collegium of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the Minister of Defense of Russia S.K.Shoigu announced the return of the institute of praporshchiks and michmans to the Russian Armed Forces. The Ministry of Defense introduced a new staffing table on July 1, in which, for the first time in five years, special positions for praporshchiks and michmans appeared. According to Colonel-General Viktor Goremykin, head of the Main Personnel Directorate (GUK) of the Ministry of Defense, about 100 positions have been allocated for praporshchiks and michmans, including only combat ones - “no warehouses, no bases” was the main requirement of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. These positions are generally subdivided into command (service platoon commander, commander of a combat group, combat vehicle, combat post) and technical (company technician, head of a radio station, electrician, paramedic, head of a repair shop, head of a technical unit, etc.). From December 1, 2008, these were considered NCO positions. State Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Nikolai Pankov said that the posts of praporshchiks and michmans require special education, but not at the level required of the commissioned officers. Insignia Army See also History of Russian military ranks Ranks and rank insignia of the Imperial Russian Army until 1917 Ranks and rank insignia of the Russian Federation's armed forces 1994–2010 Ranks and rank insignia of the Soviet Army 1955–1991 References External link Military ranks of Russia Military ranks of the Soviet Union