Ranks and insignia of the Waffen-SS

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)
			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-Sturmscharführer, 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 senior NCO already promoted to SS-Hauptscharführers (OR-7 or SS-Scharführer (OR-6), seldom SS-Scharführer (OR-5).			SS-Stabsscharführer "Spiess" (senior 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

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