Let's understand military ranks. How our senior midshipman communicated with the Commander-in-Chief (1 photo) The rank of midshipman for a girl in the navy
Both in the land army and in the navy there is a system of officer ranks and ranks. Midshipman - who is this in the Navy rank system? From the article you can find out the answer to this question, as well as get acquainted with other ship ranks.
Origin of the word
Who is this midshipman, and where did this concept come from?
"Midshipman" literally translates from English as "middle man on the ship" or "in the middle of the ship."
This naval rank dates back to the days of sailing shipbuilding. On large multi-masted ships, one person usually served in the middle of the deck. He was called a midshipman. His duty was to ensure that the ship's crew strictly followed the orders of the captain or chief. Wide sails usually blocked people's view of some parts of the ship. Therefore, the midshipman essentially served as a link between the ship's management and his subordinates - the sailors.
Most often, this position was provided to those sailors who were candidates for officer ranks - it allowed them to gain practice and experience.
History of the title
The role of the midshipman and the scope of his responsibilities changed several times. In the Russian Navy, this position first appeared in 1716 as a non-commissioned officer. Subsequently, this rank began to be considered a junior chief officer, approximately corresponding to the rank of lieutenant. This was the case until 1917.
In 1981, the rank of senior midshipman appeared for the first time in the USSR.
The words “reserve” or “retired” were added to the military rank of a serving citizen.
In 2009, the government of the Russian Federation announced that the ranks of midshipman and warrant officer would be abolished from the country's military forces and replaced by sergeants and foremen. All representatives of these ranks who were serving at that time were transferred to other positions or written off to the reserve. However, three years ago a statement was made to restore them to their original rank.
The title was usually awarded after graduating from midshipman schools.
Ship ranks in the Russian Navy
Nowadays, midshipman - who is that on the ship? Ranks and ranks in the fleet of the Russian Federation represent a very voluminous structure.
The lowest employee on a ship is a sailor. His responsibilities include keeping a watch, monitoring life-saving devices, tools, and weapons. He also monitors deck mechanisms, assists with loading and unloading, and monitors cleanliness and order on the ship.
Following the sailor is the senior staff. It includes the ship's petty officers, midshipman and senior midshipman.
Then follows which includes lieutenants of various ranks.
And the highest ranks: admirals, including the admiral of the fleet, the highest military rank in the Russian naval forces.
Thus, midshipman is one of the junior ranks in the navy. It is not an officer rank, but is close to it. However, even to become a midshipman, you need to go several steps from the lowest ship position - sailor.
To receive this rank, you must serve on a ship for at least three years in the lower ranks. However, if there are certain merits, this period may be reduced.
In the modern system of insignia, midshipman's shoulder straps have two stars on a black background. Senior midshipmen have three stars.
In the ground army, this rank roughly corresponds to ensign.
Responsibilities
Having figured out who the midshipman is, it is worth dwelling on his immediate official responsibilities.
Essentially, his job description remains the same as in the past. This rank is close to that of an officer, so the midshipman is an intermediary in transmitting orders from senior management to lower ship ranks. He monitors the execution of officer instructions by sailors and foremen. In addition, he monitors the ship's property and keeps records of it.
The rank of midshipman is not only in the Russian Navy, but also in other countries - the United Kingdom, the USA, etc. It is awarded to graduates of naval educational institutions.
Conclusions from the article:
- Midshipman is a non-officer rank in the Navy, above ship's petty officers, but below any officer.
- According to his duties, he is an intermediary between the officers and the lower ranks of the ship.
- Historically, the rank has changed, sometimes becoming an officer, sometimes not.
- In the land army, a midshipman corresponds to an ensign.
(hence the name of the position) and ensured the exact execution by the team of the orders of the captain or watch commander, for whom the sails set often limited the view of the middle and bow parts of the deck. To gain practice, candidates for promotion to the officer rank (midshipmen) were often appointed to this position.
The military rank of midshipman exists today in the Navy (Navy) of some other states. In the UK, for example, it is assigned to senior cadets of the Naval College, in the USA - to cadets of the Naval Academy (Naval Academy).
Russia
| 100px | Junior ranks: | Midshipman | Senior rank: |
| Chief boatswain Midshipman Conductor Senior paramedic |
Lieutenant |
In the Russian Navy, the rank of midshipman was first introduced in 1716 as a non-commissioned officer.
Subsequently, from to (excluding 1751−1758, when midshipmen again classified as non-commissioned officers) midshipman - the first chief officer rank in the navy, corresponding to a lieutenant in the army.
The rank of midshipman was awarded to midshipmen who successfully passed theoretical and practical examinations. Midshipmen were appointed to the positions of commanders of artillery towers of ships, commanders of mine artillery plutongs, navigators of small warships, and so on.[[K: Wikipedia: Articles without sources (country: Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#property" was not found. )]][[K:Wikipedia:Articles without sources (country: Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#property" was not found. )]] [ ]
USSR
In Soviet times, the military rank of midshipman was first introduced by the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR of November 30, 1940 as the highest rank for foremen of the Navy, naval units of border and internal troops. This decree was in effect until 1972.
Before the introduction of shoulder straps in 1943, the insignia of midshipmen were sleeve patches - four stripes of narrow golden braid under a red cloth star.
In 1943, in connection with the introduction of shoulder straps in the Armed Forces of the USSR, removable shoulder straps on a button with a trapezoidal upper cut were installed for midshipmen, with the so-called “petty officer's hammer”: a narrow gold-colored braid along the longitudinal axis until it intersects with a wide transverse braid in the upper third of the shoulder strap.
Subsequently, the shape of the shoulder straps and insignia on them changed.
In 1955, sewn shoulder straps were introduced on overcoats and tunics (double-breasted uniforms) without buttons with an oblique upper cut; the narrow longitudinal braid was replaced with a wider one.
In 1963, the insignia on the shoulder straps was changed: the transverse braid was canceled, and the longitudinal braid reached the upper cut.
In connection with the introduction of warrant officers and midshipmen in the Armed Forces of the USSR on January 1, 1972 (Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated November 18, 1971), military personnel with the rank of midshipman became a separate category of Navy personnel (on ships, vessels, in coastal combat support units of the Navy) and naval units of border and internal troops. In terms of their official position, duties and rights, they, just like warrant officers, have a status close to junior officers; they are their closest assistants and superiors for sailors (soldiers) and petty officers (sergeants) of the same ship (unit) with them.
In this regard, the insignia of midshipmen has changed - shoulder straps of a new type without gaps were introduced for them, on which two stars are located along the longitudinal axis.
On January 12, 1981, the military rank was introduced in the USSR Navy (on ships, vessels, in coastal combat support units of the Navy), as well as in the maritime units of the border and internal troops. senior midshipman(simultaneously with the introduction of the rank of senior warrant officer in the Soviet Army, coastal units and aviation of the Navy, border and internal troops of the USSR Armed Forces), for which shoulder straps of a new type were introduced: without gaps, on which three stars are located along the longitudinal axis.
Midshipman rank insignia, USSR
| Midshipman | Senior midshipman | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100px | 50px | 50px | 55px | 55px | 55px | 55px | |
| Sleeve insignia (1940-1943) |
Shoulder strap (1943-1953) |
Shoulder strap (1954-1957) |
Shoulder strap (1957-1971) |
Shoulder strap (1971-1994) |
Shoulder strap (1981-1994) |
||
After the collapse of the USSR, these ranks were retained in the Russian Armed Forces and in most republics in the post-Soviet space.
Before the military rank of a serviceman serving in a guards military unit, on a guards ship, the word “guard” is added.
To the military rank of a citizen who is in the reserve or retired, the words “reserve” or “retired” are added, respectively.
