Military ranks of the Soviet Union (1943–1955)

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Between 1943 and 1955, the ranks and insignia of the Soviet Armed Forces were characterised by a number of changes, including the reintroduction of rank insignia badges and the adoption of a number of higher ranks.

Contents

Changes

In conjunction with the permanent increase of the manpower strength of the Soviet armed forces, the service branches and arms were formed by orders of the People' Commissariat of Defence, consisting of artillery, air force, air defence forces, signals corps, corps of engineers and the armoured corps. Major combat support units up to command level were established. This process was characterized by a need for well qualified command staff, in a suitable rank structure. The Soviet state – and party administration – responded to these challenges by the introduction of additional higher ranks, as well as by reintroducing the traditional Russian rank insignia.

A new rank group at OF-9 level (equivalent to the general of the branch in the Wehrmacht and the Imperial Russian Army) was introduced, named marshal of the branch or chief marshal of the branch.

In January 1943 the ranks of marshal of the air force, marshal of the artillery and marshal of the armoured corps came into existence. [1] In October 1943 it was followed by the additional ranks marshal of the communication troops, and marshal of the engineer troops, and the equivalent chief marshal of the branch ranks were added. [2]

Generalissimo of the Soviet Union

The highest rank of Generalissimo of the Soviet Union (Russian : Генерали́ссимус Сове́тского Сою́за) was created in October 1943, as an individual award to Stalin, the Head of Government and party chief, and functioned as supreme commander on all Soviet armed forces. Promotion to this rank was limited explicitly to wartime. The instruction was conveyed by an order to the front commanders-in-chief on 26 June 1945, [3] however, Stalin refused to officially implement the rank.

Ranks and distinction insignia for the land forces and air force

The introduction of new distinction insignia to the officer corps of the Red Army came by order of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on 6 January 1943. [4] [5] Selected were two versions of shoulder straps or epaulettes, one for everyday uniforms and the second for field use (breadth 6 cm, length 14 to 16 cm, depending on body size). On 15 January 1943 the introduction of new uniforms was decided. [6]

Corps colours

The corps colours that were introduced in 1935, remained in use with minor changes. The padding of the newly introduced shoulder straps were made from wool cloth, designed in branch of service colours with piping. Command staff wore silver or gold stars and characteristic metallic branch badges.

Enlisted men and non-commissioned officers

The shoulder board padding indicated the appropriate corps colour of service branch, corps or special appointment, with coloured border piping.

ColourBranch
PaddingPipingField piping
RaspberryBlackRaspberryInfantry (generic motorised rifles or motorised infantry)
Cobalt blueBlackCobalt blueCavalry
Sky blueBlackSky blueAviation troops and air force
BlackRedRedArtillery & armoured corps
Dark greenRedDark greenMedical troops, veterinarian service
BlackBlackBlackTechnical troops

Junior and senior officers

PipingBranch
Cobalt blueCavalry
RaspberryArmy generic infantry, motorised rifles and logistics
RedArtillery, armoured corps, medical troops and veterinarian service
Sky blueAviation troops and air force
BlackTechnical troops

General officers

PipingBranch
Deep red ("general's red")Army generic infantry, motorised rifles and logistics
Sky blueAviation troops and air force
RaspberryAll other uses

Any other insignia

Regimental numbers in gold lettering were placed on other ranks' shoulder straps along with the emblem of the armed service, branch, special troop, or appointment. For commanders of battle units or task forces the emblem was gold coloured, for others it was silver.

Enlisted men and non-commissioned officers

Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Parade uniform
Army [7] 1943inf-p15.png 1943inf-p16.png 1943inf-p17.png 1943inf-p18n.png 1943inf-p19.png 1943inf-p20.png
Air force 1943avia-p15.png 1943avia-p16.png 1943avia-p17.png 1943avia-p18.png 1943avia-p19.png 1943avia-p20.png
Field uniform
Army 1943inf-pf15.png 1943inf-pf16.png 1943inf-pf17.png 1943inf-pf18.png 1943inf-pf19.png 1943inf-pf20.png
Air force 1943avia-pf15.png 1943avia-pf16.png 1943avia-pf17.png 1943avia-pf18.png 1943avia-pf19.png 1943avia-pf20.png
Старшина́
Starshyná
Ста́рший сержа́нт
Stárshiy serzhánt
Сержа́нт
Serzhánt
Мла́дший сержа́нт
Mládshiy serzhánt
Ефре́йтор
Efréĭtor
красноармеец (Before 1946) [8]
Krasnoarmeyets
Рядово́й (After 1946)
Ryadovóy

Translation [7] Sergeant major Senior sergeant Sergeant Junior sergeant Corporal Red Army man
Private

Variations

Field and service uniform as shown for Senior sergeant.

