Ranks and insignia of the Waffen-SS

This table contains the final ranks and insignia of the Waffen-SS, which were in use from April 1942–45, in comparison to the German Wehrmacht Heer. The highest rank of the combined SS (Gesamt-SS) was that of Reichsführer-SS; however, there was no Waffen-SS equivalent to this position.

Table


NATO pay-grade equivalent
Rank insignia Designation
German / (English)
Equivalent to the Wehrmacht
(Heer)
Collar badge Shoulder strap and sleeve Sleeve
(parka)
General ranks
OF-9
SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer und Generaloberst der Waffen-SS
(SS-Supreme group leader and colonel general of the Waffen-SS)
Generaloberst
OF-8
SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS
(SS-Senior group leader and general of the Waffen-SS)
General ...
OF-7
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS
(SS-Group leader and lieutenant general of the Waffen-SS)
Generalleutnant
OF-6
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS
(SS-Brigadier leader and major general of the Waffen-SS)
Generalmajor
Officer ranks
OF-5
SS-Oberführer
(SS-Senior leader of the Waffen-SS)
No equivalent.
SS-Standartenführer
(SS-Standard leader (regiment sized unit))
Oberst
OF-4
SS-Obersturmbannführer
(SS-Senior assault unit leader (battalion sized unit))
Oberstleutnant
OF-3
SS-Sturmbannführer
(SS-Assault unit leader)
Major
OF-2
SS-Hauptsturmführer
(SS-Head assault leader (company sized sub unit))
Hauptmann/Rittmeister
OF-1a
SS-Obersturmführer
(SS-Senior assault leader)
Oberleutnant
OF-1b
SS-Untersturmführer
(SS-Second/Junior assault leader)
Leutnant
Non-Commissioned Officer ranks
OR-8
SS-Sturmscharführer
(SS-Assault platoon leader)
Stabsfeldwebel
SS-Stabsscharführer was a specific appointment, comparable to "Company Sergeant Major". This position, usually nicknamed "Spiess" in the German armed forces, was held by experienced senior NCOs who had already reached the rank of SS-Hauptscharführer (OR-7) or SS-Oberscharführer (OR-6), rarely SS-Scharführer (OR-5). Appointment insignia: so-called "double piston rings" on both cuffs (of sleeves) on the uniform jacket and the overcoat.
SS-Stabsscharführer
(senior NCO, e.g. Hauptscharführer or Oberscharführer, seldom Scharführer)
Hauptfeldwebel
(senior NCO e.g., Oberfeldwebel or Feldwebel, seldom Unterfeldwebel)
OR-7
SS-Hauptscharführer
(SS-Chief platoon leader)
(SS-Standartenoberjunker OA / Officer Aspiant)
Oberfeldwebel
(Oberfähnrich OA/ Offiziersanwärter)
OR-6
SS-Oberscharführer
(SS-Senior platoon leader)

(SS-Standartenjunker OA/ Officer Aspirant)

Feldwebel
(Fähnrich OA/ Offiziersanwärter)
OR-5
SS-Scharführer
(SS-Section leader)
(SS-Oberjunker / Offiziersanwärter)
Unterfeldwebel
SS-Unterscharführer
(SS-Junior section leader)
(SS-Junker OA/ Officer Aspirant)
Unteroffizier
(Fahnenjunker / Offiziersanwärter)
Enlisted men
No equivalent Stabsgefreiter (OR-4)
OR-3
SS-Rottenführer
(SS-Squad leader)
Obergefreiter

OR-2
SS-Sturmmann
(SS-Assault man/Storm trooper)
Gefreiter
OR-1
SS-Oberschütze
(SS-Senior rifleman)
Oberschütze
SS-Schütze
(SS-Rifleman)
Soldat, Schütze, Grenadier
Volunteer to the service of the Waffen-SS Conscript or military volunteer who enlists and may become an NCO or Officer of the Wehrmacht
Remarks

See also

References

  1. Quotation as to: "Schlag nach!, Bibliographisches Institut AG., Leipzig, 1938, S.203"
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