(), is the designation for German junior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) in the German Armed Forces. The category was a division of the NCO class, separating junior NCOs from Unteroffiziere mit Portepee, or senior NCOs (who wore the sword knot). The name is derived from earlier traditions in which German senior NCOs (Feldwebel) would carry the officer's sidearms (sword, sabre) with the officer's swordknot (made from silver or gold lace).
Ranks in this category: Unteroffizier (navy: Maat) Fahnenjunker (navy: Seekadett) Stabsunteroffizier (navy: Obermaat, historical: Unterfeldwebel / Unterwachtmeister)Schlicht, Adolf and John R. Angloia, Die Deutsche Wehrmacht: Uniformierung und Ausrüstung 1933-1945 Band 1: Das Heer (Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart, 2000) p.26
Table of ranks Rank insignia to NCOs without portepée of Heer, Luftwaffe and MarineGerman payment level A 6-7 A 5 Shoulder strapsservice uniform/field uniform rank Stabsunteroffizier Fahnenjunker Unteroffizier Shoulder strapscuff insigniasfield uniform rank Obermaat Seekadett Maat NATO rank OR-5
See also Unteroffiziere mit Portepee - NCOs with portepee Rank insignia of the German Bundeswehr
References