For a military serviceman, ranks determine his official position and legal status, that is, his rights, powers and obligations. Military ranks provide for the principle of seniority and subordination. Ranks are assigned to military personnel in accordance with their professional training, position in service, official authority, length of service, and merit.

The meaning of military ranks

Ranks for the military are one of the important motivators for military service. military service, personnel placement and their most effective use. The presence of ranks in the army establishes relationships of seniority and subordination between military personnel. A specific military rank gives a serviceman the right to a certain monetary allowance and material support, and to receive certain benefits.

Military rank can be determined by insignia. They are shoulder straps, buttonholes and chevrons.

Introduction of ranks into the Red Army

Since the creation of the Red Army (abbreviation: Workers' and Peasants' Red Army), the need arose to introduce military ranks. Since 1918, as the Red Army developed and strengthened, the names of military ranks and insignia changed several times. Only in 1939-1940. they were finally established, and these ranks of the Red Army did not change until 1943.

The first ranks and their insignia in the Red Army

In December 1917, the new government, by decree, abolished the army military ranks. And it was decided to form a new type of army. A decree on this was adopted at the beginning of 1918.

In the initial period in the Red Army, the commanding staff was elected. But in conditions of increasing Civil War The formation of the armed forces of the young republic began on the principle of conscription. In this situation, it became urgently necessary to move away from the principle of elected commanders.

It was decided to restore the principle of unity of command in the army and introduce military ranks in the troops. The first to establish military ranks was the head of division No. 18, I. P. Uborevich, to strengthen discipline in his units.

He was warmly supported by the founder of the Red Army, chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic, Lev Davidovich Trotsky. It took almost a year to develop and approve a unified military uniform and insignia for army command personnel. The first military ranks and insignia of the Red Army were based on positions held. And so that the serviceman’s position was visible, signs were approved that were sewn onto the sleeves (diamonds, squares and triangles).

Military positions and insignia from 1918 to 1924

All distinctive signs, in accordance with the order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic No. 116, were sewn onto the left sleeves of clothing. A little later, the RVSR approved a new military uniform, uniform for the entire Red Army: an overcoat, a tunic and a headdress (“Budenovka”). In general, the clothing of an ordinary Red Army soldier and the command staff did not differ significantly. Only insignia indicated the position held.

Unification of military clothing and insignia since 1924

During the Civil War, the established uniform in the Red Army was used along with uniforms tsarist army, civilian clothing and other stylized military clothing.

At the end of the Civil War, a gradual transition of the entire army to uniform uniforms began. It was decided to reduce the cost of production of military uniforms and eliminate unnecessary elements. In May 1924, summer cotton caps and summer tunic shirts without colored chest flaps, but with two patch pockets on the chest, were supplied to military uniforms. Almost all items of military clothing have undergone changes.

It was established that rectangular cloth buttonholes were sewn onto the collars of tunics and tunics, corresponding to the color of the military branches with edging of a different shade. The size of the buttonholes was determined to be 12.5 cm by 5.5 cm. The buttonholes sewn onto the collar of overcoats were shaped like a rhombus with unequal sides of 13 cm by 12.5 cm.

On the buttonholes, along with insignia by category, emblems of the serviceman's specialty were attached. The dimensions of the emblems should not be larger than 3 x 3 cm.

Introduction of service categories for military personnel

Order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR No. 807 from mid-1924 abolished sleeve flaps with signs indicating the military position held, and introduced buttonholes with signs corresponding to the assigned category and corresponding emblems indicating the specialty of military personnel. Subsequently, these innovations were supplemented by additional orders (No. 850 and No. 862). Categories have been developed and approved. All military personnel were divided into four groups:

• junior command and control officer;
• average command and control;
• senior command and control officer;
• highest commanding officer.

Categories by positions held in the Red Army

Each group, in turn, was divided into categories.

1. Junior commanders and command staff:

• squad leader, boatswain - K-1;
• company sergeant major, deputy platoon commander, chief boatswain, warhead foreman, deputy warhead commander, chief boatswain - K-2;

2. Middle management and command staff:

• warhead commander, platoon commander, deputy commander of the 4th rank - K-3;
• deputy company commander, first mate of the 4th rank - K-4;
• chief mate of a ship's comrade of the third rank, comrade's comrade of the 4th rank, squadron (company) comrade - K-5;
• commander of a separate company, deputy commander of a battalion, comrade corps of the third rank, senior comrade comrade of the 2nd rank - K-6.

