🇩🇪
Germany vs Italy 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 Italian 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 |
Generale
Generale di Corpo d'Armata con Incarichi Speciali
|
Generalleutnant
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Generale di Corpo d'Armata
|
Generalmajor
|
OF-7 Major General |
Generale di Divisione
|
Brigadegeneral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Generale di Brigata
|
Oberst
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Colonnello
|
Oberstleutnant
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Tenente Colonnello
|
Major
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Maggiore
|
Stabshauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Primo capitano
Capitano
|
Hauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Primo capitano
Capitano
|
Oberleutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Tenente
Sottotenente
|
Leutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Tenente
Sottotenente
|
Oberfähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer | – |
Fähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer | – |
Fahnenjunker
|
OF-D Student Officer | – |
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Oberstabsfeldwebel
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Primo luogotenente q.s.
Luogotenente
Primo maresciallo
|
Stabsfeldwebel
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Maresciallo capo
|
Hauptfeldwebel
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Sergente maggiore capo q.s.
Sergente Maggiore Capo
|
Oberfeldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergente Maggiore
|
Feldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergente Maggiore
|
Stabsunteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergente
|
Unteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergente
|
Stabskorporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Caporale maggiore capo scelto q.s.
Caporale maggiore capo scelto
Caporale maggiore capo
Caporale maggiore scelto
Primo caporale maggiore
|
Korporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Caporale maggiore capo scelto q.s.
Caporale maggiore capo scelto
Caporale maggiore capo
Caporale maggiore scelto
Primo caporale maggiore
|
Oberstabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Caporale maggiore capo scelto q.s.
Caporale maggiore capo scelto
Caporale maggiore capo
Caporale maggiore scelto
Primo caporale maggiore
|
Stabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Caporale maggiore capo scelto q.s.
Caporale maggiore capo scelto
Caporale maggiore capo
Caporale maggiore scelto
Primo caporale maggiore
|
Hauptgefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Caporal Maggiore
|
Obergefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Caporal Maggiore
|
Gefreiter
|
OR-2 Private |
Caporale
|
Soldat
|
OR-1 Private |
Soldato
|
Navy
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 29 of 29 matched
| 🇩🇪 Germany · Navy | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
Admiral
|
OF-9 General |
Ammiraglio
Ammiraglio di squadra con incarichi speciali
|
Vizeadmiral
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Ammiraglio di squadra
|
Konteradmiral
|
OF-7 Major General |
Ammiraglio di divisione
|
Flottillenadmiral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Contrammiraglio
|
Kapitän zur See
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Capitano di vascello
|
Fregattenkapitän
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Capitano di fregata
|
Korvettenkapitän
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Capitano di corvetta
|
Stabskapitänleutnant
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Tenente di vascello
|
Kapitänleutnant
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Tenente di vascello
|
Oberleutnant zur See
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Sottotenente di vascello
Guardiamarina
|
Leutnant zur See
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Sottotenente di vascello
Guardiamarina
|
Oberfähnrich zur See
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Aspirante guardiamarina
|
Fähnrich zur See
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Aspirante guardiamarina
|
Seekadett
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Aspirante guardiamarina
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Oberstabsbootsmann
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Primo luogotenente q.s.
Luogotenente
Primo maresciallo
Capo di prima classe
|
Stabsbootsmann
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Capo di seconda classe
Capo di terza classe
|
Hauptbootsmann
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Secondo capo scelto q.s.
Secondo capo scelto
|
Oberbootsmann
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Secondo capo
|
Bootsmann
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Secondo capo
|
Obermaat
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergente
|
Maat
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergente
|
Stabskorporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Sottocapo di Prima Classe Scelto
Sottocapo di Prima Classe
Sottocapo di seconda Classe
Sottocapo di terza Classe
|
Korporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Sottocapo di Prima Classe Scelto
Sottocapo di Prima Classe
Sottocapo di seconda Classe
Sottocapo di terza Classe
|
Oberstabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Sottocapo di Prima Classe Scelto
Sottocapo di Prima Classe
Sottocapo di seconda Classe
Sottocapo di terza Classe
|
Stabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Sottocapo di Prima Classe Scelto
Sottocapo di Prima Classe
Sottocapo di seconda Classe
Sottocapo di terza Classe
|
Hauptgefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Sottocapo
|
Obergefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Sottocapo
|
Gefreiter
|
OR-2 Private |
Comune di prima classe
|
| Matrose | OR-1 Private | Comune di seconda classe |
Air Force
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 26 of 29 matched
| 🇩🇪 Germany · Air Force | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
General
|
OF-9 General |
Generale
Generale di squadra aerea con incarichi speciali
|
Generalleutnant
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Generale di squadra aerea
|
Generalmajor
|
OF-7 Major General |
Generale di divisione aerea
|
Brigadegeneral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Generale di brigata aerea
|
Oberst
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Colonnello
|
Oberstleutnant
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Tenente colonnello
|
Major
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Maggiore
|
Stabshauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Primo capitano
Capitano
|
Hauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Primo capitano
Capitano
|
Oberleutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Tenente
Sottotenente
|
Leutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Tenente
Sottotenente
|
Oberfähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer | – |
Fähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer | – |
Fahnenjunker
|
OF-D Student Officer | – |
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Oberstabsfeldwebel
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Luogotenente
Primo maresciallo
Maresciallo di prima classe
|
Stabsfeldwebel
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Maresciallo di seconda classe
Maresciallo di terza classe
|
Hauptfeldwebel
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Sergente maggiore capo
|
Oberfeldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergente maggiore
|
Feldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergente maggiore
|
Stabsunteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergente
|
Unteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergente
|
Stabskorporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Primo aviere capo scelto
Primo aviere capo
Primo aviere scelto
Aviere capo
|
Korporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Primo aviere capo scelto
Primo aviere capo
Primo aviere scelto
Aviere capo
|
Oberstabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Primo aviere capo scelto
Primo aviere capo
Primo aviere scelto
Aviere capo
|
Stabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Primo aviere capo scelto
Primo aviere capo
Primo aviere scelto
Aviere capo
|
Hauptgefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Primo aviere
|
Obergefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Primo aviere
|
Gefreiter
|
OR-2 Private |
Aviere scelto
|
Flieger
|
OR-1 Private | Aviere |
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