Waffen-SS In the
Waffen-SS the equivalent to the appointment
Hauptfeldwebel in Heer and Luftwaffe, was the
SS-Stabsscharführer until 1945. The traditional nicknames "spear" and "company mother" were used as well. He also wore two rings of NCO braid around the cuff of his sleeves, similar to the Wehrmacht.
National People's Army In the
National People's Army (1956-1990)
Hauptfeldwebel was also an appointment, held by a senior non-commissioned officer ranks, e.g. Oberfeldwebel or Stabsfeldwebel later
Fähnrich. It was used in •
Landstreitkräfte •
Luftstreitkräfte •
Grenztruppen The appointment insignia on the uniform jacket and the overcoat, were almost identical to those used in the Wehrmacht until 1945, but constisted of one "piston ring" around each cuff only. The nicknames were analogue to the Wehrmacht "spear" and "company mother".
Bundeswehr . Today, the former billet
Hauptfeldwebel as a company's Senior NCO has become a regular
rank between
Oberfeldwebel and
Stabsfeldwebel. The position previously known as Hauptfeldwebel is now called
Kompaniefeldwebel, while the nicknames - and, in their general outlines, the duties - have remained.
Kompaniefeldwebel often have the
rank of
Oberstabsfeldwebel now, though. ==References==