# Military ranks of the Soviet Union (1943–1955)

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.

## 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. 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.

## 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, 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. 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.

### 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.
| Colour | Colour | Colour | Colour | Colour | Colour | Branch |
| Padding | Padding | Piping | Piping | Field piping | Field piping | | Branch |
| | Raspberry | | Black | | Raspberry | Infantry (generic motorised rifles or motorised infantry) |
| | Cobalt blue | | Black | | Cobalt blue | Cavalry |
| | Sky blue | | Black | | Sky blue | Aviation troops and air force |
| | Black | | Red | | Red | Artillery & armoured corps |
| | Dark green | | Red | | Dark green | Medical troops, veterinarian service |
| | Black | | Black | | Black | Technical troops |

#### Junior and senior officers

| Piping | Branch |
| Cobalt blue | Cavalry |
| Raspberry | Army generic infantry, motorised rifles and logistics |
| Red | Artillery, armoured corps, medical troops and veterinarian service |
| Sky blue | Aviation troops and air force |
| Black | Technical troops |

#### General officers

| Piping | Branch |
| Deep red ("general's red") | Army generic infantry, motorised rifles and logistics |
| Sky blue | Aviation troops and air force |
| Raspberry | All 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 group | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted |
| Parade uniform |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Army | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Air force | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Field uniform |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Army | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Air force | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Старшина́ Starshyná | Старшина́ Starshyná | Ста́рший сержа́нт Stárshiy serzhánt | Ста́рший сержа́нт Stárshiy serzhánt | Сержа́нт Serzhánt | Сержа́нт Serzhánt | Сержа́нт Serzhánt | Сержа́нт Serzhánt | Сержа́нт Serzhánt | Сержа́нт Serzhánt | Мла́дший сержа́нт Mládshiy serzhánt | Мла́дший сержа́нт Mládshiy serzhánt | Мла́дший сержа́нт Mládshiy serzhánt | Мла́дший сержа́нт Mládshiy serzhánt | Мла́дший сержа́нт Mládshiy serzhánt | Мла́дший сержа́нт Mládshiy serzhánt | Ефре́йтор Efréĭtor | Ефре́йтор Efréĭtor | Ефре́йтор Efréĭtor | Ефре́йтор Efréĭtor | красноармеец (Before 1946) Krasnoarmeyets Рядово́й (After 1946) Ryadovóy | красноармеец (Before 1946) Krasnoarmeyets Рядово́й (After 1946) Ryadovóy | красноармеец (Before 1946) Krasnoarmeyets Рядово́й (After 1946) Ryadovóy | красноармеец (Before 1946) Krasnoarmeyets Рядово́й (After 1946) Ryadovóy | красноармеец (Before 1946) Krasnoarmeyets Рядово́й (After 1946) Ryadovóy | красноармеец (Before 1946) Krasnoarmeyets Рядово́й (After 1946) Ryadovóy | красноармеец (Before 1946) Krasnoarmeyets Рядово́й (After 1946) Ryadovóy | красноармеец (Before 1946) Krasnoarmeyets Рядово́й (After 1946) Ryadovóy | красноармеец (Before 1946) Krasnoarmeyets Рядово́й (After 1946) Ryadovóy | красноармеец (Before 1946) Krasnoarmeyets Рядово́й (After 1946) Ryadovóy |
| Translation | Sergeant major | Sergeant major | Senior sergeant | Senior sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Sergeant | Junior sergeant | Junior sergeant | Junior sergeant | Junior sergeant | Junior sergeant | Junior sergeant | Corporal | Corporal | Corporal | Corporal | Red Army man Private | Red Army man Private | Red Army man Private | Red Army man Private | Red Army man Private | Red Army man Private | Red Army man Private | Red Army man Private | Red Army man Private | Red Army man Private |

#### Variations

Field and service uniform as shown for Senior sergeant.
| Insignia | Artillery | Armoured Troops | Cavalry | Chemical Troops | Electrical Troops |
| Rank | | | | | |
| Insignia | Engineer Troops | Medical Corps | Motor-Car Units | Pontoon Corps | Railway Troops, Military Communications |
| Rank | | | | | |
| Insignia | Road Troops | Sapper Troops | Signal Troops | Survey Troops | Veterinary Corps |
| Rank | | | | | |

### 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.
| Rank | Chief marshal of the branch | Chief marshal of the branch | Chief marshal of the branch | Chief marshal of the branch | Chief marshal of the branch |
| Service uniform | | | | | |
| Field uniform | | | | | |
| Rank designation | Главный 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 |
| Translation | Chief marshal of artillery | Chief marshal of aviation | Chief marshal of the armoured troops | Chief marshal of the signal troops | Chief marshal of the engineer troops |
| Rank | Marshal of the branch | Marshal of the branch | Marshal of the branch | Marshal of the branch | Marshal of the branch |
| Service uniform | | | | | |
| Field uniform | | | | | |
| Rank designation | Маршал 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 |
| Translation | Marshal of artillery | Marshal of aviation | Marshal of the armoured troops | Marshal of the signal troops | Marshal of the engineer troops |

