Leutnant

Template:Short description Template:For Template:Italic title {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:IPA|main}}) is the lowest junior officer rank in the armed forces of Germany (Bundeswehr), the Austrian Armed Forces, and the military of Switzerland.

History

Template:Refimprove The German noun (with the meaning "{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}" (in English "deputy") from Middle High German «locum tenens» {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (in English "place holder") was derived from the French word {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} about 1500. In most German-speaking armies it is the lowest officer rank (in German-speaking navies {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (English "Lieutenant at sea")). In the German Bundeswehr the ranks {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} and {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} belong to the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} rank group. In some other armed forces (such as the former National People's Army) there is the lower grade of Unterleutnant.

From about 1500 until the middle of the 17th century the designation of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} was commonly used for any deputy to a commanding officer. So at the army level there was the appointment of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (English "lieutenant-general"), at the regimental level there was that of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (English "lieutenant-colonel"), and at the company level the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} was deputy to a {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (English "captain").

With the formation of standing armies in the second half of the 17th century, the term commonly came to designate the rank of the least senior commissioned officer.

In the 18th and 19th century, at the unit level several {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} served as platoon leaders. At that time the ranks of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} and {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} came into existence. With effect from January 1, 1899, in the German Empire these ranks were renamed as {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} and {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}.<ref>BROCKHAUS, The encyclopedia in 24 volumes (1796–2001), Volume 13: 3-7653-3673-4, page 354; definition: «Leutnant».</ref>

Austria

In Austria the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (short: Lt) is the second lowest commissioned officer rank. Mandatory to be promoted to that rank is a six terms course of high school studies (until August 2008 eight terms) with 180 ECTS points on the Theresian Military Academy in the Wiener Neustadt. The studies are focused on "Military Command and Control" (C2) and the academy-leaver graduate to Bachelor.

The career in the Militia is structured in a different way. Here the modular education comprises the so-called one-year volunteer year (de: {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} [EF]<ref>Langenscheidt's Encyclopaedic Dictionary of the English and German language: "Der Große Murat-Sander", Part II German-English First Volume A–K, 9th edition 2002, p. 449</ref>) as well as several courses, seminars, and exercises with a final aptitude test. After an overall service time of five years the promotion to «Leutnant» is possible.

Moreover, the appointment designation {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} is possible for leading officials (E1) of the Austrian executive, e.g. the Austrian Federal Police (ge: {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) and prison authority personnel (de: {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}).

Austro-Hungarian Army

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

Until 1918 {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Template:Langx) was in the Austria-Hungarian Army the lowest CO-rank as well, equivalent to {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}.

Leutnant rank insignias of the k.u.k. Army

Description			Rank		Insignia
German	Hungarian	English	class		Army	Mountain infantry
Low grade officers
Leutnant also: Assistenz-Arzt Leutnant-Rechnungsführer	Hadnagy	Second lieutenant	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}		File:K.u.k. Leutnant orangegelbe Eaglisierung.png	File:Leutnant k.k. Gebirgstruppe 1907-18.png

Germany

Template:Infobox military rank The rank of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} has been used in the German armed forces since 1899.

Bundeswehr

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also

In the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} today, a {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} will be normally appointed as platoon leader. However, the rank of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} might also be held while a junior officer is studying at the University of the German Federal Armed Forces or at another training or education establishment. The {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} of the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} belongs to the "{{#invoke:Lang|lang}} rank group" (also: subaltern officer rank group).

Rank

In Germany, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (short.: Lt / on lists also: L) is the designation of a soldier of the lowest officer rank. The equivalent in the German Navy ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) is the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}.