3. Senior management and command staff:

• 2nd rank corps comrade, battalion comrade - K-7;
• deputy regiment commander, senior comrade comrade 1st rank - K-8;
• regiment commander, deputy brigade commander, corps comrade 1st rank - K-9;

4. Senior management and command staff:

• brigade commander, deputy division commander, ship brigade commander - K-10;
• division commander, deputy corps commander, squadron commander - K-11;
• corps commander, deputy army commander, flotilla commander - K-12;
• commander of the army, deputy commander of the front, deputy commander of the military district, commander of the fleet, commander-in-chief of the naval forces of the republic - K-13;
• front commander, military district commander - K-14.

Introduction of individual ranks for military personnel

In 1935, the Council of People's Commissars, by its resolution, announced another reform in the armed forces of the USSR, clarifying ranks and insignia in the Red Army. Personal ranks are established for military personnel.

The highest rank was established - Marshal. The distinctive sign for marshals was a large star on their buttonholes. Simultaneously with the establishment of new military ranks, the command and control personnel of the Armed Forces are divided into the following areas of service activity:

1. Command.

2. Military-political.

3. The commander, who, in turn, was divided into:

• economic and administrative;
• technical;
• medical;
• veterinary;
• legal.

Correlation of ranks of command, administrative and political personnel

The decals remain largely unchanged. Belonging to a particular service or branch of the military was indicated by the color of the buttonholes and emblems. Command staff of all levels sewed a chevron in the form of a corner onto their sleeves. Distinctive marks different ranks on the buttonholes were diamonds for the senior staff, rectangles for the senior staff, squares for the middle staff and triangles for the junior staff. An ordinary soldier had no insignia on his buttonhole.

Personal rank insignia for all military personnel was based on previous ranks. So, for example, two “kubar” lieutenants on the buttonholes had a junior political instructor, a military technician of the second rank, a junior military lawyer, etc. The indicated ranks of the Red Army existed until 1943. In 1943, they moved away from “cumbersome” military ranks. So, for example, instead of the rank of “military paramedic,” the rank of “lieutenant of medical service” was introduced.

In 1940, continuing the process of assigning personal military ranks, the USSR government approved ranks for junior and senior command levels. The ranks of lieutenant colonels and generals have been legalized.

Insignia by military rank in 1941

She met the aggression of Nazi Germany in 1941, wearing the following military insignia on her military uniform:

The above insignia and ranks of the Red Army did not change until 1943.

Correlation of ranks of the NKVD and the Red Army

NK Internal Affairs in pre-war years consisted of several main departments (GU): Main Directorate of State Security, Main Directorate of Internal Security and Border Troops, Main Directorate of Workers' and Peasants' Militia and others.

In internal security units and military positions and the ranks were the same as in the Red Army. And in the police and state security, due to the specifics of the tasks performed, there were special ranks. If, for example, we compare special ranks in the State Security Service with army ranks, we get the following: a state security sergeant was equated to a Red Army lieutenant, a state security captain to a colonel, and so on.

Conclusion

Thus, from the very formation of the Republic of Soviets, the Red Army troops were always in the field special attention the country's top leadership. Not only were weapons and equipment improved, but the clothing supply for military personnel was also improved. The photographs show that the Red Army soldier of 1941 is strikingly different in clothing and equipment from the Red Army soldier of 1918. But the military ranks of the Red Army themselves changed several times before 1943.

And in 1943, as a result of radical reforms, the abbreviation RKKA (decoding: Workers' and Peasants' Red Army) became a thing of the past. The concept of “Soviet Army” (SA) came into use.

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Introduction of shoulder straps in the Armed Forces of the USSR

Shoulder strap. Shoulder patch on the uniform,
braid or shoulder strap.
Vasmer M. Etymological Dictionary
Russian language. - M., 2009.T. 3. P. 295.

