotism in those years made serving the Fatherland the ultimate dream for many. Brilliant officers enjoyed great success at all kinds of balls, and the cut of military uniforms confidently entered secular fashion. The feelings of his subjects were shared by Alexander II, who not only dressed the troops in luxurious uniforms, but also introduced shoulder straps of a new type. The usual officer's shoulder straps and shoulder straps of lower ranks acquired an oblong pentagonal shape. The general's shoulder strap was hexagonal in shape, that is, the one that is still used today. And in general, today's shoulder straps are not much different from the shoulder straps of that time - the same gaps, the same stars. The only difference is that initially the stars were attached next to the gaps.

Since 1874, in accordance with the order of the military department No. 137 of May 4, 1874, the shoulder straps of both the first and second regiments of the division became red, and the color of the buttonholes and cap bands of the second regiment became blue. The shoulder straps of the third and fourth regiments became blue, but the third regiment had white buttonholes and bands, and the fourth regiment had green ones.

Army grenadiers had yellow shoulder straps. The shoulder straps of the Akhtyrsky and Mitavsky Hussars, the Finnish, Primorsky, Arkhangelsk, Astrakhan and Kinburn Dragoon Regiments were also yellow.

With the advent of rifle regiments, the latter were assigned crimson shoulder straps.

1. Rifleman of the 10th New Ingermanland infantry regiment. Number encryption.

2. Gunner of the 23rd horse artillery battery. Encrypted license plate and special artillery insignia.

3. Grenadier of the 5th Grenadier Kyiv Heir to the Tsarevich Regiment. Encryption in the form of the Tsarevich's monogram. On yellow shoulder straps the code is red. Blue edging - assigned to this regiment.

4. Hussar of the 6th Hussar Klyastitsky Regiment. Shoulder strap color of instrument cloth - light blue. Button color of instrument metal shelf - silver.

5. Cossack of the 14th Don Cossack Troop Ataman Efremov Regiment.

6. Sapper of the company of His Majesty's Life Guards Sapper Battalion. The monogram is a metal invoice, which is placed in the companies of His Majesty in all branches of the military.

Military officials and officials of some civilian departments, as well as the police, had shoulder straps.

In appearance, the everyday shoulder straps of the pre-revolutionary Russian army were similar to the so-called “everyday” gold and silver shoulder straps of the Soviet Army, but with the following differences:

1. The colors of the edges and gaps did not mean the type of troops (as now), but this or that regiment.

2. The stars were not metal, but embroidered: on gold shoulder straps - in silver, on silver ones - in gold.

3. The size of the stars was the same for all ranks, from ensign to general.

4. Numbered army regiments had embroidered numbers on their shoulder straps.

5. Regiments with chiefs (mainly in the guard) had on their shoulder straps a so-called “cipher” (an embroidered monogram with a crown above it).

Everyday officer shoulder straps were of two types: attached hard ones - they were worn on jackets, uniforms, frock coats; sewn on - soft, which were worn on overcoats, and then began to be worn on tunics and jackets.

The style of the shoulder straps worn on tunics was the same as on the shoulder straps (with a purlin button and a trapezoidal edge of the upper edge). In fact, these were attached shoulder straps, removed from the hard lining and sewn on.

Until 1917, the system of shoulder insignia did not change significantly, but the events of the war with Japan at the beginning of the twentieth century. and heavy losses from massive fire small arms led to the emergence of the so-called field shoulder straps.

The field shoulder straps on the overcoats were made of overcoat cloth, the gaps on them were embroidered with golden-yellow silk. The stars on the shoulder straps were metallic black-green (oxidized); they were attached to the top of the shoulder strap. The shape of the stars was thinner and flatter than the stars worn later in the Soviet Army. There was a circle in the middle of the star. The rays of the star had horizontal stamped stripes.

1.6th sapper battalion of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich the Elder.

2. Fortress telegraph of the Brest-Litovsk Fortress.

3. 8th railway battalion.

4. 5th convoy company.

5. 8th Dragoon Regiment.

6. 3rd Lancer Regiment.

7.4th Hussars.

8. 25th Artillery Brigade.

9. 5th Kiev Grenadier Regiment of the Heir to the Tsarevich.

10. 7th Grenadier Samogitsky General-Adjutant Count Totleben Regiment.

11.37th Yekaterinburg Infantry Regiment.

12. 5th East Siberian Rifle Regiment.

From the site http://army.armor.kiev.ua/

There was another type of field shoulder straps - made of light green silk braid with woven colored gaps and edgings made of cutlery cloth. These shoulder straps were worn mainly on tunics, tunics and service jackets.

68The stars on them were exactly the same as on overcoat and field shoulder straps, but they also wore gold and silver, and sometimes even embroidered. In addition to the stars on the shoulder straps - both everyday and field - they wore emblems indicating the branch of the military. The emblems were both embroidered and metal attached. The color of the emblem was always the same as that of the stars.

Infantry, cavalry, and Cossacks did not have emblems. The artillery had an emblem that has survived to this day in the Soviet Army - two crossed cannons, machine gun units - the silhouette of a Colt machine gun (on a tripod). The armored vehicles had an emblem (also preserved to this day) - an axle with two wheels and a steering wheel in the middle, between two wings. The railway troops had a crossed ax and an anchor as their emblem, sappers had a crossed pick and shovel, military doctors had a snake wrapped around a bowl (this emblem has also survived to this day).

Aviation had the emblem of a double-headed eagle with outstretched wings, holding a propeller and a sword in its paws (after February Revolution the eagle was stripped of its crown). The emblems were placed above the stars.

The junior officer corps (in the Russian army it was called “chief officer”) included ranks from ensign to captain (in the cavalry - captain, in Cossack units - esaul), had shoulder straps with one gap.

In 1914, field shoulder straps were worn in a disciplined manner by everyone who found themselves on the fronts of the First World War. However, over time, this dullness began to irritate and bring melancholy to the officers. And for the most part, those who were not constantly in infantry trenches and were not exposed to the immediate danger of rifle and machine-gun fire tried to wear galloon shoulder straps.

