Ranks of the Czechoslovak Armed Forces

Last updated

Ranks of the Czechoslovak Armed Forces shows the military ranks and rank insignia in use by the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Czechoslovak Republic.

Contents

Overview

After the independence of Czechoslovakia, the new republic at first used the ranks of the Austro-Hungarian Army, but from 1920 a system was introduced that was basically similar to the one used by today's Army of the Czech Republic.

Ranks (1918–1919)

Officers

Rank groupGeneralsField OfficersCompany OfficersOfficer Cadets
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovak Home Army [1] Czechoslovakia Home Army OF-8 - Polni zbrojmistr (1918-1919).png Czechoslovakia Home Army OF-7 - Polni podmarsalek (1918-1919).png Czechoslovakia Home Army OF-6 - Generalmajor (1918-1919).png Czechoslovakia Home Army OF-5 - Polukovnik (1918-1919).png Czechoslovakia Home Army OF-4 - Podplukovnik (1918-1919).png Czechoslovakia Home Army OF-3 - Major (1918-1919).png Czechoslovakia Home Army OF-2 - Kapitan * setnik (1918-1919).png Czechoslovakia Home Army OF-1b - Nadporucik (1918-1919).png Czechoslovakia Home Army OF-1a - Podporucik (1918-1919).png Czechoslovakia Home Army OR-7 - Praporcik (1918-1919).png Czechoslovakia Home Army OF-D - Kadet aspirant (1918-1919).png
Polní zbrojmistr Polní podmaršálek Generálmajor Plukovník Podplukovník Major Setník Nadporučík Poručík Praporčík Kadet aspirant

Other ranks

Rank groupSenior NCOJunior NCOEnlisted
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovak Home Army [1] Czechoslovakia Home Army OR-6 - dustojnicky zastupce (1918-1919).png Czechoslovakia Home Army OR-5 - Stabni sikovatel (1918-1919).png Czechoslovakia Home Army OR-4 - sikovatel (1918-1919).png Czechoslovakia Home Army OR-3 - Cetar (1918-1919).png Czechoslovakia Home Army OR-2 - Desatnik (1918-1919).png Czechoslovakia Home Army OR-1a - Svobodnik (1918-1919).png Czechoslovakia Home Army OR-1 - Vojinv (1918-1919).png
Důstojnický
zástupce
Štábní
šikovatel
Šikovatel Četař Desátník Svobodník Vojín

Ranks (1919–1920)

Officers, officials and cadets

Rank groupGeneralsField OfficersCompany OfficersOfficials without rank classOfficer Cadets
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovak Army Czechoslovakia Army OF-8 - polni zbrojmistr (1919-1920).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-7 - polni podmarsalek (1919-1920).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-6 - Generalmajor (1919-1920).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-5 - Polukovnik (1919-1920).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-4 - Podplukovnik (1919-1920).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-3 - Major (1919-1920).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-2 - setnik (1919-1920).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-1c - Nadporucik (1919-1920).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-1b - Porucik (1919-1920).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-1a - Podporucik (1919-1920).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-9 - Praporcik (1919-1920).gif
Polní zbrojmistr Polní podmaršálek Generálmajor Plukovník Podplukovník Major Setník Nadporučík Poručík Gážista Praporčík

Other ranks

Rank groupSenior NCOJunior NCOEnlisted
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovak Army Czechoslovakia Army OF-D - dustojnicky zastupce (1919-1920).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-5 - Stabni sikovatel (1919-1920).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-4 - sikovatel (1919-1920).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-3 - cetar-jednorocni dobrovolnik (1919-1920).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-3 - Cetar (1919-1920).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-2 - Desatnik (1919-1920).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-1a - Svobodnik (1919-1920).gif
Důstojnický
zástupce
Štábní
šikovatel
Šikovatel Četař
(Jednoročni
dobrovolník)
Četař Desátník Svobodník Vojín

Ranks (1920–1929)