Russian Federation
A midshipman in the Russian Navy is ranked higher than a chief petty officer and lower than a senior midshipman, who, in turn, is lower than a junior lieutenant.
The rank of midshipman is usually awarded upon completion of the relevant schools (courses). Shoulder straps for midshipmen of the Russian Navy since 1994
| Midshipman | Senior midshipman | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| (BO-6) | (VO-7) | ← NATO rank code |
| 55px | 55px | Universal shoulder strap (removable and sewn on) for outerwear (1994−2010), removable shoulder strap for a demi-season raincoat, blue tunic and woolen jacket (since 2010) |
| 55px | 55px | Sewn shoulder strap for a jacket, a demi-season raincoat and an overcoat, for a jacket, a demi-season jacket and a woolen coat(since 2010) |
See also
Write a review about the article "Midshipman"
Notes
Literature
- Midshipman // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg. , 1890-1907.
- // Adaptive radio communication line - Object air defense / [under the general. ed. N. V. Ogarkova]. - M. : Military Publishing House of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR, 1978. - (Soviet Military Encyclopedia: [in 8 volumes]; 1976-1980, vol. 5).
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Excerpt characterizing Midshipman
And here, on the ground, in a lonely empty cave, on a round pebble, hunched over, sat a man... He looked very small. And very scared. Bitterly, crying hysterically, he furiously rubbed his angry tears with his fists and swore in his childish soul that the day would come when he grew up, and then he would definitely correct the “wrong” world of adults... He would make it joyful and good! This little man was Beloyar... the great descendant of Radomir and Magdalena. A small, lost in the world of big people, a crying Man...Everything I heard from the lips of the North once again flooded my heart with sadness... I asked myself again and again - are all these irreparable losses natural?.. Is there really no way to rid the world of evil and evil?! This whole terrible machine of global murder made the blood run cold, leaving no hope of salvation. But at the same time, a powerful stream of life-giving force flowed from somewhere into my wounded soul, opening every cell in it, every breath to fight traitors, cowards and scoundrels!.. With those who killed the pure and brave, without hesitation, by any means, just to destroy everyone who could be dangerous to them...
– Tell me more, Sever! Please tell me about Qatar... How long did they live without their Guiding Star, without Magdalene?
But for some reason the North suddenly became agitated and answered tensely:
- Forgive me, Isidora, but I think I’ll tell you all this later... I can’t stay here any longer. Please stay strong my friend. Whatever happens, try to be strong...
And, softly melting, he left with a “breath”...
And Caraffa was already standing on the threshold again.
- Well, Isidora, have you thought of something more sensible? – without saying hello, Karaffa began. – I really hope that this week will bring you to your senses and I will not have to resort to the most extreme measures. I told you completely sincerely - I don’t want to harm your beautiful daughter, rather the opposite. I would be glad if Anna continued to study and learn new things. She is still too hot-tempered in her actions and categorical in her judgments, but she has enormous potential. One can only imagine what she would be capable of if he was allowed to open up correctly!.. How do you look at this, Isidora? After all, for this I only need your consent. And then everything will be fine with you again.
- Apart from the death of my husband and father, is it not, Your Holiness? – I asked bitterly.
– Well, it was an unforeseen complication (!..). And you still have Anna, don’t forget that!
– Why should anyone “stay” with me at all, Your Holiness?.. I had a wonderful family, which I loved very much, and which was everything in the world to me! But you destroyed it... just because of an “unforeseen complication,” as you just put it!.. Do living people really not matter to you?!
Caraffa relaxed into a chair and said quite calmly:
“People interest me only to the extent that they are obedient to our most holy church.” Or how extraordinary and unusual their minds are. But these come across, unfortunately, very rarely. The ordinary crowd doesn't interest me at all! This is a bunch of little thinking meat, which is no longer good for anything other than carrying out someone else's will and someone else's orders, because their brain is not able to comprehend even the most primitive truth.
Even knowing Karaffa, I felt my head spinning with excitement... How was it possible to live thinking like that?!
- Well, what about the gifted?.. You are afraid of them, Your Holiness, aren’t you? Otherwise you wouldn’t have killed them so brutally. Tell me, if you burn them in the end anyway, then why torture them so inhumanely even before they go to the stake? Is the atrocity you are committing by burning these unfortunates alive not enough for you?..
– They must repent and confess, Isidora! Otherwise, their soul will not be cleansed, despite the fact that I will betray them to the flames of the holy fire. They must get rid of the devil in them - they must get rid of their dirty Gift! Otherwise, their soul, having come to Earth from darkness, will again plunge into the same darkness... And I will not be able to fulfill my duty - to unite their fallen souls to the Lord God. Do you understand this, Isidora?!
No, I didn’t understand... because it was the real delirium of an extremely crazy person!.. Caraffa’s incomprehensible brain was a mystery for me behind seven of the heaviest locks... And, in my opinion, no one could comprehend this riddle. Sometimes the Holy Pope seemed to me the smartest and most educated person, knowing much more than any ordinary well-read and educated person. As I said earlier, he was a wonderful conversationalist, shining with his tenacious and sharp mind, which completely subjugated those around him. But sometimes... what he “uttered” didn’t seem like anything normal or understandable. Where was his rare mind at such moments?..
- For mercy, Your Holiness, you are talking to me now! Why pretend?!. What “lord” are we talking about here? And to which “lord” would you like to unite the souls of these unfortunate “sinners”? And in general, would you mind telling me which Lord you yourself believe? If, of course, you believe at all...
Contrary to my expectation, he did not explode in anger... But he just smiled and said in a teacher’s tone:
“You see, Isidora, a person does not need God to believe in something,” seeing my dumbfounded face, Karaffa laughed cheerfully. – Isn’t it funny to hear this from me, Isidora? .. But the truth is true, although I understand that from the lips of the Pope it must sound more than strange. But I repeat - man truly does not need God... For this, another person is enough for him. Take Christ for example... He was simply very gifted, but still a MAN! And all he had to do was walk on water, revive a half-dead man, show a few more of the same “tricks”, well, and for us to correctly declare that he is the son of God (and therefore almost God), and everything went exactly as was always the case - the crowd, after his death, joyfully rushed after their redeemer... even without fully understanding what it was that he truly redeemed for them...
Radomir (Jesus Christ), who knew how to walk on water...
As I told you earlier, people need to be able to direct and manage them correctly, Isidora. Only then is it possible to have complete control over them.
– But you will never be able to control entire nations!.. For this you need armies, Holiness! And even assuming that you would somehow subjugate these peoples, I am sure that brave people would again be found who would lead the rest to win their freedom.
“You’re absolutely right, Madonna,” Caraffa nodded. – Peoples do not submit voluntarily – they must be subjugated! But I'm not a warrior, and I don't like to fight. This creates great and unnecessary inconvenience... Therefore, in order to subjugate peacefully, I use a very simple and reliable method - I destroy their past... For without a past a person is vulnerable... He loses his ancestral roots if he does not have a past. And just then, confused and unprotected, he becomes a “blank canvas” on which I can write any story!.. And would you believe it, dear Isidora, people are only happy about this... because, I repeat, they cannot live without the past (even if they don’t want to admit it to themselves). And when there is none, they accept anything, so as not to “hang” in the unknown, which for them is much more terrible than any other person’s made-up “story.”
– And do you really think that no one sees what is really happening?.. After all, there are so many smart, gifted people on Earth! – I exclaimed indignantly.
- Why don’t they see it? The chosen ones see it and even try to show it to others. But from time to time we “clean up” them... And everything falls into place again.
