View source for Starshina

{{italic title}}
{{for|a Cossack category of military officers|Cossack starshyna}}
{{short description|Military rank and historical civil service rank}}
'''{{lang|ru-Latn|Starshina}}''' ({{lang-rus|Старшина|p=stərʂɨˈna|a=Ru-старшина.ogg}} or {{langx|uk|Старшина|'''Starshyna'''}}) is a senior military rank or designation in the military forces of some [[Slavs|Slavic]] states, and a historical military designation. Depending on a country, it had different meanings. In the 19th century with the expansion of the [[Imperial Russia]] into [[Turkestan]] and the [[Central Asia]], the word was even used to identify some Turkic leaders as a basic Russian word for [[aqsaqal]] (white-beard).

In [[Cossacks|Cossack]] armies the term initially identified a commissioned officer.<ref>[https://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=/pages/c/o/cossackstarshynait.htm Cossack starshyna]. Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (www.encyclopediaofukraine.com)</ref> During the times of [[Cossack Hetmanate]], starshyna was a [[collective noun]], and people described with this word were divided into [[Cossack starshyna|starshyna]] (officers) and general starshyna (general officers) the latter being part of the [[Hetman]]'s General [[Cossack Rada]]. In [[Russian Empire|Russia]] the term was later adopted to describe a non-commissioned officer rank. Following the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]], most of post-Soviet countries have adopted the Russian interpretation of the word.

Since the 1930s in the Soviet and later Russian army terminology, a starshina has been equivalent to "[[Sergeant Major]]"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/rank.htm|title = Military Rank / Russian Federation}}</ref> (Most senior member at the company level) or a rank equal to a [[Ranks and insignia of NATO|NATO OR-8]]. In naval terminology, ''starshina'' is a general term for junior and middle-ranking non-commissioned officers, similar in usage to "[[Chief Petty Officer]]".

The word originates from [[Old East Slavic]] language «*старъ»(old)

==Russia==
=== Imperial Russia ===
Later, in the [[Tsardom of Russia]] and [[Imperial Russia]], a {{lang|ru-Latn|volostnoy starshina}} was the chief of a {{lang|ru-Latn|[[volost]]}} (a rural administrative unit), in charge of the distribution of taxes, resolving conflicts within {{lang|ru-Latn|[[obshchina]]}} (communes), distributing community lands and military conscription. The rank of {{lang|ru-Latn|Voiskovoi starshina}} ({{lang|ru|Войсковой старшина}} – Starshina of the [[Cossack host|Army (Host)]]) was introduced into the ranks of the Imperial military in 1826, as the equivalent of a "[[Lieutenant Colonel]]" in the [[Cossack]] [[cavalry]].

<gallery class="center">
Аксакал деревни Ходжагент.jpg|[[Uzbeks|Uzbek]], ''stashina'' ([[aqsaqal]]) village Chodshagent <small>(ru: Ходжагент)</small>, 1868, drawing by [[Vasily Vereshchagin|V.V. Vereshchagin]]
Bashkir elder.jpg|[[Bashkirs]]-starshina with starshina insignia (medal), [[Orenburg]], 1892
</gallery>

=== Soviet Union and Russian Federation ===
{{noref|section|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox military rank
| name           = {{lang|ru-Latn|Starshina}}
| native_name    = {{lang|ru|Старшина}}
| image          = {{nobreak| [[File:Russia-Army-OR-8-2010.svg|80px]] [[File:Russia-Airforce-OR-8-2010.svg|80px]]}}
| image_size     = 
| alt            =
| caption        = Army and air force insignia
| image2         = 
| image_size2    = 
| alt2           =
| caption2       = 
| image3         = 
| image_size3    = 
| alt3           =
| caption3       = 
| country        = {{flag|Russia}}
| service branch = {{army|Russia}}<br />{{air force|Russia}}
| abbreviation   = 
| rank group     = [[Non-commissioned officer]]
| rank           = 
| NATO rank      = 
| Non-NATO rank  = 
| pay grade      = 
| formation      = 1935
| abolished      = 
| higher rank    = {{lang|ru|[[Praporshchik]]}}
| lower rank     = {{lang|ru|Stárshy serzhánt}}
| equivalents    = [[Glavny starshina of the ship|''Glavny starshina'' of the ship]]
| history        = 
}}
The word {{lang|ru-Latn|starshina}} gained its modern meaning in the Red Army, and is a hangover from the functional titles (like "Brigade Commander" or "Assistant Platoon Leader") that were initially used by that force – the word literally means "senior". Most functional titles in the Red Army were abolished in 1942, but {{lang|ru-Latn|starshina}} remained. {{lang|ru-Latn|Starshina}} was the highest [[non-commissioned officer|non-commissioned]] rank in the Soviet Army until the reintroduction of the imperial rank of ''[[Praporshchik]]'' in 1972.

