Performing military deeds, going to a feat, a serviceman obeys first of all a sense of duty. But doesn't a healthy ambition, an underlying desire to earn a reward, to be noted, add emotional and physical strength to a warrior? After all, it is not by chance that the proverb "On the world and death is red" has developed among the people. Therefore, at all times, from the moment of the appearance of the army as such, awards and distinctions for military labor were born. Military rituals related to the promotion of lower ranks, the most honorable - soldier's awards will be discussed at the final lesson on the topic of ritual actions of military service. The permanent leader of the column, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Lieutenant Colonel Vyacheslav MINER, completes his communication with readers.

Lesson eleven

For the service of the immaculate cross to pay...

* Ending. Beginning in N 3-5; 7-12 for 1998; N 1 for 1999

Initially, in the Old Russian army there were no special differences in the order of encouragement of ordinary and noble warriors. However, over time, the rite of awarding well-born soldiers began to have certain differences. They manifested themselves both in the form of a ritual and as rewards themselves.

Noticeably later, at the beginning of the XIX century, the lower ranks also had their own system of awards and rituals for awarding them. However, the incentive palette was not very diverse. For non-commissioned officers and privates, in particular, military order insignia, medals, gifts, cash bonuses, and stripes were provided. However, what was provided for the promotion of lower ranks was used quite effectively and in every possible way contributed to the emotional impact on military personnel.

Meanwhile, the award system in the Russian army was strictly hierarchical. So, for example, the ritual of awarding the order to a non-noble from the very beginning of the establishment of such an award in Russia seemed to be an exceptional case and necessarily associated with obtaining the nobility. With this in mind, an important innovation was the introduction in 1797 of a special badge of distinction in the Order of St. John the Baptist. Annas for the lower ranks, "who served in the army... blameless and inseparable for twenty years." The ritual of awarding the Annensky Badge had important consequences that had an educational impact. The awardees were released from corporal punishment, received a double salary, and then a pension "after their death, wherever they were." In the second half of the XIX century, this badge was awarded not only in wartime, but also in peacetime "for non-combat special feats and merits".

A similar badge was introduced in 1807 to the Order of St. George. Awarding this badge, like awarding the Annensky badge, gave the lower ranks a number of significant benefits. Benefits have greatly contributed to raising the prestige of the award.

In 1856, the St. George badge was divided into four degrees, which significantly expanded the range of recipients. In addition, the soldier's order was allowed to be worn even during the production of its cavalier as an officer, and only when receiving the officer's Order of George was the military order's insignia removed.

The ritual of awarding the St. George Cross eventually became the most revered in the Russian army. The status of the award played a huge role in this. Throughout the history of its existence, the badge served as a clear confirmation of the courage and courage of the cavalier, and these qualities were not only the most revered among the army, but also traditionally respected among the Russian people.

In the second half of the 19th century, strengthening the importance of the St. George Cross, the Russian government decided to transfer the awarded to the Guard. The emperor's personal participation in this ritual undoubtedly gave it great solemnity and symbolism, showing how highly the title of knight of the military order's insignia is valued.

In most cases, the award ceremony took place after major battles or performing some remarkable feats, and in peacetime-usually after conducting inspections. The award ceremony took place before the formation of the unit. However, there was no clearly defined legal rule in this regard. There are cases when awards were awarded directly in battle.

In the army environment, full cavaliers of St. George, who were awarded all four degrees of the cross ("full bow"), enjoyed special respect. Every Russian soldier dreamed of getting four crosses. This was the highest legalized state award for the lower ranks. However, in the history of the Russian army, there were cases when the ritual of awarding this award was performed five times. Two Russian soldiers-A. N. Volkov and P. E. Leonov for heroism in battles received in addition to the" full bow " one more George of the First degree.

