I believe that 1917 was the first opportunity that Jews had to become officers in the Russian military and many rose to the rank of General after that. It was also the first time that they were allowed entrance into the military academies.
Actually, Joseph Trumpeldor, the hero of Tel Hai, received his St. George order awarded for his bravery in Russo-Japan war and officer commission in 1906.
In a year 1917 with abdication of Nicolas II, Russian Empire has ceased to exist, and Jew in a new Russia could become a supreme commander of the Red Army, as Lev Trotsky did.
