The Ranks of the National People's Army were the military insignia used by the National People's Army, the army of the German Democratic Republic, from 1956 to 1990.
Design
The design of the rank insignias followed the tradition of the German Army () with some modifications. For example, the cuff titles (chevron insignias) of the were replaced by Soviet-styled shoulder straps with cross-stripes.
Shoulder strap rank insignias Commissioned officer ranks up to featured four-pointed golden stars in increasing number according to seniority, and arranged following the Soviet pattern.
Junior officer (lieutenant and captain ranks) shoulder straps were made of silver satin string (). had a single golden star, two side-by-side stars, and three stars in a triangle. rank had a fourth star above the triangular formation.
Senior officer shoulder straps were twisted silver cords, had a single star, two stars, and three stars, again arranged following the Soviet example.
Generals wore twisted golden and silver cords with five-pointed stars numbering from one () to four ().
Ground forces, Air force, and Border troops Remark: The different colours represent the appropriate service, branch, branch of service, or special troop.
General and Officer ranks
East Germany
Officer candidate or officer aspirant (OA) The table below contains the Ofiziersschüler ranks (en: student officers; equivalent to officer candidate or officer aspirant (OA)).
Offiziersschüler (OF(D)) Academic year 6th 5th 4th 3rd 2nd 1st Preparation course Shoulder boards Corps colour/ Troops Air Force (Luftstreitkräfte) Motorized infantry(Mot.-Schützen) Engineers(Pioniere) Armoured troops(Panzertruppen) Communications (Nachrichten) Motorized infantry
Warrant officers +Fähnrichkorps and Fähnrichschüler of the NPASleeve insignia(1979-1990)<br/ > W-4 W-3 W-2 W-1W (Student) (Staff-senior-Warrant Officer) (Staff-Warrant Officer) (Senior-Warrant Officer) (Warrant Officer) (Warrant Officer-Cadet)
Sleeve insignia as to 1973-1979 20 years of service 15 years of service 10 years of service
NCO and enlisted ranks EastGermany
Volksmarine While the sleeve ranks of the officers were of the style used by the Soviet Navy, all shoulder board insignia used were German in origin, with the star arrangement for officers based on the Soviet rank insignia.
Officer ranks and insignia Unlike most Warsaw pact navies, the People's Navy also used staff corps insignia on the sleeve following traditional German practice. The sleeve rank insignia shown are those of the line officer corps.
Officer candidate or officer aspirant (OA) The table below contains the Ofiziersschüler ranks (en: student officers; equivalent to officer candidate or officer aspirant (OA)).
Offiziersschüler Academic year 6th 5th 4th 3rd 2nd 1st Preparation course Shoulder boards
Warrant officers +Fähnrichkorps and Fähnrichschüler of the NPASleeve insignia (as to 1979–1990)<br/ > (not to Fähnrich-student) W-4 W-3 W-2 W-1 W (Student) (Staff-senior-Warrant Officer) (Staff-Warrant Officer) (Senior-Warrant Officer) (Warrant Officer) (Warrant Officer-Cadet)
Sleeve insignia as to 1973-1979 20 years of service 15 years of service 10 years of service
Petty officers and sailors to wore the career insignia on shoulder straps only
Other insignia Field insignia Officers Rank group General officers Field officers Junior officers Insignia Ground andair forces
Enlisted Rank group Insignia Ground andair forces /
Aviator and technician suit insignia, 1985-1990 Officers Rank group General officers Field officers Junior officers Insignia Army, Air force Navy
Officer candidate Rank group Insignia Ground,air forces &navy 4th year 3rd year 2nd year 1st year
Warrant officers Rank group Insignia Ground,air forces &navy 2nd year 1st year
Enlisted Insignia Ground andair forces Navy
See also Corps colours (NPA) Glossary of German military terms
References
External links