Military ranks

Comparison of military ranks

Each army has its own system of military ranks. Moreover, rank systems are not something frozen, established once and for all. Some titles are abolished, others are introduced.

Those who are at all seriously interested in the art of war and science need to know not only the entire system of military ranks of a particular army, but also to know how the ranks of different armies relate, what ranks of one army correspond to the ranks of another army. There is a lot of confusion, errors, and simply absurdities in the existing literature on these issues. Meanwhile, it is very difficult to compare ranks not only between different armies, but often also between different armed formations within the same country. If we take, for example, Germany in 1935-45, it is difficult to compare the ranks of the Ground Forces, Luftwaffe and SS troops.

Many authors approach this issue very simply. For example, they take a table of ranks for army A and a table of ranks for army B, look for ranks in both tables that sound the same and, ready to go, there is a comparative table. Typically, such points of comparison are the ranks “private”, “major” (a very convenient rank - it is written and read almost the same in many languages) and “major general” (this rank is the first in the series in almost all armies general ranks). Moreover, from lieutenant to colonel, the number of ranks in most armies is the same.

But let's try to compose comparison table ranks of the Red Army and Wehrmacht. Let's not pay attention to the fact that in the German army there is no rank of "private". In any case, he is a soldier. So, the Red Army is a Red Army soldier, the Wehrmacht is a soldier. But then we stumble. In the Red Army - corporal, In the Wehrmacht - oversoldat, In the Red Army - junior sergeant, in the Wehrmacht - corporal, in the Red Army sergeant, in the Wehrmacht - overfreiter, in the Red Army senior sergeant, in the Wehrmacht - staff sergeant, in the Red Army - sergeant major, in the Wehrmacht - non-commissioned officer, in Red Army junior lieutenant, in the Wehrmacht - non-commissioned officer. Stop! This will not work. How then can we compare further if both the Red Army and the Wehrmacht have the rank of lieutenant. Yes, here the Luftwaffe throws up a problem: there is the rank of Hauptefreiter. Yes, it turns out that in the SS troops there are not three corporals, but only two (navigator and rotenführer).

If we look at the US Army, it is difficult to compare here either. For example, in the Marine Corps there is a rank below private - recruit, and between colonel and major general wedge the rank of brigadier general. And with whom in the American army can the marshal of armored forces be compared if they have highest rank army General?

You can, of course, do as Messrs. Yegers E.V. and Tereshchenko D.G. did. in the book "SA Soldiers" publishing house "Tornado" 1997. I can’t resist and give this example of a crazy comparison of titles:

Curious, with which army do the authors compare the ranks of SA members? Or is this a free translation into Russian of German titles? Well, then it is necessary to translate brigadenführer not as brigadier general, but as brigade leader or brigade leader, and Standartenführer as leader of the standard.

I would like to propose introducing into everyday use such a concept as “rank encoding”. If each rank has a code, then to compare ranks it is enough to look at the rank code of one army and find the same code in the table of ranks of another army. Everything will become clear then.

As a criterion for compiling a coding of titles, I proceed from the principle that titles are not titles, but are an abstract expression of very specific positions. Simply put, each military rank corresponds to a specific command position.

First, let's look at the hierarchy of military units, units, and formations.

The smallest unit with a full-time commander is department. That's what they call it in the infantry. In other branches of the military, it corresponds to the gun crew (in artillery) and the crew (in tank forces).

Two to four branches make up platoon. Usually in all branches of the military this unit is called that way. Two to four platoons are company. Two to four (or more) mouths make up battalion. In artillery this is called division. Several battalions make up regiment. Several regiments make up division. Several divisions make up frame. Several buildings make up army(we will not go into detail about the fact that an army can consist of divisions, bypassing corps). Several armies make up district(front, army group). Thus, we get the following ladder:

Branch
- platoon
- company
- battalion
- regiment
- division
- frame
- army

Considering that in the US Army and some other armies, a squad in battle is usually divided into two groups (maneuver group and weapons group), and in many armies (including the Russian Army) there is often an intermediate unit “brigade” between a regiment and a division (the formation is larger and stronger than a regiment, but clearly smaller and weaker than a division) we will make amendments to our hierarchy. Then the ladder will look like this:

Group
- department
- platoon
- company
- battalion
- regiment
- brigade
- division
- frame
- army
- district (front, army group).

Based on this hierarchy of units, we will try to create a hierarchy of military positions, immediately entering the code. Let's take into account the existence of a rank below private.