But, as is usually the case, the farther from the front, the more militant a person becomes. Since the marching shoulder straps were external sign front-line officers were, so to speak, covered in gunpowder smoke; they became very popular among officers “dug in in the rear,” especially in the capital’s garrisons. To such an extent that the commander of the Moscow district in February 1916 was forced to issue an order prohibiting the wearing of marching shoulder straps “... by gentlemen officers in Moscow and throughout the entire district.”

Ensign of rifle units. 1914-1918

Abolition of shoulder straps by the 1917 revolution: an army without shoulder straps

However, after October revolution shoulder straps were abolished along with military and civilian ranks.

After Civil War shoulder straps could dramatically shorten the life of their owner. The insignia of the tsarist army, together with the officer’s bearing, served as an indicator of the “unfinished counter-revolution” - that is, they were the basis for reprisals.

“...Oh, spring of the seventeenth year,

The roar of July, the grapeshot of October!..

Red freedom was torn apart

All shoulder straps are from officer’s shoulders.”

So in 1945, in the poem “Old Epaulets,” the Russian emigrant poet Arseny Nesmelov (Mitropolsky), a former officer of the Russian Imperial Army, wrote about the abolition of shoulder straps. Further in the text, the author calls shoulder straps both “a sign of honor placed on the shoulders” and “a lever tested by valor.”

Then class hatred for shoulder straps subsided, and in 1936 one of the first Soviet marshals Mikhail Tukhachevsky raised the issue of returning shoulder straps at the meeting. “The uniform is comfortable and beautiful, it obliges the commander to behave accordingly, to remember that “the honor of the uniform” is not empty words,” he told J.V. Stalin when the leader demanded an explanation.

Stalin did not support the proposal, but over time the leader’s opinion changed: in March 1940, the proposal to introduce insignia in the form of “longitudinal shoulder pads made of fabric” was already made at the official level. Three years later, these shoulder pads were transformed into shoulder straps.

But the first insignia in the Red Army appeared earlier. January 16, 1919 They were triangles, cubes and diamonds sewn onto the sleeves. In 1922, these triangles, cubes and diamonds were transferred to sleeve valves. At the same time, a certain color of the valve corresponded to one or another branch of the military. But these valves did not last long - already in 1924, the insignia moved to the buttonholes. In addition, in addition to these geometric figures, another one appeared - a rectangle (it was called a “sleeper”), intended for those service categories that corresponded to pre-revolutionary staff officers.

In 1935, personal military ranks were introduced in the Red Army. Some corresponded to the pre-revolutionary ones - colonel, lieutenant colonel, captain. Some were taken from the ranks of the former Imperial Navy - lieutenant and first lieutenant. The ranks corresponding to generals remained from the previous service categories - brigade commander, division commander, corps commander, army commander of the 2nd and 1st ranks. The rank of major, abolished under Alexander III, was restored. In addition, the title of Marshal of the Soviet Union was introduced, no longer designated by diamonds, but by one large star on the collar flap.

On August 5, 1937, the rank of junior lieutenant was introduced, and on September 1, 1939, the rank of lieutenant colonel.

On May 7, 1940, general ranks were introduced. The major general, as before the revolution, had two stars, but they were located not on the shoulder straps, but on the collar flaps. The lieutenant general had three stars. This is where the similarities with pre-revolutionary generals ended - instead of a full general, the lieutenant general was followed by the rank of colonel general (it was adopted from the German system of general ranks of that time). The colonel general had four stars, and the army general who followed him, whose rank was borrowed from the French army, had five stars. In this form, the insignia remained until January 6, 1943, when shoulder straps were introduced in the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army (RKKA).

Triumphant return

In the fall of 1941, in fierce battles near Yelnya, units of the Red Army showed the whole world that they were worthy of the glory of their ancestors. Immediately four rifle divisions were awarded the honorary title of Guards for the courage and heroism shown in battles.

It was for them that shoulder straps began to be developed as distinctive sign. But for some reason these developments were late. Then I.V. Stalin was asked to approve shoulder straps as insignia for the entire army. Realizing that this would help strengthen morale, he agreed.

Respecting the continuity of traditions, shoulder straps began to be developed according to models from the time of Alexander II, as then, the stars on the shoulder straps were attached not to the gaps, but next to them, however, for a very short time, and narrow shoulder straps were provided for military doctors and military lawyers. Insignia (stars, gaps, stripes) and emblems were placed on the shoulder strap, thanks to which one could easily determine the military rank of a serviceman and his belonging to the branch of the military. It is interesting that the infantry emblem, unlike other branches of the military, appeared only in the mid-1950s. Basically, the shoulder straps were an almost complete copy of what modern soldiers and officers now wear on their shoulders.

This was an important symbol returned to the victorious army. Golden shoulder straps, which back in the 1920s were a symbol of the White Guards (“gold chasers” - the Red Army soldiers contemptuously called them), suddenly become a symbol of the Red Army. Following the shoulder straps for the army, the National Anthem is introduced in the country, instead of the party “International”.

But it turned out that the interrupted tradition is not so easy to restore. Throughout the Soviet Union, they were looking for old masters who had once woven galloon ribbons, looking for machines, and reviving technologies. According to the order, it was required to switch to shoulder straps from February 1 to February 15 - half a month in advance. But even on Kursk Bulge in July 1943, some pilots and tank crews, as photographs show, wore old buttonholes rather than shoulder straps. And most of the infantry put their shoulder straps on tunics with a turn-down collar, and not with the new “stand.” Only when the stocks of old uniforms ran out did the Red Army completely switch to the new uniform.

No matter how difficult it may be, following the order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief from January 13 Soviet shoulder straps Model 1943 began to enter the troops. Soviet shoulder straps had much in common with pre-revolutionary ones, but there were also differences: officer shoulder straps of the Red Army (but not the Navy) in 1943 were pentagonal, not hexagonal; the colors of the gaps indicated the type of troops, not the regiment; the clearance was a single whole with the shoulder strap field; there were colored edgings according to the type of troops; the stars were metal, gold or silver, and varied in size for junior and senior officers; ranks were indicated by a different number of stars than before 1917, and shoulder straps without stars were not restored.