In the [[Soviet Navy]], the term {{lang|ru-Latn|starshina}} was introduced between 1940 and 1943 as term equivalent to "[[Petty Officer]]" for every enlisted [[Sailor|seaman]] above "''[[Seaman (rank)#Russia|Matros]], 1st class.''" There was also created a rank equal to {{lang|ru-Latn|starshina}} in the Army, but termed {{lang|ru-Latn|[[Glavny starshina of the ship|Glavnyy korabel'nyy starshina]]}} ({{translation|Chief Petty Officer of the Ship}}) – this is the naval rank depicted in the tables below.

==== Insignia in the Red Army (1919–1946) and Soviet Armed Forces (1946–1991) ====
{{See also|Ranks and rank insignia of the Red Army 1918–1935|Ranks and rank insignia of the Red Army 1935–1940|Ranks and rank insignia of the Red Army 1940–1943}}
{{See also|Ranks and rank insignia of the Soviet Army 1943–1955|Ranks and rank insignia of the Soviet Army 1955–1991}}
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 12px 12px 12px 0px;"
|- align="center"
| [[File:Soviet Red Star Insignia.png|55px]]
| rowspan="2" | [[File:RA I K2a 1924v.jpg|40px]]
| rowspan="2" | [[File:1935-i-pg06v.png|30px]]
| rowspan="2" | [[File:RA I Starshina 1941v.png|40px]]
| rowspan="2" |[[File:RA-SA A-engin R8FirstSg 1955.png|50px]]
| rowspan="2" |[[File:RA-SA A R8FirstSg 1955field.gif|53px]]
| rowspan="2" |[[File:SA A-inf R8FirstSg 1963v.svg|47px]]
| rowspan="2" |[[File:SA AF R8FirstSg 1963v.svg|47px]]
| rowspan="2" |[[File:RAF N R8Starshina 1924-1940.gif|50px]]
| rowspan="2" |[[File:Rank insignia of главный корабельный старшина of the Soviet Navy.svg|45px]]
| rowspan="2" |[[File:Погон старшины ВВС с 2010 года.png|45px]]
|- align="center"
| [[File:RA OR8-Starshina 1919v1.svg|75px]]
|- align="center"
|<small>(1919–1924)</small>
|collar<br>insignia<br><small>(1924–1935)</small>
|collar insignia<br><small>(1935–1940)</small>
|collar insignia<br><small>(1941–1943)</small>
|Technical<br>troops<br><small>(1943–1946)</small>
|Ground combat troops<br><small>(1943–1955)</small>
|[[Ground forces]]<br><small>(1955–1963)</small>
|[[Soviet Air Forces|Air force]],<br>airborne forces,<br>air defence forces<br><small>(1955–1963)</small>
|[[Navy|<small>Navy</small>]]<small><br>(1924–1940)</small>
|[[Navy]]<br><small>(1955–1963)</small>
|Air force, airborne forces<br><small>(1963–1994)</small>
|}

