Stabsgefreiter
Stabsgefreiter is the second highest rank of enlisted men in the German Bundeswehr, which might be comparable to specialist in Anglophone armed forces.
History
In the 19th century German Army the OR2-rank Gefreiter always belonged to the rank group of enlisted men. However, during training and fatigue duty Gefreite were competent, authorized, and tasked to act on behalf of NCOs. So Gefreite became the first superior rank above the lowest-level privates. Nevertheless, until 1853 there were no special rank insignia for Gefreiter. In contrast, from 1811–1853 the Vize-Unteroffizier wore the NCO Portepee.In 1846 the rank of Obergefreiter was introduced. This rank was shown by the so-called sergeant's button on the collar and the NCO Portepee on the sword. From 1853–1919 promotion to Obergefreiter was suspended with the exception of the Fussartillerie.
In the early German Reichswehr the ranks of Gefreiter and "Obergefreiter" were both indicated by one identical horizontal 9 mm Tressenstreifen" on both upper arms of the uniform jacket.
Regarding regular 12 years duty time from 1921 onwards, the newly introduced ranks of enlisted men were indicated by angular cuff chevrons on the left upper arm. The sequence of ranks of enlisted men was now as follows:
- Oberschütze
- Gefreiter
- Obergefreiter over 6 years of service
- *Obergefreiter under 6 years of service,
- Stabsgefreiter
- Matrosenoberstabsgefreiter, introduced by the Kriegsmarine in 1940
National People's Army
In the GDR National People's Army the rank Stabsgefreiter was OR-3 as well and used until 1990. The equivalent of the Volksmarine was Stabsmatrose.;See also main articles:
- Comparative ranks of Nazi Germany
- Ranks of the National People's Army
Bundeswehr
| Junior rank Hauptgefreiter | Stabsgefreiter | Senior rank Oberstabsgefreiter |