🇩🇪
Germany vs Sweden 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 Swedish 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 |
Generallöjtnant
|
Generalmajor
|
OF-7 Major General |
Generalmajor
|
Brigadegeneral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Brigadgeneral
|
Oberst
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Överste
|
Oberstleutnant
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Överstelöjtnant
|
Major
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Major
|
Stabshauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Kapten
|
Hauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Kapten
|
Oberleutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Löjtnant
Fänrik
|
Leutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Löjtnant
Fänrik
|
Oberfähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer | – |
Fähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer | – |
Fahnenjunker
|
OF-D Student Officer | – |
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Oberstabsfeldwebel
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Regementsförvaltare
|
Stabsfeldwebel
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Förvaltare
|
Hauptfeldwebel
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Överfanjunkare
Fanjunkare
|
Oberfeldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Översergeant
Sergeant
|
Feldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Översergeant
Sergeant
|
Stabsunteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Överfurir
Furir
|
Unteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Överfurir
Furir
|
Stabskorporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korpral
|
Korporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korpral
|
Oberstabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korpral
|
Stabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korpral
|
Hauptgefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Vicekorpral
|
Obergefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Vicekorpral
|
Gefreiter
|
OR-2 Private |
Menig 4
Menig 3
|
Soldat
|
OR-1 Private |
Menig 2
Menig 1
Menig
|
Navy
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 26 of 29 matched
| 🇩🇪 Germany · Navy | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
Admiral
|
OF-9 General |
Amiral
|
Vizeadmiral
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Viceamiral
|
Konteradmiral
|
OF-7 Major General |
Konteramiral
|
Flottillenadmiral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Flottiljamiral
|
Kapitän zur See
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Kommendör
|
Fregattenkapitän
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Kommendörkapten
|
Korvettenkapitän
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Örlogskapten
|
Stabskapitänleutnant
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Kapten
|
Kapitänleutnant
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Kapten
|
Oberleutnant zur See
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Löjtnant
Fänrik
|
Leutnant zur See
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Löjtnant
Fänrik
|
Oberfähnrich zur See
|
OF-D Student Officer | – |
Fähnrich zur See
|
OF-D Student Officer | – |
Seekadett
|
OF-D Student Officer | – |
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Oberstabsbootsmann
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Flottiljförvaltare
|
Stabsbootsmann
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Förvaltare
|
Hauptbootsmann
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Överfanjunkare
Fanjunkare
|
Oberbootsmann
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Översergeant
Sergeant
|
Bootsmann
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Översergeant
Sergeant
|
Obermaat
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Överfurir
Furir
|
Maat
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Överfurir
Furir
|
Stabskorporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korpral
|
Korporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korpral
|
Oberstabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korpral
|
Stabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korpral
|
Hauptgefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Vicekorpral
|
Obergefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Vicekorpral
|
Gefreiter
|
OR-2 Private |
Menig 4
Menig 3
|
| Matrose | OR-1 Private |
Menig 2
Menig 1
Menig
|
Air Force
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 26 of 29 matched
| 🇩🇪 Germany · Air Force | NATO code |
Equivalent in
|
|---|---|---|
| Officers | ||
General
|
OF-9 General |
General
|
Generalleutnant
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Generallöjtnant
|
Generalmajor
|
OF-7 Major General |
Generalmajor
|
Brigadegeneral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Brigadgeneral
|
Oberst
|
OF-5 Colonel |
Överste
|
Oberstleutnant
|
OF-4 Lieutenant Colonel |
Överstelöjtnant
|
Major
|
OF-3 Major / Commandant |
Major
|
Stabshauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Kapten
|
Hauptmann
|
OF-2 Captain / 1st Lieutenant |
Kapten
|
Oberleutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Löjtnant
Fänrik
|
Leutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Löjtnant
Fänrik
|
Oberfähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer | – |
Fähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer | – |
Fahnenjunker
|
OF-D Student Officer | – |
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Oberstabsfeldwebel
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Flottiljförvaltare
|
Stabsfeldwebel
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Förvaltare
|
Hauptfeldwebel
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Överfanjunkare
Fanjunkare
|
Oberfeldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Översergeant
Sergeant
|
Feldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Översergeant
Sergeant
|
Stabsunteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Överfurir
Furir
|
Unteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Överfurir
Furir
|
Stabskorporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korpral
|
Korporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korpral
|
Oberstabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korpral
|
Stabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Korpral
|
Hauptgefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Vicekorpral
|
Obergefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Vicekorpral
|
Gefreiter
|
OR-2 Private |
Menig 4
Menig 3
|
Flieger
|
OR-1 Private |
Menig 2
Menig 1
Menig
|
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