Rottenführer

''Rottenführer'' (, ) was a Nazi Party paramilitary rank that was first created in the year 1932. The rank of ''Rottenführer'' was used by several Nazi paramilitary groups, among them the '' Sturmabteilung'' (SA), the ''Schutzstaffel'' (SS) and was senior to the paramilitary rank of '' Sturmmann''.

The insignia for ''Rottenführer'' consisted of two double silver stripes on a bare collar patch. On field grey SS uniforms, the sleeve chevrons of an ''Obergefreiter'' (senior lance-corporal) were also worn.

Creation

''Rottenführer'' was first established in 1932 as an SA rank due to an expansion of the organisation requiring a greater number of enlisted positions. Since early SS ranks were identical to the ranks of the SA, ''Rottenführer'' became an SS rank at the same time.

''Rottenführer'' was the first SS and SA position to have command over other paramilitary troops. They commanded a ''rotte'' (, equal to a squad or section) usually numbering no more than five to seven persons. A ''Rottenführer'', in turn, answered to a '' Scharführer''.

After 1934, a restructure of SS ranks made ''Rottenführer'' junior to the new rank of SS-''Unterscharführer'', although in the SA the rank continued to rate immediately below that of ''Scharführer''.

Uses

Within the ''Waffen-SS'', ''Rottenführer'' was considered equivalent to an ''Obergefreiter'' in the German ''Wehrmacht''. For pay purposes, a Rottenführer with more than five years of service was administratively known as ''Rottenführer (2. Gehaltsstufe)'' and paid the same rate as an Army ''Stabsgefreiter''. There was no difference in the Rottenführer insignia and the ''Gehaltsstufe'' designation was only used in written correspondence and never in verbal addressing of rank.

While having command over some troops, a ''Rottenführer'' in the ''Waffen-SS'' was not considered a non-commissioned officer rank.

Those aspiring for promotion above ''Rottenführer'' were required to pass a promotion evaluation and combat skills assessment, during which time the ''Rottenführer'' was known by the title ''Unterführer-Anwärter'' (). ''Waffen-SS Rottenführer'' also had the option to pursue an officer's commission through appointment as '' SS-Junker''.

''Rottenführer'' was also a rank of the Hitler Youth where the position was considered a junior squad leader title. A rank of ''Oberrottenführer'' also existed in the Hitler Youth.

Insignia

SS-Rottenführer.svg, SS Gorget patches
WSS-Rottenf OF3 slv 1945.svg, SS Sleeve badge
SS Mannschaften.jpg, Shoulder strap
(all other enlisted ranks OR-1 to OR-3 of the Waffen-SS)
HJ-Rottenführer.svg, HJ Shoulder strap
HJ-Oberrottenführer.svg, HJ ''Oberrottenführer'' Shoulder strap
NSFK-Rottenführer.svg, NSFK Gorget patches
NSKK-Rottenführer.svg, NSKK Gorget patch
SA-Rottenführer.svg, SA Gorget patch

See also

* Table of ranks and insignia of the Waffen-SS

Notes

Bibliography

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rottenfuhrer
SS ranks