the Russian Imperial Army which granted to the Tsars the military rank in their capacity as Commanders-in-Chief. Formally it existed until 1993 but it was never used after Stalin's death. In the 1970s, the non-commissioned officers serving under contract and holding Starshina (Master Sergeant) rank were reassigned to newly created Praporshchik rank (not to be confused with similarly named Russian Empire rank of commissioned officers); starshina was reserved for conscripts only. In the Soviet Navy, however, as the Midshipman rank was formally elevated to that of a warrant officer, the NCO role of Midshipmen was replaced by the new rank of Ship Chief Master Sergeant as a result of the naval rank change. At the same time all rank insignia became uniform for the Army and Air Force plus the other services, the Navy retained theirs. Generals of the Army and Admirals soon had their insignia changed in 1974. The final change was in 1981 when Senior Praporshchik and Senior Midshipman ranks were added in the ranks of warrant officers. The table of Soviet military ranks can see in military ranks of the Soviet Union or in the section below (as they were the same as present military ranks of the Russian Federation). Russian Federation The independent Russia inherited the ranks of the Soviet Union, although the insignia and uniforms were altered a little. The following is a table of ranks of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Russian armed forces have two styles of ranks: deck ranks (navy style ranks) and troop ranks (army and other forces style ranks). The following table of Ranks is based on those of the Russian Federation. Troop ranks are used by: Ministry of Defence Ground Forces (Army) Aerospace Forces Navy — Naval Infantry (Marines), Naval Aviation other various shore services of the navy Special Operations Forces Strategic Importance Missile Troops (Independent Corps) Airborne Troops (Independent Corps) Federal Agency of Special Construction Railway Troops of the Russian Federation Rear of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) Police, formerly Militia National Guard of Russia National Guard Forces Command Federal Security Service (FSB) and Border Service of the FSB Federal Protective Service (FSO) Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Chief directorate of special programs of the President Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) Civil Defense Troops Military personnel of the Russian State Fire Service Deck (Navy) ranks are used by: Ministry of