Black Powder: Crimean War Russian Generals & OfficersRussian officers usually came from the nobility and either trained at one of the various military cadet schools or acted as a volunteer officer in a regiment before being confirmed in post. A few officers were promoted from the ranks, having served for a number of years as NCOs, but this was not commonplace. Initiative was not encouraged amongst the officer class, who were given little training beyond the parade ground drill anyway. Officers obeyed