Mann (military rank)
Mann (German for "man"), was a paramilitary rank used by several Nazi Party paramilitary organizations between 1925 and 1945. The rank is most often associated with the SS, and also as a rank of the SA where Mann was the lowest enlisted rank and was the equivalent of a private.[1][2]
In 1938, with the rise of the SS-Verfügungstruppe (later renamed the Waffen-SS), the SS changed the rank of SS-Mann to Schütze, although still retained the original SS rank of Mann for the Allgemeine-SS (general SS). The rank of Mann was junior to SS-Sturmmann.
In most Nazi Party organizations, the rank of Mann held no distinctive insignia. Some groups, however, granted a minor form of rank insignia such as a blank collar patch or simple shoulder board to denote the rank of Mann.[3] (see right: SS rank insignia pattern from 1933)
Even lower ranks, e.g. Bewerber, Jungmann, Anwärter, Vollanwärter, were established in the mid-1930s as a recruit or candidate position, held by an individual seeking an appointment as a Mann in a Nazi Party paramilitary organization.[1]
- Rank insignian of the Allgemeine SS and Waffen-SS
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SS-Mann Allgemeine SS, shoulder strap
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SS-Schütze Waffen-SS, shoulder strap
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SS-Mann/ SS-Schütze, collar patch (1940-1945)
Candidate status
|
1st rank Allgemeine SS SS-Mann |
2nd rank no equivalent |
3rd rank SS-Sturmmann |
Volunteer for joining the Waffen-SS
|
1st Rank Waffen-SS SS-Schütze |
2nd rank SS-Oberschütze |
3rd rank SS-Sturmmann |
| Candidate status SA-Anwärter |
1st SA rank SA-Mann |
2nd rank no equivalent |
3rd rank SA-Sturmmann |
| person liable to military service Wehrmacht |
1st Wehrmacht rank Soldat |
2nd rank Oberschütze |
3rd rank Gefreiter |
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