Korvettenkapitän


Korvettenkapitän is the lowest ranking senior officer in the German navy.

Germany

Korvettenkapitän, short: KKpt/in lists: KK, is the lowest senior officer rank in the German Navy.

Address

The official manner, in line to ZDv 10/8, of formal addressing of military people with the rank Korvettenkapitän is "Herr/Frau Korvettenkapitän". However, as to German naval traditions the "Korvettenkapitän" will be addressed "Herr/Frau Kapitän", often in line to seamen's language "Herr/Frau Kap'tän".

Rank insignia and rating

Rank insignia Korvettenkapitän, worn on the sleeves and shoulders, are one five-pointed star above three stripes.
The rank is rated Ranks and insignia of [NATO armies officers|OF-3]a in NATO, and equivalent to Major in Heer, and Luftwaffe. It is grade A13 in the pay rules of the Federal [Ministry of Defence (Germany)|Federal Ministry of Defence] and is senior to the regular OF-2 rank of Kapitänleutnant, as well as to OF-2 Stabskapitänleutnant.

History

German navies until 1945

In the Imperial German Navy and Kriegsmarine the "Korvettenkapitän" was the lowest officer rank of the senior officer's rank group. The rank insignia consisted of shoulder strap and sleeve stripes. Shoulder straps had to be worn on uniform jackets and consisted of twisted silver-braids on padding in navy blue weapon color.
Cuff insignia consisted of three stripes, and a five-point naval star above. The sleeve rings encircled the lower cuffs.

Volksmarine

Korvettenkapitän was in the Volksmarine of the GDR the lowest grade of the senior officer's rank group. It was comparable to Major of the NPA Land Force and Air Force.
The rank insignia consisted of shoulder strap and sleeve stripes. Shoulder straps had to be worn on uniform jackets and consisted of twisted silver-braids with one gold pip on padding in navy blue weapon color.
Cuff insignia consisted of three stripes, and a five-point naval star above. In contradiction to Imperial German Navy tradition, where sleeve rings encircled the lower cuffs, the Volksmarine cuff strips formed 40% rings.

Insignia