🇩🇪
Germany vs France Military Ranks
The German Army has 29 ranks — 14 officer and 15 enlisted — from Soldat up to General. Below: all 87 ranks across 3 branches (Army, Navy, Air Force), aligned tier by tier with their French equivalents.
Branches
3
Ranks documented
87
Active personnel
183K
Army
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 29 of 29 matched
| 🇩🇪 Germany · Army | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
General
|
OF-9 General |
Général d'armée
|
Generalleutnant
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Général de corps d'armée
|
Generalmajor
|
OF-7 Major General |
Général de division
|
Brigadegeneral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Général de brigade
|
Oberst
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Colonel
|
Oberstleutnant
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Lieutenant-colonel
|
Major
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Commandant
|
Stabshauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Capitaine
|
Hauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Capitaine
|
Oberleutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant
Sous-lieutenant
|
Leutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant
Sous-lieutenant
|
Oberfähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Aspirant
|
Fähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Aspirant
|
Fahnenjunker
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Aspirant
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Oberstabsfeldwebel
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Major
Adjudant-chef
|
Stabsfeldwebel
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Adjudant
|
Hauptfeldwebel
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Sergent-chef BM2
|
Oberfeldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergent-chef
|
Feldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergent-chef
|
Stabsunteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergent
|
Unteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergent
|
Stabskorporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Caporal-chef de 1re classe
Caporal-chef
|
Korporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Caporal-chef de 1re classe
Caporal-chef
|
Oberstabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Caporal-chef de 1re classe
Caporal-chef
|
Stabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Caporal-chef de 1re classe
Caporal-chef
|
Hauptgefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Caporal
|
Obergefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Caporal
|
Gefreiter
|
OR-2 Private |
Soldat de 1re classe
|
Soldat
|
OR-1 Private |
Soldat
|
Navy
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 28 of 29 matched
| 🇩🇪 Germany · Navy | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
Admiral
|
OF-9 General |
Amiral
|
Vizeadmiral
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Vice-amiral d'escadre
|
Konteradmiral
|
OF-7 Major General |
Vice-amiral
|
Flottillenadmiral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Contre-amiral
|
Kapitän zur See
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Capitaine de vaisseau
|
Fregattenkapitän
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Capitaine de frégate
|
Korvettenkapitän
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Capitaine de corvette
|
Stabskapitänleutnant
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Lieutenant de vaisseau
|
Kapitänleutnant
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Lieutenant de vaisseau
|
Oberleutnant zur See
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Enseigne de vaisseau de 1re classe
Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe
|
Leutnant zur See
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Enseigne de vaisseau de 1re classe
Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe
|
Oberfähnrich zur See
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Aspirant
|
Fähnrich zur See
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Aspirant
|
Seekadett
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Aspirant
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Oberstabsbootsmann
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Major
Maître principal
|
Stabsbootsmann
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Premier maître
|
Hauptbootsmann
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class | – |
Oberbootsmann
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Maître
|
Bootsmann
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Maître
|
Obermaat
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Second-maître
|
Maat
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Second-maître
|
Stabskorporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Quartier-maître de 1 ère classe
|
Korporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Quartier-maître de 1 ère classe
|
Oberstabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Quartier-maître de 1 ère classe
|
Stabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Quartier-maître de 1 ère classe
|
Hauptgefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Quartier-maître de 2 ème classe
|
Obergefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Quartier-maître de 2 ème classe
|
Gefreiter
|
OR-2 Private |
Matelot breveté
|
| Matrose | OR-1 Private |
Matelot
|
Air Force
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 28 of 29 matched
| 🇩🇪 Germany · Air Force | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
General
|
OF-9 General |
Général d'armée aérienne
|
Generalleutnant
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Général de corps aérien
|
Generalmajor
|
OF-7 Major General |
Général de division aérienne
|
Brigadegeneral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Général de brigade aérienne
|
Oberst
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Colonel
|
Oberstleutnant
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Lieutenant-colonel
|
Major
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Commandant
|
Stabshauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Capitaine
|
Hauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Capitaine
|
Oberleutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant
Sous-lieutenant
|
Leutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant
Sous-lieutenant
|
Oberfähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Aspirant
Élève-officier
|
Fähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Aspirant
Élève-officier
|
Fahnenjunker
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Aspirant
Élève-officier
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Oberstabsfeldwebel
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Major
Adjudant-chef
|
Stabsfeldwebel
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Adjudant
|
Hauptfeldwebel
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class | – |
Oberfeldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergent-chef
|
Feldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergent-chef
|
Stabsunteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergent
|
Unteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergent
|
Stabskorporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Caporal-chef
|
Korporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Caporal-chef
|
Oberstabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Caporal-chef
|
Stabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Caporal-chef
|
Hauptgefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Caporal
|
Obergefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Caporal
|
Gefreiter
|
OR-2 Private |
Aviateur 1 e classe
|
Flieger
|
OR-1 Private |
Aviateur 2e classe
|
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.
Germany Military
Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and other open sources.
Insignia image credits
- TUBS — CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons: General (Army), Generalleutnant (Army), Generalmajor (Army), Brigadegeneral (Army), Oberst (Army), Oberstleutnant (Army), Major (Army), Stabshauptmann (Army), Hauptmann (Army), Oberleutnant (Army), Leutnant (Army), Oberfähnrich (Army), Fähnrich (Army), Fahnenjunker (Army), Oberstabsfeldwebel (Army), Stabsfeldwebel (Army), Hauptfeldwebel (Army), Oberfeldwebel (Army), Feldwebel (Army), Stabsunteroffizier (Army), Unteroffizier (Army), Stabskorporal (Army), Korporal (Army), Oberstabsgefreiter, Stabsgefreiter (Army), Hauptgefreiter (Army), Obergefreiter (Army), Gefreiter (Army), Soldat, General (Air Force), Generalleutnant (Air Force), Generalmajor (Air Force), Brigadegeneral (Air Force), Oberst (Air Force), Oberstleutnant (Air Force), Major (Air Force), Stabshauptmann (Air Force), Hauptmann (Air Force), Oberleutnant (Air Force), Leutnant (Air Force), Oberfähnrich (Air Force), Fähnrich (Air Force), Fahnenjunker (Air Force), Oberstabsfeldwebel (Air Force), Stabsfeldwebel (Air Force), Hauptfeldwebel (Air Force), Oberfeldwebel (Air Force), Feldwebel (Air Force), Stabsunteroffizier (Air Force), Unteroffizier (Air Force), Stabskorporal (Air Force), Korporal (Air Force), Oberstabsgefreiter, Stabsgefreiter (Air Force), Hauptgefreiter (Air Force), Obergefreiter (Air Force), Gefreiter (Air Force), Flieger
- Skjoldbro — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons: Admiral, Vizeadmiral, Konteradmiral, Flottillenadmiral, Kapitän zur See, Fregattenkapitän, Korvettenkapitän, Stabskapitänleutnant, Kapitänleutnant, Oberleutnant zur See, Leutnant zur See, Oberfähnrich zur See, Fähnrich zur See, Seekadett, Oberstabsbootsmann, Stabsbootsmann, Hauptbootsmann, Oberbootsmann, Bootsmann, Obermaat, Maat, Stabskorporal, Korporal, Oberstabsgefreiter, Stabsgefreiter, Hauptgefreiter, Obergefreiter, Gefreiter