At the end of the 1930s, the direction of impartial understanding of Russian history prevailed in the leadership of the USSR. Gradually, the names of famous historical figures of the past, great commanders and Orthodox saints were returned to society. In higher educational institutions History faculties were restored. New history textbooks have appeared emphasizing the continuity historical process Russia. Such historians as M.N. were subjected to deserved criticism. Pokrovsky and others who, from the standpoint of militant Marxism, denied the positive role statesmen pre-revolutionary Russia and its undoubted achievements. The masters of literature and art of that time created a number of wonderful works on historical themes: the novels of Alexei Tolstoy “Peter the Great” and Sergei Borodin “Dmitry Donskoy”, the films of Sergei Eisenstein “Alexander Nevsky” and Vsevolod Pudovkin “Suvorov” and many other works.

Pride in your country and its great history began to play an important role in the patriotic education of the country's population on the eve of the war. The war accelerated this process in every possible way. Mention by the leader of the country I.V. Stalin's use of the names of the great Russian commanders during the November parade on Red Square in 1941 inspired the Soviet people.

One of the manifestations of the process of restoring historical continuity and returning to Russian historical traditions was innovations in insignia and distinction in the Red Army and Navy. Already in 1935, the highest military rank “Marshal of the Soviet Union” was introduced in the Red Army, and five years later the ranks of general and admiral were introduced in the army and navy. However, these ranks were marked with insignia in the lapel version. For the first time, they thought about returning shoulder straps during the formation of guards units.

In the Russian army, shoulder straps on one shoulder were first introduced in 1763; they were worn on the left shoulder of the caftan

In 1801-1809 shoulder straps of a certain color were gradually introduced on both shoulders

Even before the start of the war, the country's leadership considered the issue of reviving the guard in the Russian image and likeness. With the advent of guards units and formations in the Red Army, the issue of creating insignia for them and, in particular, replacing buttonholes with shoulder straps was considered. Test samples of new uniforms and shoulder straps were made. But in the most difficult conditions of 1941, they decided to limit themselves to the establishment of a special badge and an increase in material allowance (for officers - one and a half times, for privates and sergeants - double).

However, work on the introduction of shoulder straps and new uniforms did not stop. After Battle of Stalingrad, which ended with the great victory of Soviet weapons, the People's Commissar of Defense petitioned the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to introduce new insignia for Red Army personnel - shoulder straps. According to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's plan, the shoulder straps of generals, officers and enlisted personnel should have differed in shape, method and material of manufacture, but most importantly, they should have symbolized the continuity of the military traditions of the Russian army.

In the samples proposed by the Main Quartermaster Directorate, the size and pattern of the braid on the shoulder straps of the generals completely repeated the samples of shoulder straps of the Russian generals imperial army. Moreover, trial samples of shoulder straps were made from preserved old stocks of galloon. After looking at many options, I.V. Stalin proposed adopting the simplest and most understandable examples of shoulder straps. This decision was approved by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of January 6, 1943, and on January 15, by Order of the People's Commissar of Defense No. 25, new insignia were introduced for the active army.

According to this order, shoulder straps, like all uniforms, began to be divided into dress, everyday and field. As before in the imperial army, shoulder straps according to the types of troops and services differed in the colors of the edgings, gaps and fields. For example, the field of epaulettes for generals had a khaki silk weave, and the front one was made of gold or silver wire. For officers - made of khaki cloth and golden or silver galloon or silk. Moreover, the stars on gold shoulder straps were silver and vice versa. But compared to the uniform of the Russian army, where each regiment had its own distinctive sewing and color combination, the Soviet uniform was more unified. Also with awards - orders, medals and badges. Having deep historical roots, the new form and awards had their own unique identity and met the prevailing conditions.

The color scheme of the general's shoulder straps was also present on the shoulder straps of senior officers. The arrangement of the stars copied pre-revolutionary patterns. Much later, on the shoulder straps of senior officers, stars began to be placed on the gaps.

Everyday and field shoulder straps for the junior command staff of the army differed not only color scheme, but also because they were marked with the unit number, as on pre-revolutionary models.

Simultaneously with the introduction of shoulder straps, the cut of the uniform was changed, and a full dress uniform was introduced for all Red Army personnel.

New uniforms, new ranks, shoulder straps, new awards and insignia - all this was aimed at further strengthening discipline, increasing the role and authority of the command - one of the most important factors in the high combat readiness of the army.

