Oberstabsgefreiter (German: [oːbɐˈʃtaːpsɡəˌfʁaɪ̯tɐ] , abbreviated OStGefr, on lists OSG; "Senior Staff Gefreiter") was the highest enlisted rank in the German Bundeswehr[1] before the new ranks Korporal and Stabskorporal were introduced in October 2021.[2] The rank can be comparable to corporal in Anglophone armed forces.[3]
| Oberstabsgefreiter | |
|---|---|
  Heer shoulder and Marine sleeve insignia | |
| Country |  Germany |
| Service branch |  German Army German Navy German Air Force |
| Abbreviation | OStGefr. |
| Rank group | Enlisted rank |
| NATO rank code | OR-4 |
| Pay grade | 5A |
| Formation | 1995 |
| Next higher rank | Korporal |
| Next lower rank | Stabsgefreiter |
History
editThe rank was first introduced by the Kriegsmarine in 1940 and was named Matrosenoberstabsgefreiter ("Seaman Senior Staff Gefreiter"). In Heer and Luftwaffe, the rank did not exist.
| Waffen-SS | Heer (Army) | Luftwaffe (Air Force) | Kriegsmarine (Navy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS-Schütze | Schütze | Flieger | Matrose |
| SS-Oberschütze | Oberschütze | ||
| SS-Sturmmann | Gefreiter | Matrosengefreiter | |
| SS-Rottenführer | Obergefreiter | Matrosenobergefreiter | |
| No equivalent | Hauptgefreiter | Matrosenhauptgefreiter | |
| No equivalent | Stabsgefreiter | Matrosenstabsgefreiter | |
| No equivalent | Matrosenoberstabsgefreiter | ||
Bundeswehr
editA private of the German Bundeswehr might be promoted to that OR4-rank after a regular service time of 48 months.[4]
| junior Rank Stabsgefreiter |
  (German enlisted men rank) |
senior Rank Korporal |
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ BROCKHAUS, The encyclopedia in 24 volumes (1796–2001), Volume 20: 3-7653-3680-7, page 700.
- ^ Cingi, Hanife (25 August 2020). "Korporal und Stabskorporal – Frequently Asked Questions für Soldaten und Soldatinnen". bundeswehr.de (in German). Retrieved 22 January 2021.
- ^ Official Website (Bundeswehr): Dienstgrade und Uniformen der Bundeswehr (Service Ranks and Uniforms of the German Federal Defence Forces) (in German)
- ^ Soldatenlaufbahnordnung (soldier´s career order) of the Bundsewehr, § 9.1 service time.
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