– Just as you once “cleaned up” the family of Christ and Magdalene? Or today – the gifted?.. What is this “god” to whom you pray, Your Holiness? What kind of monster needs all these sacrifices?!
– If we speak frankly, I don’t pray to the gods, Isidora... I live BY THE MIND. Well, God is needed only by the helpless and poor in spirit. For those who are used to asking for help... for benefits... and for everything in the world! Just don’t fight yourself!.. These are little people, Isidora! And they are worth managing! And the rest is a matter of time. That is why I ask you to help me live until the day when I gain complete power in this insignificant world!.. Then you will see that I was not joking, and that the Earth will completely obey me! I will make my empire out of it... Oh, I only need time!.. And you will give it to me, Isidora. You just don't know about it yet.
(in order from sailor to high command) mostly go back to those that appeared during the USSR period.
A little history - naval ranks and tables of ranks
As you know, in the last year of the reign of Peter I, the table of ranks was introduced. It was a table where civil and military service positions were divided into fourteen ranks. However, naval ranks were not included in every row of the table.
The XIV rank among naval ranks was given to a midshipman, corresponding to a collegiate registrar, ensign, cornet and artillery bayonet cadet. At the beginning of the reign of Paul I, the rank of midshipman began to refer to the XII rank. Also included in this rank was the rank of non-commissioned lieutenant, which existed until 1732.
A naval lieutenant was classified as rank X until 1884, after which a midshipman was promoted to this rank. The rank of lieutenant, in turn, began to refer to rank IX.
People who managed to rise to rank VIII in the fleet of the Russian Empire acquired the right to personal nobility. These positions included captains of the first three ranks and a senior lieutenant, who appeared in the navy shortly before the First World War. Rank V included the rank of captain-commander, which was finally abolished in 1827. Among the famous bearers of this title was the pioneer Vitus Bering.
Achieving rank IV in the service opened the door to hereditary nobles for a person. In the navy, people who reached the fourth and higher ranks commanded naval formations: rear admiral, vice admiral, admiral and admiral general.
This also included the rank of Schoutbenacht, who did not take root on Russian soil, and was replaced by a rear admiral. It is noteworthy that this naval rank was used as a pseudonym by the first Russian emperor himself - “Schautbenakht Peter Mikhailov.” The third rank was the General-Kriegskommissar of the Fleet, whose responsibilities included financial support of the naval forces. The title was abolished in 1817. Six people received the highest rank of admiral general in the history of the Russian Empire. Three of them were representatives of the imperial family.
Although the table of ranks ceased to exist after the creation of the USSR, many ranks reappeared in the navy of the Soviet Union and later the Russian Federation.
Main categories of naval ranks
Based on their composition, military personnel can be divided into the following groups:
- Conscript and contract personnel.
- Junior officers.
- Senior officers.
- Senior officers.
Russian citizens undergoing military service in the navy receive the rank of sailor. It roughly corresponds to a private in the ground forces. Sailors appeared in the fleet of the Soviet Union in 1946. Before this, the lowest military rank in the navy was called “red naval officer.” 
Next comes the rank of “senior sailor,” which corresponds to the “corporal” of ground forces. The senior sailor commands the group or serves as an assistant to the chief petty officer. The rank of senior sailor can be obtained by employees who comply well with discipline and their duties.
The following four ranks correspond to the sergeant ranks of the ground forces:
- Foreman of the first article.
- Foreman of the second article.
- Chief Petty Officer.
- Chief ship's foreman.
Following the foremen are the “midshipman” and “senior midshipman.” These naval ranks correspond to the ranks of warrant officer and chief warrant officer.
The modern division of naval ranks dates back to the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, issued in 1943. He approved the division of officers into junior, senior and senior. The decree included titles for each group, which have survived to the present day.
Junior officers of our country's fleet are called: junior lieutenant, lieutenant, senior lieutenant and lieutenant commander. A junior lieutenant can lead a combat post. More senior representatives of this category of officers can be assistant commanders of a ship of the fourth rank or even command such a ship.
Senior officers include captains of the first, second and third ranks. They can also be called captri, kavtorang and caperang. These representatives of the officer corps can command military courts of appropriate rank.
In the modern Russian fleet, the rank of a warship is determined based on the complexity of control, the number of personnel and combat power. The first rank includes cruisers, nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers. The second rank includes large landing ships, destroyers, and large missile ships.
The third rank includes small missile and anti-submarine ships, medium landing ships, and minesweepers. The fourth rank includes small landing craft and torpedo boats.
The highest officer ranks of our country's fleet were first established in 1940 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council. This is the system we are used to:
In the ground forces, these ranks correspond (in ascending order) to major general, lieutenant general, colonel general and army general. A rear admiral can lead a squadron or serve as an assistant to a flotilla commander. A vice admiral may command a flotilla or operational squadron and also serves as deputy fleet commander. At the head of a separate fleet is an admiral. In modern Russia there is one fleet admiral, who is the commander-in-chief of the naval forces of our country.
The rank of "fleet admiral" was introduced in the Soviet Union in 1940. It corresponded to “general of the army.” None of the naval commanders of the country of the Soviets received it at that moment. In fact, the highest rank was admiral.
In 1944, two naval commanders received it. The first was Nikolai Kuznetsov, who at that time held the post of People's Commissar of the Fleet. He was a member of the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, and Nikolai Kuznetsov’s actions in commanding the country’s fleet were successful. In 1945, the title of “Admiral of the Fleet” was given to Ivan Isakov, who led the main naval headquarters during the war before his injury.
In 1955, an additional decree was issued that adjusted the highest naval ranks of the country of the Soviets. To the rank of “Admiral of the Fleet” was added “Soviet Union”. Holders of this rank had the right to wear the "Marshal's Star" - an insignia introduced in 1940.
This highest naval rank was abolished in 1993 because the country referred to in its name no longer existed. The highest rank of naval officers became again "admiral of the fleet".
The rank introduced in 1955 was personal. In the history of the Soviet state, only three people received the title “Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union.” Immediately after the introduction of the new military rank, N.G. received it. Kuznetsov and I.S. Isakov. A year later, Kuznetsov fell into disgrace and lost his highest rank. It was returned to the naval commander posthumously during the years of Perestroika. In 1967, Sergei Gorshkov was awarded the highest naval rank, who went through the war with the rank of rear admiral and supervised the construction and rearmament of the fleet in the post-war years.
The rank of Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union corresponded in the 1960-1990s to the rank of Marshal of the USSR. In turn, the “admiral of the fleet”, who was of lower rank, corresponded to the general of the army and the marshal of the military branch.
The Commander-in-Chief of our country's naval forces may bear the rank of admiral or admiral of the fleet. Thus, the first naval officer to hold this position in post-Soviet Russia, Felix Gromov, became commander-in-chief in 1992, being an admiral. He received the rank of fleet admiral four years later, shortly before retirement.
The next commanders-in-chief (Vladimir Kuroyedov and Vladimir Masorin) took this post as admirals, and after that they received a higher rank. Vladimir Vysotsky and Vladimir Chirkov were commanders-in-chief, remaining with the rank of admiral. Also, the current Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Korolev retains the rank of admiral, received in 2013.
The chiefs of the General Staff of the Fleet, who were the first deputies of the commander-in-chief, as a rule, bore the rank of vice admiral or admiral. Andrei Volozhinsky, who began serving in this post in 2016, retains the rank of vice admiral.
The Navy of modern Russia became the successor to the fleet. Most senior naval officers began their service in the Soviet Navy. For this reason, the ranks in the fleet in modern Russia (in order from sailor to admiral) have not undergone fundamental changes compared to the Soviet period.