Insignia RussianArtilleryForcesCollar.png
Artillery
RAF A emb-Armoured forces1936.gif
Armoured Troops
USSR A Cavalry emblem - 1924.gif
Cavalry
Techznak.png
Chemical Troops
Elektrotech.png
Electrical Troops
Rank 1943art-pf16.png 1943art-p16.png 1943art-pf16.png 1943btv-p16.png 1943cav-pf16.png 1943cav-p16.png 1943tech-pf16.png 1943chim-p16.png 1943tech-pf16.png 1943elektro-p16.png
Insignia Engineer1924 forces emb n9619.png
Engineer Troops
Med1936-1.png
Medical Corps
Avtochasty 1936.png
Motor-Car Units
Collar insignia of Pontoon Corps.png
Pontoon Corps
Zheleznodorozhnye vojska.png
Railway Troops,
Military Communications
Rank 1943tech-pf16.png 1943ing p16.png 1943med-pf16.png 1943med-p16.png 1943art-pf16.png 1943auto-p16.png 1943tech-pf16.png 1943ponton-p16.png 1943tech-pf16.png 1943zd p16.png
Insignia Dorozhnye vojska 1944.png
Road Troops
Pioneer.png
Sapper Troops
Communication1936 forces emb n9618.png
Signal Troops
Topograph1943.png
Survey Troops
Vet1936.png
Veterinary Corps
Rank 1943tech-pf16.png 1943dor-p16.png 1943tech-pf16.png 1943sap-p16.png 1943tech-pf16.png 1943svjaz p16.png 1943tech-pf16.png 1943top-p16.png 1943med-pf16.png 1943vet-p16.png

Officers

Marshals of the branch

The rank of Army general was only awarded to officers of the army from the infantry branch directly, all other branches and services were promoted to the ranks of marshal and chief marshal of the branch (equivalents, respectively, to the ranks of Army general and Marshal of the Soviet Union [9] ).

Rank Chief marshal of the branch
Service uniform 1943art-p01.png 1943avia-p01.png 1943btv-p01.png 1943svjaz p01.png 1943ing p01.png
Field uniform 1943art-pf01.png 1943avia-pf01.png 1943btv-pf01.png 1943svjaz-pf01.png 1943ing-pf01.png
Rank designationГлавный маршал артиллерии
Glavnyy marshal artillerii
Главный маршал авиации
Glavnyy marshal aviatsii
Главный маршал бронетанковых войск
Glavnyy marshal bronetankovykh voysk
Главный маршал войск связи
Glavnyy marshal voysk svyazi
Главный маршал инженерных войск
Glavnyy marshal inzhenernykh voysk
TranslationChief marshal of artilleryChief marshal of aviationChief marshal of the armoured troopsChief marshal of the signal troopsChief marshal of the engineer troops
Rank Marshal of the branch
Service uniform 1943art-p02-1.png 1943art-p02.png 1943avia-p02-1.png 1943avia-p02.png 1943btv-p02-1.png 1943btv-p02.png 1943svjaz p02.png 1943ing p02.png
Field uniform 1943art-pf02-1.png 1943art-pf02.png 1943avia-pf02-1.png 1943avia-pf02.png 1943btv-pf02-1.png 1943btv-pf02.png 1943svjaz-pf02.png 1943ing-pf02.png
Rank designationМаршал артиллерии
Marshal artillerii
Маршал авиации
Marshal aviatsii
Маршал бронетанковых войск
Marshal bronetankovykh voysk
Маршал войск связи
Marshal voysk svyazi
Маршал инженерных войск
Marshal inzhenernykh voysk
TranslationMarshal of artilleryMarshal of aviationMarshal of the armoured troopsMarshal of the signal troopsMarshal of the engineer troops

