Ranks of the German Bundeswehr

Rank insignia are worn on both shoulders.

See also

⇒ Article: Rank insignia of the German Bundeswehr

Enlisted personnel (Mannschaften) were largely made up of conscripts serving their term which could be voluntarily extended to a maximum total of 23 months. Since July 2011, compulsory military service has now been suspended during peacetime. Since this was replaced by a purely voluntary service, still a large part of the enlisted personnel are serving less than two years (voluntary military service – two years or more contracts are called Soldier for a Period of Time). Starting as Schütze (Rifleman) or trooper a promotion to Gefreiter rank is expected after primary recruit training (usually after three or six months depending on the service unit). After an additional three months of service (usually consisting of special training required for their branch of service) a soldier is usually promoted to Obergefreiter rank unless they fail even most basic requirements. Enlisted soldiers will usually receive their Hauptgefreiter promotion after nine months to award outstanding performance or after twelve months of service. With higher qualification it is also possible to be promoted to Hauptgefreiter by the first day.

To be promoted Stabsgefreiter a soldier requires at least three years of enlisted service. Soldiers may opt to sign long-term contracts as enlisted soldiers, but most enlisted soldiers serving long terms in fact applied for NCO (non-commissioned officer) careers but failed their training requirements and opted to serve their term as enlisted soldiers rather than being released from service immediately.

To be promoted to Oberstabsgefreiter a soldier requires at least four years of enlisted service.

The most important distinction between NCOs and enlisted men is that the latter cannot give any order even to lower-ranking soldiers unless specific circumstances apply (e.g. while on guard duty or to soldiers ordered to do so by their regular chain of command).

The rank Soldat is replaced by ranks specific to their Truppengattung (branch of service):

• Flieger (Flg) Airman
• Funker (Fu) Signaller
• Grenadier (Gren) Grenadier
• Jäger (Jg) Ranger (lit. Hunter)
• Kanonier (Kan) Gunner/Bombardier
• Matrose (M) Seaman/Sailor
• Pionier (Pi) Engineer
• Panzerfunker (PzFu) Mech. Radioman
• Panzergrenadier (PzGren) Mech. Grenadeer
• Panzerjäger (PzJg) Tank Destroyer/Hunter
• Panzerkanonier (PzKan) Armour Gunner
• Panzerpionier (PzPi) Armour Pioneer
• Panzerschütze (PzSchtz) Tanker/Armour Rifleman
• Panzersoldat (PzSdt) Tanker
• Sanitätssoldat (SanSdt) Medic
• Schütze (Schtz) Rifleman (catch-all rank for supply and other branches)

Heer, Luftwaffe	NATO	Rank insignia
Heer: Soldat (Private) Luftwaffe: Flieger (Airman)	OR-1[2]	Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Panzertruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger
Gefreiter (Private second class)	OR-2	Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Jägertruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger
Obergefreiter (Private first class)	OR-3	Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Heeresaufklärungstruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger
Hauptgefreiter (Private first class)		Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Artillerietruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger
Stabsgefreiter (Corporal)	OR-4	Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Heeresflugabwehrtruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger
Oberstabsgefreiter (Corporal)		Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Fernmeldetruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger

Heer, Luftwaffe	NATO	Rank insignia
Non-commissioned Officers "without swordknot"/ Unteroffiziere "ohne Portepee"
Unteroffizier (Sergeant)	OR-5	Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Panzergrenadiertruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger
Stabsunteroffizier (Sergeant)		Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Panzertruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger
Non-commissioned Officers "with swordknot"/ Unteroffiziere "mit Portepee"
Feldwebel (Sergeant First Class)	OR-6	Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Artillerietruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger
Oberfeldwebel (Staff Sergeant)	OR-6	Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Heeresflugabwehrtruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger
Hauptfeldwebel (Sergeant Major)	OR-7	Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger ABC-Abwehrtruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger
Stabsfeldwebel (Corp Sergeant Major)	OR-8	Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Fernmeldetruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger
Oberstabsfeldwebel (Field Sergeant)	OR-9	Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Heeresaufklärungstruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger

NCOs (Unteroffiziere) play an important role in the Heer as they are entrusted the command of most sub-company units. They often are referred to as the backbone of the army. Especially Feldwebels and above carry similar responsibilities officers have. This is largely due to the German military doctrine of Auftragstaktik: German orders usually do not include specific instructions, but rather a task, the available time and the available means. This gives leaders of smaller units a great deal of freedom and responsibility.

