🇩🇪
Germany vs United Kingdom 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 British equivalents.
Branches
3
Ranks documented
87
Active personnel
183K
Army
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 26 of 29 matched
| 🇩🇪 Germany · Army | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
General
|
OF-9 General |
General
|
Generalleutnant
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Lieutenant-general
|
Generalmajor
|
OF-7 Major General |
Major-general
|
Brigadegeneral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Brigadier
|
Oberst
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Colonel
|
Oberstleutnant
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Lieutenant colonel
|
Major
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Major
|
Stabshauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Captain
|
Hauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Captain
|
Oberleutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Leutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Oberfähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Officer cadet
|
Fähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Officer cadet
|
Fahnenjunker
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Officer cadet
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Oberstabsfeldwebel
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Warrant officer class 1
|
Stabsfeldwebel
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Warrant officer class 2
|
Hauptfeldwebel
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Staff
|
Oberfeldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergeant
|
Feldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergeant
|
Stabsunteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant | – |
Unteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant | – |
Stabskorporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Corporal
|
Korporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Corporal
|
Oberstabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Corporal
|
Stabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Corporal
|
Hauptgefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Lance corporal
|
Obergefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Lance corporal
|
Gefreiter
|
OR-2 Private | Private |
Soldat
|
OR-1 Private | – |
Navy
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 24 of 29 matched
| 🇩🇪 Germany · Navy | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
Admiral
|
OF-9 General |
Admiral
|
Vizeadmiral
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Vice admiral
|
Konteradmiral
|
OF-7 Major General |
Rear admiral
|
Flottillenadmiral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Commodore
|
Kapitän zur See
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Captain
|
Fregattenkapitän
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Commander
|
Korvettenkapitän
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Lieutenant commander
|
Stabskapitänleutnant
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Lieutenant
|
Kapitänleutnant
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Lieutenant
|
Oberleutnant zur See
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Sub lieutenant
Midshipman
|
Leutnant zur See
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Sub lieutenant
Midshipman
|
Oberfähnrich zur See
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Officer Cadet
|
Fähnrich zur See
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Officer Cadet
|
Seekadett
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Officer Cadet
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Oberstabsbootsmann
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Warrant officer class 1
|
Stabsbootsmann
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Warrant officer class 2
|
Hauptbootsmann
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Chief petty officer
|
Oberbootsmann
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Petty officer
|
Bootsmann
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Petty officer
|
Obermaat
|
OR-5 Sergeant | – |
Maat
|
OR-5 Sergeant | – |
Stabskorporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Leading rate
|
Korporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Leading rate
|
Oberstabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Leading rate
|
Stabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Leading rate
|
Hauptgefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class | – |
Obergefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class | – |
Gefreiter
|
OR-2 Private |
Able rate
|
| Matrose | OR-1 Private | – |
Air Force
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 26 of 29 matched
| 🇩🇪 Germany · Air Force | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
General
|
OF-9 General |
Air chief marshal
|
Generalleutnant
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Air marshal
|
Generalmajor
|
OF-7 Major General |
Air vice-marshal
|
Brigadegeneral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Air commodore
|
Oberst
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Group captain
|
Oberstleutnant
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Wing commander
|
Major
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Squadron leader
|
Stabshauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Flight lieutenant
|
Hauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Flight lieutenant
|
Oberleutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Flying officer
Pilot officer / acting pilot officer
|
Leutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Flying officer
Pilot officer / acting pilot officer
|
Oberfähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Officer cadet
|
Fähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Officer cadet
|
Fahnenjunker
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Officer cadet
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Oberstabsfeldwebel
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Warrant officer
|
Stabsfeldwebel
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant | – |
Hauptfeldwebel
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Flight sergeant
Chief technician
|
Oberfeldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergeant
|
Feldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergeant
|
Stabsunteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant | – |
Unteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant | – |
Stabskorporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Corporal
|
Korporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Corporal
|
Oberstabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Corporal
|
Stabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Corporal
|
Hauptgefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Lance corporal ( RAF Regiment only)
|
Obergefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Lance corporal ( RAF Regiment only)
|
Gefreiter
|
OR-2 Private |
Air specialist (class 1) technician
Air specialist (class 1)
Air specialist (class 2)
|
Flieger
|
OR-1 Private | Air recruit |
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