There is a rather strange category of military personnel, which I called “sub-officers”. In the Russian Army, these include warrant officers and senior warrant officers. It is difficult to explain what caused the emergence of this category of military personnel. Typically, warrant officers occupy the positions of warehouse chiefs, company foremen, rear platoon commanders, i.e. partly as non-commissioned officers, partly as officers. But a fact is a fact. Moreover, a number of armies have a similar category. In the US Army they are called "warrant officers", in the Romanian Army they are called "sub-officers". So:

Having such encoding, it is enough to pick up the staffing schedules of units and subdivisions the required army and enter codes by position. Then all ranks will be automatically distributed according to codes. Each position corresponds to certain titles.

You can add letters to digital codes if necessary. For example, let's take code 2. In the Russian army it will correspond to the rank of corporal. And in the Wehrmacht, since there are several corporal ranks, you can encode it like this:

2a - corporal,
2b-oberefreytor,
2v-stafffreiter.

Of course, not everyone has access to staffing schedules units, units and formations, especially foreign ones. For clarity, we provide an approximate table of correspondence between positions and ranks of the Russian Army:

Please note that this is an approximate correspondence of positions and titles. It should be borne in mind that a soldier holding this position cannot receive a rank higher than the corresponding one. But it can be lower. Thus, a division commander cannot receive the rank of lieutenant general, but a division commander can be a colonel. Usually a colonel is appointed to the position of division commander, and when they are convinced that he can cope with the position, they are awarded the rank of major general. It should also be borne in mind that under certain conditions (small number of units, insignificance of tasks performed) for a particular position the corresponding rank may be set higher or lower than usual. For example, for the position of a company commander, the rank of captain is established, but if the company is a training company, then the company commander may be a major; the position of the division commander is that of a general, but if the division is reduced in strength, then his position will be that of a colonel.

Strict correspondence between rank and position is established only in the US Army. There, simultaneously with appointment to a position, a corresponding title is temporarily assigned. For example, a sergeant in a combat situation was appointed company commander and is immediately given the temporary rank of captain, and when he is returned to his previous position, he again becomes a sergeant.

In a similar way, you can set the encoding of naval ranks:

Shoulder straps and ranks in Russian army created in order to clearly delineate responsibilities between the military. The higher the status, the more responsibility is assigned to the soldier to whom the rank is assigned. Shoulder straps play an identifying role, that is, they create a visual image of a military man, namely, what position he holds, as well as his military rank.

Shoulder straps and ranks in the army play a very important role important role, and different troops have different external characteristics, as well as names. The reason here is that each type of military has its own characteristics. For comparison, let's go over the land and sea shoulder straps and ranks of the Russian army.

Shoulder straps and ranks in the ground forces of the Russian Army

Respect for subordination and knowledge of one's function in the general formation are the basis of military discipline. This is also talked about to ordinary soldiers who are just beginning to get acquainted with military service in practice. In the ground forces, military personnel are divided by composition.

The following military personnel are included in the conscript and contact personnel:

1. Private. This is the lowest rank of a military man, from which all conscripts begin their military career. This rank can be considered higher, perhaps, than a cadet, since the second only theoretically studies all the basics of military art, and a private is already tested in practice. A private's shoulder straps are clean, that is, they do not have any identification marks (as the conscripts themselves say, “clean shoulder straps mean a clear conscience”).
2. Corporal. As a rule, the most distinguished privates can subsequently be promoted to . It is received by the best or senior rank and file, that is, obvious leaders in their environment. The corporal's RF shoulder straps already take on one thin stripe as a distinctive sign. It is this symbol that gives other military personnel an idea of ​​the role of this soldier in the overall military structure. If the commander is absent for some reason, he is replaced by a corporal.

After the fundamental ranks come sergeants and foremen. Further, they follow the order of the hierarchy of shoulder straps and military ranks:

1. Lance Sergeant. This rank is an intermediate step between corporal and sergeant major. As a rule, promotion in rank signifies the acceptance of a new position. upon receiving his new rank, he is appointed commander of a squad, or a tank or vehicle. Another narrow strip is added to the shoulder straps of the Russian junior sergeant. This rank can also be obtained in exceptional cases, if a soldier is sent to the reserves and at the time of dispatch he held the rank of corporal. However, this corporal must distinguish himself by merit and be one of the best.
2. Sergeant. This is the next level to which a soldier moves after surpassing the rank of junior sergeant. Upon receipt of this title, the shoulder straps are supplemented with another narrow stripe. By this time the soldier has three of them. Another designation is “non-commissioned officer”, and in many countries, especially Germany, where this term comes from, it sounds the same.
3. Staff Sergeant. A soldier awarded this title receives one wide one instead of three narrow stripes on the shoulder straps of the Russian army. occupies an intermediate level between sergeant major and sergeant.
4. Sergeant major. If before this rank the identifying lines were located across the shoulder strap, then the wide line already runs along the shoulder strap. Among the military personnel of its composition, this rank is the most senior. As a rule, foremen are also officials and command an entire company. In relation to sergeants and soldiers who stand at the very first steps of military ranks, he is a commander. In his job responsibilities includes monitoring the observance of discipline among subordinates, telling juniors what to do in a given situation, and ensuring that all subordinates fulfill their duties.

After this, the composition of the ranks of the RF Armed Forces goes into the category of warrant officers:

1. Ensign. Military shoulder straps for this rank slightly change their appearance, since instead of stripes, starting with ensign, stars are used. The ensign has them small and has two pieces. This is a different level military service Accordingly, the requirements are becoming more stringent in relation to the military personnel who have been awarded this rank.
2. Senior Warrant Officer. It is also an intermediate link between warrant officer and officer ranks. Another small star is added to the shoulder straps. Just like on the shoulder straps of an ensign, there are red lines along both sides. This rank of military personnel is used not only on the territory of the Russian Federation, but also in many other states.

The officer corps comes immediately after the warrant officers, it includes the following military ranks:

1. Ensign. The first level of junior officers. Appearance The shoulder strap also changes, since two longitudinal stripes are replaced by one, which runs from one edge to the other in the middle of the shoulder strap. When a serviceman is promoted to the rank of junior lieutenant, three small stars are replaced by one larger one. The star is located clearly on the red line. This title is used in the security forces of our country, as well as in the military hierarchy abroad.
2. Lieutenant. This title is used not only in the army, but also in such structures of our state as, for example, the police. He is the middle rank between a junior lieutenant and a senior lieutenant. On the shoulder straps, instead of one medium-sized star, there are two. However, not along the red line, but along its sides.
3. Senior Lieutenant. A third medium-sized star is added to the shoulder straps, which is located just above the two side ones, on the red center line. This military rank also applies to junior officers and is used both in law enforcement agencies and the armed forces both in our country and on the territory of foreign countries.
4. Captain. On the captain's shoulder straps, another, fourth star of medium size is added, which is located just above the third and also on the red center line. This rank is available both in the ground forces of our country and in the navy. Initially, captains were the name given to the heads of military maritime districts, and later it acquired a modern meaning.

1. Major. The title has one star, an order of magnitude more stars captain or lieutenant. The shoulder strap has two longitudinal red stripes. This rank is the first step in the senior officer ranks.
2. Lieutenant colonel. The shoulder straps have two stars located on two red lines. It is the middle step between major and colonel. Used in the national army, as well as in law enforcement agencies of many European countries, as well as Russia.
3. Colonel. A third star is added to the shoulder straps, located slightly above the other two. This level is the final one in the senior officer corps. The name comes from the ancient concept of “regiment”, that is, the leader of this very regiment. The rank is used in the armed forces of our country, as well as in law enforcement agencies. The title exists not only in Russia, but also in other countries.

The senior officers of our country are represented by generals, who also have their own internal military gradation:

1. Major General. This rank is the first step in the so-called elite of our military hierarchy. The shoulder straps at this stage are crowned with large stars; this title has one such star. The red line now outlines the entire shoulder strap.
2. Lieutenant General. A serviceman of this rank is awarded two large stars on his shoulder straps. Despite the fact that a major is higher than a lieutenant, a lieutenant general is higher system military service will be higher than major general.
3. Colonel General. Has three large stars on shoulder straps, located in a row. Represents the middle rank between a lieutenant general and an army general.
4. Army General. A soldier of this rank has four major stars. In the USA or Ukraine it is the highest military rank. However, in countries where there are ranks such as field marshal or marshal, it ranks second in seniority.
5. Marshal of the Russian Federation. The highest military rank in our country. On the shoulder straps there is the coat of arms of the Russian Federation and a star in a range of two colors - gold and silver. This title was established in 1993 by a corresponding resolution.

