Ranks and insignia of the Sturmabteilung

This table contains the final ranks and insignia of the Sturmabteilung (short SA), which were in use from 1942-1945 in comparison to the German Wehrmacht Heer.

Table


rank		 Rank insignia Designation
German / (English)		 Equivalent to the Wehrmacht/ Heer
(English)
Collar badge Shoulder strap
OF-10
Oberster Führer der SA
(Supreme leader of the SA)		 Generalfeldmarschall
OF-9 no equivalent Generaloberst
(Colonel general)
OF-8
SA-Obergruppenführer
(SA-Senior group leader)		 General der Waffengattung
(General of the branch)
OF-7
SA-Gruppenführer
(SA-Group leader)		 Generalleutnant
(Lieutenant general)
OF-6
SA-Brigadeführer
(SA-Brigadier leader)		 Generalmajor
(Major general)
OF-5
SA-Oberführer
(SA-Senior leader)		 No equivalent.
SA-Standartenführer
(SA-Standard leader (regiment sized unit))		 Oberst
(Colonel)
OF-4 SA-Obersturmbannführer
(SA-Senior storm unit leader (battalion sized unit))		 Oberstleutnant
(Lieutenant colonel)
OF-3 SA-Sturmbannführer
(SA-Storm unit leader)		 Major
(Major)
OF-2 SA-Hauptsturmführer
(SA-Chief storm leader (company sized sub unit))		 Hauptmann/Rittmeister
(Captain (OF-2))
OF-1a SA-Obersturmführer
(SA-Senior storm leader)		 Oberleutnant
(First lieutenant)
OF-1b SA-Sturmführer
(SA-Storm leader)		 Leutnant
(Second lieutenant)
OR-8 SA-Hauptruppführer
(SA-Chief troop leader (platoon sized unit))		 Stabsfeldwebel
OR-7 SA-Obertruppführer
(SA-Senior troop leader (platoon sized unit))		 Oberfeldwebel
(Oberfähnrich OA/ Offiziersanwärter)
OR-6 SA-Truppführer
(SA-Troop leader (platoon sized unit))		 Feldwebel
(Fähnrich OA/ Offiziersanwärter)
OR-5 SA-Oberscharführer
(SA-Senior squad leader)		 Unterfeldwebel
OR-4 SA-Scharführer
(SA-Squad leader))		 Unteroffizier
(Fahnenjunker / Offiziersanwärter)
OR-3 no equivalent Stabsgefreiter (OR-3)
SA-Rottenführer
(SA-Team leader (Fire team sized unit))		 Obergefreiter

OR-2 SA-Sturmmann
(SA-Storm man/Storm trooper)		 Gefreiter
OR-1 No equivalent Ober… e.g. Oberschütze, Obergrenadier, Oberfunker, Oberkanonier, … etc.
SA-Mann
(SA-Man/SA-Trooper)		 Soldat, Schütze, Grenadier, Funker, Kanonier, … etc.
Volunteer (SA-Anwärter (en: SA-Aspirant/Candidate)) to the service of the Sturmabteilung (SA) Conscript or military volunteer who enlists and may become an NCO or Officer of the Wehrmacht
Remarks

R i g h t collar patch contains the number and type of unit (ascending up to “Obersturmbannführer” (OF4) in SA and SS, and “Oberstaffelfuehrer” (OF4) in NSMC): … L e f t collar patch contain the rank insignias (from ascending “Standartenfuehrer” (OF5) both sides).

Sources