Levels
The rank of SS-Junker was divided into four levels, those being Junker, Oberjunker, Standartenjunker, and Standartenoberjunker. The insignia for these ranks was identical to the ranks of the SS non-commissioned officer corps and promotion between the Junker ranks was dependent upon passing a variety of written, physical, and field exercise examinations while a student at the Junkerschule.
Upon reaching the rank of SS-Standartenoberjunker, the SS officer candidate would be permitted to display the silver chin strap of an SS officer and would be assigned to a field SS unit for final evaluation and field examination. Upon passing this final exam, the Standartenoberjunker would be promoted to the rank of SS-Untersturmführer usually in an elaborate ceremony.
The entire process for an SS-Junker to become an SS officer usually took between 18 to 24 months to complete. The SS had planned, once World War II had ended, to establish SS academies which would be four-year institutions much like the present day United States service academies. As World War II progressed, however, the manpower needs of the Waffen-SS grew to such a level that SS officer candidates would undergo no more than 6 months training by 1945 and, in some cases, were directly commissioned in the field without ever having attended a Junkerschule.
Junker as a military rank ceased to exist in the German armed forces in 1945 with the downfall of Nazi Germany. The rank of Fahnenjunker is used in the Bundeswehr for officer candidates in the army and navy.
| SS officer candidate rank | SS enlisted equivalent |
| Standartenoberjunker | Hauptscharführer |
| Standartenjunker | Oberscharführer |
| Oberjunker | Scharführer |
| Junker | Unterscharführer |
Read more about this topic: Junker (SS Rank)
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