German Military Ranks 🇩🇪
Overview
The German armed forces, known as the "Bundeswehr," consist of several branches responsible for national defense and security:
- German Army (Heer): The German Army is responsible for land-based military operations, including infantry, armored units, artillery, and support units. It plays a key role in both national defense and international missions.
- German Navy (Deutsche Marine): The German Navy focuses on maritime defense and security, operating a variety of vessels, including submarines, surface ships, and naval aircraft. It is responsible for protecting Germany's maritime interests.
- German Air Force (Luftwaffe): The German Air Force is responsible for aerial operations, with a fleet of fighter aircraft, transport planes, and helicopters. It ensures air defense and contributes to NATO's air capabilities.
- Joint Support Service (Streitkräftebasis): This branch provides logistical and support services to the entire Bundeswehr, including medical, transportation, and communication support.
- Cyber and Information Space Command (Kdo CIR): This branch focuses on cyber defense and information warfare, safeguarding Germany's digital infrastructure.
Air Force
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| General |
|
OF-9 | General |
| GeneralÂleutnant |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| GeneralÂmajor |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| BrigadeÂgeneral |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Oberst |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| OberstÂleutnant |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Major |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| StabsÂhauptÂmann |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| HauptÂmann |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| OberÂleutÂnant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| LeutÂnant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| OberÂfähnÂrich |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| FähnÂrich |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| FahnenÂjunker |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| OberÂstabsÂfeldwebel |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| StabsÂfeldwebel |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| HauptÂfeldwebel |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| OberÂfeldwebel |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Feldwebel |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| StabsÂunteroffizier |
|
OR-5 | Sergeant |
| Unteroffizier |
|
OR-5 | Sergeant |
| Stabskorporal |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Korporal |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| OberstabsÂgefreiter |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| StabsÂgefreiter |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| HauptÂgefreiter |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| OberÂgefreiter |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| Gefreiter |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| Flieger |
|
OR-1 | Private |
Army
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| General |
|
OF-9 | General |
| GeneralÂleutnant |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| GeneralÂmajor |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| BrigadeÂgeneral |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Oberst |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| OberstÂleutnant |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Major |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| StabsÂhauptÂmann |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| HauptÂmann |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| OberÂleutÂnant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| LeutÂnant |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| OberÂfähnÂrich |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| FähnÂrich |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| FahnenÂjunker |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| OberÂstabsÂfeldwebel |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| StabsÂfeldwebel |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| HauptÂfeldwebel |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| OberÂfeldwebel |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Feldwebel |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| StabsÂunteroffizier |
|
OR-5 | Sergeant |
| Unteroffizier |
|
OR-5 | Sergeant |
| Stabskorporal |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Korporal |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| OberÂstabsÂgefreiter |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| StabsÂgefreiter |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| HauptÂgefreiter |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| OberÂgefreiter |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| Gefreiter |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| Soldat |
|
OR-1 | Private |
Navy
| Rank name | Insignia | NATO code | US Army equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admiral |
|
OF-9 | General |
| VizeÂadmiral |
|
OF-8 | Lieutenant General |
| KonterÂadmiral |
|
OF-7 | Major General |
| FlottillenÂadmiral |
|
OF-6 | Brigadier General |
| Kapitän zur See |
|
OF-5 | Colonel |
| FregattenÂkapitän |
|
OF-4 | Lieutenant Colonel |
| KorvettenÂkapitän |
|
OF-3 | Major / Commandant |
| StabskapitänÂleutnant |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| KapitänÂleutnant |
|
OF-2 | Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
| Oberleutnant zur See |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Leutnant zur See |
|
OF-1 | Lieutenant |
| Oberfähnrich zur See |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| Fähnrich zur See |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| Seekadett |
|
OF-D | Student Officer |
| OberstabsÂbootsmann |
|
OR-9 | Sergeant Major |
| StabsÂbootsmann |
|
OR-8 | 1st Sergeant |
| HauptÂbootsmann |
|
OR-7 | Sergeant 1st Class |
| OberÂbootsmann |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Bootsmann |
|
OR-6 | Staff Sergeant |
| Obermaat |
|
OR-5 | Sergeant |
| Maat |
|
OR-5 | Sergeant |
| Stabskorporal |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| Korporal |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| OberstabsÂgefreiter |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| StabsÂgefreiter |
|
OR-4 | Corporal |
| HauptÂgefreiter |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| OberÂgefreiter |
|
OR-3 | Private 1st Class |
| Gefreiter |
|
OR-2 | Private |
| Matrose | OR-1 | Private |