Ranks and insignia of the Russian armed forces until 1917


The Imperial Russian Army and the Imperial Russian Navy used ranks and rank insignia derived from the German model. However, the entire rank system was also closely connected to the Russian military traditions. In the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, the Red Army abolished the entire Imperial system of ranks and rank insignia, while military units and formations of the opposing White movement retained the Imperial rank system until 1923.

Army ranks and rank designation

The following ranks and their respective insignia were also used by the personnel of the Imperial Russian Air Servicefrom 1912 to 1917.

General officers

Officers

Non-commissioned officers & enlisted men

Other regiments and cadet corps

The following shoulder board insignias of the Imperial Army used by specific units and cadet corps are illustrated below:

Naval ranks and rank insignia

The Imperial Russian Navy of the Russian Empire, had been established at the end of the 17th century under the regency of Peter the Great and by the personal leadership of Franz Lefort. It existed until the October Revolution of 1917.

Non-commissioned officers & enlisted ratings, naval services

Ranks of coastal services

Ranks similar to those of the Imperial Army were, beginning in the late 18th century, used by the coastal services of the Imperial Russian Navy.

General officers

Officers

Non-commissioned officers & enlisted men

Sleeve insignia of the Russian Navy from April 16, 1917

By order № 125 of the Navy Ministry of the Russian Provisional Government, from April 16, 1917 was provided:
  1. Abolishment of the hitherto used shoulder rank insignia
  2. Abolishment of the scarf
  3. Deletion of any monogram, or initial letter on weapons and equipment
  4. Paint over of the cockade center on caps with red color, until availability of the peaked cap with new national emblem
The traditional shoulder rank insignia were replaced by golden sleeve strips for naval officers, admiralty officers, and naval engineers, as well as – after completion of mandatory examinations – praporshchiks and officers of the hydrographical service.
Silver sleeve strips were introduced to officers of the admiralty staff, before completion of mandatory examinations, as well to ship engineers, officials of the naval administration and naval physicians with officer rank or status.
Both cuff insignias were used in uniforms with the executive curl.
As discrimination criteria to specific appointments or assignments additional corps colours on the lower part of sleeve stripes was determinate:
  • red = ship engineers;
  • raspberry coloured = naval administration;
  • dark blue = hydrographical service;
  • white = physicians
The table below shows examples of rank insignia of the Russian Navy, to be worn on the lower part of uniform cuffs, as to the order № 125 of the Russian Navy Ministry from April 16, 1917.