I have already noticed more than once that in our country, which has gone through a lot of the most terrible and severe tests associated specifically with the participation of the Armed Forces, where until recently almost the entire male population served in the Army (in the collective meaning of this concept), and the current situation in it (the Army) and its fate are not discussed except by the laziest; the people do not know or understand military ranks at all.
The movie “Born of a Revolution” gives a wonderful example. When the gray-haired main character, a police general (albeit, dressed in a civilian suit) on an airplane accidentally meets a criminal whom he arrested many years ago, a conversation that is usual for such a situation arises between them along the lines of “How is life? How are you?"
- Are you already a major? – the criminal asks, pointedly pointing to his shoulder and folding his fingers into a ring, implying a large general’s star (meaning “major general”).
- Lieutenant! – The hero answers (also meaning “Lieutenant General” *).
After some time, the woman – the hero’s neighbor – remarks with undisguised irony:
- At your age, you could have a higher rank. Well, at least “senior lieutenant”!
And when it comes to naval ranks, then not only civilians, but also land military personnel are confused.
Somehow, I remember, when I was already a captain of the first rank, but, like the hero of the previous story, I was dressed in a civilian suit, someone, I don’t remember who exactly, addressing me, said the following phrase:
- You, captain...
“I’m not a captain, but a captain of the first rank,” I corrected him.
- What difference does it make what rank you are?! Captain he is a captain! – My opponent objected very arrogantly.
“You’re mistaken: the captain of the first rank is a colonel,” I had to enlighten him a little. - And in the tsarist fleet, in general, being practically equal, a captain of the first rank was considered even higher, since when the rank of captain of the first rank was awarded, they were promoted to nobles, but colonels were not!
- Hmm? – My counterpart muttered incredulously and then addressed me only by my first name and patronymic.
In general, of course, there is a problem with naval ranks. Here on land everything is clear:
lieutenant,
senior lieutenant,
captain,
major,
lieutenant colonel,
Colonel...
_____________________
* a major general has one large sewn star on his shoulder strap, and a lieutenant general has two. Therefore, these ranks are established not in accordance with the level of “additions” (lieutenant is almost the primary officer rank, and major is already a senior officer), but in accordance with the number of stars
There is, however, at the very beginning also a junior lieutenant, but this rank is now practically not awarded, giving the start to officer life immediately from lieutenant.
And almost everyone knows these ranks, since they have been used in our army since the time of Tsar Pea. With the generals, it’s worse. But there are not so many of them, and not everyone has to communicate with them.
And the naval ones! Lieutenant and senior lieutenant still coincide with the army, and then a complete disaster begins: instead of a captain, there is some kind of captain-lieutenant (what does a lieutenant have to do with it if he is already a captain?!). And then it’s even worse: instead of a major - a captain of the third rank, instead of a lieutenant colonel - a captain of the second rank, instead of a colonel - a captain of the first rank... Why don’t they just have captains at all, if they are connected with ships? And why, even if they wanted to call everyone captains, do they have some ranks that they begin to count in reverse order and not even in accordance with the number of stars: one star is the third rank, and three stars is the first rank?!
And with the admirals - it’s completely dark!!! REVERSE admiral, VICE admiral, and then suddenly just an admiral without any prefixes or increments, although he is the most senior of them!
True, if you want and try very hard, you can find a very clear explanation for this.
Previously, a squadron of sailing ships always sailed in a wake formation, that is, one after the other. The squadron commander, the admiral, was on the first - flagship - ship. In the middle of the formation of ships was his first deputy - VICE (which meant “deputy” or “second”) - admiral, and on the trailing ship was the second deputy (not “second”, but “second deputy”) of the commander. And since he was at the opposite end of the formation from the commander, he was called KONTR (that is, “opposite”) - admiral.
The same thing happened with the captains.
The fact is that the ranks here do not correspond to the number of steps in the career ladder that you managed to climb - one, two, three - but rather to the grades - first, second and third - which means rank or size (displacement, technical equipment and weapons) of the ship you command. The largest ships - cruisers and battleships - that is, ships of the first rank, were commanded by captains of the first rank. Accordingly, further, below. Lieutenant captains, that is, the most junior of the captains, command the smallest ships - torpedo boats, small landing ships or even auxiliary vessels - ships of the fourth rank. But, nevertheless, they are still commanders of ships, therefore, although they are lieutenants (that is, the youngest), they are still CAPTAINS!
One of my friends, at one time, proposed her own, in general, not entirely meaningless way of remembering naval officer ranks, directly linking them with... male potency.
The Lieutenant, in her opinion, is a young stallion whose male abilities are measured by the performance of the circulation pump. That is why his title is “Lieutenant”.
Next comes the senior lieutenant, who has everything the same, but he is already a little older in age, and in official position, and in life experience. That is why his title is “Senior Lieutenant”.
The lieutenant commander, as she believed, was still quite a young man and capable of a lot of things, but he had already begun to settle down and think at inopportune moments, which could lead to some unforeseen circumstances. That’s why his title sounds like “drop-lei”.
A captain of the third rank is already older, has fewer opportunities, and sometimes it’s not at all difficult to count them, so his title is “cap THREE”.
Captain of the second rank and captain of the first rank, respectively: “cap-TWO” and “cap-RAZ”.
But then come the admirals, who, according to her classification, are generally called “atmiral” without any gradation, since “atmiral” is “ATmiral”!!!
But there is another rank in our fleet that confuses many. This is midshipman. Actually, it is equal to the army "ensign". And “ensign” translated into Russian means “standard bearer.” It is clear that a standard bearer is one of the best, if not the best fighter, but he cannot have a very high military rank, since in this case he will most likely no longer be a standard bearer, but a commander.
But the “midshipman”!!! This title does not lend itself to any analysis, comparisons, etc. Some still remember that this was once the first officer rank (perhaps they watched the movie “Midshipman Panin” in early childhood, or heard from someone). But what it means and what it can be compared with, what it can be equated to, they have no idea. And everything unknown and unfamiliar, as usual, is covered in mystery and causes awe. Therefore, “midshipman” is associated by many, including the ground military, with something even higher, more important and terrible than “admiral”.
Once, during one of the naval exercises in the Red Banner Northern Fleet, held under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union S.G. Gorshkov, the rear of one of the flotillas of nuclear submarines was deployed to a maneuverable base point directly into the impenetrable tundra.
Well, “impassable” - this, of course, is not entirely fair, since this place was, albeit to a minimum, but still somehow equipped, access roads were rolled out, tents were pitched for storage space and housing for service personnel... (after all The main task of the rear is the logistics and support of all other ships, units and units of the flotilla). But it really was right in the middle of the tundra, far from the home base, and indeed from any centers of civilization (so that in the event of an attack by a potential enemy, and especially a nuclear one, it would not be destroyed along with the entire base).
The closest neighbors, and even then a few kilometers in a straight line (and along the road, about ten to fifteen kilometers), were some kind of anti-aircraft missile unit. And although it guarded its native North Sea sky, those who served in it, including the unit’s command, had a very vague idea of the fleet, seeing ships and sailors only in pictures and on television screens.
It so happened that the rear had to simultaneously supply ships (also, by the way, located not in the base itself, but in dispersal or maneuverable basing points scattered almost along the entire coast) and weapons - torpedoes and missiles - and fuel for auxiliary engines, and various property, replenishing it to full standards. And due to the fact that all this had to be done almost simultaneously, the rear was suffocated - there was a catastrophic lack of transport. The standards went to hell, and the rear, and, accordingly, the flotilla, and after it the entire Northern Fleet, could receive a general unsatisfactory assessment at such an important and serious exercise, which, again, threatened with very harsh conclusions.
