Oberfähnrich zur See (OFähnr zS or OFRZS) designates in the German Navy of the Bundeswehr a military person or member of the armed forces with the last or highest Officer Aspirant (OA – ) rank. According to the salary class it is equivalent to the Portepeeunteroffizier ranks Hauptbootsmann (Marine) and Hauptfeldwebel of Heer or Luftwaffe.
It is also grouped as OR-7 in NATO, equivalent to First Sergeant, Master Sergeant, or Senior Chief Petty Officer in the US Armed forces, and to Warrant Officer Class 2 in the British Army and Royal Navy.
In navy context NCOs of this rank were formally addressed as Herr Oberfähnrich zur See also informally / short Oberfähnrich.
The sequence of ranks (top-down approach) in that particular group is as follows: OR-9: Oberstabsbootsmann / Oberstabsfeldwebel OR-8: Stabsbootsmann / Stabsfeldwebel OR-7: Oberfähnrich zur See and Hauptbootsmann / Oberfähnrich and Hauptfeldwebel OR-6a: Oberbootsmann / Oberfeldwebel OR-6b: Fähnrich zur See and Bootsmann / Fähnrich and Feldwebel
junior RankOberbootsmann Oberfähnrich zur Seesenior RankStabsbootsmannHauptbootsmann
Particularity The top-down sequence of German Marine midshipman ranks is as follows:Mallmann Showell, p. 228 Oberfähnrich zur See Fähnrich zur See Seekadett
Already below the lowest officer designated rank "Seekadett" any military person, assigned to an officer career, has to wear additionally to the particular rank the two capital letters “OA”, indicating to the “Officer Aspirant” career. The "nautical star" symbolises the "OA" career.
See also Ranks of the German Bundeswehr Rank insignia of the German Bundeswehr
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