In the strict sense of the word, Stalin's shoulder straps were not a copy of the tsarist ones. A slightly different braid weave. A little rougher work. Another rank designation system. And the titles are different. Instead of a second lieutenant - a lieutenant. Instead of a staff captain - a captain. Instead of a captain - a major. Instead of a field marshal - a marshal of the Soviet Union. On royal shoulder straps, ranks were indicated only by small stars. Stalin introduced large stars for senior officers, starting from major, and generals. Before the revolution, the rank of field marshal was designated by two crossed batons on a zigzag braid. The rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union was symbolized by a large star and the coat of arms of the USSR.

Thus, rifle troops had a crimson background shoulder strap and black edging, cavalry had a dark blue shoulder strap with black edging, aviation had a blue shoulder strap with black edging, tank crews and artillerymen had black with red edging, but sappers and other technical troops had black, but with black edging. Border troops and the medical service had green shoulder straps with red trim, while internal troops received cherry shoulder straps with blue trim. On khaki-colored field shoulder straps, the branch of service was determined only by the edging, the color of which was the same as the color of the shoulder strap field on the everyday uniform.

In the army, the introduction of shoulder straps was greeted with enthusiasm, especially since this happened on the eve of the greatest victory in the Battle of Stalingrad.

Ashot Amatuni, Lieutenant General, Hero of the Soviet Union, during the Great Patriotic War tank officer: “It was happiness! We received the return of shoulder straps with great enthusiasm. After all, they have been in the army for centuries, our ancestors carried them on their shoulders in battles. I received my first shoulder straps in Saratov.”

Boris Ershov, colonel: “At that time I was a senior lieutenant, a company commander. I liked the old uniform because I had three stripes on the sleeve, three stripes, they looked good. It was very comfortable to wear under an overcoat, under a jacket. And the shoulder straps were uncomfortable at first. The cardboard base was fragile, and the stars were attached not with screws, but with paper clips. You put your overcoat on your tunic, then take it off - and the stars fly in all directions! I had to sew them on with thread.

But in battle with shoulder straps it was better. Under the padded jacket, under the overcoat, the buttonholes are not visible, and you can’t immediately figure out who is in front of you. And with shoulder straps it’s immediately clear.

We had old people, participants in the Civil War, who did not immediately agree to wear shoulder straps. They said: “My grandfather and father were hacked to death by gold chasers” - and they refused. But young people wore shoulder straps with pleasure.”

But there were other opinions. There are photographs where some soldiers and officers are still wearing buttonholes, while others are already wearing shoulder straps. One of the most famous of them is a 1943 photograph of the future writer Alexander Isaevich Solzhenitsyn and his friend Nikolai Vitkevich. Vitkevich already has shoulder straps. Solzhenitsyn also has buttonholes with two cubes and artillery cannons. By the way, young Solzhenitsyn did not like the return of the shoulder straps. He saw this as a departure from revolutionary traditions.

At the same time, the seemingly disappeared word “officer” returned to the official military lexicon, although before the war the cumbersome phrase “commander of the Red Army” remained the legally correct term.

But the words “officer”, “officers”, the phrase “officers” were heard more and more often - first in informal use, and then gradually began to appear in official documents. For the first time, the term “officer” officially appeared in the holiday order of the People’s Commissar of Defense dated November 7, 1942. Since the spring of 1943, along with the appearance of shoulder straps, the word “officer” began to be used so widely and universally that in the post-war period the front-line soldiers themselves very quickly forgot the term “commander” Red Army." Although formally the term “officer” was formalized in military use only with the publication of the first post-war Internal Service Charter in 1946, when the Red Army was renamed the Soviet Army.

The return of shoulder straps became one of the stages in the revival of the imperial spirit. The Soviet Union recognized itself as the heir to the Russian Empire, which will be especially evident after the war - in the imperial pomp of architecture and, among other things, in the dressing up of people of civilian professions, and even schoolchildren, in military uniforms.

Since the end of 1943, shoulder straps for workers were introduced railways, USSR prosecutor's office, foreign affairs officers. The wave of dressing up of all workers or students in government institutions in a uniform is growing, especially after the war. Uniforms began to be worn by officials of the Ministry of Finance, Geology and Oil Industry, Customs Service, Civil air fleet, - more than 20 departments in total. The so-called “counter shoulder straps” began to be worn by students of mining faculties of all universities in the country. Schoolchildren had to wear uniforms with uniform buttons, a badge on the belt and a badge on the uniform cap. Lifetime badges are being introduced for reserve officers and employees of all “uniformed” departments, and speeches are heard everywhere about preserving the honor of the new uniform.

Post-war fate

N.S. Khrushchev was going to abolish the shoulder straps. First they were taken away from civilians - they started with railway workers, diplomats and representatives of other peaceful professions. In 1962, the government of the Soviet Union adopted a resolution to return military uniforms to the norms of the first years of Soviet power: with buttonholes instead of shoulder straps. But the military delayed the implementation of this project, and then, after Nikita Sergeevich was removed, they abandoned it.

In the post-war period, there were some changes in shoulder straps. So, in October 1946, a different form of shoulder straps for officers of the Soviet Army was established - they became hexagonal. In 1963, the 1943 model sergeant's shoulder straps with the "sergeant's hammer" were abolished. Instead, a wide longitudinal braid is introduced, like a pre-revolutionary ensign.

In 1969, gold stars were introduced on gold shoulder straps, and silver stars on silver ones. Silver general's shoulder straps are being abolished. All of them became gold, framed with an edging according to the type of troops, with gold stars.

In 1974, new shoulder straps for army generals were introduced to replace the shoulder straps of the 1943 model. Instead of four stars, a marshal's star appeared on them, above which the emblem of motorized rifle troops was placed.

