Junker (SS rank)

SS - Junker or Season Junker was in the German Empire from 1933 to 1945 the term for the lowest ranking leader candidate, comparable to the SS sergeant who had einrangiert in the rank group of the leaders of the Waffen-SS and SS - Verfügungstruppe.

Origin

With formation of the SS Verfügungstruppe, their increasing militarization and the emergence of the Waffen- SS, the need to train loyal management personnel in the form of SS officers to supplement and expand arose. Because here were mainly the placement of military knowledge for the formation, the volunteers, the staff complement of the SS elite associations in focus, similar procedures were taken up to the rank and the rank numbers of officer cadets from the Reichswehr. In addition, senior leaders had previous service with the Waffen-SS in the Reichswehr and had experiences with regard to the training of young leaders.

In earlier armies and armed forces which German military terms served (including the Imperial Army and the Russian Army ), described the cadet cadet infantry and dragoons. When they were called cavalry standards Junker. The terminology was adopted by the SS and is reflected in the classification of rank designations of the SS leader candidates.

Education and Ranking

For potential leader candidates the commitment period was 25 years. In addition, they had to have served at least two years with the team, unless they could prove an earlier career in the Reichswehr and Wehrmacht, as was for example the case with Paul Hausser.

The SS - Junker went through before possible transportation to / or instruction in the lowest rank of SS - Junkers a predetermined selection process. During this period took place appropriate briefings, courses and tests, including the so-called Aryans proof and a mandatory course at a school leader or SS Junker School in Braunschweig or Bad Tölz. Despite the long duration of commitment and hard physical, moral and racial requirements, there were enough volunteers.

Upon successful completion, he was promoted to SS- lieutenant, the lowest rank of the SS leader end of the war became increasingly deviated from the prescribed regulations. Thus, the training periods were shortened and even exposed to the mandatory visit to the Cadet School.

In the images of the insignia or badges of rank are shown that were worn as a shoulder boards and collar patches, as well as sleeve badges from 1942 to Tarn or special suits. Much like in the armed forces, there were four SS - Junker ranks. Since 1933, there have been regarding the Pauldrons different specifications.

Rank insignia of leader candidates of the Waffen-SS

The following table shows the rank insignia of leader candidates of the Waffen-SS. On the shoulder pieces were uniformly since 1942 two nine millimeters wide each arranged in parallel silver wires (called Hope bars) - as seen in the upper Junker and standards Junker - worn.

• OR - stands for the s Other ( enlisted ) Ranks (OR) and follows established NATO rank codes.