Social mobility of the russian army officer corps members during World War I

Abstract

During World War I the Army has become the most important institution of social mobility of Russian society. The article analyzes the basic career directions, trends and dynamics of the Russian Army officers under the war conditions as well as identifies the combination of factors which influenced them. The important factor of upward mobility in the officer corps was a multiple increase in the number of the army staff and, as a result, - an increase in number of positions. However, the increase of the officers' ranks, which proved their actual job status, traditionally depended on the time of service in their ranks and positions. The February Revolution not only has made upward mobility for the officers more favorable but also started the process of the military hierarchy destruction.