Shoulder straps of the army of the revived Russia

In the Russian Federation, in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of May 23, 1994, subsequent Decrees and the Decree of March 11, 2010, shoulder straps remain insignia of military ranks of military personnel of the Russian Armed Forces. According to the change in the essence of the socio-political system, characteristic changes were made to them. All Soviet symbols on the shoulder straps have been replaced with Russian ones. This refers to buttons with the image of a star, hammer and sickle or the colored coat of arms of the USSR. As amended by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated February 22, 2013 No. 165, a specific description of the insignia by military rank is given.

Modern shoulder straps of Russian military personnel generally remain rectangular, with a button in the upper part, with a trapezoidal upper edge, with a field of galun of a special weave in a golden color or the color of the clothing fabric, without piping or with red piping.

In aviation, the Airborne Forces (Airborne Forces) and the Space Forces, a cant is provided blue color, in the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation and the Special Objects Service under the President of the Russian Federation - cornflower blue edging or absent.

On the shoulder strap of the Marshal of the Russian Federation, on the longitudinal center line there is a star with a red edging; above the star is an image of the State Emblem of the Russian Federation without a heraldic shield.

In pursuit of an army general - one star ( bigger size than other generals), a colonel general has three stars, a lieutenant general has two, and a major general has one star. The color of the edging on the shoulder straps of all generals is set according to the type of troops and type of service.

The fleet admiral has one star (larger than other admirals), the admiral has three, the vice admiral has two, and the rear admiral has one. On all admiral's shoulder straps, the stars are superimposed on gray or black rays, with golden anchors located on black pentagons in the center of the stars. Shoulder straps of senior officers - colonels, lieutenant colonels, majors, in the navy, captains of 1st, 2nd and 3rd ranks - with two gaps; junior officers - captains, captain-lieutenants, senior lieutenants, lieutenants and junior lieutenants - with one clearance.

The number of stars is an indicator of the military rank of a particular officer. Senior officers have three, two and one stars, respectively, junior officers have four, three, two, one, starting from a higher level. The stars on the shoulder straps of senior officers are larger than the stars on the shoulder straps of junior officers. Their sizes have a ratio of 3:2.

The shoulder straps of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation were established taking into account the improvement of military uniforms in general over the centuries-old history of the Russian and Russian troops. Their modern look indicates a desire to improve the quality and practicality of uniforms in general, and to bring them into line with the changing conditions of military service.

But in modern Russia The fate of the shoulder straps was not entirely simple; sometimes they had to withstand tests almost comparable to those after the 1917 revolution.

The rejection of the traditional arrangement of shoulder straps became one of the main features of the new field uniform, introduced in 2010 on the initiative of the “reformer minister” A. Serdyukov. In the old “Soviet-style” uniform, the straps of backpacks, other equipment and weapons quickly wore out the shoulder straps. It was assumed that the new military uniform would meet the most modern requirements of the army, in particular, the mandatory clothing of infantry in light body armor.

The decision to switch to a new uniform was made in 2007, and it was planned to completely transfer the army to it in 2011. It is known that specialists from the fashion houses Igor Chapurin and Valentin Yudashkin, the Central Research Institute of the Textile Industry, and the Central Scientific Research Institute took part in its development. -Research Institute of Leather and Footwear, Heraldic Department of the Ministry of Defense and Logistics of the Armed Forces.

For the first time in the new uniform, participants of the Victory Parade on Red Square in Moscow appeared in public in 2008. In total, 100 million rubles were allocated from the budget for the creation of new uniforms. The military estimates the cost of switching military personnel to the new uniform at 25 billion rubles.

It was in the uniform “from Valentin Yudashkin” that the shoulder straps were moved to the chest and sleeve. The left shoulder strap is located just above the elbow, and the right one is on the chest, on the lapel of the tunic. When the body armor is put on, the right shoulder strap becomes invisible, and the soldier can only be identified by the mark on the elbow. At the same time, in the old-style uniform, the insignia was attached to false shoulder straps, and to the everyday uniform, the shoulder straps were attached with buttons.

“Salvation” for the shoulder straps came in the person of the new Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation S.K. Shoigu. On his initiative, the Ministry of Defense decided to return to the traditional arrangement of shoulder straps on the field uniform of military personnel, which, after Serdyukov’s reform, “migrated” from the shoulders to the chest.

The main argument for returning the field uniform shoulder straps to their original place was that they did not justify themselves on the chest and sleeves.

Symbol of honor

Currently, shoulder straps continue to serve the Fatherland. Covered with unfading glory, Soviet shoulder straps were designed to preserve the continuity of valiant traditions in the Russian Armed Forces. That is why, having undergone minor changes, they became a true decoration of the uniform of the Russian defender of the Fatherland.

“Wear shoulder straps with dignity” - these words became a matter of honor for the Russian officer. And the tradition has been preserved for more than two centuries, since the first shoulder straps were introduced almost 250 years ago.

They do not remain unchanged; some ministers who accidentally became bosses even tried to remove them from the shoulders of military personnel. Finally their purpose in modern conditions scientifically substantiated and it is now believed that shoulder straps are designed for quick visual identification in combat conditions of a person who has the right to give orders.

Unfortunately, the long years of lack of spirituality that our country went through in the difficult 90s affected people’s attitude towards shoulder straps. Today we can see them not only among those to whom they are due “by law and honor,” but also among representatives of the creative craft, whose human qualities cannot always be called moral. It is depressing that employees of the prosecutor's office, police and other services have shoulder straps identical to military ones. This is one of the strongest blows to the image of the military profession and its prestige.

At the same time, many officers of the Russian army, in the most difficult time for the country of collapse and lack of spirituality, managed to preserve traditions, including those associated with shoulder straps. For example, graduates of the Suvorov military schools, as a symbol of brotherhood, wore and continue to wear under their uniform and even under a civilian suit, shoulder straps their educational institutions.

I would like to believe that over time this will pass and the concept of “honor shoulder straps” will become as familiar as it always has been.