Commissioned officers

Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officers
Parade uniform
Infantry 1943inf-p00.png 1943inf-p02.png 1943inf-p03.png 1943inf-p04.png 1943inf-p05.png 1943inf-p06.png 1943inf-p07.png 1943inf-p08.png 1943inf-p09.png 1943inf-p10.png 1943inf-p11.png 1943inf-p12.png
Air force See above 1943avia-p03.png 1943avia-p04.png 1943avia-p05.png 1943avia-p06.png 1943avia-p07.png 1943avia-p08.png 1943avia-p09.png 1943avia-p10.png 1943avia-p11.png 1943avia-p12.png
Field uniform
Infantry 1943inf-pf00.png 1943inf-pf02.png 1943inf-pf03.png 1943inf-pf04.png 1943inf-pf05.png 1943inf-pf06.png 1943inf-pf07.png 1943inf-pf08.png 1943inf-pf09.png 1943inf-pf10.png 1943inf-pf11.png 1943inf-pf12.png
Air force See below 1943avia-pf03.png 1943avia-pf04.png 1943avia-pf05.png 1943avia-pf06.png 1943avia-pf07i.png 1943avia-pf08.png 1943avia-pf09.png 1943avia-pf10.png 1943avia-pf11i.png 1943avia-pf12.png
Маршал советского союза
Marshal sovetskogo soyuza
Генерал армии
General armii
Генера́л-полко́вник
Generál-polkóvnik
Генера́л-лейтена́нт
Generál-leytenánt
Генера́л-майо́р
Generál-mayór
Полко́вник
Polkóvnik
Подполко́вник
Podpolkóvnik
Майо́р
Majór
Kапита́н
Kapitán
Старший лейтена́нт
Stárshiy leytenánt
Лейтенант
Leytenant
Mла́дший лейтена́нт
Mládshiy leytenánt

Translation [7] Marshal of the Soviet Union General of the army Colonel general Lieutenant general Major general Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Senior lieutenant Lieutenant Junior lieutenant
Variations

Field, service and engineering uniform for various officers.

Insignia RAF A emb-Armoured forces1936.gif
Armoured Troops
RussianArtilleryForcesCollar.png
Artillery
USSR A Cavalry emblem - 1924.gif
Cavalry
Techznak.png
Chemical Troops
Elektrotech.png
Electrical Troops
Rank 1943btv-p10.png 1943btv-pf10.png 1943btv-p10i.png 1943art-p10.png 1943art-pf10.png 1943art-p10i.png 1943cav-p10.png 1943cav-pf10.png 1943chim-p10.png 1943tech-pf09.png 1943chim-p10i.png 1943elektro-p10.png Blank.svg 1943elektro-p10i.png
Insignia Engineer1924 forces emb n9619.png
Engineer Troops
Justiz 1936.png
Legal Service
Med1936-1.png
Medical Corps
Avtochasty 1936.png
Motor-Car Units
Collar insignia of Pontoon Corps.png
Pontoon Corps
Rank 1943ing p10.png 1943tech-pf10.png 1943ing p10i.png 1943just-p10.png 1943just-pf10.png 1943med-p10.png 1943med-pf10.png 1943auto-p11.png 1943abtv-pf11i.png 1943auto-p11i.png 1943ponton-p12.png 1943tech-pf08i.png 1943ponton-p12i.png
Insignia Emblintend1942.gif
Quartermaster Corps
Zheleznodorozhnye vojska.png
Railway Troops,
Military Communications
Dorozhnye vojska 1944.png
Road Troops
Pioneer.png
Sapper Troops
Communication1936 forces emb n9618.png
Signal Troops
Rank 1943int-p10.png 1943int-pf10.png 1943zd p08.png 1943tech-pf08.png 1943zd p08i.png 1943dor-p11.png 1943tech-pf11.png 1943dor-p11i.png 1943sap-p07.png 1943tech-pf07.png 1943sap-p07i.png 1943svjaz p11.png 1943tech-pf11i.png 1943svjaz p11i.png
Insignia Topograph1943.png
Survey Troops
Vet1936.png
Veterinary Corps
Rank 1943top-p12.png 1943tech-pf12.png 1943top-p12i.png 1943vet-p10.png 1943vet-pf10.png

Student officers

Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Parade uniform
Army [10] Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Red Army cadet infantry school 1943 shoulder straps.jpg
Air force Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Blank.svg Red Army cadet air force school 1943 shoulder straps.jpg
Курсант старшина́
Kursánt starshyná
Курсант ста́рший сержа́нт
Kursánt stárshiy serzhánt
Курсант сержа́нт
Kursánt serzhánt
Курсант мла́дший сержа́нт
Kursánt mládshiy serzhánt
Курсант ефре́йтор
Kursánt efréĭtor
Курсант
Kursánt

TranslationCadet sergeant major Cadet senior sergeant Cadet sergeant Cadet junior sergeant Cadet first classCadet

Ranks and rank insignia of the Soviet Navy

By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on 15 February 1943 on "distinction insignia to the Soviet Navy" the introduction of shoulder straps and epaulettes took effect, marking the début of Imperial Russian Navy-style insignia to the Soviet Navy. [11] [12] As the navy also had coastal services, ground ranks similar to the Red Army and Air Force were introduced with their respective insignia to be used by the coastal service personnel. These ranks were also used by the navy's medical corps and technical services. Shoulder rank insignia were in dark blue shoulder boards (gold on the dress uniform only for officers).

Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officers
Shoulder insignia
Regular [13] [14] 1943kor-p01.png
(1945–1955) [15]
1943kor-p02.png
(1943–1945)
1943kor-p03.png 1943kor-p04.png 1943kor-p05.png 1943kor-p06.png 1943kor-p07.png 1943kor-p08.png 1943kor-p09.png 1943kor-p10.png 1943kor-p11.png 1943kor-p12.png
Engineers 1943kor-p03i.png 1943kor-p04i.png 1943kor-p05i.png 1943kor-p06i.png 1943kor-p07i.png 1943kor-p08i.png 1943kor-p09i.png 1943kor-p10i.png 1943kor-p11i.png 1943kor-p12i.png
Sleeve insignia
All [13] [14] CCCP-Navy-OF-9-Sleeve (1943-1955).svg CCCP-Navy-OF-8-Sleeve (1943-1955).svg CCCP-Navy-OF-7-Sleeve (1943-1955).svg CCCP-Navy-OF-6-Sleeve (1943-1955).svg Russia-Navy-OF-5-Sleeve.svg Russia-Navy-OF-4-Sleeve.svg Russia-Navy-OF-3-Sleeve.svg Russia-Navy-OF-2-Sleeve.svg Russia-Navy-OF-1c-Sleeve.svg Russia-Navy-OF-1b-Sleeve.svg Russia-Navy-OF-1a-Sleeve.svg
Адмирал флота
Admirál flota
Адмирал
Admirál
Вице-адмирал
Vitse-admirál
Контр-адмирал
Contre-admirál
Капитан 1-го ранга
Kapitan 1-go ránga
Капитан 2-го ранга
Kapitan 2-go ránga
Капитан 3-го ранга
Kapitan 3-go ránga
Капитан-лейтенант
Kapitan-leytenánt
Старший лейтенант
Starshey leytenánt
Лейтенант
Leytenánt
Младший лейтенант
Mladshiy leytenánt

Translation [14] Admiral of the fleet Admiral Vice admiral Rear admiral Captain 1st rank Captain 2nd rank Captain 3rd rank Captain lieutenant Senior lieutenant Lieutenant Junior lieutenant
Rank groupSenior ratingsJunior ratings
Shoulder board
to
service uniform
1943kor-p15.png 1943kor-p16.png 1943kor-p17.png 1943kor-p18.png 1943kor-p19.png 1943kor-p20.png
Shoulder strap
to
service uniform
1943kor-p17fl.png 1943kor-p18fl.png 1943kor-p19fl.png 1943kor-p20fl.png
Мичман
Mičman
Главный старшина
Glavny starshina
Старшина 1 статьи
Starshina 1 statie
Старшина 2 статьи
Starshina 2 statie
Старший краснофлотец
Starshina krasnoflotets
Краснофлотец
Krasnoflotets

