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Unterleutnant (NPA-original abbreviation ''Ultn.''; en: translation "Under-lieutenant" or "sub-lieutenant") was an officer of the armies of
East Germany East Germany, officially the German Democratic Republic (GDR; german: Deutsche Demokratische Republik, , DDR, ), was a country that existed from its creation on 7 October 1949 until its dissolution on 3 October 1990. In these years the state ...
and other nations. The rank was first introduced in 1662-74 by France and was also adopted by some other countries' armed forces. In the East German
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 ...
from 1956 to 1990, ''Unterleutnant'' was the lowest commissioned officer (CO) rank comparable to NATO rank codes OF1c. It belonged to the rank group of lieutenants or subaltern officers. The equivalent OF1c-rank of the
Volksmarine The ''Volksmarine'' (VM, ; en, People's Navy) was the naval force of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) from 1956 to 1990. The ''Volksmarine'' was one of the service branches of the National People's Army and primarily performed a coastal d ...
was
Unterleutnant zur See Unterleutnant (NPA-original abbreviation ''Ultn.''; English language, en: translation "Under-lieutenant" or "sub-lieutenant") was an officer of the armies of East Germany and other nations. The rank was first introduced in 1662-74 by France and w ...
(en: "sub-lieutenant at sea").


Germany


Empire, Weimar Republic, Third Reich, Federal Republic

In a number of German armed forces of the 19th century before German unification in 1871 there was the following graduation:
Oberleutnant () is the highest lieutenant officer rank in the German-speaking armed forces of Germany (Bundeswehr), the Austrian Armed Forces, and the Swiss Armed Forces. Austria Germany In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Trans ...
(''Premierlieutenant'' - OF1a) and
Leutnant () is the lowest Junior officer rank in the armed forces the German (language), German-speaking of Germany (Bundeswehr), Austrian Armed Forces, and military of Switzerland. History The German noun (with the meaning "" (in English "deputy") fro ...
(''Secondelieutenant'' OF1b); without the rank ''Unterleutnant''. However, until 1898 there was the rank ''Unterleutnant zur See'' in the
Imperial German Navy The Imperial German Navy or the Imperial Navy () was the navy of the German Empire, which existed between 1871 and 1919. It grew out of the small Prussian Navy (from 1867 the North German Federal Navy), which was mainly for coast defence. Wilhel ...
. This rank was equivalent to the ''Secondelieutenant'' of the
Imperial German Army The Imperial German Army (1871–1919), officially referred to as the German Army (german: Deutsches Heer), was the unified ground and air force of the German Empire. It was established in 1871 with the political unification of Germany under the l ...
(de: deutsches Heer). In the
Reichswehr ''Reichswehr'' () was the official name of the German armed forces during the Weimar Republic and the first years of the Third Reich. After Germany was defeated in World War I, the Imperial German Army () was dissolved in order to be reshaped ...
,
Wehrmacht The ''Wehrmacht'' (, ) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the ''Heer'' (army), the ''Kriegsmarine'' (navy) and the ''Luftwaffe'' (air force). The designation "''Wehrmacht''" replaced the previous ...
, and
Bundeswehr The ''Bundeswehr'' (, meaning literally: ''Federal Defence'') is the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. The ''Bundeswehr'' is divided into a military part (armed forces or ''Streitkräfte'') and a civil part, the military part con ...
there was never a rank ''Unterleutnant''.


German Democratic Republic


National People´s Army

Depending on the former Soviet military doctrine as well as to the other armed forces of the
Warsaw Pact The Warsaw Pact (WP) or Treaty of Warsaw, formally the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, was a collective defense treaty signed in Warsaw, Poland, between the Soviet Union and seven other Eastern Bloc socialist republic ...
the so-called GDR armed organizations, the ''Unterleutnant'' was the lowest officer rank. In the NPA and in the GDR border troops the lieutenant officer sub-rank group consisted of ''Unterleutnant'' (OF1c),
Leutnant () is the lowest Junior officer rank in the armed forces the German (language), German-speaking of Germany (Bundeswehr), Austrian Armed Forces, and military of Switzerland. History The German noun (with the meaning "" (in English "deputy") fro ...
(OF1b), and
Oberleutnant () is the highest lieutenant officer rank in the German-speaking armed forces of Germany (Bundeswehr), the Austrian Armed Forces, and the Swiss Armed Forces. Austria Germany In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Trans ...
(OF1a). This officer rank could be assigned to military appointments as follows: officer of the operations service, political officer, officer of the technical service, supply, procurement, and
military justice Military justice (also military law) is the legal system (bodies of law and procedure) that governs the conduct of the active-duty personnel of the armed forces of a country. In some nation-states, civil law and military law are distinct bodie ...
service. The graduation to that particular OF1c officer rank was normally possible depending on the education and training, accomplished. The promotion to the following ''Leutnant'' OF1b-rank was achievable after two years of service, to
Hauptmann is a German word usually translated as captain when it is used as an officer's rank in the German, Austrian, and Swiss armies. While in contemporary German means 'main', it also has and originally had the meaning of 'head', i.e. ' literally ...
after three more years.Dictionary to the German military history, 1st edition (Liz.5, P189/84, LSV:0547, B-Nr. 746 635 0), military publishing house of the GDR (VEB) – Berlin, 1985, Volume 1, page 476, definition: ''Unterleutnant''. After successful passing of the officer course (normally three years) on a NPA officers school, officer students (de: Offiziersschüler) normally graduated to the rank ''Unterleutnant''. The best school-leavers of the appropriate course could be promoted to the next higher rank, ''Leutnant''. By establishing of the Officers High schools and diploma course of study the final examination all graduates promoted to the rank Leutnant. The equivalent OF1c-rank of the ''Volksmarine'' was initially ''Unterleutnant zur See''. Later the designation was changed to ''Unterleutnant''. However, in individual linguistic usage the traditionally wording ''Unterleutnant zur See'' was used continuously.


