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Unterleutnant (NPA-original abbreviation Ultn.; en: translation "Under-lieutenant" or "sub-lieutenant") was an officer of the armies of East Germany and other nations. The rank was first introduced in 1662-74 by France and was also adopted by some other countries' armed forces. In the East German National People's Army from 1956 to 1990, Unterleutnant was the lowest commissioned officer (CO) rank. It belonged to the rank group of lieutenants or subaltern officers. [1] The equivalent rank of the Volksmarine was Unterleutnant zur See (en: "sub-lieutenant at sea").
In a number of German armed forces of the 19th century before German unification in 1871 there was the following graduation: Oberleutnant (Premierlieutenant) and Leutnant (Secondelieutenant); without the rank Unterleutnant.
However, until 1898 there was the rank Unterleutnant zur See in the Imperial German Navy. This rank was equivalent to the Secondelieutenant of the Imperial German Army (de: deutsches Heer).
In the Reichswehr, Wehrmacht, and Bundeswehr there was never a rank Unterleutnant.
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Rank insignia | NPA officer rank | ||
Introduction | 1956 | ||
Rank group | Commissioned officers | ||
Army / Air Force | Unterleutnant | ||
Navy | Unterleutnant zur See |
Depending on the former Soviet military doctrine as well as to the other armed forces of the Warsaw Pact the so-called GDR armed organizations, the Unterleutnant was the lowest officer rank.
In the NPA and in the GDR border troops the lieutenant officer sub-rank group consisted of Unterleutnant, Leutnant, and Oberleutnant.
This officer rank could be assigned to military appointments as follows: officer of the operations service, political officer, officer of the technical service, supply, procurement, and military justice service.
The graduation to that particular OF1c officer rank was normally possible depending on the education and training, accomplished. The promotion to the following Leutnant OF1b-rank was achievable after two years of service, to Hauptmann after three more years. [2]
After successful passing of the officer course (normally three years) on a NPA officers school, officer students (de: Offiziersschüler) normally graduated to the rank Unterleutnant. The best school-leavers of the appropriate course could be promoted to the next higher rank, Leutnant. By establishing of the Officers High schools and diploma course of study the final examination all graduates promoted to the rank Leutnant.
The equivalent rank of the Volksmarine was initially Unterleutnant zur See. Later the designation was changed to Unterleutnant. However, in individual linguistic usage the traditionally wording Unterleutnant zur See was used continuously.
Since then the status of NPA persons in uniform with the rank Unterleutnant changed from professional soldier to longer-service volunteer (de: „Offizier auf Zeit“ – OaZ). The minimum service time was three years, and the so-called Abitur (en: final examination, qualifying for university entrance) was mandatory. In 1982 the minimum service time was raised to four years. Normally the one year lasting military education and study had to be accomplished on an officer's high school. By passing the final examination, the aspirant could be promoted to the Unterleutnat OF1c-rank. This was followed by the first line officer assignment in one of the NPA services or branches of service. An Unterleutnant could usually be appointed to platoon leader. Pertaining to special abilities, knowledge, or qualification – special assignment could be possible as well.
Under certain circumstances, e.g. successful completion of a reserve officer's training course during high school study, suitable graduates could be appointed to Unterleutnant of the Reserve (de: Unterleutnant der Reserve).
In some cases particular able Stabsfeldwebel or Fähnrich (NPA) could be appointed to Unterleutnant.
junior rank Stabsoberfähnrich | ![]() National People's Army rank Unterleutnant (Unterleutnant zur See) | senior rank Leutnant |
In the GDR Volkspolizei Unterleutnant (official "Unterleutnant der VP") was the lowest commissioned officer rank as well. Normally officer students, graduated from officer's training course, could be promoted to that rank. However, the best graduate of the particular year could be promoted to the next higher rank, Leutnant of the VP.
Members of the GDR Ministry of Interior, graduated from the Ministry of Interior Officers high school "Artur Becker", another high school facility or university, were normally promoted to Leutnant of the VP. Depending on the course of study, duration, and academic or university degree, achieved, promotion to higher ranks could be possible.
The underlöjtnant rank was introduced in 1835 to replace the former fänrik and kornett ranks, and until 1926 was the lowest commissioned officer rank of the Swedish Armed Forces. The fänrik rank was reintroduced in 1914 with the same status as underlöjtnant, but it was subsequently moved one level below underlöjtnant in 1926. Underlöjtnant was removed from the Swedish Armed Forces rank structure in 1937.