Having cleared his head, the logistics chief decided to turn to his rocketry neighbors for help, although there was little hope for their understanding - they lived in their own garden, tried not to delve into naval problems, not to meddle anywhere, not to touch anything that was not directly related to them concerns, and so far there have been virtually no contacts with them. But there was simply no other choice.
Having equipped (giving them a whole canister of alcohol - the traditional and reliable naval currency) his deputies - three captains of the first rank: the chief of the logistics staff, the head of the combined arms supply department and the head of the technical department - and, for the sake of respectability, allocated to them his official black Volga Gaz-31 ( at that time, only commanders at the level of the fleet commander and flotilla commanders had such, but for this reason the chief of logistics is the main supplier in the flotilla, in order to have strong and reliable connections in all the supplying, supplying and other bodies and organizations of the same profile at all levels, to resolve this issue for himself), the chief of logistics sent them to the rocket men, and he himself remained with hope to wait for the result.
The head of the clothing warehouse, midshipman Grishko, went with them as a draft force (bosses of this level would not carry the canister themselves) and a “technical” worker.
The missilemen's checkpoint was located about three kilometers (along the road) from the position itself. And since the person on duty at the checkpoint - a young lieutenant - was not warned about the arrival of naval officers, he categorically refused to let them into the entrusted territory: why should he have some unfamiliar colonels who have nothing to do with his military unit, even though they are naval ones? Navy, like uncut dogs! He, like everyone who had at least some (at least territorial) connection to the fleet, of course, heard about the fact that large-scale exercises were being conducted in the fleet. And during the exercise, they warned, there may be attempts to penetrate in order to test vigilance. Therefore, the lieutenant stood unshakably, in the end even showing some disrespect, abruptly ending the conversation and turning his back to the officers, preparing to go to his booth.
Seeing this, Grishko, who had remained in the car until that moment, could not stand it and, getting out, immediately started honking:
- What are you allowing yourself to do, Lieutenant??!!!
Unlike the officers, on the occasion of the exercise, Grishko was not dressed in an overcoat with shoulder straps, but in a black leather coat without insignia. Moreover, not on the usual black, brown or even light gray fur, but on painfully white fur, which was issued only to admirals, and even then not to everyone (as the head of a clothing warehouse - in parallel with the head of the rear - he could imagine such allow: “to sit by the water and not get drunk”!). He was a very respectable man: two meters tall, slanting fathoms at the shoulders, weighing about one hundred and fifty kilograms, and his voice was a thick, rumbling bass, which, if Grishko wanted, the commander of the missile unit would have heard right from here. On his head he was not wearing an ordinary hat, but a huge cloth cap, not obtained from a warehouse, but clearly sewn to order.
-Who are you, exactly? “The lieutenant asked, defiantly bowing his head to the side and looking appraisingly at the midshipman with even a hint of contempt.
- I-ah-ah???!!! - Grishko roared. He was not particularly ceremonious in his interactions anyway, but due to the nature of his service, he was accustomed to the fact that everyone, including most ship commanders and other commanders with the rank of captain of the first rank, came to him with requests, ingratiating and, to some extent, even creeping. He simply did not talk to those of lower positions and ranks, considering it beneath his dignity. He had served in his position for almost a quarter of a century and treated everyone very arrogantly, and did not even consider the lieutenants - these yellow-throated chicks - to be people, since it largely depended on him whether they would look like officers at all, or like something awkward. Well, this green grasshopper was simply ready to be eaten in half.
- I... - Midshipman of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Grishko!!! – He boomed with an drawl in every word (apparently, first of all, meaning that he is a representative of the Soviet Navy, and the fleet is wow!!! - and no “grasshopper” has the right to contradict the sailors !).
But the lieutenant understood it in his own way. The incomprehensible phrase “midshipman of the fleet,” coupled with the mention of the name of the state, pronounced in a tone that did not tolerate objections, caused him to be taken aback. He knew that mention of the name of the state occurs in positions and titles only among the very, very big bosses, which are found only in Moscow. And who it was - the Marshal, the Admiral of the Fleet or the midshipman, he no longer distinguished. At the same time, he knew very well that the navy was conducting very large-scale exercises under the leadership of just such a commander. And the name of this boss was also called somehow: either Gorshkov, or Grishko, or something else, but something very similar.
What if he – this boss – really needed to go to their unit for some devil?!
He did not notice that the design of the midshipman’s cap did not correspond not only to the admiral rank, but even to the ordinary officer rank.
The fact is that officers have a wicker strap on their cap, while super-conscripts, midshipmen and, by the way, warrant officers have a leatherette strap. In addition, for senior naval officers, an ornament of stylized oak and laurel leaves is attached to the visor, while for admirals these leaves have a completely different, more refined appearance and are also embroidered with gimp. And the cockade on the cap of the admirals is larger, with “additional foliage” and patterns.
But the lieutenant had no time for that. When he heard the magic phrase uttered in Grishko’s voice, his eyes darkened, his arms and legs shook, his lips turned blue, his jaw dropped, his eyes began to slowly pop out of their sockets... He stretched out like a string and sharply put his hand to his headdress to give military honor, yes He froze, even speechless.
The deputy chiefs of logistics, seeing such a change, decided not to interfere and wait to see what would happen next. And the midshipman went into a rage. He, with his hands behind his back, walked around the barely alive and practically not breathing lieutenant, simultaneously giving him a lecture about “how our ships ply the big theater” (by analogy with “Operation “Y” and other adventures of Shurik”), completing with her clear command, so that the lieutenant immediately reported their arrival to the unit commander and let them into the territory.
- Eat! Eat! Eat! “The lieutenant started chattering like a joke and rushed to raise the barrier, but as soon as the car passed his tetanus figure, it flew like a bullet towards the telephone.
- Comrade commander! “He literally screamed when the unit commander picked up the phone. - We have it here!!!... here!!!... here!!!... - He began to stutter, unable to say anything else.
- Well, what do you have “here”? - The commander barked in irritation, who was just about to have a drink before dinner, but the bell caught him at the most interesting place, not allowing him to bring the container to his mouth. - Not here!!! – he summarized. - What's happened? Has a nuclear war begun? Did the American troops land?
“No, comrade commander,” the lieutenant, who had regained the power of speech, jabbered, “it’s worse!!!”
- What could be worse? Is your wife refusing to fulfill your marital duties?!
- No way, comrade commander! – The lieutenant answered without reacting in any way and without even noticing the commander’s rudeness. - Midshipman of the Soviet Union Fleet Grishko has arrived to us!!!
- What-oh-oh?!!! – the commander asked again, not “getting it” into the situation.
- Midshipman of the Soviet Union Fleet Grishko has arrived to us!!! – The lieutenant repeated clearly. – I was forced to let his car pass, and now he is already on his way to you!
-...!!! “When the lieutenant repeated the report, the commander involuntarily jumped up from his seat and also stood up to attention. - So why the fuck are you saying, “Here, here”?! – He squealed and hung up. Since there was absolutely no time left, he only managed to throw the contents of the glass into the decanter standing on the table, hide the glass in the safe, plop his hat on his head (he was only a lieutenant colonel, and he was not yet entitled to a hat) and, pulling on his overcoat as he walked, rush to the parade ground in front of the headquarters barracks, but managed to tell the duty officer to notify all his deputies and unit commanders.
As soon as he jumped out into the street, a black Volga drove onto the parade ground.
- Media-i-irno-o-o!!! “He yelled so loudly that even midshipman Grishko could envy such a roar, and with a clear marching step he headed towards the car. The chief of staff of the flotilla, who was sitting in the front passenger seat and had long since assessed the situation, was the first to get out of the Volga and prudently opened its back door, giving midshipman Grishko the opportunity to get out.