Military ranks and shoulder straps in the Russian naval forces

The obligations and status in the naval forces are similar to those used in the land forces, but the designations for sailors are different.

Junior ranks:

• foreman 2 articles;
• foreman 1st article;
• chief petty officer;
• chief petty officer;
• midshipman;
• senior midshipman.

The gradation of ranks in the naval forces is as follows (starting with junior officer ranks):

1. Junior lieutenant, there is one lane in the clearing.
2. The lieutenant has two stars on either side of the red line.
3. Senior lieutenant, has three stars on his shoulder straps.
4. Lieutenant-Captain, there are four stars in the gaps.

Average officer naval ranks are divided as follows:

1. Captain (3rd rank), mid-level epaulets already have two gaps, and the stars are larger in size. For this rank, the star is located between the red stripes.
2. Captain (2nd rank), two stars located directly on the gaps.
3. Captain (1st rank), three stars, two on the stripes, one between them.

The composition of the highest category is characterized by the following titles:

1. Rear Admiral. Shoulder straps of this rank do not have gaps; stars are immediately embroidered on them. The size of the star increases again. Military personnel of this rank wear one star.
2. Vice Admiral. There are two stars on the shoulder straps.
3. Admiral. Military personnel of this rank wear three stars on their shoulder straps.
4. Admiral of the Fleet. A serviceman awarded this rank, which is the highest in the navy, wears one large star on his shoulder straps, which is 4 cm in diameter.

In any case, a soldier must pass the test of time before he can perform the duties of the highest ranks.

Senior officers - major, lieutenant colonel, colonel. Major is translated from Latin as senior(major).

Major

Major- rank, first rank of senior officers.

In a number of countries it is called “comandante” (Spanish-speaking countries), “commandante” (France, Ireland) and others. Not to be confused with the polysemic French rank, meaning the highest pre-officer rank in the armed forces (for example: brigadier-major of the French police).

The rank arose in the 17th century and comes from the position of regimental sergeant major - assistant regiment commander. The major was responsible for the guard and food of the regiment. When regiments were divided into battalions, the battalion commander usually became a major.

In the Russian army, the staff officer rank of major was introduced by Peter I in 1698. Since 1827, two (and not one, as now) stars on an epaulette served as the insignia, and later, from 1855, on a shoulder strap with two gaps. The major received two stars, similar to the two stars of the Russian major general of that time. Only the majors had the fringe on their epaulettes made of thin threads (staff officer's), and the major generals had a thick twisted fringe (general's).

From 1716 to 1797 there were the ranks of prime major and second major. This division was eliminated by Paul I.

IN Cossack troops The rank of major corresponded to the rank of “military foreman”, and in civil ranks - “collegiate assessor” (grade 8 ranks according to the Table of Ranks). In May 1884, the rank of major was abolished, and all majors, with the exception of those who had stained themselves with unseemly acts, were promoted to lieutenant colonel. The rank of military foreman began to correspond to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and military foreman began to wear three stars instead of two (they moved to the 7th class of the Report Card). The collegiate assessors were left with two stars on their buttonholes. Until the October Revolution, the rank of collegiate assessor corresponded to the rank of army captain of infantry, or captain in the cavalry. In the Red Army, the rank of major was introduced in 1935; in the navy it corresponded to the ship rank of captain of the 3rd rank.

Yu. A. Gagarin received the rank of major out of order, after the rank - senior lieutenant, bypassing the rank - captain.

In Germany, the rank of major arose during the Thirty Years' War. In the army of the Kaiser's Germany, the Reichswehr and the Wehrmacht, its designation was an empty headquarters officer's shoulder strap "pigtail". In the SS, the rank of major corresponded to the rank of Sturmbannführer. It was indicated by four white rectangles at the corners of the left buttonhole.

In the German Armed Forces, on the major's shoulder strap, one quadrangular silver star appeared, under which there was a silver half-wreath.

Lieutenant colonel

Lieutenant colonel- military and special rank of senior officers between major and colonel in armed forces and security forces of many states.

The rank appeared in Russia as a position (deputy regiment commander) and rank in the Streltsy army at the end of the 15th century. early XVI centuries. In streltsy regiments, as a rule, lieutenant colonels (often of “vile” origin) performed all administrative functions for the streltsy head, who was appointed from among the nobles or boyars.

In the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century, the rank (rank) and position were referred to as half-colonel due to the fact that the lieutenant colonel usually, among his other duties, commanded the second “half” of the regiment - the back ranks in the formation and the reserve (before the introduction of battalion formation of regular soldiers and other regiments).