#### Commissioned officers

| Rank group | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers |
| Parade uniform |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Infantry | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Air force | | | See above | See above | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Field uniform |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Infantry | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Air force | | | See below | See below | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Маршал советского союза Marshal sovetskogo soyuza | Маршал советского союза Marshal sovetskogo soyuza | Генерал армии General armii | Генерал армии General armii | Генера́л-полко́вник Generál-polkóvnik | Генера́л-полко́вник Generál-polkóvnik | Генера́л-лейтена́нт Generál-leytenánt | Генера́л-лейтена́нт Generál-leytenánt | Генера́л-майо́р Generál-mayór | Генера́л-майо́р Generál-mayór | Полко́вник Polkóvnik | Полко́вник Polkóvnik | Подполко́вник Podpolkóvnik | Подполко́вник Podpolkóvnik | Майо́р Majór | Майо́р Majór | Kапита́н Kapitán | Kапита́н Kapitán | Старший лейтена́нт Stárshiy leytenánt | Старший лейтена́нт Stárshiy leytenánt | Лейтенант Leytenant | Лейтенант Leytenant | Mла́дший лейтена́нт Mládshiy leytenánt | Mла́дший лейтена́нт Mládshiy leytenánt |
| Translation | Marshal of the Soviet Union | Marshal of the Soviet Union | General of the army | General of the army | Colonel general | Colonel general | Lieutenant general | Lieutenant general | Major general | Major general | Colonel | Colonel | Lieutenant colonel | Lieutenant colonel | Major | Major | Captain | Captain | Senior lieutenant | Senior lieutenant | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Junior lieutenant | Junior lieutenant |

##### Variations

Field, service and engineering uniform for various officers.
| Insignia | Armoured Troops | Artillery | Cavalry | Chemical Troops | Electrical Troops |
| Rank | | | | | |
| Insignia | Engineer Troops | Legal Service | Medical Corps | Motor-Car Units | Pontoon Corps |
| Rank | | | | | |
| Insignia | Quartermaster Corps | Railway Troops, Military Communications | Road Troops | Sapper Troops | Signal Troops |
| Rank | | | | | |
| Insignia | Survey Troops | Veterinary Corps |
| Rank | | |

#### Student officers

| Rank group | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted | Enlisted |
| Parade uniform |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Army | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Air force | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Курсант старшина́ Kursánt starshyná | Курсант старшина́ Kursánt starshyná | Курсант ста́рший сержа́нт Kursánt stárshiy serzhánt | Курсант ста́рший сержа́нт Kursánt stárshiy serzhánt | Курсант сержа́нт Kursánt serzhánt | Курсант сержа́нт Kursánt serzhánt | Курсант сержа́нт Kursánt serzhánt | Курсант сержа́нт Kursánt serzhánt | Курсант сержа́нт Kursánt serzhánt | Курсант сержа́нт Kursánt serzhánt | Курсант мла́дший сержа́нт Kursánt mládshiy serzhánt | Курсант мла́дший сержа́нт Kursánt mládshiy serzhánt | Курсант мла́дший сержа́нт Kursánt mládshiy serzhánt | Курсант мла́дший сержа́нт Kursánt mládshiy serzhánt | Курсант мла́дший сержа́нт Kursánt mládshiy serzhánt | Курсант мла́дший сержа́нт Kursánt mládshiy serzhánt | Курсант ефре́йтор Kursánt efréĭtor | Курсант ефре́йтор Kursánt efréĭtor | Курсант ефре́йтор Kursánt efréĭtor | Курсант ефре́йтор Kursánt efréĭtor | Курсант Kursánt | Курсант Kursánt | Курсант Kursánt | Курсант Kursánt | Курсант Kursánt | Курсант Kursánt | Курсант Kursánt | Курсант Kursánt | Курсант Kursánt | Курсант Kursánt |
| Translation | Cadet sergeant major | Cadet sergeant major | Cadet senior sergeant | Cadet senior sergeant | Cadet sergeant | Cadet sergeant | Cadet sergeant | Cadet sergeant | Cadet sergeant | Cadet sergeant | Cadet junior sergeant | Cadet junior sergeant | Cadet junior sergeant | Cadet junior sergeant | Cadet junior sergeant | Cadet junior sergeant | Cadet first class | Cadet first class | Cadet first class | Cadet first class | Cadet | Cadet | Cadet | Cadet | Cadet | Cadet | Cadet | Cadet | Cadet | Cadet |

