the usual Western style is some variation in generals' rank titles—in at least one case, Colonel General, derived from German usage. Most of the modern rank names used in the Russian military were borrowed from existing German/Prussian, French, English, Dutch, and Polish ranks upon the formation of the modern Russian Army in the late 17th century, and have lasted with few changes of title through the Soviet period. Officers The rank insignia of commissioned officers. Other ranks The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel. Commanders Commander-in-chief (1992–1997) Vladimir Semyonov (1992–1997) Chief of the Main Directorate (1998–2001) Yury Bukreyev (1998–2001) Commander-in-chief (2001–present) Nikolai Kormiltsev (2001–2004) Aleksei Maslov (2004–2008) Vladimir Boldyrev (2008–2010) Aleksandr Postnikov-Streltsov (2010–2012) Vladimir Chirkin (2012–2013) Sergei Istrakov (2013–2014, acting) Oleg Salyukov (2014–present) Ground Forces Day On 31 May 2006, President Vladimir Putin signed decree No. 549 "On the establishment of professional holidays and memorable days in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation", according to which it was ordered to celebrate Ground Forces Day (). The date chosen for the holiday commemorates the edict made by Tsar Ivan the Terrible on 1 October 1550 on the placement in Moscow and surrounding districts of a thousand servicemen forming a local brigade of Streltsy, which essentially became a key document in the further formation and development of the Imperial Russian Army. Ground Forces Day was first celebrated on the Preobrazhenskaya Square in Moscow in the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, where a bishop's service was held. Before the start of the service, an order of the Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu and the decree of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow were read, according to which the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord officially became the main temple of the RF Ground Forces. A year later, the holiday was celebrated with the adoption of the Ground Forces Anthem. The following holidays are also celebrated by the Ground Forces: Day of Tankmen, Day of Rocket Forces and Artillery, Day of Air Defense. See also Naval Infantry (Russia) Awards and emblems of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation References Bibliography Scott, Harriet Fast & Scott, William F. Russian Military Directories 2002 & 2004 External links Military of Russia pt:Forças Armadas da Rússia