From the moment the Table of Ranks was introduced until its abolition in 1917, the rank (title) of lieutenant colonel belonged to the VII class of the Table and until 1856 gave the right to hereditary nobility. In 1884, after the abolition of the rank of major in the Russian army, all majors (with the exception of those dismissed or stained with unseemly offenses) were promoted to lieutenant colonel. From that moment on, the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Cossack troops corresponded to the rank of military foreman, which previously corresponded to the rank of major. It should be noted that in those days the rank insignia of a lieutenant colonel was not two, but three stars, and the size of the stars was significantly smaller than that of today's senior officers. Since 1887, promotion to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Russian army took place on one day - February 26. The rank of lieutenant colonel did not exist in the Life Guards. Guard captains were immediately promoted to colonel. In the navy, the rank of lieutenant colonel corresponded to the rank of captain of the 2nd rank, and in civil service- court advisor. The rank of lieutenant colonel was abolished on December 16, 1917, along with all other ranks and ranks of the Russian army.

In the Red Army the rank of lieutenant colonel long time it was simply missing. It appeared only in 1924 in the form of the regular category K8 - “assistant regiment commander and his equals,” which was eliminated in 1935 with the introduction of personal ranks. The military rank itself was reintroduced on September 1, 1939 by decree of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR No. 2690 (Article 41 of the Law on General Military Duty), which was declared by order People's Commissar Defense (NKO) No. 226 of July 26, 1940, when it was first assigned, the former “colonel’s” (three “sleepers” on the buttonholes) were assigned as insignia. In the navy, the rank of lieutenant colonel began to correspond to the ship's rank of "captain of the 2nd rank", in the military-political structure - the rank of "senior battalion commissar", in other categories of command and administrative personnel - all "specialists" of the 1st rank (military engineer, military doctor, military veterinarian, quartermaster, military lawyer).

From the end of January 1943, shoulder straps were introduced into the Red Army. From that moment on, the rank of lieutenant colonel was designated by two large horizontal stars on shoulder straps with two gaps.

IN German army The rank of lieutenant colonel corresponds to the rank of “oberstleutnant” (German: Oberstleutnant), which arose in the 17th century as the equivalent of the French rank (French: lieutenant-colonel). In the German armed forces (Reichswehr and Wehrmacht) it was designated by one four-pointed star on a shoulder strap, curled with a “braid”. At the same time, the major's shoulder strap was empty, and the colonel's had two of the same stars.

In the USA, the rank of lieutenant colonel corresponds to the rank of lieutenant colonel. As in most armies, it stands between the ranks of major and colonel.

American lieutenant colonels command battalion-sized combat units ranging from 300 to 1,000 troops.

In the British Army (Land Forces) and Royal Marines, as well as in many countries of the British Commonwealth, the rank of lieutenant colonel is also widely used, as is the US, which is higher than Major and below the colonel (Colonel). The corresponding rank in the Royal Navy is commander, and in the Royal Air Force it is wing commander.

Colonel

Colonel(from the word regiment - leading a regiment, akin to a thousand-man) - a position, rank, military rank of officer or command staff in the armed forces and other law enforcement agencies of most countries of the world.

Voivodes were sometimes called colonels, from components(regiments) troops.

The rank of colonel was first introduced in the Streltsy army of Ivan the Terrible. This rank was given to experienced military leaders, usually of noble class.

In the 16th century, the term “colonel” was used in Russia as a title for individuals who commanded regiments. The rank (military rank) of colonel was established in Russia in the 30s of the 17th century for commanders of regiments of the “new system”. After the transformation of the Streltsy orders into regiments in 1681, the commanders of the latter also began to be called colonels (instead of the rank of “head of the order”).

The commanders of regiments in the Ukrainian Cossack Army and the Zaporozhye Sich were also called colonels.

IN Russian Empire according to the “Table of Ranks” introduced by Peter I in 1722, colonel is a VI class rank, the seniormost of the staff officer ranks. It gave the right to nobility (like the naval rank of captain of the 1st rank), in contrast to the corresponding civil rank of collegiate adviser and more junior military and civilian ranks.

In the armed forces of the USSR, the military rank of colonel was introduced by a decree of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR dated September 22, 1935.

The colonel is a senior officer.

In France, Great Britain and the USA, a colonel is called Colonel, in Italy Colonello, in Spain Coronel.

