Subaltern
Subaltern was originally, that is, during the 17th century, one derived from the French word that a subordinate officer, described mostly below the level of the company commanders without their own command and criminal violence (derived from the Latin "sub old", under a others). The word that was gradually transferred to the German military language after the Thirty Years' War, described no official rank or title, but had only the difference to the staff officers (French also " officiers supérieurs " ) out of the generals or the administrative officers.
- 4.1 See also
- 4.2 External links
- 4.3 Literature
Historical development of the concept
The word was initially only for the " Lieutenant ", the deputy company commander and the cadet, the carrier of the company flag ( as in the infantry, with the cavalry was called the corresponding rank " Cornet " or " cornet " ), the mid-17th century, except for the company commander the only officers were in a company. With the gradual abolition of the ensign flag company gradually lost its original meaning and thus its rank as an officer ( in Prussia finally 1807). After 1800, the ensign retained initially only in the British and Russian army officer his rank, in most other armies, he has since become a cadet in the officer rank. The number of officers in a company increased in most armies only in the course of the 18th and 19th century gradually.
In many armies of the ( official ) company commander took an intermediate position between the higher-ranking staff officers and subordinate subalterns. In armies, who had a company business, was often the " Staff Captain " or " Staff Captain " of the company in place of a high-level - often only nominal - actually led the company commanders, counted among the subalterns. The rank " Staff Captain " thus corresponded to a " Staff Captain ", they were both the de facto boss of a company, which additionally had a ( nominal ) company commander. The difference in names is explained by the different naming conventions of different armies. Transport from the staff-captain to captain could only take place if the officer (actual ) company commander was. The rank can not therefore be equated with the present rank " Staff Captain " in the army. However, this was not in all armies, and also no uniform at all times. Since the abolition of company business ( around 1800 ) and the captains were counted among the subalterns in most German armies.
Use of the term in modern times
Germany
In earlier German armies were counted among the subalterns
- Second lieutenant, Secondelieutenant, Lieutenant
- Lieutenant, First Lieutenant
- Staff Captain ( Staff Captain ), Lieutenant
But also
- Captain, Captain, Captain
In the army of the Empire, the rank group subalterns between the rank group of non-commissioned officers and the rank group of staff officers with the ranks Warrant Officer, Lieutenant and Lieutenant were referred to as subalterns. This applied by analogy to the Imperial Navy.
In the Bundeswehr, the term is not officially used.
Switzerland
As a subaltern is called the Swiss army officers in the ranks second lieutenant and lieutenant.
I generally enjoy the subalterns a special reputation because they are the direct supervisor of the NCOs and men and are mostly used as a platoon leader or specialist. As specialists in particular functions artillery range commander or Detachementsführer the parascouts be mentioned. In both specialist functions, these officers carry only small units of 3-5 soldiers.