RK Kassel - German Bundeswehr Rank Insignia

Rank Insignia of the German Bundeswehr

German Army

German Air Force

The German Air Force uses the same rank insignia like the German Army. The only difference is the Air Force double-wing on the Air Force rank insignia. The lowest rank of the Air Force is Flieger/Airman. The Army Aviators Heeresflieger also use this rank as OR-1 rank.

Mounting loops of the Air Force (left), Navy (middle) and Army (right)

(Image source: Bundeswehr/Leopold)

Mounting loop an Air Force Oberfeldwebel/Staff Sergeant

(Image source: Wikipedia)

German Navy

Seekadett - Officer Cadet
Fähnrich zur See - Midshipman
Oberfähnrich zur See - Midshipman / Ensign
Leutnant zur See - Ensign / Lieutenant Junior Grade / Sublieutenant
Oberleutnant zur See - Lieutenant Junior Grade / Sublieutenant
Kapitänleutnant - Lieutenant / Lieutenant Commander
Stabskapitänleutnant – senior to Kapitänleutnant, same pay grade as Korvettenkapitän, for specialist officers only
Korvettenkapitän - Commander Juniorgrade (JG)
Fregattenkapitän - Commander Seniorgrade (SG)
Kapitän zur See - Captain
Flottillenadmiral - Rear Admiral lower half
Konteradmiral - Rear Admiral upper half / Counter Admiral
Vizeadmiral - Vice Admiral
Admiral

Matrose - Seaman Recruit
Gefreiter - Seaman Apprentice
Gefreiter-UA - Seaman Apprentice E2 - Petty Officer 2nd Class Candidate
Gefreiter-BA - Seaman Apprentice E2 - Petty Officer 1st Class Candidate
Gefreiter-OA - Seaman Apprentice E2 - Officer Candidate
Obergefreiter - Seaman
Hauptgefreiter - Seaman
Stabsgefreiter - Petty Officer 3rd Class
Oberstabsgefreiter - Petty Officer 3rd Class
Maat - Petty Officer 2nd Class
Maat-BA - Petty Officer 2nd Class - Probationary Petty Officer 1st Class
Obermaat - Petty Officer 2nd Class
Bootsmann - Petty Officer 1st Class
Oberbootsmann - Petty Officer 1st Class
Hauptbootsmann - Chief Petty Officer
Stabsbootsmann - Senior Chief Petty Officer
Oberstabsbootsmann - Master Chief Petty Officer, Command/Fleet/Force Master Chief Petty Officer

Basic form of mounting straps

Mounting straps or loops (de: Aufziehschlaufen) are in principle absolutely identical to the design of the shoulder straps, depicted above. From this point of few it might be sufficient to demonstrate exemplarily the different versions of design, instead to show a complete list. Official procured mounting straps are weaved. The field uniform type of mounting straps, used most, shows black or golden emblems on stone-grey/ olive-colour basic textile.