Career Paths of the Officers in the 2nd Army of the Russian Empire in 1820–1825

This paper represents an attempt to analyze the life cycle of Russian infantry officers in the 1st half of the 1820s, based on data from the orders of the 2nd Army. Generally, officers were promoted every two or three years in the regiment, in which they served. However, upon promotion from captain to major, majority of the officers transferred between different regiments. To advance from major to lieutenant colonel or higher, they were required to achieve notable accomplishments or face dismissal. Many officers, particularly those below the rank of staff captain, were dismissed due to personal circumstances. Typically, only lieutenant colonels and higher ranks received pensions and retained the right to wear uniforms after retirement, reflecting their long service. Captains, on the other hand, usually maintained only the right to wear their uniforms without the accompanying pension. Those dismissed from ranks below captain frequently lacked even the right to wear a uniform. This resulted in a significant contrast between the lives of officers who left service early without a pension and those who served extensively and received one. For the former, military service often served merely as a means to attain social status, while for the latter, it became essential to their sense of purpose. Additionally, some non-commissioned officers of non-noble origin were able to achieve nobility and secure pensions through their service.