The Ranks of the National People's Army were the military insignia used by the
National People's Army
The National People's Army (german: Nationale Volksarmee, ; NVA ) were the armed forces of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) from 1956 to 1990.
The NVA was organized into four branches: the (Ground Forces), the (Navy), the (Air Force) an ...
, the army of the
German Democratic Republic
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
, from 1956 to 1990.
Design
The design of the rank insignias followed the tradition of the German Army () with some modifications. For example, the cuff titles (chevron insignias) of the were replaced by Soviet-styled shoulder straps with cross-stripes.
Shoulder strap rank insignias
Commissioned officer
An officer is a person who holds a position of authority as a member of an armed force or uniformed service.
Broadly speaking, "officer" means a commissioned officer, a non-commissioned officer, or a warrant officer. However, absent context ...
ranks up to featured four-pointed golden stars in increasing number according to seniority, and arranged following the Soviet pattern.
Junior officer (lieutenant and captain ranks) shoulder straps were made of silver satin string (german: Silberplattschnur). had a single golden star, two side-by-side stars, and three stars in a triangle. rank had a fourth star above the triangular formation.
Senior officer shoulder straps were twisted silver cords, had a single star, two stars, and three stars, again arranged following the Soviet example.
Generals wore twisted golden and silver cords with five-pointed stars numbering from one () to four ().
Ground forces, Air force, and Border troops
Remark: The different colours represent the appropriate service, branch, branch of service, or special troop.
General and Officer ranks
Officer candidate or officer aspirant (OA)
The table below contains the Ofiziersschüler ranks (en: student officers; equivalent to officer candidate or officer aspirant (OA)).
Warrant officers
NCO and enlisted ranks
Volksmarine
While the sleeve ranks of the officers were of the style used by the Soviet Navy, all shoulder board insignia used were German in origin, with the star arrangement for officers based on the Soviet rank insignia.
Officer ranks and insignia
Unlike most Warsaw pact navies, the People's Navy also used staff corps insignia on the sleeve following traditional German practice. The sleeve rank insignia shown are those of the line officer corps.
Flag of chief of VM (East Germany).svg, Flottenadmiral
Flag of admiral of VM (East Germany).svg, Admiral
Flag of vice admiral of VM (East Germany).svg, Vizeadmiral
Flag of rear admiral of VM (East Germany).svg, Konteradmiral
Warrant officers
Petty officers and sailors
Other insignia
Field insignia (1960–1964)
;Officers
;Enlisted
Aviator and technician suit insignia
;Officers
;Officer candidate
;Warrant officers
;Enlisted
See also
* Corps colours (NPA)
Corps colours, or Troop-function colours, (German: " Waffenfarbe(n)") were worn by the National People's Army of the German Democratic Republic from 1956 to 1990.
Introduction
The GDR NPA uniforms initially bore the ''corps colours'' as worn ...
* Glossary of German military terms
This is a list of words, terms, concepts, and slogans that have been or are used by the German military. Ranks and translations of nicknames for vehicles are included. Also included are some general terms from the German language found frequently i ...
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dienstgrade
German military uniforms
National People's Army