Military Ranks and Shoulder Boards of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Stars and Insignia

Military shoulder boards are one of the most visible ways to identify a service member’s rank, but accurate identification requires looking beyond the number of stars. The shape and placement of insignia, the elements used on sergeant shoulder boards, and the type of military uniform a design belongs to also matter.

This Punisher guide covers the military rank system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, explains rank insignia, and provides guidance on identifying shoulder boards. We will also look at how modern designs differ from older ones and why insignia from different periods should not be treated as parts of a single system. It should be noted at the outset that this material focuses on the army version of shoulder insignia, rather than providing a comprehensive catalog of all variants for the various branches of the armed forces.

Military Ranks and Shoulder Boards of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

A military rank determines a service member’s place in the established hierarchy. Shoulder boards and other rank insignia make it possible to identify that rank from the external features of a military uniform. At the same time, they may indicate other characteristics, such as affiliation with a particular military formation or category of service personnel.

It is important to distinguish between rank and position. A position defines a service member’s official duties, while rank reflects their place in the military hierarchy. Therefore, even if someone holds a leadership position, their rank is determined by the rank officially assigned to them, not by the title of their position.

In Ukraine, military ranks are divided into army and naval ranks. Naval ranks are used in the Naval Forces, while army ranks apply to the other relevant categories of service personnel. These systems include enlisted, sergeant, and senior enlisted, as well as officer personnel.

Uniform designs and rank insignia are regulated by normative documents issued by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. In particular, Order No. 370 establishes approved military uniform designs and general requirements for rank insignia, while Order No. 606 governs the rules for wearing them.

All Military Ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Their Corresponding Shoulder Boards

To identify a rank by its shoulder boards, first determine which category the service member belongs to. Different principles for displaying ranks are used for enlisted personnel, sergeants and senior enlisted personnel, junior officers, senior officers, and general officers.

Below is the complete hierarchy of Army ranks under Article 5 of the Law of Ukraine “On Military Duty and Military Service”.

Enlisted Personnel

The enlisted category includes three army ranks.

Recruit is a separate military rank, not simply an informal term for a newcomer. It is assigned in cases предусмотренных by law, including for a specified period of training or probation. Therefore, the absence of rank insignia on a shoulder board does not in itself mean that the person is a civilian or a service member without a rank.

Sergeant and Senior Enlisted Personnel

This category has several levels. In the modern system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, it is important to distinguish between junior, senior, and higher-level sergeant personnel. This affects not only the rank title but also the configuration of the insignia.

The insignia displayed on shoulder boards themselves may have a different design depending on the uniform and the approved pattern.

Sergeant insignia are read by considering the combination of elements. For example, three narrow chevrons correspond to the rank of sergeant, while a wide chevron combined with narrow ones and an arc-shaped stripe indicates higher levels of the sergeant hierarchy. Therefore, when identifying a rank, it is important not simply to count the stripes, but also to consider their width, shape, and relative placement.

Junior Officers

The junior officer category includes four army ranks.

For junior officers, the stars on the shoulder boards are the main identifying feature. However, they should only be counted on images of the same type: army shoulder boards cannot automatically be compared with naval ones, and field designs should not be compared with ceremonial designs.

Senior Officers

The senior officer category includes three army ranks.

Stars are also used for this category, but their number and placement must be checked against the official pattern. This is precisely the level at which it is particularly easy to make a mistake when relying only on old diagrams found online.

General Officers

The general officer category includes four army ranks.

Distinctive additional elements are used on the shoulder boards of general officers, including crossed maces in the prescribed design. Therefore, a general’s rank should not be identified solely by the number of stars: the entire composition of the insignia must be taken into account.

How to Identify a Military Rank by Shoulder Boards

The most reliable approach is to identify the rank step by step: first establish the type of uniform and the category of insignia, then examine its elements, and only after that match them to a specific rank.

What Do the Stars on Shoulder Boards Mean?

Stars are one of the main elements of officer rank insignia. Their number, size, and placement help distinguish one rank from another within the relevant shoulder board system.

However, there is no universal rule that “one star means one rank, two stars mean another” across all types of military uniforms. The meaning of the stars depends on the service member’s category, the rank system, and the approved shoulder board design. Under the uniform-wearing regulations, officer shoulder boards use gold-colored stars for ceremonial and service uniforms and black stars for field uniforms and special clothing, with established exceptions for naval ranks.

What Other Elements Help Identify a Rank?

• Chevrons. Their number, width, and shape are used to distinguish many enlisted and sergeant ranks;

• Arc-shaped stripe. In combination with other chevrons, it helps identify certain levels of the sergeant category;

• Crossed maces. A distinctive element of general officer shoulder boards;

• Color and design of the insignia. Insignia on field uniforms may be low-visibility and differ in color from those on ceremonial or service uniforms;

• Type of shoulder board. Shoulder boards with textile fasteners, sewn-on shoulder boards, and other approved designs should not be confused with one another or with sleeve insignia.

