Maat (rank)

{{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:IPA|main}}, Template:Literally) is a naval rank, of German origin, used by a number of countries. The term is derived from the low German {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (comrade).<ref>Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Deutschen. sv Maat</ref> Via the Dutch language, the word became a nautical term and described the assistant to a deck officer. Since the second half of the 17th century {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} were the lowest class of non-commissioned officers aboard a warship.

Denmark

File:Denmark-Army-OR-1-M51.svg

lang}} for the Royal Danish Army, used on the M/58 (1951–1960).

In 1951, it was decided to end the conscription–based military in Denmark and transition to a professional military. As such, the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} rank was introduced, replacing the rank of {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} given to all conscripted soldiers. With the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} rank, soldiers were signed on to a contract following completion of basic training. By 1960, the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} rank was replaced by the constable rank system.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Estonia

NATO code	OR-5	OR-4
Estonian	lang}}	lang}}	lang}}
Template:Navy<ref name="Estonia_Navy">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	File:Estonia-Navy-OR-5.svg	File:Estonia-Navy-OR-4b.svg	File:Estonia-Navy-OR-4a.svg
	Senior mate	Mate	Junior mate
Official translation	Petty officer 1st class	Petty officer 2nd class	Petty officer 3rd class

Germany

However, Maate is also the collective name to all junior NCO-ranks (ranks: Maat, Seekadett, and Obermaat) in the modern day's German Navy.

In navy context NCOs of this rank were formally addressed as Herr/ Frau Maat also informally / short Maat. The sequence of ranks (top-down approach) in that particular group is as follows:
Unteroffizier ohne Portepee

• OR-5: Obermaat / (Heer/ Luftwaffe) Stabsunteroffizier
• OR-5: Seekadett / Fahnenjunker
• OR-5: Maat / Unteroffizier

History

In the Prussian Navy and the Kaiserliche Marine Maate were Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee. According to their specialization, Maate would be known as e.g. Steuermannsmaat (Coxswain's Mate), Feuerwerksmaat (Ordnance Mate), Bootsmannsmaat (Boatswain's Mate) or Maschinistenmaat (Machinist's Mate).<ref>Wörterbuch zur deutschen Militärgeschichte, sv Maat.</ref> Maate were recruited among conscripts who volunteered to serve for a minimum of six years. After approximately four years they could expect to become Maat. Re-enlistment was common but in most specialities the career options would end with achieving the rank of Obermaat; only after 18 years in service was a promotion as supernumary Vizefeldwebel possible, and only if there was a billet open. The 1914/15 naval budget included 7857 billets for Maate and 5237 for Obermaate.<ref>Deutsche Militärgeschichte 1648-1939. Vol. VIII, p.283,285,292.</ref>

Kriegsmarine

File:Bundesarchiv N 1603 Bild-036, Rumänien, Marine-Filmberichter Horst Grund.jpg

Maat H. Grund, Kriegsmarine

{{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
Title	{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}
Epaulette Template:Small	File:Kriegsmarine-Unteroffizier-Shore h.svg
Collar tab	File:Kriegsmarine OR5b-MT col02 1945.svg
Sleeve insignia	File:Kriegsmarine sleeve Steuermannmaat.svg	File:Kriegsmarine sleeve Bootsmannmaat.svg
	lang}}	lang}}
German Army equivalent	{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}
US Equivalent	Petty officer, third class
Source:<ref name="Handbook">Handbook on German Military Forces 1945. TM-E 30-451. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, plate XVI, XVII.</ref>

Poland

NATO code	OR-4		OR-3
Polish	lang}}	lang}}	lang}}
Template:Navy<ref name="Poland_Navy">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	File:POL PMW pagon1 bosmanmat.svg	File:POL PMW pagon1 starszy mat.svg	File:POL PMW pagon1 mat.svg
	Boatswain mate	Senior mate	Mate

See also

• Ranks of the German Bundeswehr
• Rank insignia of the German Bundeswehr
• Ranks and insignia of NATO navies enlisted