After the war, in people's democracies Eastern Europe, then in countries Far East And Southeast Asia and much later in some countries in Africa and Latin America When carrying out reforms in the armed forces, the Soviet experience was taken into account. In particular, shoulder straps and awards (in most cases) in countries such as Albania, Angola, Bulgaria, Hungary, Vietnam, East Germany, China, North Korea, Cuba, Laos, Mongolia, Mozambique, Romania and others were completely identical to the Soviet ones.

Even in the USA, after the introduction of shoulder straps for Marshals of the Soviet Union, the shoulder straps of an army general were also changed. Thus, in the United States of America there are five general ranks: brigadier general (one star), major general (two stars), lieutenant general (three stars), general (four stars) and army general (five stars). With the introduction of the shoulder strap of the Marshal of the Soviet Union, the design of the shoulder strap of the army general changed: instead of five stars in a row, a large star of five small stars was lined up in the lower part of the shoulder strap, and a symbol - an eagle - was placed in the upper part of the shoulder strap. The result was an exact copy of the Soviet marshal's shoulder strap with American specifics.

The Soviet Union, having won Great Victory, for many decades became a role model in all spheres of life, including such specific ones as military uniforms, orders, medals, badges and other regalia and military paraphernalia.

Boris Hayrapetyan, research fellow
Research Institute (military history)
Military Academy of the General Staff
Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

Shoulder straps They have a long history in the Russian army. They were first introduced by Peter the Great back in 1696, but in those days shoulder straps served only as a strap that kept the gun belt or cartridge pouch from slipping off the shoulder. Shoulder strap was only an attribute of the uniform of the lower ranks: officers were not armed with guns, and therefore shoulder straps they didn't need it.

As insignia shoulder straps began to be used with the accession to the throne of Alexander I. However, they did not denote ranks, but membership in a particular regiment. On shoulder straps a number was depicted indicating the number of the regiment in the Russian army, and the color of the shoulder strap indicated the number of the regiment in the division: the first regiment was red, the second was blue, the third was white, and the fourth was dark green. Since 1874, in accordance with the order of the military department No. 137 of 04.05. 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.
Yellow is the same color shoulder strap had army (in the sense of non-guards) grenadiers. They were also yellow shoulder straps Akhtyrsky and Mitavsky Hussars and Finnish, Primorsky, Arkhangelsk, Astrakhan and Kinburn Dragoon Regiments.

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

To distinguish a soldier from an officer, officer's shoulder straps at first they were trimmed with galloon, and since 1807 shoulder straps the officers' ones were replaced with epaulettes. Since 1827, officer and general ranks began to be designated by the number of stars on their epaulettes: y - 1, major and major general - 2; , and lieutenant general – 3; staff captain - 4; 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. From April 8, 1843, insignia appeared on shoulder straps lower ranks: got one badge, two – , and three - to the senior non-commissioned officer. The sergeant major received shoulder strap a transverse strip of 2.5 centimeters thickness, and - exactly the same, but located longitudinally.

In 1854 they introduced shoulder straps and for officers, leaving epaulettes only on ceremonial uniforms, and until the revolution in shoulder straps almost no changes occurred, except that in 1884 the rank of major was abolished, and in 1907 the rank was introduced.

Shoulder straps had military officials and engineers, railway workers, .

In 1935, they were introduced into the Red Army. Some of them corresponded to the pre-revolutionary ones - colonel, lieutenant colonel, captain. Some were taken from the ranks of the former Tsarist Navy - lieutenant and senior 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 Alexandra III. The insignia, in comparison with the buttonholes of the 1924 model, has hardly changed in appearance - only the four-cube combination has disappeared. 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. nevertheless, a special one was created for state security agencies.

On August 5, 1937, the rank of junior lieutenant (one kubar) was introduced, and on September 1, 1939, the rank of lieutenant colonel. At the same time, the three sleepers now corresponded not to , but to .
and received four sleepers.

On May 7, 1940, general ranks were introduced. The major general, as before the revolution, had two stars, but they were not located on shoulder straps, and on the collar valves. 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, modeled on the German general oberst. The colonel general had four stars, and the army general who followed him, whose rank was borrowed from French army, had five stars.