Leutnant is the lowest Junior officer rank in the armed forces of Germany (Bundeswehr), the Austrian Armed Forces, and the military of Switzerland.
The National People's Army were the armed forces of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) from 1956 to 1990.
Oberleutnant is the highest lieutenant officer rank in the German-speaking armed forces of Germany (Bundeswehr), the Austrian Armed Forces, and the Swiss Armed Forces.
Generalmajor is the Germanic variant of major general, used in a number of Central and Northern European countries.
Officer candidate or officer aspirant (OA) is a rank in some militaries of the world that is an appointed position while a person is in training to become an officer. More often than not, an officer candidate was a civilian who applied to join the military directly as an officer. Officer candidates are, therefore, not considered of the same status as enlisted personnel.
Wachtmeister is a military rank of non-commissioned officers (NCO) in Austria and Switzerland. The Wachtmeister was initially responsible for the guard duty of the army. Later, it became the Feldwebel equivalent NCO-grade of the cavalry and artillery. Besides Austria and Switzerland today, the rank was also used elsewhere, for example in Germany, Russia, and Poland (wachmistrz).
Army general, was the highest peacetime general officer rank in the so-called armed organs of the GDR, that is, the Ministry of National Defence, the Stasi, and the Ministry of the Interior. It is comparable to the four-star rank in many NATO armed forces. It was aligned with Soviet military doctrine and other armed forces of the Warsaw Pact.
Fänrik is a company grade officer rank. In the army/airforce, it ranks above sergeant and below lieutenant. In the navy, it ranks above sergeant and below sub-lieutenant. It is equivalent to the specialist officers rank of översergeant. Fänrik means standard-bearer and has been used as a name for the lowest officer rank in the Swedish infantry since the 16th century, with the exception of the years 1835–1914.
Aspirant is a rank in the Argentinian Armed Forces, Belgian Air Component, Brazilian military, Estonian Defence Forces, French military, Italian Air Force, Polish Police, Polish State Fire Service, Portuguese military, Romanian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and Swiss military.
Fähnrich is an officer candidate rank in the Austrian Bundesheer and German Bundeswehr. The word Fähnrich comes from an older German military title, Fahnenträger, and first became a distinct military rank in Germany on 1 January 1899. However, Fähnrich ranks are often incorrectly compared with the rank of ensign, which shares a similar etymology but is a full-fledged commissioned officer rank.
Löjtnant is a company grade officer rank. In the army/airforce, it ranks above second lieutenant and below captain. In the navy, it ranks above acting sub-lieutenant and below lieutenant. It is equivalent to the specialist officers rank of förvaltare. The rank has been used in Sweden since the Middle Ages.
Leutnant zur See is the lowest officer rank in the German Navy. It is grouped as OF1 in NATO, equivalent to an Ensign in the United States Navy, and an Acting Sub-Lieutenant in the British Royal Navy.
Military ranks of the Swedish Armed Forces shows the rank system used in the Swedish Armed Forces today, as well as changes during the 20th century due to changes in the personnel structure.
The following article lists the historical military ranks used by personnel of the Swedish Armed Forces.
Oberwachtmeister (OWm) (ge: for senior master-sentinel; senior watch-master) is in Austria and Switzerland a military rank of non-commissioned officers (NCO). Besides Austria and Switzerland today, the rank was also used for example in Germany and Russia.
The ranks of the German Armed Forces,, were set up by the President with the Anordnung des Bundespräsidenten über die Dienstgradbezeichnungen und die Uniform der Soldaten on the basis of section 4, paragraph 3 of the Soldatengesetz. The Bundesbesoldungsordnung regulates the salary scales of all Federal office holders and employees including soldiers. The 'ZdV-64/10 – Abkürzungen in der Bundeswehr' gives the abbreviations and a list of the abbreviations.
Stabswachtmeister is in the Austrian Bundesheer a NCO-rank. As lowest grade of the Staff-NCO rank group he is normally dedicated to command a platoon or to serve in a military staff appointment. However, he might also be assigned to command a military squad.
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.
Fähnrich was a military rank in the National People's Army (NPA) of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) including the GDR Volksmarine and Border troops, from 1973 to 1990. The minimum service time to this particular type of military specialist was 15 years.
Underlöjtnant was the lowest officer rank in the Swedish Army from 1835 to 1937 instead of the previous ranks of fänrik and cornet. Fänrik was reintroduced in 1914 with the same position as underlöjtnant, from 1926 with lower position.