==== Insignia in the Russian Federation ====
{{See also|Ranks and rank insignia of the Russian Federation's armed forces 1994–2010}}
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 12px 12px 12px 0px;"
! colspan="4" |Russian Federation
|
|
|
|
|
|- align="center"
| [[File:RFAF - Starshina - Every day green.png|50px]]
| [[File:Russia-Army-OR-8-1994-field.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Russia-Navy-OR-8-1994-everyday.svg|50px]]
| [[File:RAF AF-ABTr R8Kursant 2010.png|50px]]
| [[File:Rus starshina field.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Погон старшины ВВС с 2010 года.png|50px]]
| [[File:Старшина ВВ(Р).png|50px]]
| [[File:Russia-Police-OR-8-2013.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Rank insignia of главный корабельный старшина 2 of the Soviet Navy.svg|50px]]
|- align="center"
|[[Strategic Missile Troops]],
Airborne Forces
(service dress)<br><small>(1994–2010)</small>
|Ground Forces<br>(service dress)<br><small>(1994–2010)</small>
|Navy
(dress uniform)<br><small>(1994–2010)</small>
|Air Force and Airborne Forces
''kursant'' ("cadet") with rank of Starshina<br>(dress uniform)<br><small>(1994–2011)</small>
|Field dress<br><small>(1994–2010)</small>
|Air force, airborne forces<br><small>(2011–2015)</small>
|[[Internal Troops of Russia|Internal troops]]<br><small>(1995–2016)<br /></small>[[Ministry of Emergency Situations (Russia)|Ministry of Emergency Situations]] (firefighters)<br><small>(1995–2001)</small>
|''Militsiya,'' police,
some internal troops
|Navy<br>(dress uniform)<br><small>(after 2010)</small>
|}

==Insignia==
<gallery class="center">
<!-- In alphabetic order of Country please -->
Russia-Army-OR-8-1994-field.svg|{{lang|be|Старшына}}<br />{{lang|be-Latn|Staršyna}}<br />([[Belarusian Ground Forces]])<ref name="Belarus">{{cite web |title=Указ Президента Республики Беларусь от 21.07.2009 N 388 "О военной форме одежды, знаках различия по воинским званиям и внесении дополнений в Указ Президента Республики Беларусь от 9 июня 2006 г. N 383" |url=http://pravo.levonevsky.org/bazaby11/republic09/text814.htm |website=pravo.levonevsky.org/ |publisher=Government of Belarus |access-date=30 May 2021 |language=ru}}</ref>
Bulgaria-Army-OR-8.svg|{{lang|bg|Старшина}}<br />{{lang|bg-Latn|Starshyna}}<br />([[Bulgarian Land Forces]])<ref name="Bulgaria">{{cite web |title=ЗАКОН ЗА ОТБРАНАТА И ВЪОРЪЖЕНИТЕ СИЛИ НА РЕПУБЛИКА БЪЛГАРИЯ |url=https://www.lex.bg/bg/laws/ldoc/2135631954 |website=lex.bg |access-date=25 May 2021 |location=Глава седма. ВОЕННА СЛУЖБА |language=bg |date=12 May 2009}}</ref>
06.Kyrgyzstan Army-MSG.svg|{{lang|ky|Старшина}}<br />{{lang|ky-Latn|Starşina}}<br />([[Kyrgyz Army]])<ref name="Kyrgyzstan">{{cite web |title=Кыргыз Республикасынын жарандарынын жалпыга бирдей аскердик милдети жөнүндө, аскердик жана альтернативдик кызматтар жөнүндө |url=http://cbd.minjust.gov.kg/act/view/ky-kg/202536 |website=cbd.minjust.gov.kg/ |publisher=Ministry of Justice (Kyrgyzstan) |access-date=3 June 2021 |language=ky |date=9 February 2009}}</ref>
Russia-Army-OR-8-2010.svg|{{lang|ru|Старшина́}}<br />{{lang|ru-Latn|Starshyná}}<br />([[Russian Ground Forces]])<ref name="Russia_Army&AirForce">{{cite web |title=Указ Президента Российской Федерации от 11 марта 2010 года № 293 "О военной форме одежды, знаках различия военнослужащих и ведомственных знаках отличия" |url=https://rg.ru/2010/03/12/forma-dok.html |website=rg.ru |publisher=Российской газеты |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=ru |date=12 March 2010}}</ref>
Tajikistan-Army-OR-8.png|{{lang|tg|Старшина}}<br />{{lang|tg-Latn|Starshyna}}<br />([[Tajik Ground Forces]])<ref name="Tajikistan">{{cite web |title=ҚОНУНИ ҶУМҲУРИИ ТОҶИКИСТОН ДАР БОРАИ ЎҲДАДОРИИ УМУМИИ ҲАРБӢ ВА ХИЗМАТИ ҲАРБӢ |url=https://majmilli.tj/%D2%9B%D0%BE%D0%BD%D1%83%D0%BD%D0%B8-%D2%B7%D1%83%D0%BC%D2%B3%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B8-%D1%82%D0%BE%D2%B7%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BD-%D0%B4%D0%B0%D1%80-%D0%B1%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B8-35/ |website=majmilli.tj |publisher=The National Assembly of the Republic of Tajikistan |access-date=2 June 2021 |language=tg |date=13 April 2017}}</ref>
Turkmenistan army OR-8.svg|{{lang|tk|Starşina}}<br />([[Turkmen Ground Forces]])<ref name="Turkmenistan">{{cite web |title=TÜRKMENISTANYŇ KANUNY Harby borçlulyk we harby gulluk hakynda (Türkmenistanyň Mejlisiniň Maglumatlary 2010 ý., № 3, 58-nji madda) (Türkmenistanyň 01.10.2011 ý. № 234-IV Kanuny esasynda girizilen üýtgetmeler we goşmaçalar bilen) |trans-title=LAW OF TURKMENISTAN On military service and military service (Information of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, 2010, No. 3, Article 58) (as amended by the Law of Turkmenistan of October 1, 2011 No. 234-IV)  |url=https://milligosun.gov.tm/storage/file/04-harby-borclulyk-we-harby-gulluk-hakynda-ky9J0pKxTQ.pdf |website=milligosun.gov.tm |publisher=Ministry of Defense (Turkmenistan) |access-date=2 June 2021 |pages=28–29 |language=tk}}</ref>
</gallery>