Officers

Rank groupGeneralsField OfficersCompany Officers
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovak Army [2] Czechoslovakia Army * flag officers - General (1920-1930).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-5 - Polukovnik (1920-1930).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-4 - Podplukovnik (1920-1930).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-3 - Major (1920-1930).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-2b - Stabni kapitan (1920-1930).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-2 - Kapitan (1920-1930).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-1c - Nadporucik (1920-1930).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-1b - Porucik (1920-1930).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-1a - Podporucik (1920-1930).gif
Generál Plukovník Podplukovník Major Štábní kapitán Kapitán Nadporučík Poručík Podporučík

NCO and enlisted

Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovak Army [2] Czechoslovakia Army OR-7 - Praporcik (1925-1929).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-6 - Stabni Rotmistr (1925-1929).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-5 - rotmistr (12 sluzebnich let) * 1921-1924.gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-5 - rotmistr (6 sluzebnich let) * 1921-1924.gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-5 - rotmistr (1925-1929).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-4 - Rotny (od 1923).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-3 - Cetar (1920-1930).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-2 - Desatnik (1920-1930).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-1a - Svobodnik (1920-1930).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-1 - Vojinv (1920-1930).gif
PraporčíkŠtábní rotmistrRotmistr
with 12 years
service
Rotmistr
with 6 years
service
RotmistrRotnýČetařDesátníkSvobodníkVojín

Note: The different colours of the epaulettes distinguish different corps, for example maroon standing for infantry, red for artillery, green for sappers and engineers, yellow for cavalry, light blue for the air force, etc. [3]

Ranks (1930–1939)

Officers

Rank groupGeneralsField OfficersCompany Officers
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovak Army
[4] [2]
Czechoslovakia-Army-OF-9 Sleeve (1930-1939).svg Czechoslovakia-Army-OF-8 Sleeve (1930-1939).svg Czechoslovakia-Army-OF-7 Sleeve (1930-1939).svg Czechoslovakia-Army-OF-5 (1930-1950).svg Czechoslovakia-Army-OF-4 (1930-1950).svg Czechoslovakia-Army-OF-3b (1930-1950).svg Czechoslovakia-Army-OF-3a (1930-1950).svg Czechoslovakia-Army-OF-2 (1930-1950).svg Czechoslovakia-Army-OF-1c (1930-1950).svg Czechoslovakia-Army-OF-1b (1930-1950).svg Czechoslovakia-Army-OF-1a (1930-1950).svg
Armádní generál Divisní generál Brigádní generál Plukovník Podplukovník Major Štábní kapitán Kapitán Nadporučík Poručík Podporučík

NCOs and enlisted

Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovak Army
[4] [2]
Czechoslovakia Army OR-9 - Stabni praporcik (1938-1939).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-8 - Nadpraporcik (1937-1939).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-7 - Praporcik (1937-1939).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-6 - Stabni Rotmistr (1937-1939).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-4 - Rotny * z povolani (1930-1939).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-3 - Cetar (1930-1939).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-2 - Desatnik * z povolani (1930-1939).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-1a - Svobodnik (1930-1939).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-1 - Vojinv (1930-1939).gif
Štábní praporčíkPraporčíkŠtábní rotmistrRotmistrRotnýČetařDesátníkSvobodníkVojín

Note: The different colours of the epaulettes distinguish different corps, for example maroon standing for infantry, red for artillery, green for sappers and engineers, yellow for cavalry, light blue for the air force, etc. [5]

Ranks (1945–1950)