## 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. 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).

### Naval officers and flag officers

| Rank group | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers | Junior officers |
| Shoulder insignia |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regular | (1945–1955) | (1943–1945) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Engineers | (1945–1955) | (1943–1945) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Sleeve insignia |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Адмирал флота Admirál flota | Адмирал флота Admirál flota | Адмирал Admirál | Адмирал Admirál | Вице-адмирал Vitse-admirál | Вице-адмирал Vitse-admirál | Контр-адмирал Contre-admirál | Контр-адмирал Contre-admirál | Капитан 1-го ранга Kapitan 1-go ránga | Капитан 1-го ранга Kapitan 1-go ránga | Капитан 2-го ранга Kapitan 2-go ránga | Капитан 2-го ранга Kapitan 2-go ránga | Капитан 3-го ранга Kapitan 3-go ránga | Капитан 3-го ранга Kapitan 3-go ránga | Капитан-лейтенант Kapitan-leytenánt | Капитан-лейтенант Kapitan-leytenánt | Старший лейтенант Starshey leytenánt | Старший лейтенант Starshey leytenánt | Лейтенант Leytenánt | Лейтенант Leytenánt | Младший лейтенант Mladshiy leytenánt | Младший лейтенант Mladshiy leytenánt |
| Translation | Admiral of the fleet | Admiral of the fleet | Admiral | Admiral | Vice admiral | Vice admiral | Rear admiral | Rear admiral | Captain 1st rank | Captain 1st rank | Captain 2nd rank | Captain 2nd rank | Captain 3rd rank | Captain 3rd rank | Captain lieutenant | Captain lieutenant | Senior lieutenant | Senior lieutenant | Lieutenant | Lieutenant | Junior lieutenant | Junior lieutenant |

### Naval ratings (naval service)

| Rank group | Senior ratings | Senior ratings | Senior ratings | Senior ratings | Junior ratings | Junior ratings |
| Shoulder board to service uniform | | | | | | |
| Shoulder strap to service uniform | | | | | | |
| | 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

| Designation | Officers & commanders | Officers & commanders | Officers & commanders | Officers & commanders | Officers & commanders | Officers & commanders | Officers & commanders | General officers | General officers | General officers |
| Shoulder strap to service uniform (Coastal Services, incl. Naval Infantry and Coastal Defense Artillery) | | | | | | | | | | |
| Shoulder strap to service uniform (Coastal Engineers) | | | | | | | | | | |
| Shoulder strap to service uniform (Naval Aviation) | | | | | | | | | | |
| Shoulder strap to service uniform (Naval Aviation engineers and technical staff) | | | | | | | | | | |
| Rank designation | Junior lieutenant (Младший лейтенант) | Lieutenant (Лейтенант) | Senior lieutenant (Старший лейтенант) | Captain (Капитан) | Major (Майор) | Lieutenant colonel (Подполковник) | Colonel (Полковник) | Major general (Генерал-майор) | Lieutenant general (Генерал-лейтенант) | Colonel general (Генерал-полковник) |
| Engineers rank designation | Junior Technician Lieutenant (Младший техник-лейтенант) | Technician Lieutenant (Техник-лейтенант) | Senior Technician Lieutenant (Старший техник-лейтенант) | Engineer Captain (Инженер-капитан) | Engineer Major (Инженер-Майор) | Engineer-Lieutenant colonel (Инженер-Подполковник) | Engineer-Colonel (Инженер-Полковник) | Major general (Генерал-майор) | Lieutenant general (Генерал-лейтенант) | Colonel general (Генерал-полковник) |

#### Other ranks

| Shoulder straps to service uniform basic | Enlisted men and non-commissioned officers of ground services (Coastal Services and Naval Aviation) | Enlisted men and non-commissioned officers of ground services (Coastal Services and Naval Aviation) | Enlisted men and non-commissioned officers of ground services (Coastal Services and Naval Aviation) | Enlisted men and non-commissioned officers of ground services (Coastal Services and Naval Aviation) | Enlisted men and non-commissioned officers of ground services (Coastal Services and Naval Aviation) | Enlisted men and non-commissioned officers of ground services (Coastal Services and Naval Aviation) |
| Shoulder board to service uniform (Personnel of coastal services) | | | | | | |
| Shoulder board to service uniform (Personnel of naval aviation) | | | | | | |
| Shoulder strap to service uniform (Personnel of coastal services) | | | | | | |
| Shoulder strap to service uniform (Personnel of naval aviation) | | | | | | |
| Rank designation | Seaman | Senior seaman | Junior Sergeant | Sergeant | Staff Sergeant | Starshina |