Oberstabsfeldwebel

Rank insignia on battle dress

Sergeant Major ( Abbr: OStFw; lists OSF ) called in Germany a soldier in the highest rank of sergeant in the army.

In the German Navy the rank of Sergeant Major corresponds to the rank of Chief Staff boatswain.

Sergeant Major usually provided their service in higher staffs and institutions. In the troop they are used at senior service positions: In the fighting force they serve as company sergeant-major ( " spit ") of staff and supply company, as S3 sergeant or as troop supply arranger forces. In the combat and command support troops they also come as a platoon leader used.

Soldier with this rank can give limits enlisted men and officers without Portepee commands within the limits of the superior regulation ( VorgV ). The corresponding Federal grade is grade 9 salary scale A with duty allowance.

The promotion to the rank OStFw is possible in accordance with § 18 para 2 Soldatenlaufbahnverordnung earliest after a " dwell time " of 16 years since appointment to sergeant. In addition, the promotion to sergeant major has to be at least six years. However, the Ministry of Defense calls in the central regulation ( ZDv ) 20/7 a minimum period of 19 years (or 17 years for flight personnel, members of the Special Forces Command, as well as frogmen ).

The rank OStFw was introduced in 1955 with the founding of the Bundeswehr, but was (as well as Chief Staff Bosun ) 1969-1983 on the Aussterbeetat (See below Warrant Officer ).

The Bundeswehr rank is not to be confused with the staff sergeant, who was in the Navy of the German Wehrmacht from 1939 to 1945, the highest sergeant rank.

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