A significant role in raising the prestige of the ritual of awarding badges of orders was played by celebrations on the occasion of order holidays. Since the second half of the XIX century, lower ranks have also been invited to them. One of these ceremonies is described in the Case of the celebration of St. George's Day and the invitation of soldiers awarded the Order of George to the holiday. Cavaliers of soldiers ' orders were sent invitations and special passes in advance with permission to enter the territory of the Kremlin or the Winter Palace. The order bearers always moved ahead of the tsar and his retinue.

The participation of lower ranks in the festivities gave the ceremony some democracy, equating distinguished soldiers and officers in their services to the Fatherland.

The most courageous and courageous of the soldiers and non - commissioned officers were awarded with the order's insignia. However, more common among soldiers were awards for military merit with medals. The preserved award documents of various years, especially petitions of soldiers of the Peter's army who did not receive their well-deserved awards in a timely manner, testified to how important the awarding ritual was for them, and how highly the Russian soldier valued the award itself. "My brothers are battalion soldiers, so the soldiers and sailors were at that battle and they received your sovereign's manets (as the soldiers called medals. - V. M.), but I am your slave, I did not receive them... May your kingdom command your servant for the battle described above... your sovereign beckons to give up."

To give the ritual of awarding the medal a more individual character, since the XVIII century, some of them were made nominal (with the name of the recipient indicated). They were intended for "persons who rendered outstanding services to the state", but by virtue of their non-noble origin were deprived of the right to receive the order.

During the reform of the Russian army, the highest military leadership carried out work aimed at expanding the opportunities for encouraging soldiers and non - commissioned officers during the peace period. Since 1867, the lower ranks were awarded medals "For diligence", which should have had a positive impact on the quality of combat training and strengthening military discipline. In addition, in 1873, the military department, continuing to work on strengthening the personnel of the army, issued " Regulations on awarding lower ranks for long service with gold and silver medals." Such medals were awarded to soldiers who proved themselves well during the mandatory service period and wished to remain in the army beyond the required years.

At the beginning of the XIX century, the Russian army introduced the ritual of awarding the lower ranks with stripes "for immaculate service". In 1815, soldiers and non-commissioned officers who served without comment for 25 years received stripes attached to the sleeve of their uniforms. Later, the emperor decided to expand the number of people encouraged. Stripes were solemnly awarded for exemplary service after 10, 15 and 20 years. The ritual of awarding chevrons and stripes was intended to instill in military personnel respect for the bearers of these distinctions and create another incentive to unquestioningly fulfill orders, regulations and continue service.

In the XIX - early XX century, the ritual of awarding money became widespread. It took place, as a rule, in peacetime and was the main one for the lower ranks, since the rest of the awards were intended mainly for military campaigns.

The amount of the award could be from five kopecks to two rubles. The money reward ritual was sometimes performed in wartime as well. As the "History of the Absheron Regiment" testified, for example, during the period of military operations in the Caucasus, soldiers who already had the insignia of the military order received money personally. Often, a glass of vodka was added to the award of money (later this addition became a tradition in the Russian army).

From the conducted analysis, it can be concluded that the ritual of awarding throughout the history of the Russian army was improved along with the system of awards and found its consolidation in traditions (the order of awarding awards) and in legislative acts (the order of awarding). It was held to educate military personnel to strive to perform their tasks as efficiently as possible and strictly observe the discipline and order requirements established in the armed forces. This goal was achieved by creating a number of benefits and benefits received together with the award, consolidating traditions of respect for symbols of courage and service skills, as well as for the awardees themselves, maintaining an atmosphere of solemnity and symbolism during the award presentation.

FROM THE EDITORIAL OFFICE. The final lesson on military rituals in the Russian army does not mean drawing a line under this topic. We have considered only the basic ritual actions that accompany military service. And this was done through a historical prism. About today's day, about the development and improvement of military rituals, about the methodology and organization of their conduct, we hope to lead a conversation in the future with your, dear readers, help. The doors of our methodical class are always open to everyone.

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