Identification Examples

If three narrow chevrons are visible on an Army sleeve insignia, this corresponds to the rank of Sergeant. If the insignia shows one wide chevron, one narrow chevron, and an arc-shaped stripe, this is the configuration for a Master Sergeant. These examples demonstrate why, when identifying sergeant ranks, it is important to consider not only the number of elements but also their shape.

The process is different for officer shoulder boards: determine the officer category, count the stars, check their placement, and look for additional insignia. If the image is cropped, blurred, or shows only part of a shoulder board, it may be impossible to establish the rank reliably.

By the way, a recruit and a soldier (seaman) have identical rank insignia on their shoulder boards – in both cases, it is a “blank shoulder board” with no additional elements. Therefore, it is impossible to determine which of these two ranks a service member holds based on the shoulder boards alone.

Old and New Shoulder Boards of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Key Differences

Modern shoulder boards of the Armed Forces of Ukraine should not be viewed simply as an updated version of older ones. The changes affected the military rank system itself, the design of rank insignia, and the rules for wearing military uniforms. Therefore, when comparing them, it is important to consider not only the appearance of the shoulder boards but also the period to which a particular design belongs.

The regulatory basis for the transition to the new designs was the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine Order No. 370 of July 18, 2017. The uniform-wearing rules approved by Order No. 606 provided for a transition period during which old-pattern ceremonial and service uniforms could continue to be worn until January 1, 2019.

How Do Old Shoulder Boards Differ from Modern Ones?

Older-pattern shoulder boards

They belong to previous military uniform systems and may differ in the construction of the shoulder boards, the design of stars, piping, and other elements. Not all older shoulder boards were identical: to make an accurate comparison, it is necessary to know the period and the regulations under which they were manufactured.

Modern shoulder boards of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Their appearance is determined by the current approved designs. The background color and the design of the insignia vary depending on the type of uniform. For example, officer stars on field uniforms may be black, while those on ceremonial and service uniforms may be gold-colored.

The main differences should be considered according to four features: shoulder board construction, the shape and placement of rank insignia, color, and materials. Changes in the rank hierarchy itself must also be taken into account separately: if a rank title or its position in the system has changed, the visual similarity between an old and a new shoulder board does not necessarily mean that they correspond completely.

To avoid mistakes, do not rely on diagrams widely circulated online if they have no date or source link. This is particularly important for tables that list older titles alongside modern ranks, such as Warrant Officer or Senior Warrant Officer. These belong to the previous rank system and should not be presented as current ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Types of Shoulder Boards Used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Shoulder boards differ not only according to rank. Their design depends on the type of military uniform, the material, and the attachment method. Therefore, the same rank may be represented by several versions of rank insignia.

Field Shoulder Boards

The field design is intended for use with combat uniforms and special clothing. Rank insignia generally have a low-visibility design that does not create a sharp contrast with the fabric. For officer shoulder boards, the regulations provide for black stars instead of the gold-colored ones characteristic of ceremonial and service uniforms.

Service Shoulder Boards

Service shoulder boards are worn with the corresponding items of military uniform. Their design must comply with the approved pattern for the specific type of clothing. Depending on the uniform construction, these may be shoulder boards with a textile fastener or another design provided for by the regulations.

Ceremonial Shoulder Boards

Ceremonial shoulder boards feature more prominent rank insignia. Where provided for by the regulations, gold-colored officer stars and other elements in the corresponding color are used. However, a ceremonial shoulder board should not be identified by color alone: its shape, material, and compliance with the approved pattern are also important.

How to Distinguish Shoulder Boards by Their Construction

When selecting shoulder boards or identifying a rank from a photograph, pay attention to the following details:

1. Shape and size. The shoulder board must correspond to the construction of the specific item of clothing.

2. Material. Fabric and other design options must correspond to their intended use and the approved pattern.

3. Attachment method. Shoulder boards may be attached using different methods provided for by their construction, including textile fasteners.

4. Color of rank insignia. It depends on the type of uniform and the established regulations.

5. Placement of elements. Stars, chevrons, and other insignia must correspond to the specific rank.

Therefore, there is no single universal shoulder board for each rank that can be used without qualification with any uniform. If you need the appropriate item to wear, you must check not only the rank but also the type of clothing and the approved design of the rank insignia.

Where to Find Shoulder Boards and Cockades

When selecting shoulder boards, it is important to consider the rank, the type of military uniform, and whether the product complies with the established pattern. Products that look similar may be intended for different items of clothing, so relying only on color or the number of rank insignia is not enough.

By the way, you can always browse the available options in the Shoulder Boards and Cockades category in our online store.

vitaliabuniak

Vitalii Buniak — article author

Military gear consultant

Before 2022, he worked as a sales assistant at the Panisher store. After the start of the full-scale invasion, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, gaining real combat experience.

Thanks to his combat experience and deep knowledge of tactical gear, Vitalii serves as a personal expert of the Panisher online store in the fields of:

• Clothing and footwear
• Equipment

His recommendations help customers choose reliable and functional gear for any conditions.