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'''{{lang|de|Maat}}''' ({{IPA|de|ˈmaːt|}}, {{literally|[[Mate (naval officer)|mate]]}}) is a naval rank, of German origin, used by a number of countries. The term is derived from the [[low German]] {{lang|de|māt}} ([[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 {{lang|de|Maate}} were the lowest class of [[non-commissioned officer]]s aboard a warship.

==Denmark==
{{see also|Ranks and insignia of Royal Danish Army}}
[[File:Denmark-Army-OR-1-M51.svg|thumb|100px|Rank insignia of {{lang|da|Math}} 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 {{lang|da|math}} rank was introduced, replacing the rank of {{lang|da|menig}} given to all [[Conscription in Denmark|conscripted soldiers]]. With the {{lang|da|math}} rank, soldiers were signed on to a contract following completion of [[Military recruit training|basic training]]. By 1960, the {{lang|da|math}} rank was replaced by the [[Constable#Denmark|constable]] rank system.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nørholtz |first1=Tine |title=HKKF: 60 år |trans-title=HKKF: 60 years |url=https://www.hkkf.dk/files/inline-files/FF0319_web.pdf |journal=Fagligt Forsvar |date=2019 |volume=3 |pages=19–22 |publisher=Hærens Konstabel- og Korporalforening |language=da |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326144514/https://www.hkkf.dk/files/inline-files/FF0319_web.pdf |archive-date=26 March 2022}}</ref>

==Estonia==
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
|- style="background-color:#CCCCCC; text-align:center;"
! NATO code||OR-5||colspan=2| OR-4
|- style="text-align:center; background:#efefef;"
! Estonian
| {{lang|es|Vanemmaat}}
| {{lang|es|Maat}}
| {{lang|es|Nooremmaat}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| rowspan=2| '''{{navy|Estonia}}'''<ref name="Estonia_Navy">{{cite web |title=Sümboolika: Mereväe Auastmed |url=https://mil.ee/kaitsevagi/kaitsevae-symboolika/#t-merevae-auastmed |website=mil.ee |publisher=Estonian Defence Forces |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=et}}</ref>
| [[File:Estonia-Navy-OR-5.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Estonia-Navy-OR-4b.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Estonia-Navy-OR-4a.svg|50px]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Senior mate
| Mate
| Junior mate
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Official translation
| [[Petty officer 1st class]]
| [[Petty officer 2nd class]]
| [[Petty officer 3rd class]]
|}

==Germany==
{{Infobox military rank
| name           = Maat
| native_name    = 
| image          = {{nowrap|[[File:MDS 21 Maat 10.svg|65px]] [[File:Germany-Navy-OR-5a.svg|70px]] [[File:MA OG5 21 Maat.svg|65px]]}}
| image_size     = 
| caption        = Shoulder board / cuff title / mounting loop
| image2         = 
| image_size2    = 
| caption2       = 
| country        = {{flagcountry|Germany}}
| service branch = [[File:Bundeswehr Logo Marine with lettering.svg|25px]] [[German Navy]]
| abbreviation   = MT
| rank           = 
| NATO rank      = OR-5
| Non-NATO rank  = 
| formation      = 1955 {{small|Modern}}
| abolished      = 
| higher rank    = [[Obermaat]]
| lower rank     = [[Oberstabsgefreiter]]
| equivalents    = [[Unteroffizier]] (Army & Air force)
}}

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:<br />
''[[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'' ([[Artillery|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|thumb|160px|''Maat'' H. Grund, [[Kriegsmarine]] ]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|- 
! colspan=3| {{lang|de|Maate}} ({{lang|de|[[Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee]]}})
|-
| '''Title'''
| colspan="2"| {{lang|de|Maat}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Epaulette<br />{{Small|(Shore troops only)}}
| colspan=2| [[File:Kriegsmarine-Unteroffizier-Shore h.svg|100px]]
|-
| Collar tab
| colspan="2"| [[File:Kriegsmarine OR5b-MT col02 1945.svg|100px]]
|-
| rowspan="2"| Sleeve insignia
| [[File:Kriegsmarine sleeve Steuermannmaat.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Kriegsmarine sleeve Bootsmannmaat.svg|50px]]
|-
| {{lang|de|Steuermannmaat}}
| {{lang|de|Bootsmannmaat}}
|-
| German Army equivalent
| colspan=2| {{lang|de|[[Unteroffizier]]}}
|-
! colspan=3 style="background:#dadada"|
|-align="center"
| US Equivalent
|colspan="2"| [[Petty officer, third class]]
|-
| colspan=3|Source:<ref name="Handbook">''Handbook on German Military Forces 1945.'' TM-E 30-451. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, plate XVI, XVII.</ref>
|}

==Poland==
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
|- style="background-color:#CCCCCC; text-align:center;"
! NATO code||colspan=2| OR-4 ||OR-3
|- style="text-align:center; background:#efefef;"
! Polish
| {{lang|pl|Bosmanmat}}
| {{lang|pl|Starszy mat}}
| {{lang|pl|Mat}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| rowspan=2| '''{{navy|Poland}}'''<ref name="Poland_Navy">{{cite web |title=Sposób noszenia odznak stopni wojskowych na umundurowaniu Marynarki Wojennej |url=https://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/iwsp/u/27/96/27964313-a4b1-4c28-9ea2-08de33e7aa58/08c_oznaki_stopni_wojskowych_na_umundurowaniu_mw_ok.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607074956/https://www.wojsko-polskie.pl/iwsp/u/27/96/27964313-a4b1-4c28-9ea2-08de33e7aa58/08c_oznaki_stopni_wojskowych_na_umundurowaniu_mw_ok.pdf |archive-date=2021-06-07 |url-status=live |website=wojsko-polskie.pl |publisher=Armed Forces Support Inspectorate |access-date=7 June 2021 |language=pl}}</ref>
| [[File:POL PMW pagon1 bosmanmat.svg|50px]]
| [[File:POL PMW pagon1 starszy mat.svg|50px]]
| [[File:POL PMW pagon1 mat.svg|50px]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 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]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{German military ranks}}
{{Germany-mil-stub}}
{{mil-rank-stub}}

[[Category:Naval ranks of Germany]]