- Comrade Midshipman of the Fleet of the Soviet Union! “The unit commander began to clearly report to midshipman Grishko, unmistakably determining who was in charge here. - ...the unit is on combat duty to protect the airspace of the Soviet Union in the entrusted sector of the Red Banner Northern Fleet. The personnel are at combat posts. The unit commander is lieutenant colonel...!
- At ease! – Grishko answered in a very friendly tone, accepting the report. - Hello, Lieutenant Colonel! – And extended his hand in greeting.
- Excuse me, Comrade Midshipman of the Fleet of the Soviet Union! – The commander began to make excuses. – I was not warned about your arrival. Therefore, I am forced to meet you alone (my deputies will come up now), while all the personnel are at training and combat work. The part will be built in half an hour, before lunch... Will you have lunch with us?!
- No, commander. “We don’t need to build a unit, and we won’t have lunch,” the midshipman began to explain, turning the lieutenant colonel to face the same direction as himself, hugging him familiarly by the shoulder and starting to slowly move along the parade ground. – We had one conflict here during the exercises: the rear of the flotilla of nuclear submarines is in no way coping with the assigned task. Due to a lack of transport, he cannot provide the ships with everything they need in a timely manner. As a result, all exercises are in jeopardy. I have a big PERSONAL (!) request to you (namely “to you” and not “to you” the midshipman said) - I can’t order you in this situation - to help with transport. You only need four or five good trucks. Do you have that many?
- That's right, Comrade Midshipman of the Fleet of the Soviet Union! – The lieutenant colonel exclaimed with burning eyes. - I will be glad to help! I'll do whatever it takes!!!
- Well, that's good! But we have very little time. How long will it take you to get the cars out, given that they must be fully fueled?
- I always have such a number of vehicles in readiness, Comrade Midshipman of the Fleet of the Soviet Union! So in five to ten minutes, as soon as the drivers are called and the cars are warmed up, it will be possible to leave.
- Great! Then we’ll smoke here, and you give orders - let the cars be driven right here, and they will follow us.
- Eat!!! – Satisfied that everything turned out to be so simple, and he would not have any unexpected and unplanned inspection, the unit commander exclaimed and was about to rush with all his might to fulfill the practically “highest” request, but at that moment his deputies jumped out onto the parade ground, to whom he and gave the necessary orders.
After another ten minutes, the column, led by a black Volga, moved to leave the territory of the missile unit. The flotilla coped with the task, the exercises took place without serious comments and received high praise from the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union S.G. Gorshkov.
The Commander-in-Chief never found out that he suddenly had a double (although it was very difficult to call him such, since the Commander-in-Chief himself was very short in stature), the saved alcohol was then used for more prosaic purposes, and the commander of the missile unit told the story for the rest of his life , how he saved the entire Navy from inevitable shame at the personal request of the MOST (!) Midshipman of the Fleet of the Soviet Union!!!
Greetings from Frolovich
My phone call to the deputy commander of the Admiral Levchenko BOD for educational work, Captain 2nd Rank Alexander Rudenko, found the ship in the North Sea roadstead. In five hours, the ship had to leave the Kola Bay and head for the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea.
After exchanging a couple of phrases with me, Alexander Viktorovich suddenly said:
By the way, greetings from Komissarchuk!
From Frolovich? - this came as a complete surprise, since I knew that back in February, senior midshipman Komissarchuk was awarded an apartment in the Moscow region. - So he hasn’t quit yet?
He’s standing next to me,” Rudenko said, handing the phone to Komissarchuk.
Vladimir Frolovich, what about the apartment?
The documents for Kupavna near Moscow are stuck somewhere at the top for approval,” the old acquaintance answered with sadness in his voice. - And here I am again going on another hike...
Foreman of the engine group of the warhead-5 BPC "Admiral Levchenko" senior midshipman Vladimir Komissarchuk: in his eyes - experience, in his hands - the progress of the ship, on his shoulders - midshipman's shoulder straps
More than once on the large anti-submarine ship (BOD) "Admiral Levchenko" I heard about a legendary man - senior midshipman Vladimir Komissarchuk: he does amazing things with his own hands. The ship on which he appears, figuratively speaking, is doomed to success. Once, Vladimir Frolovich, at the base of one of the BODs of his native formation, carried out repairs that required at least factory intervention and... a six-figure amount of investment.
There is no such malfunction, - testify to the electromechanical warhead of the Admiral Levchenko, - that would put Komissarchuk in a dead end...
Senior midshipman Vladimir Komissarchuk, foreman of the engine group team, for more than thirty years in the division of anti-submarine ships of the Northern Fleet. Since 1975! I started on the TFR project 159, then on the TFR project 1135. I went through almost all the ships of the formation. Ten military services and eight visits to foreign ports, not counting “minor” trips to sea - this is for a month or two. And specifically on “Admiral Levchenko” - since the early nineties. Veteran of the ship, in authority! It’s not for nothing that on the door of the commander’s cabin of the warhead-5, on a sign with the names of those living in it under captain 2nd rank Kutashev, it is written: “Senior midshipman V.F. Komissarchuk.”
Many years ago, Vladimir Frolovich graduated from the Nikolaev Shipbuilding Institute with a degree in mechanical engineer for the repair and operation of gas turbine power plants. And after all, he could easily - with his golden hands and downright mechanical gift - make himself a more respectable career than choosing the path of a naval midshipman.
No,” the “grandfather” said, “I somehow prefer this: knowing the weak points of the ship, eliminating them. Even at the moment, one thing will fly, then another. Equipment gets old and wears out. Therefore, we invent something, improve it, introduce some innovations into ship technology, showing engineering thought, and strive to extend its service life.
In the electromechanical combat unit of Admiral Levchenko, Vladimir Frolovich is the oldest, which is why everyone respectfully calls him “grandfather.” The rest, as he himself says, “are my children, I taught them all.” Even the head of the electromechanical service of the unit, Captain 1st Rank Yuri Sokol, is a student of Frolovich: he started next to him as a lieutenant. In short, there are many in the division who learned from Komissarchuk the science of working with hardware. Some went up: they teach at naval engineering institutes, and they themselves have already become heads of “iron” - electromechanical - departments. Frolovich names their names with special warmth - Sasha Lapshin, Volodya Mikhailov...
"Admiral Levchenko" on a long voyage
Upon arrival on the ship, mechanical lieutenants are immediately sent for an interview with Komissarchuk. How does the “grandfather” meet the young lieutenant? How do you start a conversation with him?
First of all, what is a gas turbine engine? – the senior midshipman said without a hint of any irony. - To find out whether he has any idea about the subject of the upcoming service?
If he doesn’t answer, it means it’s useless to work with him: he spent five years at the Naval Engineering Institute, “smoked the primer,” received a diploma without merit, and came to the fleet “without a king” and the slightest mechanical knowledge in his head. And you can’t convince them anymore.
And Vladimir Frolovich can tell by his eyes that the officer will be good: if they shine, it means the guy has chosen a job he likes and everything will work out for him with time and experience. For example, when the current commander of the movement division of the BC-5 BPC “Severomorsk”, senior lieutenant Alexey Ryzhenin, came as a group commander in the BC-5 “Admiral Levchenko”, it was immediately clear that the guy served with desire, strived for “mechanical” knowledge: he was not shy to ask questions, he directly bombarded Frolovich with them. The crew joked then that Alexey followed Komissarchuk like a thread following a needle.
After three decades of naval service, Vladimir Frolovich does not regret that fate turned out this way. Yes, higher education! But this was after military service and technician school. When I became a midshipman, I entered college. He studied by correspondence, and in the intervals between military services he sent tests to the university. However, at that time it was impossible to obtain an officer rank, since their institute did not have a military department. When the theoretical opportunity to become an officer arose, age no longer allowed it.