The history of Russian shoulder straps ends here for now. Having passed through the centuries, they often changed their appearance, but never its content. Shoulder straps have always been and will be a shrine and a symbol of honor for a Russian officer devoted to the Motherland.

You can purchase or order shoulder straps of the military branches, shoulder straps of the Ministry of Defense and shoulder straps of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Patriot company store.

A summer suit consists of a jacket and trousers. It is part of the all-season basic uniform kit (VKBO). A suit made of Mirage fabric (PE-65%, cotton-35%), with a high cotton content, is hygienic and comfortable for daily wear. Straight-cut jacket. The collar is a stand-up collar, the volume is regulated by a patch on a textile fastener. The central fastener has a detachable zipper closed with a flap with textile fasteners. Two chest patch pockets with flaps and textile fasteners. Back with two vertical folds for freedom of movement in the shoulder blade area. Single-seam sleeves. At the top of the sleeves there are patch volume pockets with flaps with textile fasteners. In the elbow area there are reinforcement pads with an entrance for protectors with textile fasteners. At the bottom of the sleeve there is a patch pocket for pens. At the bottom of the sleeves there are cuffs with textile fasteners to adjust the volume. Straight cut trousers. The belt is solid with seven belt loops. The volume of the belt is adjusted with a cord with tips. Button closure. Two side welt pockets. Along the side seams there are two large patch pockets with three folds for volume. The upper part of the pockets is tightened with an elastic cord with a lock. The entrances to the pockets, designed obliquely to resemble the hand, are closed with flaps with textile fasteners. In the knee area there are reinforcement pads with an input for protectors with textile fasteners. At the bottom of the trousers there are patch pockets with flaps with textile fasteners. The volume at the bottom of the trousers is adjustable with tape. The back halves of the trousers have two welt pockets with flaps and a hidden button closure. Reinforcement pad in the seat area

Fabric: "Panacea" Composition: 67% polyester, 33% viscose 155 g/m2 The suit consists of a jacket jacket View all products from the category Jackets and trousers Straight-cut jacket: -turn-down collar; -the central button closure is covered with a windproof flap; -2 patch pockets with flaps on the chest; -2 patch pockets with flaps on the sleeves with Velcro; -reinforcers on the elbows are made of the main fabric; Straight-fit trousers - central button fastening; -six belt loops on the waistband; -2 side welt pockets on the sides, 2 side patch pockets and 2 patch pockets with flaps at the back; -reinforcers on the knees made of the main fabric.

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Please note - this model has fleece insulation only in the jacket! Color: khaki Jacket: - loose fit; - central side fastener, wind flap, buttons; - yoke made of finishing fabric; -2 welt slanted pockets with a flap, with buttons at the bottom of the front; - 1 patch slanted pocket on the sleeves; - reinforcing shaped pads in the elbow area; - bottom of sleeves with elastic; - double hood, with a visor, has a drawstring for volume adjustment; - adjustment at the waist using drawstrings; Trousers: - loose fit; -2 side vertical pockets; - in the knee area, on the back halves of the trousers along the seat seam - reinforcing linings; -2 side patch pockets with flap; -2 rear patch pockets with buttons; - the cut of the parts in the knee area prevents them from stretching; - the back halves under the knee are assembled with an elastic band; - elastic waistband; - bottom with elastic; - fastened braces (suspenders); - belt loops; wearing - both in boots and outside. material: tent fabric; composition: 100% cotton; density: 270 gr.; Overlays: ripstop, oxford 0; cuffs: yes; rubber seals: yes; seasonality: demi-season; additionally: reinforced inserts, removable fleece lining, dust covers on trousers, suspenders included

Winter military field jacket figure (army pea coat regulation figure). New sample. Has two detachable hoods (winter and balaclava). Includes lining for protection from the lowest temperatures. The upper fabric is a durable, noise-free mixed waterproof semi-synthetic (cotton-53%, polyester-47%). The large hood, thanks to wide Velcro, covers the neck and part of the chin. The central zipper is closed with a windproof flap with buttons. The model has drawstring regulators at the waist and along the edge of the product. Wide cuffs made of practical knitwear protect your hands from cold and wind. Attachments for shoulder straps on the shoulders, chest and sleeves.

Jacket "Mountain-3" is recommended for active rest(tourism, hiking), and also as a field uniform for mountain rifle units of the RF Ministry of Defense Loose cut that does not restrict movement Hood with adjustment in three dimensions - along the oval of the face, vertically at the back of the head and adjustment of lateral vision With buttons Adjustment of sleeve volume above the wrist with a hidden elastic band with Velcro Elbows are protected with a removable polyurethane foam insert (included) Pockets: two lower volume pockets with buttons closed with flaps Napoleon pocket on the chest inclined pockets on the sleeves, closed with flaps with Velcro internal waterproof pocket for documents with Velcro Drawstrings: at the waist with a cord bottom of the jacket jackets View all products by tag jackets with a rubber cord Material: 100% cotton, new high-quality tarpaulin, superior to analogues used by most other manufacturers New processing technology has significantly improved the resistance of the fabric to fading and abrasion Reinforcing linings - 100% polyester polyester View all products by tegu polyester rip stop Attention! Before washing, remove the protective inserts in the knee/elbow pads from the corresponding pockets. Do not wash protective inserts in a washing machine. When washing tarpaulin items in a washing machine, traces of wear may appear. SIZING SELECTION: Download the size chart (.xlsx) to accurately determine the required size REVIEWS: Review from Survival Panda Discussion of this model on the forum YOU MAY BE INTERESTED in:

Combined arms suit of a new type. The new general-arms suit is made taking into account the latest requirements for uniforms and can actually be used all year round. Structurally, the suit consists of a light jacket (tunic) and loose-fitting trousers. It is made from a durable 70/30 polyester/cotton blend with a weight of 220 g. per 1m2 of the statutory coloring “digital flora”. The jacket is equipped with a zipper, which, in turn, is covered with a windproof flap, securely fixed with textile fasteners, has a stand-up collar that prevents the fighter's neck from rubbing against the body armor, and five pockets. Two front ones, two patches on the sleeves and one internal, waterproof, for documents. The sleeves of the jacket are reinforced with a double layer of fabric and are securely fixed at the wrist with Velcro fasteners. The cut of the jacket itself is designed so that insulating layers can be slipped under it and worn either tucked into trousers or untucked. For quick identification in emergency, and the insignia required by the regulations on the jacket, there are six reliable attachment points - three above the chest pockets, and three on the sleeves. The suit's trousers are loose enough so as not to restrict the fighter's movements, the knees and other loaded parts are reinforced with a second layer of fabric, and elastic bands are sewn into the belt for automatic volume control. This allows you to wear the insulating layer quite comfortably and, in critical cases, do without a waist belt. To accommodate the minimum required by a fighter, the trousers have six pockets. Two cargo labels on the sides, two slotted ones, and two rear ones. At the bottom of the legs there are drawstrings that allow you to securely fix the trousers over combat boots, as well as belt loops, they allow for more precise height adjustment and make wearing trousers tucked into shoes more comfortable. color pixel Main features: color green pixel durable material collar stand Velcro for stripes internal pocket CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SUIT Material: rip-stop Composition: 70/30 Density: 220 gr. Cuffs: Velcro Sealing elastic bands: ties Jacket/pants pockets: yes/yes Seasonality: demi-season

Combined arms OV windbreaker. The general-arms windbreaker is part of the new uniform set of the Russian VKBO Armed Forces, and is intended for use throughout the year. It is made of taslan, a material consisting of 100% polyester, with a density of 180 g. per 1m2, which provides increased wear resistance of the product and protection from precipitation. The jacket has a deep hood with adjustable ties, two patch pockets on the sleeves, two voluminous side welt pockets and sealing elastic bands along the edges of the sleeves and waistband. False shoulder straps ensure a quick change of insignia from field to clearly visible everyday ones and vice versa. To quickly identify a serviceman, there are five areas with a textile fastener. Two breastplates for the name, blood type rank and other necessary information, and three on the sleeves of the windbreaker to place the emblems of the branch of service, the tactical emblem of the unit and the nationality of the military. The removable fleece lining allows you to comfortably use the windbreaker when low temperatures. color green number Main features: windbreaker statutory removable fleece lining hood CHARACTERISTICS SUIT CHARACTERISTICS Material: taslan Composition: 100% p-e Density: 180 gr. Cuffs: yes Sealing elastic bands: yes Jacket/pants pockets: jacket Seasonality: demi-season Additionally: removable fleece lining

Ministry of Defense cap (office). The cap is made of ripstop fabric, olive color. According to temporary regulations No. 256/41/3101. On caps and caps there is a sign of distinction according to affiliation with executive authorities, where the law provides military service(golden-colored cockade), senior officers, in addition, have a visor and cap band with golden-colored embroidery.

Winter jacket for the ground forces, navy and air force reliably protects against wind and snow. The insulation retains heat well, weighs little, does not deform, and does not absorb moisture. The combination of membrane fabric and insulation provides protection from severe frosts. CHARACTERISTICS Cold protection Regular cut For military operations Hand wash only MATERIALS Rip-stop Membrane Fibersoft insulation

The summer camouflage suit "Border Guard-2" produced by Prival is made of light mixed fabric and consists of a jacket and trousers. Perfect for lovers of outdoor activities. Comfortable in a suit hot weather, and also, thanks to the loose fit, you can wear it over clothes as a protective layer. Relaxed jacket with zipper and hood. 2 pockets on the jacket, 2 on the trousers. The trouser waistband has an elastic band and additional fastening with a cord. The bottom of the trousers has an elastic band. Packaged in a compact case. Set composition: jacket / trousers Fabric: 65% polyester, 35% viscose Color: border guard camouflage

The jacket runs one size too big!!! If you wear 50 rubles, you need to take 48!!! Jacket from a winter field suit for military personnel of the Russian Armed Forces, model 2010. It differs from the original in its outer wind and waterproof fabric, lightweight non-removable insulation and a more convenient central fastener. Outer fabric is Oxford PU (100% nylon). Unlike the original mixed fabric, it does not get wet, protects from wind and is highly durable. Lining made of light synthetic fabric. Central zipper closure, covered on the outside with a placket with buttons (buttons in the original). Better protection from cold and wind, more convenient to work even with warm gloves. For simplicity and convenience, the insulation (sintepon) is made non-removable. The amount of insulation is less than in the original, the jacket is more demi-season for its intended purpose. Reinforcement of the elbows with pads from the second layer of fabric. Cuffs are fastened with Velcro patches. Shoulder straps with Velcro fastener are sewn onto the shoulders (location of the new sample). False shoulder straps included High wide collar with fleece lining. Fastens with Velcro. The hood is insulated with a layer of fleece and stows away in the collar. Tightens around the face, and in two dimensions at the back of the head. Fastens at the front with Velcro. The waist is tightened with an elastic cord with two fasteners on the inside of the jacket. A hanger loop on the inside of the collar. Pockets: two lower patch flat pockets with Velcro flaps. Chest slit pockets for warming the hands. With an inclined entrance at a convenient angle, insulated with fleece, an internal pocket for documents with a Velcro flap (on the heart side), made of water-resistant fabric. We strongly recommend using front-loading washing machines; if you own a top-loading machine, it is recommended washing clothes and equipment in a special mesh laundry bag to protect against possible damage from parts of the washing machine drum. Before washing, you must fasten all zippers and Velcro fasteners and completely loosen all adjustments. If the outer fabric is membrane, then it is better to wash the product with the lining facing out (turned inside out). Wash on delicate cycle at 30°C with a double rinse cycle (it is better to use two rinse cycles to ensure that all detergent residues are removed from the fabric and insulation) and a medium spin. It is acceptable to use a drying drum at medium temperature (40-60°C) for 30-40 minutes or until completely dry; if the top fabric is membrane, it is better to dry the product with the lining out (turned inside out). You can hang dry the product with the lining facing out. To remove stubborn stains, you can treat the stains with a special solution such as Grangers Performance Wash or Nikwax Tech Wash before washing, allowing the detergent to soak in for 10-15 minutes. It is better to store clothes and equipment with synthetic insulation in a straightened (not compressed) state. How to restore DWR treatment on insulated clothing or equipment DWR is a special polymer applied to the surface of the fabric to give it water-repellent properties. DWR treatment does not last forever. During use of the product, as well as after a certain number of washes, the effectiveness of DWR decreases. If water droplets no longer roll off the surface of the fabric and wet the fabric even after washing, it’s time to restore the splashproof treatment. We recommend using a special spray-on or in-the-machine splash-proofing treatment such as Grangers Clothing Repel or Performance Repel, or Nikwax TX.Direct Wash-In or Spray-On. First, wash the item in accordance with the washing recommendations, then use the selected solution to restore the splash-proof treatment by spraying it directly onto the front of the item while it is still damp, or running a second wash cycle after pouring the required amount of wash-in into the washing machine . The manufacturer's instructions for the splashproof restoration product on the packaging must be followed exactly. Many DWR restoration products require heat activation, so it is best to tumble dry treated clothing and equipment on medium heat (40-60°C) for 40-50 minutes or until completely dry.

