Oberwachtmeister

'''''' is in the Austrian Bundesheer the second lowest NCO-rank (assignment group M BUO 2 / professional NCO; respectively M ZUO 2 / longer-serving volunteer). The will be normally deployed as leader (Austrian: Kommandant) of a squad (8 to 13 soldiers). During United Nations missions and in NATO Partnership for Peace the rank will be designated in English with Master sergeant. == Germany ==

In the German army ground forces the designation of the OR6-Oberfeldwebel rank of Cavalry and Artillery was the «Oberwachtmeister» until 1945. ; See also: • World War II German Army ranks and insignia Nationale People’s Army In the GDR National People's Army (NPA) the OR6-rank «Oberwachtmeister» was replaced by the universal rank designation Oberfeldwebel. The equivalent rank of the Volksmarine (en: GDR Navy) was the Obermeister of the Volksmarine. ; See also: • Ranks of the National People's Army «Oberwachtmeister» was also a German police and justice rank. ==Netherlands==

In the cavalry, artillery and marechaussee branches of the Dutch military forces, the rank of sergeant major is referred to as opperwachtmeester. In the same branches sergeants are referred to as wachtmeester. == Switzerland ==

In the Military of Switzerland the Oberwachtmeister (Obwm, Sergent-chef, Sergente capo) is a NCO-rank. The rank is higher than the rank Wachtmeister, and lower than Feldweibel. Until the so-called Army reform XXI (with effect from January 1, 2004) the rank was regular assigned to the Zugführer-Stellvertreter (en: deputy platoon leader). However, the promotion to Oberwachtmeister might be possible after successfully having finished an additional trainings course. The level of that course succeeds the squad leader level. The Oberwachtmeister grade is in principle a transition rank to the lieutenant promotion. In United Nations missions and in NATO Partnership for Peace the rank Oberwachtmeister will be designated in English with Sergeant First Class (SFC). == References ==