Feldwebel is a German military rank which has existed since at least the 18th century with usage as a title dating to the Middle Ages . The word Feldwebel translates as Sergeant and is considered senior to the rank of Gefreiter and Unteroffizier.
Feldwebel gained its widest usage under the Bavarian military of the late 19th century and then again in the First and Second World Wars. A Feldwebel was typically a mid-level non-commissioned officer and the rank was divded into several classes such as Oberfeldwebel, Hauptfeldwebel, and the highest German Sergeant rank of the Second World War, which was known as Stabsfeldwebel.
During World War I, a junior rank existed known as Vizefeldwebel which eventually became known as Unterfeldwebel. In the Waffen-SS, the equivalent of Feldwebel was known as Scharführer.
In the modern German military, Feldwebel is considered a senior NCO rank, due in part to the large number of Corporal positions which exist as junior grades. Typically, a soldier will rise to the rank of Feldwebel only after three to five years of service. The modern Feldwebel ranks are as follows:
- Feldwebel
- Oberfeldwebel
- Hauptfeldwebel
- Stabsfeldwebel
- Oberststabsfeldwebel
The rank of Feldwebel is also used in the German Air Force.