The Soft Shell suit is purposefully designed to meet the stringent requirements of Special Forces operators. Designed to support comfortable temperature the user’s body in the cold season during vigorous activity, in bad weather, in wind and rain. The suit can be used as the base 5th layer of ECWCS Gen.III. Jacket MPA-26-01: Jacket MPA-26-01 is designed to maintain a comfortable body temperature in the cold season. Effectively removes steam from the body, does not let moisture in from the outside and reliably protects against cold, wind and rain, taking into account intense physical activity. The demi-season jacket combines several layers of clothing thanks to a three-layer softshell material, consisting of an outer surface with water- and dirt-repellent Teflon® impregnation, a membrane and fleece that wick moisture away from the body. The cuffs on the sleeves are adjustable with textile fasteners. Ventilation in the armhole area allows you to “cool down” faster and not overheat during intense physical activity and changes. weather conditions. A high stand-up collar protects the neck. The removable hood is adjustable for volume and face shape. The tactical jacket is equipped with 8 zippered pockets: chest, side, rear at the lower back and in the forearm area. Velcro fasteners are located at the top of the sleeves for attaching chevrons.​ -2 internal and 6 external pockets with access when worn with tactical equipment; - ventilation openings are protected by mesh; - adjustable waist and hem; - stand collar; - adjustable, detachable hood; - closable ventilation holes; - taped zippers. - places for chevrons with Velcro. Soft shell fabric breathes, does not tear, does not get wet, and does not restrict movement! COMPOSITION 92% POLYESTER, 8% SPANDEX, MEMBRANE, FLEECE SEASON SPRING/AUTUMN JACKET CATEGORY

Trousers from a special suit of parachute parts With buttons The belt is adjustable in size using side elastic bands High waistband for the convenience of carrying ammunition on a belt Belt loops for a wide waist belt Reinforcing lining with a softening insert on the knees (photo A) Mesh for ventilation in the groin area Bottom of the trousers with an elastic band The cuffs at the bottom of the trousers are cinched with tape, which prevents debris from getting into the shoes Pockets: 2 side pockets and 2 hip pockets with a folded top, which prevents items from spontaneously falling out 1 knife pocket 2 back pockets Material: 100% cotton YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: Designed for parachute parts of the suit turned out to be very convenient for tourists. Everything that is suitable for a parachute is also good for a backpack. Durable, heavy duty canvas fabric, pre-shrunk and highly fade resistant. The tarpaulin breathes, protects from wind and moisture, is not afraid of a fire (if you do not dry clothes on a fire rope) and is not bitten by insects. The loose-fitting jacket does not restrict movement and has no protruding parts. Due to the absence of lower pockets, it can be worn either untucked or tucked into trousers. Buttons characteristic of uniforms. The bottom of the jacket is adjustable in size. Two front pockets and easy-to-access side sleeve pockets are secured with flaps. The internal pocket for documents is made of water-repellent fabric. Ventilation in the most overheated areas of the jacket and trousers is provided by mesh fabric. The most tense ones (elbows and knees) are reinforced with additional pads (on the knees with a softening insert). Pants with a high, adjustable elastic waistband and straps for a wide belt are comfortable and allow you to carry the necessary equipment on the belt. The loose cut and drawstring bottom of the legs allow you to move freely through the most inaccessible places and protect the boots from debris getting inside. The restraint of the jacket is more than compensated by the abundance of pockets on the trousers. Slit pockets on the sides are simple and familiar, two back pockets with flaps, two front pockets with flaps on the front of the hips and a pocket for a knife. You can place everything you need from salt, matches, maps, compass and GPS to machine gun horns. A durable, comfortable, breathable, unpretentious suit will provide reliable protection in the forest and in the air.

A modernized version of the suit for the RF Armed Forces. The suit has been changed: for greater convenience, the width of the sleeves has been increased, the cut of the trousers has been modified, and other improvements have been made. Jacket: Worn untucked. False shoulder straps can be used. With buttons. Reinforcing pads on the elbows. The belt and bottom of the jacket are adjustable in size using a cord. Puffed cuffs ( fabric insert) on the sleeve to protect from dust and dirt Pockets: 2 pockets on the chest and 2 at the bottom of the jacket 2 internal pockets and 2 on the sleeves Pants: The arrows are stitched Belt loops for a wide waist belt Reinforcement pads on the knees The bottom of the trousers is adjustable in size using a cord Bottom trousers with a height-adjustable strap that prevents them from creeping up Pockets: 2 side pockets and 2 on the hips 1 back pocket Product material: “Standard”: 60% cotton; 40% polyester

The comfortable military suit VKBO is used by the Russian Armed Forces in field conditions. The balanced composition of the fabric provides high strength and ventilation properties. There are pockets for placing polypropylene protectors on the elbows and knees. CHARACTERISTICS For hot weather Regular cut MATERIALS 65% polye, 35% cotton

Perhaps in student years a military training teacher told you about the various ranks that are used in our army, but it is unlikely that you absorbed this information with the same eagerness with which you laughed furiously in class, smoked in the school yard or pulled the pigtails of the girls in your class .