In this form, the insignia remained until January 6, 1943, when the Red Army was introduced shoulder straps.

Policemen and collaborationist formations created from Soviet prisoners of war also had shoulder straps. Notable for its particular originality (Russian National People's Army)

From January 13 Soviet shoulder straps, model 1943 began to enter the troops.

Soviet shoulder straps had much in common with the pre-revolutionary ones, but there were also differences: officer shoulder straps The Red Army (but not the Navy) 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 designated by a different number of stars than before 1917, and shoulder straps without stars were not restored.

Soviet officers shoulder straps were five millimeters wider than pre-revolutionary ones. No encryption was placed on them. Unlike pre-revolutionary times, shoulder strap color now corresponded not to the regiment number, but to the branch of the army. The edging also mattered. Thus, rifle troops had a crimson shoulder strap background and black edging, cavalry had dark blue with black edging, aviation had blue shoulder strap with black edging, tankers and artillerymen are black with red edging, but sappers and other technical troops are black but with black edging. Border troops and medical services had green shoulder straps with red edging, and the internal troops got cherry shoulder strap with blue border.

On the field shoulder straps khaki color, the type of troops was determined only by the edging. Its color was the same as the color of the shoulder strap on the everyday uniform. Soviet officers shoulder straps were five millimeters wider than pre-revolutionary ones. Encryptions were placed on them very rarely, mostly by cadets of military schools.

A junior lieutenant, a major and a major general received one star each. Two each went to a lieutenant and a lieutenant general, three each went to a senior lieutenant and a colonel general, and four went to the army general. shoulder straps junior officers had one clearance and from one to four silver-plated metal stars with a diameter of 13 mm, and shoulder straps senior officers - two gaps and from one to three stars with a diameter of 20 mm.

Badges for junior commanders were also restored. The corporal still had one stripe, the junior sergeant had two, the sergeant had three. The former wide sergeant's stripe went to the senior sergeant, and the sergeant major received shoulder straps the so-called “hammer”.

According to the assigned military rank, belonging to the branch of the military (service), on the field shoulder strap insignia (stars and gaps) and emblems were placed. For military lawyers and doctors, there were “medium” sprockets with a diameter of 18 mm. Initially, the stars of senior officers were attached not to the gaps, but to the field of braid next to them. Field shoulder straps had a field of khaki color (khaki cloth) with one or two gaps sewn to it. On three sides shoulder straps had edgings according to the color of the military branch. Clearances were installed - blue - for aviation, brown - for doctors, quartermasters and lawyers, red - for everyone else. Field everyday officer's shoulder straps made of golden silk or galloon. For everyday shoulder strap The engineering and command staff, quartermaster, medical and veterinary services and lawyers approved silver braid. There was a rule according to which silver stars were worn on gilded shoulder straps, and vice versa, on silver shoulder straps gold stars were worn, except for veterinarians - they wore silver stars on silver shoulder straps. Width shoulder strap- 6 cm, and for officers of the medical and veterinary services, military justice - 4 cm. It is known that such shoulder straps the troops called them “oak trees.” The color of the piping depended on the type of military service and service - crimson in the infantry, blue in aviation, dark blue in cavalry, a gilded button with a star, with a hammer and sickle in the center, in the navy - a silver button with an anchor. General's shoulder straps model 1943, unlike soldiers' and officers', were hexagonal. They were gold, with silver stars. The exception was shoulder straps generals of medical and veterinary services and justice. Narrow silver rings were introduced for them. shoulder straps with gold stars. Navy officers shoulder straps, unlike the army ones, were hexagonal. Otherwise they were similar to the army ones, but the color of the edgings shoulder strap was determined: for the officers of the naval, naval engineering and coastal engineering services - black, for aviation and the engineering - aviation service - blue, quartermasters - crimson, for everyone else, including justice - red. On shoulder straps the command and ship personnel did not wear emblems. Color of the field, stars and edging shoulder strap generals and admirals, as well as their width, were also determined by the type of troops and service, field shoulder strap senior officers were sewn from specially woven braid. The buttons of the Red Army generals had the image of the coat of arms of the USSR, and the admirals and generals of the Navy had the coat of arms of the USSR superimposed on two crossed anchors. On November 7, 1944, the stars were changed to shoulder straps colonels and lieutenant colonels of the Red Army. Until this moment, they were located on the sides of the gaps, but now they have moved to the gaps themselves. On October 9, 1946 the uniform was changed shoulder strap officers of the Soviet Army - they became hexagonal. In 1947 at shoulder straps officers transferred to the reserve and retired by order of the Minister of the Armed Forces of the USSR No. 4, golden is introduced (for those who wore silver shoulder straps) or a silver (for gilded shoulder straps) patch, which they are required to wear when putting on a military uniform (this patch was abolished in 1949).

