🇩🇪
German 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), with insignia and NATO-code 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 |
General
|
Generalleutnant
|
OF-8 Lieutenant General |
Lieutenant general
|
Generalmajor
|
OF-7 Major General |
Major general
|
Brigadegeneral
|
OF-6 Brigadier General |
Brigadier general
|
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 |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Leutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Oberfähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer | Cadet / Officer candidate |
Fähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer | Cadet / Officer candidate |
Fahnenjunker
|
OF-D Student Officer | Cadet / Officer candidate |
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Oberstabsfeldwebel
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command sergeant major
Sergeant major
|
Stabsfeldwebel
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
First sergeant
Master sergeant
|
Hauptfeldwebel
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Sergeant first class
|
Oberfeldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Staff sergeant
|
Feldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Staff sergeant
|
Stabsunteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergeant
|
Unteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Sergeant
|
Stabskorporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Specialist
Corporal
|
Korporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Specialist
Corporal
|
Oberstabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Specialist
Corporal
|
Stabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Specialist
Corporal
|
Hauptgefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Private first class
|
Obergefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Private first class
|
Gefreiter
|
OR-2 Private |
Private
|
Soldat
|
OR-1 Private | Private |
Navy
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 29 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 |
Rear admiral (lower half)
|
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 |
Lieutenant (junior grade)
Ensign
|
Leutnant zur See
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
Lieutenant (junior grade)
Ensign
|
Oberfähnrich zur See
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Midshipman / officer candidate
|
Fähnrich zur See
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Midshipman / officer candidate
|
Seekadett
|
OF-D Student Officer |
Midshipman / officer candidate
|
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Oberstabsbootsmann
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command master chief petty officer
Master chief petty officer
|
Stabsbootsmann
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
Command senior chief petty officer
Senior chief petty officer
|
Hauptbootsmann
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
Chief petty officer
|
Oberbootsmann
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Petty officer first class
|
Bootsmann
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Petty officer first class
|
Obermaat
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Petty officer second class
|
Maat
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Petty officer second class
|
Stabskorporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Petty officer third class
|
Korporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Petty officer third class
|
Oberstabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Petty officer third class
|
Stabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Petty officer third class
|
Hauptgefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Seaman
|
Obergefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Seaman
|
Gefreiter
|
OR-2 Private |
Seaman apprentice
|
| Matrose | OR-1 Private | Seaman recruit |
Air Force
Rank Ladder
Highest first · 29 of 29 matched
| 🇩🇪 Germany · Air Force | 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 general
|
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 |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Leutnant
|
OF-1 Lieutenant |
First lieutenant
Second lieutenant
|
Oberfähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer | Cadet / Officer trainee |
Fähnrich
|
OF-D Student Officer | Cadet / Officer trainee |
Fahnenjunker
|
OF-D Student Officer | Cadet / Officer trainee |
| Enlisted ranks | ||
Oberstabsfeldwebel
|
OR-9 Sergeant Major |
Command chief master sergeant
First sergeant
Chief master sergeant
|
Stabsfeldwebel
|
OR-8 1st Sergeant |
First sergeant
Senior master sergeant
|
Hauptfeldwebel
|
OR-7 Sergeant 1st Class |
First sergeant
Master sergeant
|
Oberfeldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Technical sergeant
|
Feldwebel
|
OR-6 Staff Sergeant |
Technical sergeant
|
Stabsunteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Staff sergeant
|
Unteroffizier
|
OR-5 Sergeant |
Staff sergeant
|
Stabskorporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Senior airman
|
Korporal
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Senior airman
|
Oberstabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Senior airman
|
Stabsgefreiter
|
OR-4 Corporal |
Senior airman
|
Hauptgefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Airman first class
|
Obergefreiter
|
OR-3 Private 1st Class |
Airman first class
|
Gefreiter
|
OR-2 Private |
Airman
|
Flieger
|
OR-1 Private | Airman basic |
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