Since the ancient time of Prussian Army, the non-commissioned officers or subofficers of German armies are distinguished into a) Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee (sub-officers without lanyard) b) Unteroffiziere mit Portepee (sub-officers with lanyard)

These terms originate from the tradition that Prussian NCOs from the rank of Feldwebel upwards were entitled to bear a lanyard on their sabre.

Soldiers have the possibility to start with the rank of an Unteroffizier or even Stabsunteroffizier if they already have a civil apprenticeship which qualifies them for any army-equivalent position. Civil master craftsman of army-relevant jobs may directly start as Feldwebel. The army decides depending on the availability of positions.

The promotion to Oberfeldwebel is regularly given after one year as Feldwebel. Any higher rank requires a certain number of years in their previous rank and performance. Soldiers with at least eight years active duty (six for flying crews and those in some other positions), of which five are as a feldwebel, are eligible for promotion to hauptfeldwebel. Those serving for at least 12 years have the chance to become a Stabsfeldwebel. 16 years after promotion to Feldwebel, and six years after promotion to hauptfeldwebel a soldier may be eligible for promotion to Oberstabsfeldwebel.[3]

These rules apply for navy sub-officers in the same way.

Heer, Luftwaffe	NATO	Rank insignia
Non-commissioned Officers – Officer Cadets
Fahnenjunker (Ensign esquire)	OR-5	Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Panzertruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger
Fähnrich (Ensign)	OR-6	Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Pioniertruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger
Oberfähnrich (Leading ensign)	OR-7	Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Heeresfliegertruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger

Career officers usually start out as enlisted personnel with the lowest rank in one of the three officer candidate battalions of the German Army located in Hammelburg, Idar-Oberstein and Munster. After six months of officer candidate training course in these battalions, containing basic military drill, military law and history, the officer candidates proceed with the Officer's Course 1.

These are held at the Officer's School in Dresden for three months, followed by a 10-week period for training English and three months of active service, the so-called Truppenkommando as regular soldier in a military unit.

After 15 months, the officer candidates attend one of the two Universities of the German Federal Armed Forces in Munich and Hamburg to attain a master's degree after four years of study.

After promotion to Leutnant (second lieutenant) they continue with the Officer's Course 2 at the Army Officer's School and the Officer's Course 3 at their respective branch-schools.

Furthermore, they attend required special training courses like a survival or driving school for the different vehicles of their branch.

When this six-year-training is concluded, the officers are promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) and transferred to their army-units for regular service.

Heer, Luftwaffe	NATO	Rank insignia
Lieutenants (de: Leutnante)
Leutnant (Lieutenant or Lieutenant 2nd class)	OF-1b[4] OF-1a	Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Fallschirmjägertruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger
Oberleutnant (Chief Lieutenant or Lieutenant 1st class)		Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Panzertruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger
Captains and Captains lieutenant (de: Hauptleute)
Hauptmann (Captain)	OF-2b OF-2a	Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Heeresaufklärungstruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger
Stabshauptmann (Staff captain)		Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Artillerietruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger
Senior officers (de: Stabsoffiziere)
Major (Major)	OF-3	Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Fedljägertruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger
Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant colonel)	OF-4	Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger Heeresflugabwehrtruppe	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger
Oberst (Colonel)	OF-5	Jacke Dienstanzug Heeresuniformträger i.G.	Jacke Dienstanzug Luftwaffenuniformträger

In the air force the career starts at the air force academy in Fürstenfeldbruck (Fürsti) near Munich. The basic officers training consists of 11 months of basic training, military drill, theoretical education and a few weeks in a Luftwaffenausbildungsregiment (air force training regiment) as a deputy instructor with the rank of Obergefreiter OA. With the completion of the Offizierschule der Luftwaffe (OSLw) they are promoted to Fahnenjunker and either start with their studies at one of the two universities in Munich and Hamburg, or start with their basic flight training.