In the post-war period, minor changes occurred in the insignia. So, in 1955, everyday field bilateral shoulder straps for privates and sergeants.

In 1956, field shoulder straps for officers with stars and khaki emblems and lights according to the branch of service. In 1958, narrow restrictions were abolished. shoulder straps model 1946 for doctors, veterinarians and lawyers. At the same time, the edging for everyday shoulder strap soldiers, sergeants and foremen. On gold shoulder straps silver stars are introduced, and gold stars are added to silver stars. The colors of the gaps are red (combined arms, airborne troops), crimson (engineer troops), black (tank troops, artillery, technical troops), blue (aviation), dark green (medics, veterinarians, lawyers); blue (the color of cavalry) was abolished due to the liquidation of this type of troops. For generals of medical, veterinary services and justice, wide silver certificates have been introduced shoulder straps with gold stars, for others - gold shoulder straps with silver stars.

In 1962 appeared , which, fortunately, was not implemented.

In 1963, there were blue gaps for airborne officers. Are abolished shoulder straps 1943 model sergeant major with a sergeant major's hammer. Instead of this “hammer”, a wide longitudinal braid is introduced, like in the pre-revolutionary one.

In 1969, on gold shoulder straps gold stars are introduced, and silver stars are added to silver stars. The colors of the gaps are red (ground forces), crimson (medics, veterinarians, lawyers, administrative services) and blue (aviation, airborne forces). Silver general's medals are abolished shoulder straps. All generals shoulder straps became gold, with gold stars framed with edging according to the type of troops.

In 1972 introduced shoulder straps ensign. Unlike the pre-revolutionary ensign, whose rank corresponded to the Soviet junior lieutenant, Soviet ensign His rank was equal to that of an American warrant officer.

In 1973, the encryption codes SA (Soviet Army), VV (Internal Troops), PV (Border Troops), GB (KGB Troops) were introduced on shoulder straps soldiers and sergeants and K - on shoulder straps cadets. It must be said that these letters appeared back in 1969, but initially, according to Article 164 of Order of the USSR Minister of Defense No. 191 of July 26, 1969, they were worn only on the ceremonial uniform. The letters were made of anodized aluminum, but since 1981, for economic reasons, metal letters were replaced by letters made of PVC film.

In 1974, new shoulder straps army general in return shoulder strap model 1943. Instead of four stars, they had a marshal's star, above which was the emblem of motorized rifle troops.

In 1980, all silver coins were abolished shoulder straps with silver stars. The colors of the gaps are red (combined arms) and blue (aviation, airborne forces).

In 1981 introduced shoulder straps senior warrant officer, and in 1986 for the first time in the history of Russian officers shoulder strap introduced shoulder straps without gaps, differing only in the size of the stars (field uniform - “Afghan”)

Currently shoulder straps remain , as well as some categories . In 1994, the traditional sergeant's stripes were replaced with Western-style squares. However, in 2011 the stripes were returned and now very reminiscent shoulder straps

Previous days in Russian history:

The entire period of the existence of the USSR can be divided into several stages based on various epoch-making events. Typically, changes in political life states are leading to a number of fundamental changes, including in the army. The pre-war period, which is limited to 1935-1940, went down in history as the birth of the Soviet Union, and special attention should be paid not only to the state of the material part of the armed forces, but also to the organization of the hierarchy in management.

Before the beginning of this period, there was a kind of disguised system by which the military ranks of the Soviet army were determined. However, quite soon the question arose about creating a more advanced gradation. Although ideology did not allow the direct introduction of a structure similar to the one currently in use, for the reason that the concept of an officer was considered a relic of the tsarist era, Stalin could not help but understand that such a ranking would help clearly establish the boundaries of the duties and responsibilities of commanders.

