Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee (literally translated as "Petty (non-commissioned) officers without Sword-knot") is the designation for German junior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) in the German army. The name is derived from earlier traditions in which German senior NCOs (Feldwebel) would carry the officer's sidearms (sword, sabre) with the officer's swordknot (made from silver or gold lace).
Ranks in this category:
- Unteroffizier (navy: Maat)
- Stabsunteroffizier (navy: Obermaat)
The original article can be found at Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee and the edit history here.