In order to be promoted to Major (major; a rank only career officers can achieve), the officers have to complete successfully a course called Stabsoffizierlehrgang (SOL) (field grade officer basic course). It takes a minimum of 10 years of officer's service to become a major. Oberstleutnant '(lt.-col.) is the standard final rank for career officers which can be awarded after 17 years of service. The salary of this rank depends on the respective function (A 14 or A 15 in the German salary scheme). Oberst (colonel) is the highest field grade rank (promotion requires a minimum of 17 years of officer's service, i.e. 20 years of service overall).

About 1.5 percent of each cohort are chosen to take part in the Generalstabslehrgang (general staff course) at the Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr (military academy) at Hamburg. This course lasts two years after the completion of which the participants put a "i.G." after their rank, meaning im Generalstabsdienst (in general staff service). Having completed this course, the minimum rank those officers achieve is usually Oberst (colonel). The Generalstabslehrgang is a necessary requirement for the promotion to a General's rank.

The specialty badge is different for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacy. The "head of the snake" points forward, i.e. the direction the soldier is facing.

• Versions for officers of the medical service including officer candidates
• 
  Sanitätssoldat SanOA[5](Heer, field uniform, study course veterinary medicine)
• 
  Gefreiter SanOA
  (Luftwaffe, service uniform, study course medicine)
• 
  Oberfeldwebel SanOA
  (Heer, field uniform, study course veterinary medicine, mounting loop interrupting border)
• 
  Fähnrich zur See SanOA
  (Marine, field uniform, study course pharmacy, badge patch not interrupting border)
• 
  Leutnant zur See SanOA
  (Marine, service uniform shirt, study course medicine)
• 
  Stabsarzt[6]
  (Heer, service uniform, physician)
• 
  Oberstabsapotheker
  (Luftwaffe, field uniform, pharmacist)
• 
  Flottenarzt
  (Marine, cuff insignias, physician)
• 
  Oberfeldarzt
  (Heer, sweater, physician)
• 
  Oberstveterinär
  (Heer, service uniform, veterinarian)
• 
  Generalarzt
  (Heer, service uniform, dentist)
• 
  Generalstabsarzt
  (Luftwaffe, field uniform, physician)
• 
  Generaloberstabsarzt
  (Heer, field uniform, dentist)

Medial officers of the army

Medical officers of the German Navy

Admiraloberstabsarzt (Vizeadmiral / Vice Admiral) Admiralstabsarzt (Konteradmiral / ) Admiralarzt (); Admiralapotheker ()

Flottenarzt (), Flottenapotheker Flottillenarzt; Flottillenapotheker Oberstabsarzt; Oberstabsapotheker, Oberstabsveterinär

Oberstabsarzt; Oberstabsapotheker, Oberstabsveterinär Stabsarzt, Stabsapotheker, Stabsveterinär

While a major by far outranks a lieutenant, a lieutenant general outranks a major general. This phenomenon, which the Bundeswehr shares with most armed forces (including English-speaking ones) and the former Wehrmacht (where the ranks were only one degree lower, as there did not exist a Brigadier general), requires explanation. The reason is that in the Early Modern Period, a company would be commanded by a captain, with assistance of a lieutenant and a Wachtmeister (sergeant, similar to Feldwebel). A regiment, on the other hand would be commanded by a colonel (Oberst, i. e. Obersthauptmann, literally supreme captains), with assistance of a lieutenant-colonel and an Oberstwachtmeister. A whole army, then, quite logically was commanded by a general (Generalhauptmann, general [normal English adjective] captain), with assistance of a lieutenant-general and a Generalwachtmeister. When for the Oberstwachtmeister the name major became common, it was also adapted to the Generalwachtmeisters, which then became majors-general while still inferior to lieutenants-general. (Outside Germany, the former Wachtmeister on the company-size by the same transfer became known as the sergeant major.)