Officers

Rank groupGeneralsField OfficersCompany Officers
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovak Army Czechoslovakia Army OF-9 - Armadni general (1945-1948).png Czechoslovakia Army OF-7 - Divisni general (1945-1948).png Czechoslovakia Army OF-6 - Brigadni general (1945-1948).png Czechoslovakia-Army-OF-5 (1930-1950).svg Czechoslovakia-Army-OF-4 (1930-1950).svg Czechoslovakia-Army-OF-3b (1930-1950).svg Czechoslovakia-Army-OF-3a (1930-1950).svg Czechoslovakia-Army-OF-2 (1930-1950).svg Czechoslovakia-Army-OF-1c (1930-1950).svg Czechoslovakia-Army-OF-1b (1930-1950).svg Czechoslovakia-Army-OF-1a (1930-1950).svg
Armádní generál Divisní generál Brigádní generál Plukovník Podplukovník Major Štábní kapitán Kapitán Nadporučík Poručík Podporučík

NCOs and enlisted

Rank groupSenior NCOsJunior NCOsEnlisted
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovak Army
(1945-1948)
Czechoslovakia Army OR-9 - Stabni praporcik (1945-1948).png Czechoslovakia Army OR-7 - Praporcik (1945-1948).png Czechoslovakia Army OR-6 - Stabni Rotmistr (1945-1948).png Czechoslovakia Army OR-5 - rotmistr (1945-1948).png Czechoslovakia Army OR-4 - rotny * deleslouzici (1945-1948).png Czechoslovakia Army OR-3 - Cetar (1945-1948).png Czechoslovakia Army OR-2 - Desatnik (1945-1948).png Czechoslovakia Army OR-1a - Svobodnik (1945-1948).png Czechoslovakia Army OR-1 - Vojinv (1945-1948).png
Štábní praporčíkPraporčíkŠtábní rotmistrRotmistrRotnýČetařDesátníkSvobodníkVojín
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovak Army
(1949-1950)
Czechoslovakia Army OR-5 - rotmistr (1949-1950).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-4 - rotny (1949-1950).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-3 - Cetar (1949-1950).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-2 - Desatnik (1949-1950).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-1a - Svobodnik (1949-1950).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-1 - Vojinv (1945-1948).png
RotmistrRotnýČetařDesátníkSvobodníkVojín

Ranks (1951–1959)

Officers

Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovak People's Army
(1951-1952)
Czechoslovakia Army OF-10 - vrchni velitel branne moci (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-9 - Armadni general (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-8 - Generalplukovnik (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-7 - Generalporucik (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-6 - Generalmajor (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-5 - Polukovnik (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-4 - Podplukovnik (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-3 - Major (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-2b - Stabni kapitan (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-2a - Kapitan (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-1c - Nadporucik (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-1b - Porucik (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-1a - Podporucik (1951-1958).gif
Vrchní velitel branné moci Armádní generál Sborový generál Divisní generál Brigádní generál Plukovník Podplukovník Major Štábní kapitán Kapitán Nadporučík Poručík Podporučík
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovak People's Army
(1953-1959) [6]
Czechoslovakia Army OF-10 - vrchni velitel branne moci (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-9 - Armadni general (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-8 - Generalplukovnik (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-7 - Generalporucik (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-6 - Generalmajor (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-4 - Podplukovnik (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-3 - Major (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-2b - Stabni kapitan (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-2a - Kapitan (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-1c - Nadporucik (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-1b - Porucik (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OF-1a - Podporucik (1951-1958).gif
Vrchní velitel branné moci Armádní generál Generálporučík Generálmajor Brigádní generál Plukovník Podplukovník Major Kapitán Nadporučík Poručík Podporučík

Other ranks

Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovak People's Army [6] Czechoslovakia Army OR-5 - rotmistr * career (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-4 - rotny * deleslouzici (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-3 - Cetar * deleslouzici (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-2 - Desatnik (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-1a - Svobodnik (1951-1958).gif Czechoslovakia Army OR-1 - Vojinv (1951-1958).gif
StaršinaRotnýČetařDesátníkSvobodníkVojín

Note: The different colour variants of the epaulettes, rank and edging distinguish different corps. [7]

Ranks (1960–1990)

