Major (Germany)

For the use of this rank in other countries, see major.
Major

(Heer / Luftwaffe)

Rank insignia German officer rank
Introduction 1956
Rank group Commissioned officers
Army / Air Force Major
Navy Korvettenkapitän
NATO
equivalent 		OF-3
Army Major
Air force Squadron leader
NavyLieutenant commander

Major (German pronunciation: [maˈjoːɐ]) is the lowest staff officer rank in the armed forces of Germany (Bundeswehr), e.g. Heer, and Luftwaffe. The rank is rated OF-3 in NATO. The rank insignia is a silver oakleaf cluster with a silver pip (star).

The OF-3 equivalent of the German Navy is the Korvettenkapitän.

See also

⇒ Artikle: Ranks of the German Bundeswehr
⇒ Artikle: Rank insignia of the German Bundeswehr

To be appointed to the rank of Major, the officer has to pass a staff officer basic course (Stabsoffizierlehrgang) which is held at the German Armed Forces Command and Staff College (Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr), and serve in a post coded A13 or A13/A14.

In the German Army and the Joint Support Service (Streitkräftebasis), the waiting period between meeting the requirements for promotion and actual promotion to the rank of Major averages 15 months due to budget problems (as of July 2010).

Rank insignia

On the shoulder straps (Heer, Luftwaffe) there is one silver pip (star) in silver oak leaves.


German Heer/Luftwaffe officer rank
Line officer career
junior Rank
Hauptmann		 Major
(Oberstabsarzt)
Kovettenkapitän 		senior Rank
Oberstleutnant
Warrant officer / officer specialist career
Hauptmann Stabshauptmann End of officer specialist career

History

The Major rank in German speaking armed forces dates back to the Middle Ages. It equates to major in the British and US Armies, and is rated OF-3 in NATO.

During World War II, the SS equivalent was Sturmbannführer.

See also