U modern approach There is one more advantage to the organization of army subordination. The activities of personnel are greatly facilitated, since it was possible to develop individual functionality for each rank. It should be noted here that the transition to the introduction of officer ranks has been prepared for several years. The very fact that such concepts as “officer” or “general” were returning into use was perceived critically by military leaders.

Military ranks of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army

In 1932, a resolution of the Council of People's Commissars was issued, according to which the previously existing division into conventional categories was abolished. By December 1935, the transition to ranks was completed. But until 1943, the ranks of privates and junior officers still included job titles. The entire contingent was divided into the following categories:

• command staff;
• military-political;
• commander;
• military-technical;
• economic or administrative;
• medical and veterinary;
• legal;
• private.

If you imagine that each squad had its own specific ranks, it becomes clear that such a system was considered quite complex. By the way, it was only possible to finish off its remains closer to the 80s of the 20th century. Reliable information on this issue can be obtained from the edition of the military regulations of the Red Army Armed Forces dated 1938.

Stalin's strange decision

The totalitarian regime, which was especially pronounced during the Great Patriotic War, did not even allow thoughts contrary to the opinion of I.V. Stalin, and his decision to return shoulder straps and officer ranks to the Red Army was openly criticized not only in foreign press, but also the brightest representatives Soviet command.

Reform in the army took place during the hottest stages of the war. At the beginning of 1943, the officers “returned” to their previous ranks and shoulder straps. Dissatisfaction was caused by the fact that the builders of communism had long ago renounced these archaisms.

By decision of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Court, a corresponding Decree was adopted. Until now, historians consider such a decision somewhat strange.

1. Firstly, only a person who clearly understands the ultimate goals can decide to reform the army during a period of active hostilities.
2. Secondly, there is a certain risk that soldiers will feel certain steps backward, which will significantly break their morale.

Although the end justifies the means, there is always a percentage probability of a positive outcome of the reform. Naturally, the Western press saw in this the first notes of the Soviet Union's loss in World War II.

It cannot be assumed that the new shoulder straps were an exact copy of the shoulder straps of Tsarist Russia, both the designations and the ranks themselves were significantly different. The lieutenant replaced the second lieutenant, and the captain replaced the staff captain. Personally, Stalin was the initiator of the idea of ​​​​using stars on shoulder straps of different sizes.

For example, the highest ranks in the USSR army have since that time been designated by large stars (marshal - one star with a coat of arms). Only later did history reveal the real reason for the leader’s decision. At all times, the era of Peter's reforms was revered and evoked a feeling of patriotism. A return to that scheme establishing the rank of each soldier was supposed to inspire the soldiers of the Red Army. Despite the war, the USSR was preparing for the Great Victory, which means that Berlin had to be taken by officers whose ranks were consistent with the ranks of the allied countries. Was there a political motive to this? Definitely yes.

Military ranks in the 50s - 80s of the century

Shoulder straps and ranks in the USSR army were revised more than once until the end of its existence. Almost every decade in history has been marked by reforms. Thus, in 1955, the title “Admiral of the Fleet” was abolished, and the title “Admiral of the USSR Fleet” was established. Later, everything returned to its place with the interpretation “... for consistency between the ranks of senior officers.”

In the sixties, it was decided to designate education by adding the specialty of engineer or technician. The complete hierarchy looked like this:

• junior engineer lieutenant – engineer-captain;
• Major Engineer and further respectively.
• junior technical lieutenant - technical service captain;
• Major of Technical Services and further accordingly.

By the mid-eighties, the idea had matured to completely remove the previously existing line between command personnel, to equate the ranks of military personnel with different education levels, to establish a single training profile, and to bring ranks into line ground forces and naval forces. Moreover, this correspondence does not consist only in consonance. The fact is that exercises are increasingly being held in which several branches of the military are involved simultaneously. For effective management of the army, the names of these branches began to be excluded from ranks. By a resolution of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces, military ranks in the Soviet army ceased to contain special articles.

Since 1969, the procedure for wearing military uniforms has been introduced. It is now divided into front, everyday, field and work. Work uniforms are required only for privates and non-commissioned officers undergoing training conscript service. The shoulder straps of military personnel of the ground forces, air force and navy differ in color. For the category of sergeants, foremen, warrant officers and midshipmen, the following standard is established: SV - red shoulder straps, Air Force - blue, USSR Navy shoulder straps - black.

