Over 40 years ago, the picture "Into a Clear Fire" was released on the screens of the USSR. Despite the fact that popular actors starred there, the film did not find a response in the hearts of the audience, but it became popular. The romance of Okudzhava about the cadets contributed to the popularity of the film. What is this title and who was so called in different countries?
Who are the Junkers?
Until 1917, this rank was the name of those military who claimed the first chief officer status in their life. After 1859 the title was abolished. From that moment on, everyone who studied in military-type institutions in Russia before the revolution, that is, was a cadet, became junkers.
Like most titles at the time, the word came from Germany. In many European countries, the offspring of noble, but impoverished families, in order to eat something and somehow earn money, went through a military career. In Germany, such soldiers were called junger Herr. A little later, this word gave the name to the rank of cadet and passed to Russia.
Who were called junkers in different troops
The title was used both in the infantry and in other troops:
- The artillery had the rank of bayonet-cadet and corresponded to the rank of guard sergeant. He was not an officer.
- Until the fifties of the 19th century, the light cavalry used the rank of Fanen Junker. This is an intermediate rank between non-commissioned and chief officer ranks. This rank corresponded to the ensign.
- The heavy cavalry used the rank of standard-junker. The title was introduced for the military who had noble measles, in order to raise the status of such citizens over the military without origin. The rank was temporary - until the nobleman became an officer. Non-nobles could also receive this title, but after 10-12 years and after passing the exams.
- The navy took the rank of cadet at the end of the 19th century. The bearers of this title were volunteers if they had the title of chief officer and a higher education.
These are the most common variations of the rank and the cases of its use in various branches of the military.
Junkers in the German army?
In Prussia, at the beginning of the 19th century, one of the main ranks of the nobility was just defined as "junker", but the definition of the word as a rank for military personnel was received later.
After the German army lost in the First World War, cardinal changes took place in its ranks. For example, the title of fan-junker began to be attributed to the rank and file, so it became widespread. The title was awarded to everyone who served at least six months and passed the exams. When the Wehrmacht came, the rank went to the professional military. When World War II ended, the rank was equated to a non-commissioned officer, but with a number of advantages.
Who are the cadets today?
Today the rank of junker is widespread in Sweden. Until the 70s of the 20th century, Fanen-Junker was called those who preceded the Ferwalter, and then for 10 years it belonged to the highest ranks of its category.
Until 2009, the rank did not exist in the Swedish ground forces, but it was used in aviation and in the navy. And in 2009 it began to be used in the infantry.