===Language variants===
In some [[Communist state#Former communist states|former communist state]], the rank of "older" is used with the local language variants.
<gallery class="center">
<!-- In alphabetic order of Country please -->
Armenia-Army-OR-8.svg|{{lang|hy|ԱՎԱԳ}}<br />{{lang|hy-Latn|Avag}}<br />([[Armenian Ground Forces]])<ref name="Armenia">{{cite web |title=ԶԻՆՎՈՐԱԿԱՆ ԾԱՌԱՅՈՒԹՅԱՆ ԵՎ ԶԻՆԾԱՌԱՅՈՂԻ ԿԱՐԳԱՎԻՃԱԿԻ ՄԱՍԻՆ |url=https://www.arlis.am/documentview.aspx?docid=117633 |website=arlis.am |publisher=Legal information system of Armenia |access-date=3 June 2021 |language=hy |date=15 November 2017}}</ref>
Mongolian Army-SGT-service.svg|{{lang|mn|Aхлагч}}<br />{{lang|mn-Latn|Akhlagch}}<br />([[Mongolian Ground Force]])<ref name="Mongolia">{{cite web |author1=Chief of General Staff |author1-link=Chief of General Staff (Mongolia) |title=Order of the Chief of the General Staff: Number A / 595 |date=25 November 2019 |website=gsmaf.gov.mn |pages=20–26 |url=https://www.gsmaf.gov.mn/gsmaf/onePost/1331 |access-date=18 September 2021 |language=mn}}</ref>
</gallery>

==Naval variants==
*{{lang|ru-Latn|[[Glavny starshina of the ship]]}}
*{{lang|ru-Latn|[[Glavny starshina]]}}
*{{lang|ru-Latn|[[Starshina 1st stage]]}}
*{{lang|ru-Latn|[[Starshina 2nd stage]]}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=/pages/c/o/cossackstarshynait.htm Cossack starshyna] at the [[Encyclopedia of Ukraine]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Starshina}}
[[Category:Military organization of Cossacks]]
[[Category:Military ranks of Russia]]
[[Category:Military ranks of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Military ranks of Ukraine]]
[[Category:Titles of national or ethnic leadership]]