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Military ranks of the KGB (1955–1991)

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After the Armed forces' ranks and rank insignia of the Soviet Armed Forces between 1955 and 1991 were reorganized after the death of Stalin, The KGB, along with its branches, the MVD, and the Border Troops, underwent the same reorganization of ranks, completely removing the regimental numbering of 1943-1955.[1][2]

Changes to distinction insignia

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Shoulder straps to field utilization

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In December, 1956 the colored border piping on officers' shoulder straps was changed.[3]

Enlisted men, non-commissioned officers, and warrant officers

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Security forces[2][4]

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Rank group Warrant officers Non-commissioned officers Enlisted men
Parade Shoulder boards

(Committee of State Security Forces, KGB)

Parade Shoulder boards

(Border Troops)

Parade Shoulder boards

(Internal Troops)

(introduced 1981) (introduced 1971) (from 1964) (until 1963)
Ста́рший пра́порщик

Stárshiy práporshchik

Пра́порщик

Práporshchyk

Старшина́

Starshyná

Ста́рший сержа́нт

Stárshiy serzhánt

Сержа́нт

Serzhánt

Мла́дший сержа́нт

Mládshiy serzhánt

Ефре́йтор

Efréĭtor

Рядово́й

Ryadovóy


US equivalent[5] Chief warrant officer Warrant officer Command sergeant major Sergeant major Master sergeant Sergeant Private first class Private

Colors by type of troops:

  • State security troops (KGB troops) – dark blue, instead of the letters "СА" (Советская Армия) the letters "ГБ" (Государственная Безопасность – State Security);
  • Internal troops (Interior Ministry troops) – crimson (dark red), instead of the letters "СА" (Советская Армия) the letters "ВВ" (Внутренние Войска);[6]
  • Border troops – green, instead of the letters "СА" (Советская Армия) the letters "ПВ" (Пограничные Войска).

Letter codes from 1972 onward

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Army officers and generals (all services)[2][4]

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Rank group General officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
Parade Shoulder boards

(Committee of State Security forces, KGB)

Parade Shoulder boards

(Border Troops)

Parade Shoulder boards

(Internal Troops)

(from 1974) (until 1974)
Генера́л а́рмии

Generál ármii

Генера́л-полко́вник

Generál-polkóvnik

Генера́л-лейтена́нт

Generál-leytenánt

Генера́л-майо́р

Generál-mayór

Полко́вник

Polkóvnik

Подполко́вник

Podpolkóvnik

Майо́р

Majór

Kапита́н

Kapitán

Старший лейтена́нт

Stárshiy leytenánt

Лейтенант

Leytenant

Mла́дший лейтена́нт

Mládshiy leytenánt

Курсант

Kursant


US equivalent[5] General Lieutenant general Major general Brigadier general Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain First lieutenant Second lieutenant Cadet / Officer candidate

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Форма 1973". vedomstva-uniforma.ru. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  2. ^ a b c "Illustrated Handbook: Soviet Military, Air Force, Naval, KGB and Military Uniforms and Insignia" (PDF). CIA. 1 January 1961.
  3. ^ "Знаки различия званий Русской Армии XX век. Советская Армия 1955-92(94)г". army.armor.kiev.ua. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  4. ^ a b "Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия". rkka.ru. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  5. ^ a b Soper 1991, p. 740.
  6. ^ "Форма МВД 1959". vedomstva-uniforma.ru. Retrieved 2024-09-08.

Bibliography

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  • Barker, A. J. (1976). Soviet Army Uniforms & Insignia 1945-1975. London: Arms & Armour. ISBN 0-85368-390-5.
  • Soper, Karl Wheeler (1991). "Armed Forces and Defence Organization". In Zickel, Raymond E. (ed.). Soviet Union: a country study. Area Handbook (2nd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. pp. 695–753. LCCN 90025756. Retrieved 28 October 2021.