Oberfeldwebel (German: [ˈoːbɐˌfɛltveːbl̩] ; OFw or OF) is the fourth highest non-commissioned officer (NCO) rank in German Army and German Air Force.[1]

Oberfeldwebel
Heer and Luftwaffe shoulder insignia
Country Germany
Service branch German Army
 German Air Force
AbbreviationOFw
RankUnteroffiziere mit Portepee grade
NATO rank codeOR-6
Pay gradeA 7mA
Formation1920 (historic)
1957
Next higher rankHauptfeldwebel
Next lower rankFeldwebel
Equivalent ranksOberbootsmann

History

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The rank was introduced first by the German Reichswehr in 1920. Preferable most experienced Protégée-NCO of the old army have been promoted.

Within the Reichswehr, Oberfeldwebel was taken over as second-highest Protégée-NCO rank by the German Wehrmacht in 1935. In the military branch cavalry, artillery and anti-aircraft artillery it was called Oberwachtmeister.

The equivalent rank to the Oberfeldwebel in the Waffen-SS was the SS-Hauptscharführer from 1938 until 1945.

The rank has been used in the GDR National People's Army from 1956 until 1990 as well.

Rank information

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It is grouped as OR6 in NATO, equivalent in the US Army to Staff Sergeant, or in British Army / RAF to Sergeant.

In army/ air force context NCOs of this rank were formally addressed as Herr Oberfeldwebel also informally / short Oberfeld.

The sequence of ranks (top-down approach) in that particular group (Senior NCOs with portepee) is as follows:

Remark

The abbreviation "OR" stands for "Other Ranks / fr: sous-officiers et militaires du rang / ru:другие ранги, кроме офицероф"!

junior Rank
Feldwebel
   

(German NCO rank)
Oberfeldwebel

senior Rank
Hauptfeldwebel
Oberfähnrich

References

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  1. ^ "SLV - Einzelnorm". www.gesetze-im-internet.de. Archived from the original on 2016-04-06.

Sources

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  • Die Enzyklopädie in 24 Bänden (1796–2001), Band 5 (in German). Brockhaus. 2001. p. 487. ISBN 3-7653-3665-3.
  • Die Enzyklopädie in 24 Bänden (1796–2001), Band 7 (in German). Brockhaus. 2001. p. 185. ISBN 3-7653-3676-9.