Polkovnik is a military rank used mostly in Slavic-speaking countries which corresponds to a colonel in English-speaking states and oberst in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries. The term originates from an ancient Slavic word for a group of soldiers and folk. However, in Cossack Hetmanate and Sloboda Ukraine, polkovnyk was an administrative rank similar to a governor. Usually this word is translated as colonel, however the transliteration is also in common usage, for the sake of the historical and social context. Polkovnik began as a commander of a distinct group of troops (polk), arranged for battle.
Commissioned officers' rank comparison chart of all land forces of NATO member states.
This page lists the enlisted ranks and insignia of NATO member armies. For the comparison chart of the commissioned officers, see Ranks and insignia of NATO armies officers.
Each officer rank in the navy of a NATO country may be compared with the ranks used by any military service in other NATO countries, under a standardized NATO rank scale. This is useful, for instance, in establishing seniority amongst officers serving alongside each other within multinational command structures.
The following table lists the ranks and insignia of officers in NATO air forces.
This table shows the ranks and insignia of NCOs and Seaman in the navies of member countries of NATO. NATO maintains a "standard rank scale" in an attempt to match every member country's military rank to corresponding ranks used by the other members. The rank categories were established in the document STANAG 2116, formally titled NATO Codes for Grades of Military Personnel.
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.
The Military ranks of North Macedonia are the ranks used by the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia. The ranks are divided into four main groups, depending on the position and function: Generals, Officers, Non-commissioned officers and Soldiers. Being a Landlocked country, Macedonia does not have a navy.
Major general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a lieutenant general outranking a major general, whereas a major outranks a lieutenant.
Rank comparison chart of all armies and land forces of European states.
Rank comparison chart of all air 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.
Glavny starshina is a rank used by the Russian Navy and a number of former communist state. 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 state. 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 state. 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.
Captain 1st rank is a rank used by the Russian Navy and a number of former communist state. The rank is the most senior rank in the staff officer's 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.
Rank comparison chart of non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and enlisted personnel for all armies and land forces of European states.
Rank comparison chart of air forces non-commissioned officers and other personnel of European states.
Bulgarian Land Forces [1] 
Bulgarian Navy [1] 
Bulgarian Air Force [1] 