In the British Army, the rank of colonel is between lieutenant colonel and brigadier.

In Germany and Austria, a similar title is called Oberst. It arose back in the 16th century as a designation for a field commander of irregular forces. Initially it sounded like “Oberster Feldhauptmann” (German: Oberster Feldhauptmann, “highest field commander”) and was subsequently shortened to simply Oberst. During the Thirty Years' War, Obersts were the name given to the commanders of regiments consisting of 10 Fahnlein. The number of such a regiment reached 5,000 landsknechts. Later, this rank began to be identified with the Anglo-French concept of "colonel", although the British and French colonels commanded units of 1,000 - 1,250 people, and by this logic the Prussian Oberst should have been called a brigadier.

The rank of colonel was first introduced in the Streltsy army of Ivan the Terrible. This title was given to experienced military leaders, usually of the noble class. In the 16th century, the term “colonel” was used in Russia as a title for individuals who commanded regiments. The military rank (rank) of colonel was established in Russia in the 30s of the 17th century for commanders of regiments of the “new system”. After the transformation of the Streltsy orders into regiments in 1681, the commanders of the latter also began to be called colonels (instead of the rank of “head of the order”). The commanders of regiments in the Ukrainian Cossack Army and the Zaporozhye Sich were also called colonels.

In the Russian Empire, according to the “Table of Ranks” introduced by Peter I in 1722, colonel is a VI class rank, the seniormost of the staff officer ranks. It gave the right to nobility (like the naval rank of captain of the 1st rank), in contrast to the corresponding civil rank of collegiate adviser and more junior military and civilian ranks. One of the insignia for the rank of colonel was staff officer's shoulder straps with two gaps without stars.

In the armed forces of the USSR, the military rank of colonel was introduced by a decree of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR dated September 22, 1935. In the Russian Armed Forces, it is located between the ranks of lieutenant colonel and major general. In the Navy, the rank of colonel for ship officers corresponds to the rank of captain 1st rank. The colonel is a senior officer.

Lieutenant Colonel is a military and special rank of senior officers between major and colonel in the armies and law enforcement agencies of many countries. Refers to senior officers.

Appeared in Russia as a rank and position (deputy regiment commander) in the Streltsy army at the end of the 15th - beginning of the 16th centuries. In the Streltsy regiments, as a rule, lieutenant colonels (often of “mean” origin) performed all administrative functions for the Streltsy head, who was appointed from among the nobles or boyars. In the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century, the rank (rank) and position were referred to as half-colonel due to the fact that the lieutenant colonel usually, among his other duties, commanded the second “half” of the regiment - the back ranks in the formation and the reserve (before the introduction of battalion formation of regular soldier regiments) .

From the moment the Table of Ranks was introduced until its abolition in 1917, the rank (rank) of lieutenant colonel belonged to the VII class of the Table and until 1856 gave the right to hereditary nobility. In 1884, after the abolition of the rank of major in the Russian army, all majors (with the exception of those dismissed or stained with unseemly offenses) were promoted to lieutenant colonel. From that moment on, the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Cossack troops corresponded to the rank of military foreman, which previously corresponded to the rank of major.

Since 1887, promotion to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Russian army took place on one day - February 26. The rank of lieutenant colonel did not exist in the Life Guards. Guard captains were immediately promoted to colonel. In the navy, the rank of lieutenant colonel corresponded to the rank of Captain of the 2nd rank, and in the civil service - court adviser. The rank of lieutenant colonel was abolished on December 16, 1917, along with all other ranks and ranks of the Russian army. In the White Volunteer Army, the rank existed in December 1917-November 1918, after which it was abolished to equalize the rights of guard captains with other officers. However, in Wrangel's Russian Army the rank of lieutenant colonel was restored in April 1920.

In the Red Army, the rank was introduced on September 1, 1939 by decree of the Central Executive Committee and Council of People's Commissars of the USSR No. 2690 (Article 41 of the Law on General Military Duty), which was announced by order of the People's Commissar of Defense (NKO) No. 226 of July 26, 1940, when it was first awarded , the former “colonel’s” (three “sleepers” on the buttonholes) were assigned as insignia. In the navy, the rank of lieutenant colonel began to correspond to the rank of “captain of the 2nd rank”, in the military-political composition - the rank of “senior battalion commissar”, in other categories of command and administrative personnel - all “specialists” of the 1st rank (military engineer, military doctor, military veterinarian , quartermaster, military lawyer).