Rank insignias Leutnant» / Leutnant zur See (OF-1)
File:Bundeswehr Logo Heer with lettering.svg				File:Bundeswehr Logo Luftwaffe with lettering.svg			File:Bundeswehr Logo Marine with lettering.svg
File:HD H 41 Leutnant FschJg.svg	File:211-Leutnant.png	File:215-Leutnant-dR.png	File:SanH 211-Leutnant-SanOA-(Veterinärmedizin).png	File:LD B 41 Leutnant.svg	File:LA OS5 41 Leutnant.svg	File:LA OS5 41 Leutnant SanOA ZM L.svg	File:MDS 41 Leutnant zur See Trp.svg	File:MDS 41a Leutnant zur See SanOA San HM L.svg	File:MDJA 41 Leutnant zur See Trp Lu.svg	File:MA OG5 41 Leutnant zur See.svg
Uniform (basic version Jägertruppe)	Field uniform (Jägertruppe)	Field uniform (Reservist Logistik)	Field uniform (SanOA (vet.))	Uniform (basic version)	Field uniform	Field uniform (Lw SanOA (dent.))	Shoulder board	Shoulder board (SanOA (hum.))	Cuff title	Mounting loop

Soldiers with that particular rank, are mandated and authorized to provide military orders as to the so-called Superior-subordinate relations to private ranks (de: Mannschaften), NCOs without port épée (de: Unteroffiziere ohne port épée), as well as to Senior NCOs with port épée (de: Unteroffizier mit port épée).

junior Rank {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}

File:Bundeswehr Logo Heer with lettering.svg File:Bundeswehr Logo Luftwaffe with lettering.svg (German officer rank) {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}

senior Rank {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}

National People's Army

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

In the GDR National People's Army (NPA) the rank {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} was the second lowest commissioned offer (CO) rank until 1990. This was in reference to Soviet military doctrine and in line with other armed forces of the Warsaw Pact.

The equivalent rank of the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (en: GDR Navy) was the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, often called simply {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} for short. In reference to the Soviet armed forces and to other armed forces of the Warsaw pact {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} was the second lowest officer rank until 1990.

Junior Rank {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}

File:Flag of NVA (East Germany).svg National People's Army rank {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (Leutnant zur See)

Senior Rank {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}

Rank insignias Leutnant / Leutnant zur See (OF-1)
File:Emblem of the Ground Forces of NVA (East Germany).svg Land forces	File:Emblem of aircraft of NVA (East Germany).svg Air Force	File:Vehicle roundel of Border Troops of GDR.svg GDR Border troops	File:Flag of warships of VM (East Germany).svg Volksmarine
N/A	File:GDR Air Force OF-1b Leutnant.gif	File:GDR Border Troops OF1b Leutnant.jpg	File:OF-1b Leutnant zur See VM.png	File:OF-1b Leutnant zur See VM, Ärmelstreifen.png
Leutnant			Leutnant zur See

Nazi Germany

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also

In Nazi Germany, within the SS and Waffen-SS, the rank of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} was considered to be the equivalent of an {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} in the German Army. However, in the SA the equivalent to {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} was {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

Switzerland

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

File:Flag of Switzerland.svg {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} in Switzerland
Schulterstück eines Leutnants der Schweizer Armee
Rank insignia	Swiss Army
Introduction
Rank group	{{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (en: Subaltern commissioned officers)
Army / Air Force	Leutnant
Navy	no equivalent
Lower: Higher:	{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}
	{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}

In the military of Switzerland the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) is the lowest commissioned officer rank. Promotion to the next highest rank, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, occurs after three refresher courses (contingent upon good performance) or automatically after six years' service.<ref>Regellaufbahnen, https://www.vtg.admin.ch/content/vtg-internet/de/organisation/kdo-ausb/_jcr_content/infotabs/items/dokumente/tabPar/downloadlist/downloadItems/186_1591883129631.download/200710_Brosch_Ausbildungs_Dienstleistungsmodell_40_100_d.pdf Template:Webarchive</ref>

For missions outside of Switzerland, the rank {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} will be designated in English as Second lieutenant.

Swiss Guard

• Rank insignia for {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}
• Army
  Army

References

Works cited

• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite book

Further reading

• Die Streitkräfte der Republik Österreich, 1918-1968, Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Militärwissenschaftliches Institut, 1968.