Russian Army Ranks - Army PRT (2024)

There are many ranks in the Russian Army. For some people, what each rank means in the order in which they progress can be confusing. In this guide, we’ll provide a simple breakdown of Russian Army ranks in order.

Enlisted Ranks

Private

• This is the first and therefore lowest rank in the Russian Army. It’s where all new enlisted soldiers begin their progression through the army. This rank holds no insignia.

Efraiter

• Although a strange word, this rank has been within European armies such as the German and Austrian forces since the 16th century. It was introduced into the Russian Army in the 1700s and is the second lowest rank.

Junior Sergeant

• The junior sergeant rank in the Russian Army is similar to that of a corporal in many other armies. Within this rank, a soldier will begin to take command of smaller groups of soldiers during combat.

Sergeant

• This rank is much the same as seen within many armies across the world. A sergeant will usually be second in command of a platoon.

Senior Sergeant

• Next is the rank of senior sergeant. At this rank, the soldier will have years of leadership experience and have the ability to take charge of a large group of soldiers.

Starschina

• This is similar to that of a sergeant major. The rank is considered to be a senior NCO, and those holding the rank are highly respected by junior soldiers.

Warrant Officer Ranks

Prporcik

• This rank is similar to that of a warrant officer class two. They will usually specialize in a certain area of operation and train those junior to them in that field.

Senior Prporcik

• This is much the same as the previous rank where the soldier will have attained more experience in their chosen field. It’s considered to be similar to that of a warrant officer class 1 and is the senior most rank prior to the officer ranks.

Officer Ranks

Junior Lieutenant

• This is the first of the officer ranks in the Russian Army. At this rank, the soldier will likely take command of a platoon or be second in command of a larger group of soldiers.

Lieutenant

• A lieutenant in the Russian Army is similar to that of a second Lieutenant in other armies. As their experience grows, they will take command of more and more soldiers.

Senior Lieutenant

• With this rank, the soldier will likely be second in command of a company and will have shown good leadership skills to promote to this point.

Captain

• A captain is considered to be the most senior rank within the junior officer ranks. They will usually take command of a company and be responsible for providing leadership and other training to their soldiers.

Major

• Much the same as most other armies, a major will be responsible for a battalion. They are considered to be the junior most rank within the field grade officers.

Lieutenant Colonel

• At this rank, a Lieutenant Colonel will hold senior appointments within field commands and play a vital role in the organization of their command.

Colonel

• A Colonel is considered to be the highest of the field grade officer ranks. They will usually make high level decisions which will affect a large group of soldiers under their command.

General Officer Ranks

Major General

• A major general is similar to that of a Brigadier General in some other armies. This is the lowest of the general ranks and considered a one star rank.

Lieutenant General

• This rank is actually equivalent to a major general in most other armies. They will take command of a large force and usually have the ability to affect change at a government level. They are considered a two star rank.

Colonel General

• A Colonel General is actually equivalent to a Lieutenant General in most other armies. At this rank, they will usually serve at the government level, looking at policies which directly impact the army. They are considered a three star rank.

General of the Army

• This is currently the highest rank in the Russian Army. It is similar to that of a general in most other armies and considered a four star rank.

Marshal of the Russian Federation

• This rank was first introduced following the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. The rank is currently inactive but could be reintroduced in times of war.

Conclusion

What did you think of the Russian army ranks? How do you think they compare to other armies? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below. As always, guys, thanks for watching. Be sure to hit that subscribe button if you want to expand your knowledge and join the growing premiere history community.