No, senior midshipman Vladimir Komissarchuk does not regret his fate, which is similar to the fate of many of his peers, even in that after so many years of service he waited a long time for a housing certificate. They finally awarded me an apartment, but the documents for it got stuck somewhere in the authorities. That’s why Frolovich set off on December 5th on his next long hike. It is not customary for sailors to call him the last.
"Golden fund" of the fleet
The transformations taking place in the Armed Forces affected the institution of midshipmen and warrant officers, which appeared in the Soviet Army and Navy in 1972. In relation to the Navy, only “household” positions that are not included in the staff of forces and units of constant readiness will be reduced. The remaining midshipmen of the naval personnel, warrant officers of the Marine Corps and their equals will continue to serve in their ranks and in their positions until the completion of their contracts or transfer to the reserve upon reaching the age limit for military service. This will make it possible to maintain the combat effectiveness of the fleet during the “transition period.”
First Officers
The forced abolition of midshipman positions in the formation of diesel submarines of the Pacific Fleet, according to its chief of staff, captain 2nd rank Andrei Dergousov, would not have the best effect on the operation of military equipment and discipline among ship crews. By the way, this category of military personnel played a significant role in Andrei Nikolaevich’s professional development as a submarine officer, specialist and commander. For example, the future chief of staff mastered the skill of torpedo attacks under the guidance of senior midshipman Valery Solomin. Even during cadet practice in 1993, during demonstration torpedo firing, the experienced foreman of the torpedo team felt like a duck to water, from start to finish, flawlessly carrying out all the necessary actions for the commander of the mine-torpedo warhead. And later, the foreman of the bilge team, midshipman Mikhail Shakhmatov, set an example of a pedantic attitude towards the entrusted material part - on the ship, where the newly minted lieutenant Dergousov was assigned, perhaps no one knew the drainage and drainage systems better than the midshipman. The experience and knowledge gained from them was useful to the officer when, after leaving the nuclear-powered ships, he continued to serve on diesel submarines.
At the energy and survivability post (PEZh) of the BPC “Marshal Shaposhnikov” (from left to right) the foreman of the crew of BC-5 drivers, midshipman Nikolai PONOMAREV and the foreman of gas turbine drivers of the BC-5, midshipman Andrey AGAREV
“A midshipman can replace a sailor or a contract soldier, but not every contract soldier is capable of becoming a midshipman today,” says captain 2nd rank Andrei Dergousov.
In a submarine, midshipmen are the first assistants and deputies of officers both in matters of operating machines and mechanisms, and in managing the combat unit. And since their position is closer to the personnel, they simultaneously act as caring mentors to sailors and foremen. In addition, the very specifics of service in the submarine require constant participation and effort. In terms of psychology, the current contract worker is more comparable to a hired worker who, having worked his due duty, strives to leave the hot shop as quickly as possible. But even if all the conditions are literally met - the presence of authority among the commanders, love for the ship and military service, outstanding knowledge of technology and the ability to manage subordinates - a contract sailor will not be able to become a good midshipman out of a contract sailor before seven years from direct training on the ship.
For example, the crew of Captain 2nd Rank Yuri Konkin not long ago received instructions about an upcoming long voyage. Despite the urgency and complexity of the task, the submariners calmly, without hassle, completed the training cycle and left the base on time. And the fact that the boat today successfully solves the problems of combat service is due in no small part to the foreman of the torpedo team, senior midshipman Alexey Dmitriev, the foreman of the bilge team, senior midshipman Yuri Kindeev, the radio telegraph technician, midshipman Evgeniy Shevel, and the foreman of the electricians team, midshipman Alexey Isypov - highly qualified, endlessly devoted to their to the work of specialists.
As we know, there are no irreplaceable people,” summed up Captain 2nd Rank Dergousov. “However, in order for contract soldiers to be able to prepare a boat in exactly the same time frame and with the required quality and go to sea on it as midshipmen, a qualitatively new level of their training is required.
In the Caspian Sea they are judged not by shoulder straps, but by deeds
“It is still difficult to judge what the future changes will look like in the context of the abolition of the institution of midshipmen: our job is to carry out the order accurately and on time,” the chief of staff of the water area protection brigade (OVR) of the Caspian Flotilla, captain 2nd rank Oleg Malkin, did not avoid sharp corners in the conversation. “It’s clear that officers will have to readjust psychologically. After all, the officer remembers the instructions of the teachers from school: upon arrival on the ship, it is necessary to learn the specialty and service from the midshipmen. They are the “golden fund”! Their experience, knowledge and ability to work with sailors largely supported and still holds the entire ship organization.The general mood of the midshipmen in the OVR is generally calm: replacing the two silver stars with the “badge” of the chief petty officer on his shoulder straps will not change much materially. But in moral...
Foreman of the BC-2 gunners team, senior midshipman Nikolai TIMERGALIEV
The water district protection brigade is unique in many ways. Of all the commanders, for example, in the guards artillery boat division, only the commander of the Astrakhan MAK is an officer. The rest are midshipmen. The picture is similar in the minesweeper division.
As a result, in the OVR brigade, eight artillery boats and river minesweepers are commanded by midshipmen, although the staff includes officers: the regular category of the navigation bridge owner is senior lieutenant. However, as soon as a high school graduate arrives at a position, in a year or two it’s time for him to leave for a promotion. And the ship's organization only suffers from frequent commander movements. Therefore, several years ago, the flotilla command decided to exercise the right to fill some junior officer positions with the most trained midshipmen. The experience was successful both in terms of increasing combat readiness and strengthening military discipline. The commanders of the boats and minesweepers of the Guard, senior midshipmen Andrei Emerov, Vyacheslav Chizhevsky, Grigory Fomin and Sergei Zavorotynsky, senior midshipmen Vasily Meshkov and Evgeniy Ivanov, showed themselves with dignity.
It is difficult to judge what will happen next - the assistant commander of the AK-044 midshipman Oleg Tolkachev has already changed his mind a lot about his future service. - However, due to the fact that I will, as expected, become the chief petty officer, I will not leave the fleet. As for prestige, I’ll say one thing: we in the brigade are judged not by our shoulder straps, but by our deeds.
The commander of the river minesweeper, senior midshipman Vasily Meshkov, on the navigation bridge is also not a random person. He served in Kamchatka, in his current position for more than five years:
You need to remain a commander in any circumstances. But in reality, the senior boatswain and I will be in equal ranks - chief ship foremen.
Now, if the positions of technicians, company foremen and crew chiefs, instructors, and heads of training rooms can still be replaced by chief ship foremen, then with the commanders of boats, which by status are ships of the 4th rank, the situation is more complicated. There are many of these in the Caspian flotilla. In addition to eight boats and minesweepers, the OVR brigade also has “midshipman” landing boats of the “Serna” type. Diving and firefighting boats are also commanded by midshipmen. In such “units”, the abolished categories include assistant commanders and commanders of electromechanical combat units.
Socotra, "Wave" and fleet veterans
“It is possible that today the fleet is simply not ready to suddenly abandon midshipmen who serve on warships,” says the commander of the large anti-submarine ship “Marshal Shaposhnikov” of the Pacific Fleet, Captain 2nd Rank Andrei Kuznetsov. – And there is only one reason: there is no one to replace them.After all, it takes years to train a good specialist to serve on a warship. And most midshipmen linked their fate with the fleet, like officers, for life. Moreover, if an officer often changes his place of duty during his career, then this category of military sailors, as a rule, is tightly tied to one ship. I can name many midshipmen who have served in the crew of “Marshal Shaposhnikov” for more than ten years, starting with conscript service. Among them, for example, are the foremen of the teams of gas turbine drivers and the combat communications unit, midshipmen Andrei Agarev and Sergei Novikov.