Education

Since then the status of NPA persons in uniform with the rank ''Unterleutnant'' changed from professional soldier to longer-service volunteer (de: „Offizier auf Zeit“ – OaZ). The minimum service time was three years, and the so-called
Abitur ''Abitur'' (), often shortened colloquially to ''Abi'', is a qualification granted at the end of secondary education in Germany. It is conferred on students who pass their final exams at the end of ISCED 3, usually after twelve or thirteen year ...
(en: final examination, qualifying for university entrance) was mandatory. In 1982 the minimum service time was raised to four years. Normally the one year lasting military education and study had to be accomplished on an officer's high school. By passing the final examination, the aspirant could be promoted to the ''Unterleutnat'' OF1c-rank. This was followed by the first line officer assignment in one of the NPA services or branches of service. An ''Unterleutnant'' could usually be appointed to platoon leader. Pertaining to special abilities, knowledge, or qualification – special assignment could be possible as well. Under certain circumstances, e.g. successful completion of a reserve officer's training course during high school study, suitable graduates could be appointed to ''Unterleutnant of the Reserve'' (de: ''Unterleutnant der Reserve''). In some cases particular able
Stabsfeldwebel ''Stabsfeldwebel '' (StFw or SF; ) is the second highest Non-commissioned officer (NCO) rank in German Army and German Air Force. It is grouped as OR-8 in NATO, equivalent to a First Sergeant in the United States Army, and to Warrant Officer C ...
(OR8) or
Fähnrich (NPA) Fähnrich () is an officer candidate rank in the Austrian Bundesheer and German Bundeswehr. The word comes from an older German military title, (flag bearer), and first became a distinct military rank in Germany on 1 January 1899. However, ...
could be appointed to ''Unterleutnant''.


Volkspolizei

In the GDR
Volkspolizei The ''Deutsche Volkspolizei'' (DVP, German for "German People's Police"), commonly known as the ''Volkspolizei'' or VoPo, was the national police force of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) from 1945 to 1990. The Volkspolizei was a h ...
''Unterleutnant'' (official "Unterleutnant der VP") was the lowest commissioned officer rank (comparable top OF1c) as well. Normally officer students, graduated from officer's training course, could be promoted to that rank. However, the best graduate of the particular year could be promoted to the next higher rank, OF1b ''Leutnant of the VP''. Members of the GDR Ministry of Interior, graduated from the Ministry of Interior Officers high school "Artur Becker", another high school facility or university, were normally promoted to ''Leutnant of the VP''. Depending on the course of study, duration, and academic or university degree, achieved, promotion to higher ranks could be possible.


Other countries


Sweden

The ''
underlöjtnant ''Underlöjtnant'' (from the German word ''Unterleutnant'') was the lowest officer rank in the Swedish Army from 1835 to 1937 instead of the previous ranks of ''fänrik'' and cornet. was reintroduced in 1914 with the same position as , from 1926 ...
'' rank was introduced in 1835 to replace the former ''
fänrik ''Fänrik'' () ( en, second lieutenant in the Swedish Army/Air Force, Acting sub-lieutenant in the Navy) is a company grade officer rank. In the army/airforce, it ranks above sergeant and below lieutenant. In the navy, it ranks above sergeant and ...
'' and '' kornett'' ranks, and until 1926 was the lowest commissioned officer rank of the
Swedish Armed Forces The Swedish Armed Forces ( sv, Försvarsmakten, "the Defense Force") is the government agency that forms the armed forces of Sweden, tasked with the defense of the country as well as with promoting Sweden's wider interests, supporting internati ...
. The ''fänrik'' rank was reintroduced in 1914 with the same status as ''underlöjtnant'', but it was subsequently moved one level below ''underlöjtnant'' in 1926. ''Underlöjtnant'' was removed from the Swedish Armed Forces rank structure in 1937.


See also

*
Ranks of the National People's Army The Ranks of the National People's Army were the military insignia used by the National People's Army, the army of the German Democratic Republic, from 1956 to 1990. Design The design of the rank insignias followed the tradition of the German Ar ...
*
Ranks and insignia of NATO Ranks and insignia of NATO are combined military insignia used by the member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The rank scale is used for specifying posts within NATO. Definitions NATO maintains a "standard rank scale" in ...
* :ru:Младший лейтенант, Mladshy leytenant *
Midshipman A midshipman is an officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Canada (Naval Cadet), Australia, Bangladesh, Namibia, New Zealand, South Afr ...
*
Ensign (rank) Ensign (; Late Middle English, from Old French (), from Latin (plural)) is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was tra ...
*
Second lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank. Australia The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army until ...
*
Pilot officer Pilot officer (Plt Off officially in the RAF; in the RAAF and RNZAF; formerly P/O in all services, and still often used in the RAF) is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countri ...


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Unterleutnant Military ranks of Germany Military ranks of Austria