Officers

Rank groupGeneral / flag officersSenior officersJunior officersOfficer cadet
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovak People's Army [8] CsArmy1960armadni general Shoulder.png CsArmy1960general plukovnik Shoulder.png CsArmy1960general porucik Shoulder.png CsArmy1960general major Shoulder.png CsArmy1960plukovnik Shoulder.png CsArmy1960podplukovnik Shoulder.png CsArmy1960major Shoulder.png CsArmy1960kapitan Shoulder.png CsArmy1960nadporucik Shoulder.png CsArmy1960porucik Shoulder.png CsArmy1960podporucik Shoulder.png
Armádní generál Generálplukovník Generálporučík Generálmajor Plukovník Podplukovník Major Kapitán Nadporučík Poručík Podporučík

Warrant officers, NCOs and enlisted

Rank groupWarrant officersNCOsEnlisted
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovak People's Army [8] CsArmy1960nadpraporcik Shoulder.png CsArmy1960praporcik Shoulder.png CsArmy1960podpraporcik Shoulder.png CsArmy1960nadrotmistr Shoulder.png CsArmy1960rotmistr Shoulder.png CsArmy1960rotny Shoulder 01.png CzArmy2011 OR3-Cetar shoulder.svg CzArmy2011 OR2-Desatnik shoulder.svg CzArmy2011 OR1a-Svobodnik shoulder.svg CzArmy2011 OR1b-Vojin shoulder.svg
NadpraporčíkPraporčíkPodpraporčíkNadrotmistrRotmistrRotnýČetařDesátníkSvobodníkVojín

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epaulette</span> Decorative shoulder covering for military uniforms

Epaulette is a type of ornamental shoulder piece or decoration used as insignia of rank by armed forces and other organizations. Flexible metal epaulettes are referred to as shoulder scales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of the Czech Republic</span> National flag

The flag of the Czech Republic is the same as the flag of the former Czechoslovakia. Upon the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in December 1992, the Czech Republic kept the Czechoslovak flag while Slovakia adopted its own flag. The first flag of Czechoslovakia was based on the flag of Bohemia and was white over red. This was almost identical to the flag of Poland, so a blue triangle was added at the hoist in 1920. The flag was banned by the Nazis in 1939 as they established a government nominally in control of Bohemia and Moravia, and a horizontal tricolour of white, red, and blue was used for the duration of the war. The 1920–1939 flag was restored in 1945.

The following table shows comparative officer ranks of World War II, with the ranks of Allied powers, the major Axis powers and various other countries and co-belligerents during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ludvík Svoboda</span> President of Czechoslovakia from 1968 to 1975

Ludvík Svoboda was a Czech general and politician. He fought in both World Wars, for which he was regarded as a national hero, and he later served as the president of Czechoslovakia from 1968 to 1975.

Listed in the table below are the insignia—emblems of authority—of the British Army. Badges for field officers were introduced in 1810 and the insignia was moved to the epaulettes in 1880. On ceremonial or parade uniforms these ranks continue to be worn on the epaulettes, either as cloth slides or as metal clips, although on the modern 'working dress' they are usually worn as a cloth slide on the chest. Although these insignia apply across the British Army there is variation in the precise design and colours used and it can take some time to become familiar with them all.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Army other ranks rank insignia</span>

"Other ranks" is the term used to refer to all ranks below officers in the British Army and the Royal Marines. It includes warrant officers, non-commissioned officers ("NCOs") and ordinary soldiers with the rank of private or regimental equivalent. Officers may, in speaking, distinguish themselves from those "in the ranks".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ranks of the Imperial Japanese Navy</span>

The Ranks of the Imperial Japanese Navy were the rank insignia of the Imperial Japanese Navy, used from its creation in 1868, until its dissolution in 1945 following the Surrender of Japan in World War II. The ranks were inspired by the ranks of the Royal Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military ranks of the Soviet Union</span>

The military ranks of the Soviet Union were those introduced after the October Revolution of 1917. At that time the Imperial Russian Table of Ranks was abolished, as were the privileges of the pre-Soviet Russian nobility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uniforms of La Grande Armée</span> Uniforms of the army of Napoleon I

