Cossack ranks, ranks and epaulets. Regulations on Cossack ranks

The Cossacks have always been covered with a touch of romance, and many consider the Cossacks as some kind of knights without fear and reproach of ancient times. However, very few people know that they had a very serious organization and a clear list of titles, which is not typical for medieval knights. As the development of ranks and ranks are increasingly brought to the analogues in the regular army of Russia. Cossacks refer to the received titles and implying their rights and duties much more reverent than some representatives of the army.

The Cossacks. Chines, ranks and epaulettes

Initially, all Cossack titles, ranks and shoulder straps were awarded in an elective way. However, over time, as the Cossacks developed as troops and the development of the military affairs themselves, they were gradually supplemented, and as a result, according to the provision on Cossack ranks and production, all such insignia are brought to a more convenient, simple and understandable form. Thanks to this, the interaction between the Cossack units and the regular army was greatly simplified, and as a result, the combat effectiveness of all the troops in general grew. Naturally, this positively affected both the spirit of the army and the results of military operations committed jointly by regular and Cossack forces. Despite the fact that initially many representatives of the Cossacks were opposed to such changes, in time they could not but recognize from positive properties and not change their point of view. Or leave it to yourself, even if stubbornly refused to recognize but did not want to leave service to the country and the sovereign.

Lower ranks

The lowest rank was an ordinary Cossack, whose shoulder straps did not have any ballets at all. He corresponded to the rank of ordinary private and had the same duties. Next to him, in increasing order, was an orderly one, on the chase of which one disc was wearing. He corresponded to a corporal in ordinary troops and performed the same functions. Then came the sergeant, who was divided into a junior sergeant, a sergeant and a senior sergeant. He was an analogue of the sergeant in the standard army and had the same insignia on shoulder straps. Two skins for the junior sergeant, three for the sergeant and one broad for the senior sergeant. The military officers not only corresponded to sergeant ranks, but also were responsible for exactly the same areas of service. To the sergeants it was customary to apply "mr. Sergeant", regardless of whether he was a senior or a junior. This is how the lower ranks and shoulder straps of the Cossacks of the Russian Empire of that time looked.

Junior ranks

As already mentioned above, as the Cossack army grew and, as a consequence, the need for new titles increased, they gradually increased in number. Thus, the Cossack titles, ranks and epaulettes of the junior command staff looked as follows: junior sergeant-major, sergeant-major and senior sergeant-major. He was an analogue of the modern rank of ensign. He served as assistant commander in terms of providing the Cossacks with everything necessary and followed the internal order. On the shoulder straps of the younger sergeant-major there was one long line, parallel to the shoulder, the sergeant-major had two small stars along the shoulder strap, and the elder sergeant-three had three. By tradition, the bearers of this rank (or rank, to be more precise) were treated only as "mister sergeant". It is absolutely not important, the junior or senior given a specific sergeant.

Senior officials

Cossack ranks and shoulder straps of the senior command staff were more diverse. They were treated in ascending order: podhorunzhi, khorunzhi, centurion and poresaul. Podhorunzhiy and khorunzhiy were the Cossack variant of the junior lieutenant and lieutenant, and the centurion was the senior lieutenant. They were responsible for the same elements of the fighting capacity of the Cossack army, as well as their counterparts in the regular army. Podesaul served as a captain and had all the same rights and duties as his counterpart in conventional troops. On the shoulder straps of the podhorunzhe there was one long, parallel to the chase, directly on which was located one small asterisk. It was customary to address him "Mr. Podhorunzhi." In the cornet, the same long match was shared by two similar stars, and the centurion had three. On the pursuit of the captain, there were four stars at once, two of which were separated by a long mating, and two were directly on it. To all, except for the undermanned, "your honor" was applied. It was understood that all the nobility belong to the officers, and the attitude was appropriate. As, in fact, the demand from them, significantly increasing as more and more new titles are received.

Main ranks

Cossack ranks, ranks and epaulettes of higher-ranking Cossacks consisted of a captain, who was an analog of a major, a military sergeant, acting as a lieutenant colonel and a Cossack colonel, who was actually a colonel, with all the rights and duties emerging from this title. On the shoulder straps of the captain, as well as in the burwack, there was one long, parallel chase, but there were no stars. The trooper of the army sergeant was decorated at once with two parallel skins and three asterisks, and on the epaulettes of the Cossack colonel there were just two skits, like the army sergeant-major, and there were no stars at all. The traditional appeal to all the top officials is your honor. It was the senior officer staff, who for the most part commanded directly large forces of the Cossacks both during the conduct of hostilities and in peacetime.

Higher rank

Cossack ranks, ranks and epaulets of the top command personnel are represented by just one rank - the Cossack general. The highest and most honorable position in this army, whose orders were the most priority and not subject to discussion. Pogon was absolutely without skirts, with two asterisks. On this Cossack ranks and ranks, the description of which is given above, ends. To date, this structure has not changed, and it remains the same as it was many years ago. The Cossacks now have a slightly different form than in ancient times, but they still revere the old traditions and adhere to the code of honor adopted long ago.