This table contains the final ranks and insignia of the Waffen-SS, which were in use from 1942-1945 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[]
| Rank insignia collar badge |
Shoulder strap | Sleeve (parka) |
Rank of the Waffen-SS | Equivalent to the Wehrmacht (Heer) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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SS-Oberst-gruppenführer und Generaloberst der Waffen-SS (SS-Supreme group leader and colonel general of the Waffen-SS) |
Generaloberst (OF-9) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS (SS-Senior group leader and general of the Waffen-SS) |
General der Infanterie (etc.) (OF-8) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
SS-Gruppenführer und Generalleutnant der Waffen-SS (SS-Group leader and lieutenant general of the Waffen-SS) |
Generalleutnant (OF-7) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS (SS-Brigade leader and major general of the Waffen-SS) |
Generalmajor (OF-6) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
SS-Oberführer (SS-Senior leader of the Waffen-SS) |
 No equivalent.
| |
 |
|
 |
SS-Standartenführer (SS-Regiment leader) |
Oberst (OF-5) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
SS-Obersturmbannführer (SS-Senior assault unit leader) |
Oberstleutnant (OF-4) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
SS-Sturmbannführer (SS-Assault unit leader) |
Major (OF-3) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
SS-Hauptsturmführer (SS-Chief assault leader) |
Hauptmann/Rittmeister (OF-2) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
SS-Obersturmführer (SS-Senior assault leader) |
Oberleutnant (OF-1) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
SS-Untersturmführer (SS-Junior assault leader) |
Leutnant (OF-1) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
SS-Sturmscharführer (SS-Assault squad leader) |
Stabsfeldwebel (OR-8) |  |
| SS-Stabsscharführer, German nickname "Spiess" is a specific appointment, comparable to the "company sergeant major". Appointment insignia: so-called "double piston rings" on both cuffs (of sleeves) on the uniform jacket and the overcoat. The position is committed to experienced senor NCO already promoted to SS-Hauptscharführers (OR-7 or SS-Scharführer (OR-6), seldom SS-Scharführer (OR-5). | SS-Stabsscharführer "Spiess" (senor NCO, e.g. Hauptscharführer or Oberscharführer, seldom Scharführer) |
Hauptfeldwebel "Spiess" (senior NCO e.g., Oberfeldwebel or Feldwebel, seldom Unterfeldwebel) | |||
 |
 |
 |
SS-Hauptscharführer (SS-Chief squad leader) (SS-Standartenoberjunker / Offiziersanwärter) |
Oberfeldwebel (OR-7) (Oberfähnrich / Offiziersanwärter) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
SS-Oberscharführer (SS-Senior squad leader) (SS-Standartenjunker / Offiziersanwärter) |
Feldwebel (OR-6) (Fähnrich / Offiziersanwärter) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
SS-Scharführer (SS-Squad leader) (SS-Oberjunker / Offiziersanwärter) |
Unterfeldwebel (OR-5) |  |
 |
 |
 |
SS-Unterscharführer (SS-Junior squad leader) (SS-Junker / Offiziersanwärter) |
Unteroffizier (OR-4) (Fahnenjunker / Offiziersanwärter) |
 |
| No equivalent | Stabsgefreiter (OR-4) |  
| |||
  |
 |
SS-Rottenführer (SS-Section leader) |
Obergefreiter (OR-4) |
| |
  |
|
SS-Sturmmann (SS-Storm trooper) |
Gefreiter (OR-3) | 
| |
  |
|
SS-Oberschütze (SS-Senior rifleman) |
Oberschütze (OR-2) | 
| |
|
|
SS-Schütze (SS-Rifleman) |
Soldat, Schütze, Grenadier (OR-1) | | |
| 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
Details, conditions, and prerequisites for SS-Candidates, aspirant or volunteers for full membership to the Allgemeine SS are described in the main articles SS-Bewerber and SS-Anwärter.
See also[]
- Corps colours (Waffen-SS)
- Nazi party paramilitary ranks
- Ranks and Insignia of the German Army in World War II
- Comparative military ranks of World War II
- List of SS personnel
- Glossary of Nazi Germany
- Degen, the SS Sword
References[]
Sources[]
- Bedurftig, Friedemann, and Zenter, Christian. The Encyclopedia of the Third Reich. 1985.
- Cook, Stan and Bender, R. James. Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler - Volume One: Uniforms, Organization, & History. San Jose, CA: R. James Bender Publishing, 1994. ISBN 978-0-912138-55-8
- Hayes, A. SS Uniforms, Insignia and Accoutrements. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. 2000. ISBN 978-0-7643-0046-2
- Lumsden, Robin. A Collector's Guide To: The Allgemeine - SS, Ian Allan Publishing, Inc. 2002. ISBN 0-7110-2905-9
- Mollo, Andrew. Uniforms of the SS, Collected Edition Vol. 1–6. Motorbooks Intl. 1997. ISBN 978-1-85915-048-1
- Personnel Service Records of the S.S., National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland
External links[]
- Grey uniform of a SS-Sturmbannführer of a self-propelled gun crew of the SS-Totenkopf-Division
- Black uniform of a SS-Standartenführer of the SS-Totenkopfverbände
- Uniform of a SS-Unterscharführer of the early SS-Totenkopf-Division
- Examples of different cuff titles of the SS
- Examples of different cuff titles of the Waffen-SS
- Cuff title of the "training camp Dachau" (carried by members of the Waffen-SS there during their "platoon leader training course" aka German "Zugführerlehrgang")
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The original article can be found at Table of ranks and insignia of the Waffen-SS and the edit history here.