The uniforms of La Grande Armée, the army of Napoleon I, are described in this article.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gorget patches</span> Type of military insignia

Gorget patches are an insignia in the form of paired patches of cloth or metal on the collar of a uniform (gorget), used in the military and civil service in some countries. Collar tabs sign the military rank, the rank of civil service, the military unit, the office (department) or the branch of the armed forces and the arm of service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Czechoslovak Army Corps in the Soviet Union</span> Military unit

The 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps, also known as Svoboda's Army, was a military formation of the Czechoslovak Army in exile fighting on the Eastern Front alongside the Soviet Red Army in World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military beret</span> Berets as part of a military uniform

Troops began wearing berets as a part of the headgear of military uniforms in some European countries during the 19th century; since the mid-20th century, they have become a component of the uniforms of many armed forces throughout the world. Military berets are usually pushed to the right to free the shoulder that bears the rifle on most soldiers, but the armies of some countries, mostly within Europe, South America, and Asia, have influenced the push to the left.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ranks and insignia of the German Army (1935–1945)</span>

The Heer as the German army and part of the Wehrmacht inherited its uniforms and rank structure from the Reichsheer of the Weimar Republic (1921–1935). There were few alterations and adjustments made as the army grew from a limited peacetime defense force of 100,000 men to a war-fighting force of several million men.

The rank insignia of the federal armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany indicate rank and branch of service in the German Army, German Air Force, or the German Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sbor národní bezpečnosti</span> National police in Czechoslovakia from 1945 to 1991

The National Security Corps was the national police in Czechoslovakia from 1945 to 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Captain (United States O-3)</span> Military rank of the United States

Captain in the U.S. Army (USA), U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), U.S. Air Force (USAF), and U.S. Space Force (USSF) is a company-grade officer rank, with the pay grade of O-3. It ranks above first lieutenant and below major. It is equivalent to the rank of lieutenant in the Navy/Coast Guard officer rank system and is different from the higher Navy/Coast Guard rank of captain. The insignia for the rank consists of two silver bars, with slight stylized differences between the Army/Air Force version and the Marine Corps version.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military ranks of the Soviet Union (1940–1943)</span>

The ranks and rank insignia of the Red Army and Red Navy between 1940 and 1943 were characterised by continuing reforms to the Soviet armed forces in the period immediately before Operation Barbarossa and the war of national survival following it. The Soviet suspicion of rank and rank badges as a bourgeois institution remained, but the increasing experience of Soviet forces, and the massive increase in manpower all played their part, including the creation of a number of new general officer ranks and the reintroduction of permanent enlisted ranks and ratings.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Czech military ranks</span>

The Czech military ranks are the military insignia used by the Army of the Czech Republic. The ranks are common for all its forces. They are displayed on the beret or a service hat, as well as on the chest of the battledress. On the display uniform, the rank insignia is worn on epaulettes and a head cover, and differs slightly in the Air Force, where it is displayed against a dark blue fabric, instead of the khaki fabric, common for the rest of the forces. For all the forces, the ranks also have the same name.

The 13th Tank Division was an armored division of the Czechoslovak People's Army during the Cold War that became part of the Army of the Slovak Republic after the Dissolution of Czechoslovakia.

References

Citations
  1. 1 2 Purdek 2013, p. 100.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Václavíček 2010, p. 41.
  3. "České vojenské hodnosti používané v letech 1937 – 1939 – Kutilův zápisník". Kutilův zápisník. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  4. 1 2 Rosignoli 1983, Plates 60-61.
  5. "České vojenské hodnosti používané v letech 1937 – 1939 – Kutilův zápisník". Kutilův zápisník. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  6. 1 2 DA Pam 30-50-2 1960, p. 78.
  7. "Hodnosti ČSLA v letech 1951 – 1959 – Kutilův zápisník". Kutilův zápisník. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  8. 1 2 Nyirady 1989, p. 248.
Bibliography