Glossary of German Military Terms - List of German Military Ranks

List of German Military Ranks

Approximate ranks relative to US ranks:

• Reichsmarschall – "Marshal of the Empire", the highest rank in the German armed forces during World War II (specifically created for Hermann Göring to distinguish him from the other field marshals). Equivalent to General of the Armies of the United States
• Generalfeldmarschall – General of the Army during World War II.
• Generaloberst – General, literally "highest" or "supreme general", usually translated "Colonel-general"; not used in the Bundeswehr
• General der Infanterie, Kavallerie, etc. – General (before 1956 equivalent to US Lieutenant General)
• Generalleutnant – Lieutenant-General (before 1956 equivalent to US Major General)
• Generalmajor – Major-General (before 1956 equivalent to US Brigadier General)
• Brigadegeneral – Brigadier General; not used prior to the Bundeswehr
• Oberst – Colonel, literally "highest"
• Oberstleutnant – Lieutenant Colonel
• Major – Major
• Hauptmann/Rittmeister – Captain
• Oberleutnant – First Lieutenant
• Leutnant – (Second) Lieutenant
• Oberstabsfeldwebel/Oberstabsbootsmann – (Senior NCO)
• Stabsfeldwebel/Hauptbootsmann – Master Sergeant (Senior NCO)
• Oberfeldwebel/Bootsmannsmaat – Technical Sergeant (Senior NCO)
• Fähnrich/Oberfähnrich – no perfect equivalent. Senior Officer Cadet with something like warrant officer status, used in functions like Ensign, passed Midshipman or 2nd Lieutenant but not commissioned.
• Fahnenjunker – no perfect equivalent. Most junior Officer Cadet with sergeant (US) or corporal (UK) status.
• Feldwebel/Wachtmeister/Bootsmann – Staff Sergeant (Senior NCO)
• Unterfeldwebel – Sergeant; formerly called Sergeant prior to 1921 (not in use in the Bundeswehr)
• Stabsunteroffizer/Obermaat (Junior NCO)
• Unteroffizier/Maat – Corporal (Junior NCO) (since the Bundeswehr more comparable to Petty Officer)
• Oberstabsgefreiter – (enlisted personnel); not used prior to the Bundeswehr.
• Stabsgefreiter – (enlisted personnel)
• Hauptgefreiter – (enlisted personnel); not used prior to the Bundeswehr.
• Obergefreiter – Lance-Corporal (enlisted personnel)
• Gefreiter – Private First Class (enlisted personnel)
• Obergrenadier/Oberschütze – Senior Private (not in use in the Bundeswehr)
• Grenadier/Schütze/Matrose/Flieger/Sanitäter – Private (enlisted personnel)

For additional comparisons, see Comparative military ranks of World War II.