Modern Russian military ranks trace their roots to the Table of Ranks established by Peter the Great. Most of the rank names were borrowed from existing German/Prussian, French, English, Dutch, and Polish ranks upon the formation of the Russian regular army in the late 17th century.
Starshina is a senior military rank or designation in the military forces of some Slavic states, and a historical military designation. Depending on a country, it had different meanings. In the 19th century with the expansion of the Imperial Russia into Turkestan and the Central Asia, the word was even used to identify some Turkic leaders as a basic Russian word for aqsaqal (white-beard).
Praporshchik is a rank used by the Russian Armed Forces and a number of former communist states. The rank is a non-commissioned officer's and is equivalent to Michman in the corresponding navies. It is usually equivalent to warrant officer class 1 or sergeant major in English-speaking armies. Within NATO forces, the rank is rated as OR-7 or OR-8.
The Navy of the Russian Federation inherited the ranks of the Soviet Navy, although the insignia and uniform were slightly altered. The navy predominantly uses naval-style ranks but also uses army-style ranks for some specialisations, including naval aviation, marine infantry, medical and legal.
The following table presents images of the rank insignia used by the Russian Aerospace Forces. The Russia inherited the ranks of the Soviet Union, although the insignia and uniform were altered a little, especially the re-introduction of the old Tsarist crown and double eagle. The Russian Aerospace Forces follow the same rank structure as the Russian Ground Forces, with the addition of the title "of aviation" to each officer's rank, now abandoned.
Podpolkovnik is a military rank in Slavic and nearby countries which corresponds to the lieutenant colonel in the English-speaking states and military.
Kapitan is used manifold as rank, grade, or rank designation in the Army, Air Force or Navy of numerous countries and armed forces. In member countries of NATO-alliance Kapitan is a commissioned officer rank, rated OF-2 in line to the NATO officers rank system. The almost equivalent OF-2 officer, e.g. in the US Army, is the Captain rank.
A new law approved in July 2008 changed the military ranks of Venezuela, principally with regard to names, functions and commanding regulation of the armed forces. The law was sanctioned by Venezuela's National Assembly.
A Senior sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in the armed forces of many nations. It is usually placed above sergeant.
Rank comparison chart of all armies and land forces of European states.
Michman is a rank used by the Russian Navy and a number of former communist states. The rank is a non-commissioned officer's and is equivalent to praporshchik in armies and air forces. Within NATO forces, the rank is rated as OR-8 and is equivalent to Warrant officer class 2 or Senior chief petty officer in English speaking navies.
Ranks and insignia of the Russian Federation's armed forces from 1994 to 2010 were affected by the disintegration of the former Soviet armed forces, and there were other changes in insignia design when the newly established Russian Federation came into existence. The ranks depicted below were replaced with those adopted by decree № 293 of the President of the Russian Federation on 11 March 2010. The transition began with the issue of new military uniforms to the armed services in 2008 in the Moscow area and in 2010 nationwide. The ranks of marshal of the branch and chief marshal were officially abolished as a result of the 1994 regulations.
Glavny starshina is a rank used by the Russian Navy and a number of former communist states. The rank is the second most senior rank in the non-commissioned officer's career group. The rank is equivalent to senior sergeant in armies and air forces. Within NATO forces, the rank is rated as OR-7 and is equivalent to chief petty officer in English speaking navies.
Starshina 1st class is a rank used by the Russian Navy and a number of former communist states. The rank is a non-commissioned officer and is equivalent to sergeant in armies and air forces. Within NATO forces, the rank is rated as OR-6 and is equivalent to petty officer first class in English speaking navies.
Starshina 2nd class is a rank used by the Russian Navy and a number of former communist states. The rank is a non-commissioned officer and is equivalent to Junior sergeant in armies and air forces. Within NATO forces, the rank is rated as OR-5 and is equivalent to Petty officer second class or Petty officer in English speaking navies.
Starshy praporshchik is a rank used by the Russian Ground Forces and a number of former communist states. The rank is a non-commissioned officer's and is equivalent to Starshy michman in navies. It is usually equivalent to warrant officer class 1 or sergeant major in English-speaking armies.
Captain 1st rank is a rank used by the Russian Navy and a number of former communist states. The rank is the most senior rank in the staff officers' career group. The rank is equivalent to colonel in armies and air forces. Within NATO forces, the rank is rated as OF-5 and is equivalent to captain in English-speaking navies.
Rank comparison chart of all navies of European states.
Commissioned officers' and enlisted rank comparison chart of all marine forces.
Captain 3rd rank is a rank used by the Russian Navy and a number of former communist states. The rank is the lowest rank in the staff officer's career group. The rank is equivalent to major in armies and air forces. Within NATO forces, the rank is rated as OF-3 and is equivalent to lieutenant commander in English speaking navies.
