page_title: Stabsgefreiter
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Stabsgefreiter / History
context_page_description: Stabsgefreiter is the second highest rank of enlisted men in the German Bundeswehr, which might be comparable to specialist in Anglophone armed forces.
context_section_description: In the 19th century German Army the OR2-rank Gefreiter (plural: Gefreite) always belonged to the rank group of enlisted men (below noncommissioned (NCO) level). However, during training and fatigue duty Gefreite were competent, authorized, and tasked to act on behalf of NCOs. So Gefreite became the first superior rank above the lowest-level privates. Nevertheless, until 1853 there were no special rank insignia for Gefreiter. In contrast, from 1811–1853 the Vize-Unteroffizier (deputy sergeant) wore the NCO Portepee (sword-knot).
  In 1846 the rank of Obergefreiter (OR3; en: 1st/Senior Gefreiter) was introduced. This rank was shown by the so-called sergeant's button on the collar and the NCO Portepee on the sword. From 1853–1919 promotion to Obergefreiter was suspended with the exception of the Fussartillerie (foot artillery).
  In the early German Reichswehr the ranks of Gefreiter and "Obergefreiter" were both indicated by one identical horizontal 9 mm Tressenstreifen" (lace stripe) on both upper arms of the uniform jacket.
  Regarding regular 12 years duty time from 1921 onwards, the newly introduced ranks of enlisted men (Oberschütze (1st/Senior rifleman (OR-1a)) and Stabsgefreiter (OR-4; Staff Gefreiter) were indicated by angular cuff chevrons on the left upper arm. The sequence of ranks of enlisted men was now as follows:
  Oberschütze (OR-1a, one chevron, in 1935 replaced by a pip)
  Gefreiter (OR-2, one chevron)
  Obergefreiter over 6 years of service (OR-3b,  one chevron, one pip)
  Obergefreiter under 6 years of service, (OR-3b,  two chevrons)
  Stabsgefreiter (OR-4b, two chevrons, one pip)
  Matrosenoberstabsgefreiter (OR-4a), introduced by the Kriegsmarine in 1940
caption: Stabsgefreiter Wehrmacht