Ranks and insignia of naval ground and technical services

Officers

General officersOfficers & commandersDesignation
Shoulder strap
to
service uniform
(Coastal Services, incl. Naval Infantry and Coastal Defense Artillery)
1943goast-p03.png 1943goast-p04.png 1943goast-p05.png 1943goast-p06.png 1943goast-p07.png 1943goast-p08.png 1943goast-p09.png 1943goast-p10.png 1943goast-p11.png 1943goast-p12.png
Shoulder strap
to
service uniform
(Coastal Engineers)
1943goast-p03i.png 1943goast-p04i.png 1943goast-p05i.png 1943goast-p06i.png 1943goast-p07i.png 1943goast-p08i.png 1943goast-p09i.png 1943goast-p10i.png 1943goast-p11i.png 1943goast-p12i.png
Shoulder strap
to
service uniform
(Naval Aviation)
1943moravia-p03.png 1943moravia-p04.png 1943moravia-p05.png 1943moravia-p06.png 1943moravia-p07.png 1943moravia-p08.png 1943moravia-p09.png 1943moravia-p10.png 1943moravia-p11.png 1943moravia-p12.png
Shoulder strap
to
service uniform
(Naval Aviation engineers and technical staff)
1943moravia-p03i.png 1943moravia-p04i.png 1943moravia-p05i.png 1943moravia-p06i.png 1943moravia-p07i.png 1943moravia-p08i.png 1943moravia-p09i.png 1943moravia-p10i.png 1943moravia-p11i.png 1943moravia-p12i.png
Rank designationColonel general
(Генерал-полковник)
Lieutenant general
(Генерал-лейтенант)
Major general
(Генерал-майор)
Colonel
(Полковник)
Lieutenant colonel
(Подполковник)
Major
(Майор)
Captain
(Капитан)
Senior lieutenant
(Старший лейтенант)
Lieutenant
(Лейтенант)
Junior lieutenant
(Младший лейтенант)
Engineers rank designationEngineer-Colonel
(Инженер-Полковник)
Engineer-Lieutenant colonel
(Инженер-Подполковник)
Engineer Major
(Инженер-Майор)
Engineer Captain
(Инженер-капитан)
Senior Technician Lieutenant
(Старший техник-лейтенант)
Technician Lieutenant
(Техник-лейтенант)
Junior Technician Lieutenant
(Младший техник-лейтенант)

Other ranks

Shoulder straps to
service uniform basic
Enlisted men and non-commissioned officers of ground services
(Coastal Services and Naval Aviation)
Shoulder board
to
service uniform
(Personnel of coastal services)
1943goast-p15.png 1943goast-p16.png 1943goast-p17.png 1943goast-p18.png 1943goast-p19.png 1943goast-p20.png
Shoulder board
to
service uniform
(Personnel of naval aviation)
1943moravia-p15.png 1943moravia-p16.png 1943moravia-p17.png 1943moravia-p18.png 1943moravia-p19.png 1943moravia-p20.png
Shoulder strap
to
service uniform
(Personnel of coastal services)
1943goast-p17fl.png 1943goast-p18fl.png 1943goast-p19fl.png 1943goast-p20fl.png
Shoulder strap
to
service uniform
(Personnel of naval aviation)
1943moravia-p17fl.png 1943moravia-p18fl.png 1943moravia-p19fl.png 1943moravia-p20fl.png
Rank designationStarshinaStaff SergeantSergeantJunior SergeantSenior seaman Seaman

See also

References

Citations
  1. Decree of the "Presidium of the Supreme Soviet" of 16 January 1943
  2. Decree of the "Presidium of the Supreme Soviet" of 9 October 1943
  3. Decree of the "Presidium of the Supreme Soviet" of 26 June 1945
  4. "Ukaz Prezidiuma Verkhovnogo Soveta SSSR «O vvedenii novykh znakov razlichiya dlya lichnogo sostava Krasnoy Armii» ot 6 yanvarya 1942 goda" Указ Президиума Верховного Совета СССР «О введении новых знаков различия для личного состава Красной Армии» от 6 января 1942 года [Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR "On the introduction of new insignia for the personnel of the Red Army" dated 6 January 1942](PDF). Vedomosti of the Supreme Council of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (in Russian). Vol. 2, no. 208. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  5. Decreel of the "Presidium of the Supreme Soviet" of 6 January 1943
  6. Decree of the "Presidium of the Supreme Soviet" of 15 January 1943
  7. 1 2 3 Rosignoli 1972, Plates 58–62.
  8. Устав внутренней службы Вооружённых сил СССР, 1946 г.
  9. Bol'shaya Sovetskaya Entsiklopediya. Tret'ye izdaniye [Great Soviet Encyclopedia. Third edition] (in Russian). Vol. 6. Moscow, USSR: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1971. p. 575.
  10. Kharitonov 1993, Plate 101.
  11. "Указ Президиума Верховного Совета СССР "О введении новых знаков различия для личного состава Военно-Морского флота СССР"" [Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR "On the introduction of new insignia for the personnel of the Navy of the USSR"](PDF). Statements of the Supreme Council Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (in Russian). Vol. 7, no. 213. 19 February 1943. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  12. Decree of the "Presidium of the Supreme Soviet" of 15 February 1943
  13. 1 2 Mollo 1981, p. 177.
  14. 1 2 3 Rosignoli 1983, Plates 12–13.
  15. Vedomosti 1945.
References