Military ranks and insignia of Republika Srpska show military rank hierarchy and insignia system in Republika Srpska during existence of Army of Republika Srpska (, ) from May 12, 1992 to January 1, 2006, when it was merged into Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In period of existence of Army of Republika Srpska there was three periods of changing ranks: Period of same as Yugoslav People's Army ranks (1992–1997), Period of first change and modernization (1997–2000) and Last changes before merging into Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (2000–2006).
1992–1997
This period is considered as war-time and post-war. Ranks in these period are first military ranks in Republika Srpska. During the war and because of the link between Army of Republika Srpska and Yugoslav People's Army, these two armies shared an identical ranks system. The VRS almost always used field ranks due to the situation and the fact that only combat uniforms were worn by soldiers and officers. According to Article 4 of "Decision of founding Army of Serb Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina" on May 12, 1992, VRS ranks were the same as in the JNA: for soldiers: (private), (lance corporal), (corporal) and (junior sergeant), for non-commissioned officers: (sergeant), (sergeant first class), (senior sergeant), (first sergeant), (warrant officer), (chief warrant officer), for officers: (second lieutenant), (lieutenant), (captain), (senior captain), (major), (lieutenant colonel), (colonel), for generals: (major general), (lieutenant colonel general), (colonel general) and (army general).
Ranks were worn on combat uniform above the left breast pocket on part of canvas with velcro behind. Branch insignia were placed above the rank. Usually high officers had it on their ranks.
Uniform insignia consisted of a round-shaped flag with the Cyrillic inscription Army of Republika Srpska (, translit. ) worn on left arm.
Generals and officers (1992–1997) Republika Srpska Usual Translation Army general Colonel general Lieutenant colonel general Major general Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Senior captain Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant
Non-commissioned officers (1992–1997) Republika Srpska No insignia Usual Translation Chief warrant officer Warrant officer First sergeant Senior sergeant Sergeant first class Sergeant Corporal Lance-Corporal Private First Class Private
1997–2000 After the war, the Army of Republika Srpska's administration modernized the look of army ranks. Despite a more modern design, they incorporated style elements and names according to Serbian military tradition and history. One change was that general ranks changed names ( to ). The new ranks came into effect in 1997, when new uniforms came into service. Ranks from that period were: for soldiers: (private), (1st class private) and (junior sergeant), for non-commissioned officers: (sergeant), (senior sergeant), (warrant officer), for officers: (lieutenant), (captain), (major), (lieutenant colonel), (colonel), for generals: (major general), (lieutenant colonel general), (colonel general) and (army general).
Generals and officers (1997–2000) Republika Srpska No insignia Usual Translation Army general Colonel general Lieutenant colonel general Major general Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant
Non-commissioned officers (1997–2000) Republika Srpska No insignia No insignia No insignia Usual Translation Warrant officer Senior sergeant Sergeant Junior sergeant Private first class Private
See also Army of Republika Srpska
References