And the foreman of the team of artillery radiometricians, senior midshipman Nikolai Karpa, who will retire to the reserve in a year (he is already over 40), taught me when he was a lieutenant, and now generously passes on his experience to young people, including contract sailors.
Midshipmen are people who can not only maintain equipment and weapons, but also repair them without waiting for factory specialists. The same midshipman Agarev helped the crew out at sea many times if something went wrong! Moreover, in their hands, any, even outdated, equipment can function normally, which is important in the context of a shortage of financial resources for repairs or the purchase of new ones. I remember during combat service in 2003 in the Indian Ocean, when we were stationed near the island of Socotra, we met with the patrol ship Smetlivy of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, whose crew included several midshipmen who were, to put it mildly, advanced in age. So these veterans prepared the old Volna anti-aircraft missile system for a training battle in such a way that they shot excellently.
Of course, now the ship's composition is changing qualitatively; to replace sailors serving on conscription, we are recruiting contract soldiers, which implies a gradual transition of the entire crew to a professional basis. But these young people are not yet ready to tie their fate with the Navy in the same way as our midshipmen did. And in general, contract soldiers for professional training are not ready to replace the same team foremen in the near future. This, again, will take years and years.
Find an equivalent replacement?
We recently met with the commanders of the three leading brigades of surface ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet: water area protection, missile boats and rescue ships, talked with the command of the naval helicopter regiment, and representatives of personnel authorities. There is only one opinion: in light of the planned changes, it will be very difficult to ensure that crews are staffed with classy, trained specialists. The fact is that servicing ship weapons and military equipment requires not only deep specialized knowledge, but also practical experience, which comes with age. And the midshipmen, who served on ships for one and a half to two decades (and some more) have perfectly mastered the technology and are fully familiar with it. Bearers of practical experience, they are true professionals, a reliable support for the commanders of ships, regiments, squadrons, battalions and companies. If necessary, they replace officers. Moreover, young officers themselves often turn to experienced midshipmen for specific help.We recently visited two warships, the crews of which distinguished themselves during the operation to force Georgia to peace. This is the Suzdalets MPK of Captain 3rd Rank Vadim Dzhanunts and the missile boat of Captain 3rd Rank Igor Vorobyov.
According to the staff, the commander of the Serna-class landing boat is a midshipman
The commanders awarded the orders spoke warmly and respectfully of the midshipmen and emphasized their important role in solving the tasks assigned to the crews. Dzhanunts, for example, noted the masters of military affairs, the foreman of the turbo-engine team of the BC-5 MPK midshipman Alexander Kukuruza, the foreman of the anti-aircraft missile system of the BC-2 senior midshipman Alexander Mikhnevich (by the way, the most experienced specialist in their division) and the technician of the electronic computing group of midshipman Evgeniy Novosad. And captain 3rd rank Igor Vorobyov named the senior boatswain, the foremen of the missile weapons, small anti-aircraft artillery and electronic warfare teams - senior midshipmen Valery Leskin, Viktor Stefan, Valentin Nosatov and Dmitry Porvatov. Moreover, he noted that two of them were still accepting the boat from the “industry” and introducing it into the permanent readiness forces. Their knowledge and experience are beyond doubt: they can get out of any difficult situations.
There are such “bisons” in the Black Sea Fleet Marine Regiment. These are warrant officers who visited Chechnya, Ingushetia and Georgia, and other “hot spots”. Their combat experience is invaluable. They train Marines in what is needed in war. Officers listen to their advice.
We also visited the personnel department of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The department that deals with midshipmen and warrant officers reported that there are only guidelines regarding midshipmen. And we are talking about a reduction of only 30 percent of military personnel in this category.
Looking into the future, we must take into account the specifics of the Russian Black Sea Fleet: it will be difficult to recruit the required number of contract servicemen with Russian citizenship to serve on Ukrainian territory to replace midshipmen and warrant officers being transferred to the reserve.
Legendary "techies"
The head of the WMD organizational department of the Pacific Fleet headquarters, Captain 1st Rank Anatoly Stupakov, who at one time went from the commander of the warhead-3 to the commander of the MPK, says:Midshipmen appeared in the fleet in the early 70s of the last century when sailors and foremen transferred to three-year military service. The equipment became more and more complex, and midshipmen were appointed team foremen and group commanders. At the MPC there were 15 of them on staff. Of course, the boatswain, battalionman and cook-instructor are difficult to classify as the technical composition of the crew. But the rest are 100% techies.
With great pleasure, Anatoly Ivanovich recalls the experienced and reliable midshipmen with whom he had the opportunity to serve. For example, one of the best hydroacoustics at the Pacific Fleet was midshipman Vladimir Smolyanov. By the way, thanks to him, the brigade many times won the prize of the Navy Commander in Chief for searching and “destroying” submarines. Smolyanov was one of the first to become a master of military affairs. I have repeatedly detected foreign submarines at maximum distances that were on duty near the border of our territorial waters. Many people remember this and will confirm it. But to prepare such a specialist, it took two years of study at a technician school and then at least three years of service on a ship. And a running one.
Most midshipmen honestly and conscientiously performed their official duties and were an example for conscripts both in everyday life and in extreme situations,” says Captain 1st Rank Stupakov. “I remember the dedication they showed when rescuing the surviving crew members of the small rocket ship “Monsoon” who found themselves in the water after the disaster. I have heard more than once how confidently and fearlessly midshipmen acted during fires that occurred in the fleet. And this is not surprising: after all, a midshipman who has served on a ship for several years knows its structure very well, and navigates the combat post and compartment with his eyes closed.
Instructor for parachute training of the Marine Corps of the Guard, warrant officer Madi TURASHEV
Of course, we met different midshipmen. Some are tumbleweeds. A year or two later, they begin to feel burdened by the service. But there are also many for whom it has become the meaning of their whole life. On nuclear submarines and large anti-submarine ships you can meet midshipmen who are already over forty-five. Without exaggeration, they largely determine the combat readiness of these submarines and ships.
In addition, on ships of the 3rd rank (for example, MPK), midshipmen stand watch as duty officers on the ship, can temporarily replace the commanders of combat units, and are appointed commanders of crews and emergency parties. Having a secondary technical education, then, having received a higher education, they often become officers. And even if they don’t, they still look like “almost officers” in the eyes of their subordinates.
For example, on the guards missile cruiser “Varyag” the guard is served by Lieutenant Oleg Strokov, who, as a young midshipman, took over the ship from the “industry”. Thanks to him, at the beginning of the 2000s, when the states changed, it was possible to write a new book of ship schedules with minimal effort. Because no one knows better about its design and organization of the ship. The ship's commanders, first mates, and assistants changed. Two, three, four years - and they left. This is clear: we need to grow! And Strokov is an old-timer on the ship. That’s why he became one of the authors of the main document by which the crew now lives.
On shore, Stupakov agrees, another midshipman or warrant officer can be replaced by a sergeant major, a sergeant, or even a civilian. This is very difficult to do on a ship. The technology is improving. There is work that a sergeant major is not capable of and that an officer will not do. Only midshipman. If he leaves, the specific mechanism will stop.
Depending on the specialty, the sergeant major may have a maximum of the fifth rank. If you put a midshipman in his position, who now has, for example, the ninth category, then he will lose money. Who will agree to this? There is only one way out: a midshipman in the position of foreman must receive allowances according to his previous rank. At the same time, we must not forget that, according to the law, a midshipman, after many years of service, has a number of social benefits. A sergeant major who has served the same terms does not have such benefits.