Russian Officers Day Date in the current year: August 21, 2024

In the broadest sense, the term “officer” refers to a person who has a position of authority in a hierarchical organization. In the Russian language, however, it almost always refers to officials in the armed forces and uniformed services who have received special training (for example, higher education) and are authorized to hold a position of authority that is relevant to their rank and training profile.

In the present-day Russian Armed Forces, officer ranks are divided into several groups: junior officers (from junior lieutenant to captain / captain lieutenant in the navy), senior officers (from major to colonel or from captain 3rd rank to captain 1st rank in the navy), and general officers (generals, admirals, Marshal of the Russian Federation).

Anyone who has reached a certain age, is physically qualified, has received appropriate education and meets certain requirements can become an officer in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Graduates of military universities are given the rank of lieutenant, and graduates of military departments (faculties) of civilian universities are given the rank of lieutenant of the reserve.

Outside of the Armed Forces, there are officer ranks in the military prosecutor’s office, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Federal Security Service, the Federal Protective Service, the Foreign Intelligence Service, and the National Guard of the Russian Federation. Although the term “officer” isn’t officially used in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, high-ranking officials in the Ministry are traditionally referred to as officers as well.

Officers of Russia is a non-governmental organization that was created to consolidate acting officers and veterans of the Armed Forces and uniformed services, to protect the rights of officers and members of their families, and to improve the public order and the national defense capability. Since its establishment, Officers of Russia has organized over 5,000 events, including the annual celebration of Russian Officers Day. Although the holiday has no official status, it is widely celebrated by Russian officers and members of their families.