Zugsführer

Not to be confused with the more senior German appointment Zugführer, equivalent to platoon leader in Anglophonic armed forces.

Zugsführer
Field and service uniform insignia
Country	Austria
Service branch	Austrian Armed Forces
Abbreviation	Zgf
Rank group	Enlisted rank
Non-NATO rank	OR-4
Formation	1857
Next higher rank	Wachtmeister
Next lower rank	Korporal

Zugsführer (Zgf or ZF; lit. 'Platoon leader') is a rank of the enlisted men rank group (EN group) in the Austrian Bundesheer. In comparison to the German Bundeswehr it is equivalent to the EN-rank “Oberstabsgefreiter”. A Zugsführer might be tasked to lead a sub-subunit of 8 to 13 soldiers.

During United Nations missions and in NATO Partnership for Peace the rank Zugsführer will be designated in English with Master Corporal (MCpl) and is equivalent to NATO-Rang code OR-4.

Austria-Hungary (until 1918)

The Zugsführer rank was derived from the former platoon corporal (de: Zugskorporal) in 1857 and introduced to the Austro-Hungarian armed forces (hu: „Szakaszvezetö“). The rank was equivalent to the German NCO-grade Sergeant. The Zugsführer was authorized to wear yellow-black NCO port epée.

Depending on the armed forces branch, service, or assignment the Zugsführer rank (with the appropriate rank I insignia) was equivalent to:

• Stabführer (en: Tambour major)
• Kurschmied (en: Health smith, cavalry shoeing)
• Rechnungs-Unteroffizier 2. Klasse (en: Fiscal NCO 2nd class; hu: Számvivö altiszt)
• Waffenmeister 2. Klasse (en: Weapon master 2nd class)

Designation	Sergeants / Zugsführer ranks
Paroli
Rank description	Zugsführer			Kurschmied	Rechnungs- Unteroffizier 2. Klasse	Waffenmeister 2. Klasse
Branch	Infantry	Mountain infantry	Motor transport regiment	Cavalry	Fiscal matters	Artillery
(English)	(Zugsführer)			(Farrier)	(Viscal NCO 2nd class)	(Weapon master 2nd class)

See also

• Ranks of the Austrian Bundesheer
• Rank insignias of the Austro-Hungarian armed forces

References

• Die Streitkräfte der Republik Österreich, 1918-1968, Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Militärwissenschaftliches Institut, 1968.