🇩🇪
Germany vs Netherlands 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 Netherlands equivalents.
Branches
3
Ranks documented
87
Active personnel
183K
Army
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 28 of 29 matched
| 🇩🇪 Germany · Army | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
General
|
OF-9 General |
Generaal
|
Generalleutnant
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Luitenant-generaal
|
Generalmajor
|
OF-7 Major General |
Generaal-majoor
|
Brigadegeneral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Brigadegeneraal
|
Oberst
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Kolonel
|
Oberstleutnant
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Luitenant-kolonel
|
Major
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Majoor
|
Stabshauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Kapitein / Ritmeester
|
Hauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Kapitein / Ritmeester
|
Oberleutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Eerste luitenant
Tweede luitenant
|
Leutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Eerste luitenant
Tweede luitenant
|
Oberfähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Vaandrig / Kornet
|
Fähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Vaandrig / Kornet
|
Fahnenjunker
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Vaandrig / Kornet
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Oberstabsfeldwebel
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Adjudant-onderofficier
|
Stabsfeldwebel
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant | – |
Hauptfeldwebel
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Sergeant-majoor
|
Oberfeldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergeant der 1e klasse / Wachtmeester der 1e klasse
|
Feldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergeant der 1e klasse / Wachtmeester der 1e klasse
|
Stabsunteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergeant
|
Unteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergeant
|
Stabskorporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korporaal der 1e klasse
|
Korporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korporaal der 1e klasse
|
Oberstabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korporaal der 1e klasse
|
Stabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korporaal der 1e klasse
|
Hauptgefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Korporaal
|
Obergefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Korporaal
|
Gefreiter
|
OR-2 Private |
Soldaat / Huzaar / Kanonier der 1e klasse
Soldaat / Huzaar / Kanonier der 2e klasse
|
Soldat
|
OR-1 Private |
Soldaat / Huzaar / Kanonier der 3e klasse
|
Navy
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 24 of 29 matched
| 🇩🇪 Germany · Navy | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
Admiral
|
OF-9 General |
Luitenant-Admiraal
|
Vizeadmiral
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Vice-Admiraal
|
Konteradmiral
|
OF-7 Major General |
Schout-bij-Nacht
|
Flottillenadmiral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Commandeur
|
Kapitän zur See
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Kapitein ter zee
|
Fregattenkapitän
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Kapitein-luitenant ter zee
|
Korvettenkapitän
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Luitenant ter zee der 1 ste klasse
|
Stabskapitänleutnant
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Luitenant ter zee der 2 de klasse oudste categorie
|
Kapitänleutnant
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Luitenant ter zee der 2 de klasse oudste categorie
|
Oberleutnant zur See
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Luitenant ter zee der 2 de klasse
Luitenant ter zee der 3 de klasse
|
Leutnant zur See
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Luitenant ter zee der 2 de klasse
Luitenant ter zee der 3 de klasse
|
Oberfähnrich zur See
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Sergeant-Adelborst
Korporaal-Adelborst
Adelborst
|
Fähnrich zur See
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Sergeant-Adelborst
Korporaal-Adelborst
Adelborst
|
Seekadett
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Sergeant-Adelborst
Korporaal-Adelborst
Adelborst
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Oberstabsbootsmann
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Adjudant onderofficer / Opperschipper
|
Stabsbootsmann
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant | – |
Hauptbootsmann
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Sergeant-majoor / Schipper
|
Oberbootsmann
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergeant / Bootsman
|
Bootsmann
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergeant / Bootsman
|
Obermaat
|
OR-5 Sergeant | – |
Maat
|
OR-5 Sergeant | – |
Stabskorporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korporaal / Kwartiermeester
|
Korporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korporaal / Kwartiermeester
|
Oberstabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korporaal / Kwartiermeester
|
Stabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korporaal / Kwartiermeester
|
Hauptgefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class | – |
Obergefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class | – |
Gefreiter
|
OR-2 Private |
Matroos / Marinier der 1e klasse
Matroos / Marinier der 2e klasse
|
| Matrose | OR-1 Private |
Matroos / Marinier der 3e klasse
|
Air Force
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 28 of 29 matched
| 🇩🇪 Germany · Air Force | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
General
|
OF-9 General |
Generaal
|
Generalleutnant
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Luitenant-generaal
|
Generalmajor
|
OF-7 Major General |
Generaal-majoor
|
Brigadegeneral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Commodore
|
Oberst
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Kolonel
|
Oberstleutnant
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Luitenant-kolonel
|
Major
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Majoor
|
Stabshauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Kapitein
|
Hauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Kapitein
|
Oberleutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Eerste luitenant
Tweede luitenant
|
Leutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Eerste luitenant
Tweede luitenant
|
Oberfähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Vaandrig
|
Fähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Vaandrig
|
Fahnenjunker
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Vaandrig
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Oberstabsfeldwebel
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Adjudant-Onderofficier
|
Stabsfeldwebel
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant | – |
Hauptfeldwebel
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Sergeant-majoor
|
Oberfeldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergeant der 1e klasse
|
Feldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Sergeant der 1e klasse
|
Stabsunteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergeant
|
Unteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergeant
|
Stabskorporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korporaal der 1e klasse
|
Korporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korporaal der 1e klasse
|
Oberstabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korporaal der 1e klasse
|
Stabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korporaal der 1e klasse
|
Hauptgefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Korporaal
|
Obergefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Korporaal
|
Gefreiter
|
OR-2 Private |
Soldaat der 1ste klasse
Soldaat der 2de klasse
|
Flieger
|
OR-1 Private |
Soldaat der 3de klasse
|
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