The corporal in pursuit wears a cloth stripe located across. The SV and Air Force shoulder straps contain the letters SA, which stands for “Soviet Army.” Navy shoulder straps are distinguished not only by color, but also by the presence of a gilded letter F. Since 1933, on the shoulder straps of a petty officer, the stripe has been located lengthwise, and before that it was supplemented by a transverse stripe, forming something like the letter “T”. Receiving the new rank of senior warrant officer since 1981 is accompanied by the addition of a third star on the shoulder strap.

By the way, in the modern army the warrant officer's stars are arranged transversely, and the senior warrant officer's stars form a triangle. During the Soviet era, these stars were lined up along the shoulder strap.

The shoulder straps for the officers' dress uniform were made in gold. The edgings and stripes had the same color differences as in the previous categories. Before the 1974 reforms, the army general wore shoulder straps with four stars. After the transformations, they were replaced by one large star together with the coat of arms of the USSR. The same can be said about Navy veterans.

Higher officers with the rank of marshal, in addition to the star on their shoulder straps, they wore a special badge indicating the branch of the military. Accordingly, it was added to the rank as an addition. This provision was abolished only in Russian army, which was formed in 1992. The highest rank in the Soviet Union is Generalissimo. Today the President of the Russian Federation is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, and the marshal is considered the second in importance in the hierarchy.

Shoulder straps of SENIOR COMMAND STAFF (GENERALS, MARSHALS)

FIELD EMAILS
A field of shoulder straps made of specially woven silk braid on a cloth lining. The color of the shoulder straps is protective. Color of edgings of shoulder straps: generals of generals, artillery generals, tank troops, medical and veterinary services, senior commanders. composition of the military legal service - red; aviation generals - blue; generals of technical troops and quartermaster service - crimson.

The stars on the shoulder straps were embroidered in silver, measuring 22 mm. On the shoulder straps of generals of the medical and veterinary services and the highest command. members of the military legal service - gold, size 20 mm. The buttons on the shoulder straps with the coat of arms are gilded. On the uniforms of generals there is honey. services – gilded metal emblems; there is a breeze on the generals' uniforms. services - the same emblems, but silvered; on uniform of the highest beginning. members of the Supreme Legal Service - gilded metal emblems.

By order of the NKO of the USSR No. 79 dated February 14, 1943, shoulder straps were installed, including. and for the highest engineering and technical personnel of the signal troops, engineering, chemical, railway, topographic troops - to the generals of the engineering and technical service, according to the model established for the generals of the technical troops. From this order the highest beginning. The composition of the military legal service began to be called generals of justice.

EVERYDAY EPAILS

A field of shoulder straps made of galun of a special weave: made of gold wire.
For generals of medical and veterinary services, the highest level. members of the military legal service - made of silver wire. Color of edgings of shoulder straps: generals of generals, artillery generals, tank troops, medical and veterinary services, senior commanders. composition of the military legal service - red; aviation generals - blue; generals of technical troops and quartermaster service - crimson.

The stars on the shoulder straps were embroidered on a gold field - in silver, on a silver field - in gold. The buttons on the shoulder straps with the coat of arms are gilded. On the uniforms of generals there is honey. services – gilded metal emblems; there is a breeze on the generals' uniforms. services - the same emblems, but silvered; on uniform of the highest beginning. members of the Supreme Legal Service - gilded metal emblems.

By order of the NKO of the USSR No. 61 dated February 8, 1943, silver emblems were installed for artillery generals to wear on their shoulder straps.

By order of the NKO of the USSR No. 79 dated February 14, 1943, shoulder straps were installed, including. and for the highest engineering and technical personnel of the signal troops, engineering, chemical, railway, topographic troops - to the generals of the engineering and technical service, according to the model established for the generals of the technical troops. Probably from this order the highest beginning. The composition of the military legal service began to be called generals of justice.

These shoulder straps existed without fundamental changes until 1962, when by order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 127 of May 12, sewn shoulder straps with a steel-colored field were installed on the ceremonial overcoats of generals.