However, knowledge about this subject should be in every man’s head, so that he, without hesitation, understands who is a “real major” and who is “Warrant Officer Shmatko.”, military ranks in the Russian army.

Rank categories in the Russian Army

There are two main groups of ranks in the Russian troops:

• shipborne (refers to those who serve at sea);
• military (go to representatives of ground troops).

Ship ranks

1. Navy (both under water and above water). Marine uniform has always suited men. No wonder girls like sailors so much!
2. military naval units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It sounds unusual, but there are also police officers at sea.
3. protection of the coastal (Border) service of the Russian FSB.

They do not chase unscrupulous fishermen who caught a couple of buckets of crucian carp without permission. Their direct responsibility is the capture of illegal immigrants and other criminals on the country’s waterways.

Military ranks

It is not so easy to see sea captains in snow-white uniforms on the streets of cities, especially if there is no sea nearby. But this is no reason to be upset!

Titles are also given in:

1. Armed forces.
2. Ministry of Internal Affairs (servicemen from the category of “policemen” or district police officers).
3. Ministry of Emergency Situations (dared souls saving people in trouble).

Vadim, an Emergency Situations Ministry worker from Khmelnitsky, says that many people imagine the Ministry of Emergency Situations workers as real rescue heroes who live all day long as if in a thriller. Unfortunately, this is not entirely true. The life of an EMERCOM nickname consists of daily visits to some priests in order to carry out explanatory work, otherwise they will inadvertently burn down the church and everyone who came there. Rescuers also remove cats from trees and teach old women how to light the stove so as not to die from carbon monoxide. But the Ministry of Emergency Situations employees still evaluate their work positively. This is facilitated by titles, uniforms and social benefits.

• foreign intelligence service (Yes, yes! Imagine - new Stirlitz!);
• and other military units of our country.

Ranks table

In order to make the description of ranks less boring, we decided to present information about them as a cheat sheet (military and ship ranks, located on the same line, are analogues):

Shoulder straps

1. Soldiers and sailors. There are no insignia on the shoulder straps.
2. Sergeants and petty officers. Badges are used as insignia. Warriors have long called them “snot.”
3. Ensigns and midshipmen. Cross-stitched stars are used as insignia. The shoulder straps resemble those of an officer, but without stripes. Also, there may be edgings.
4. Junior officers. There is a vertical clearance and metal sprockets (13 mm).
5. Senior officers. Two stripes and large metal stars (20 mm).
6. Senior officers. Large embroidered stars (22 mm), located vertically; no stripes.
7. General of the Army, Admiral of the Fleet. A large star with a diameter of 40 mm, not metal, but embroidered.
8. Marshal of the Russian Federation. One very large star (40 mm) is embroidered on the shoulder strap. Silver rays diverge in a circle - the shape of a pentagon is obtained. The pattern of the Russian coat of arms is also noticeable.

Of course, when reading the text, many have a hard time trying to imagine the appearance of the shoulder straps. Therefore, especially for them, there is a picture in which all of the above is clearly depicted.

Shoulder straps of non-officers

Officer's shoulder straps

1. Marshal of the Russian Federation is the highest rank in the ground forces, but above him there is also a person who can give him orders (even command him to take a prone position). This person is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, who is also the President of the Russian Federation. What is noteworthy is that the title of Supreme Commander-in-Chief is classified as a position, not a military rank.
2. Vladimir Putin, who currently holds this position, left the Federal Security Service as a colonel. Now, in his position, he issues commands to military personnel with ranks that he has never achieved in his entire career.
3. Both naval and ground forces are subordinate to the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation. Therefore, admiral is the highest rank in the Navy hierarchy.
4. Writing the names of ranks of the RF Armed Forces with a capital letter in order to show respect to experienced servants is a completely unnecessary matter. All ranks from private to admiral are written with a lowercase letter.
5. The prefix “guard” adds special prestige to the way this or that title sounds. Not everyone is destined to receive it, but only those. who serves in the guards regiments.
6. Servants who have retired from military affairs and calmly dig potatoes in their dachas do not lose their rank, but continue to wear it with the prefix “reserved” or “retired.”

Without holding back his laughter, a military pensioner from Kharkov, Alexander, says that the colonel, whether he is retired or in reserve, will instill fear in any traffic cop who stops him on the road for violating traffic rules. The guy will get off a hundred sweats while he pretends to reprimand the offender, and then he will completely let the colonel go without a fine. So, a title always helps in life.

1. Army doctors are also given special ranks. For example, “major of medical service.” The situation is similar for lawyers - “captain of justice”.

Of course, it’s a long way from George Clooney from ER, but it still sounds decent!

1. Having just taken this path and entered a university, young guys become cadets. For now, they can only dream of how they will receive their first title, and then one of the highest ones. There is another group of students. They are called listeners. These are those who have already received military rank.
2. While the one-year military service is underway, you can at most become a sergeant. Not higher.
3. Since 2012, the ranks of chief petty officer and chief sergeant have been abolished. Formally, they exist, but in reality, servicemen receive the following ranks, bypassing these ranks.
4. We all know that a major is higher than a lieutenant, but for some reason this logic was not taken into account when ranking general ranks. A lieutenant general is higher in rank than a major general. This is the system in the Russian Armed Forces.
5. To receive a new rank in the Russian troops, you need to have a certain length of service and personal achievements. Before assigning the next rank to a candidate, commanders judge the soldier’s moral character and combat and political training skills. The table below describes the length of service requirements required to move from one rank to another: