Korporal

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This article is about the Germanic rank name. For the equivalent rank in English, see Corporal.

Korporal is the Germanic variant of the English corporal. Korporal is used in a number of armed forces as the lowest rank of the non-commissioned officers group. However, in the German Bundeswehr, it is considered a high enlisted personnel rank. In Switzerland the rank is used in the Fire Department as well.

In former German armed forces, the designation of the lowest NCO rank was "Corporal".

Austria[]

See also: Ranks of the Austrian Bundesheer
Korporal
Anzug 75/03 Rockkragen Tellerkappe
Country Austria
Service branch Austrian Land Forces
 Austrian Air Force
NATO rank codeOR-3
Formation1867
Next higher rankZugsführer
Next lower rankGefreiter

Korporal[1] (Kpl) is a rank of the enlisted men rank group (EN group) in the Austrian Bundesheer, and is equivalent to NATO-Rang code OR-3. In the k.u.k Army it still counted to the NCO rank group and was allowed to wear the yellow-black port epée.

Today and in the comparison to the German Bundeswehr it is equivalent to the EN-rank “Hauptgefreiter/ Stabsgefreiter ”. In peacetime the Korporal might be tasked to command a small sub unit, e.g. a fileteam (de: Trupp, 2 to 8 men) or a squad (de: Gruppe, 8-13 men).

During United Nations missions and in NATO Partnership for Peace the rank Korporal will be designated in English with Corporal (Cpl) and is equivalent to NATO-Rang code OR-3.

k.u.k. Army[]

See also: Rank insignias of the Austro-Hungarian armed forces

Korporal (Hungarian: Tizedes) was also a rank of the k.u.k. Austro-Hungarian Army. Rank insignia were two white celluloid-star on the stand-up collar of the Waffenrock on gorget patch (German: Paroli). Stand-up collar and background of the gorget patch showed a particular egalisation colour. This rank was corresponding to the ranks of enlisted men as follows:

  • Bataillonshornist (Battalion bugler)
  • Bataillonstambour (Battalion drummer)
  • Geschütz-Vormeister (Gunner-corporal) artillery
  • Gewehr-Vormeister (Machinegun-corporal ) infantry
  • Unterjäger (Rifles-corporal) mountain troops
  • Waffenmeister 3. Klasse (Weapon master 3rd class) artillery and weapon arsenal
Korporal in adjutation of the k.u.k. infantry
  • Inf.Rgt. Nr. 21
  • Inf.Rgt. Nr. 38
  • Inf.Rgt. Nr. 39
  • Inf.Rgt. Nr. 58
  • Inf.Rgt. Nr. 60
  • Inf.Rgt. Nr. 71
  • Inf.Rgt. Nr. 75
  • Inf.Rgt. Nr. 83

Denmark[]

Corporal
Korporal
Denmark-Army-OR-4-M11.svg Rank insignia of korporal of the Royal Danish Navy.svg Denmark-AirForce-OR-4.svg
Army, Navy and Air force insignia
Country Denmark
Service branch Royal Danish Army
 Royal Danish Navy
 Royal Danish Air Force
NATO rank codeOR-4
Pay gradeM113
Next higher rankSergent
Next lower rankOverkonstabel af 1. grad
Marine-/Flyverspecialist

In Denmark, the rank of Korporal was originally the lowest NCO, but after the reintroduction of the rank in 2008, it is became the highest enlisted rank. There are a total of 1,400 corporal positions in the Danish Defence.

On 1 October 2008, 23 Overkonstabel from the Danish Army were the first to be appointed korporals.[2] Korporals in the Danish Army are office assistants, supply assistants, information technicians, professional craftsmen, second-in-command, group commanders, armored commanders on armored vehicles, specialist positions and small sections without a direct leader.[3]

On 9 March 2012, 12 naval and 12 aviation specialists, were appointed korporals. In the Navy, the degree is intended for employees who act as assistant instructors.[4][5]

In the Home Guard, a korporal is second-in-command of a squad. Navigators in the Naval Home Guard units are also korporals.[6]

Germany[]

Korporal
HD H 1x Platzhalter Jg L.svg MDHBA 1x Platzhalter 10 Lo.svg
Heer shoulder and Marine sleeve insignia TBA
Country Germany
Service branch German Army
 German Navy
 German Air Force
AbbreviationTBA
RankGerman enlisted rank
NATO rank codeTBA
Formation2021
Next higher rankStabskorporal
Next lower rankOberstabsgefreiter

Korporal will be the second highest enlisted rank in the German Bundeswehr, that might be comparable to corporal (OR-4) in Anglophone armed forces. However, as distinguished from the corporal in Anglophone armed forces, the Korporal belongs to the rank group of enlisted men.

History[]

The ranks Korporal and Stabskorporal will be introduced by Bundeswehr in October 2021[7] as the new most senior ranks for enlisted men, senior to Oberstabsgefreiter.[8] Pay grade of Korporal is A6, that is the same pay grade as the NCO rank Stabsunteroffizier (OR-5).[7]

Soldiers have to have served for at least three years in the rank of Oberstabsgefreiter before being considered for promotion.[7]

Switzerland[]

See also: Military ranks of the Swiss Armed Forces
Korporal
Schulterstück eines Korporals der Schweizer Armee
Country  Switzerland
Service branch Swiss Army
 Swiss Air Force
NATO rank codeOR-4
Next higher rankWachtmeister
Next lower rankObergefreiter

In the Military of Switzerland the Korporal is the lowest NCO-rank (NATO-Code: OR-4). The rank is higher than the enlisted rank Obergefreiter.

Until the so-called Army reform XXI (with effect from January 1, 2004) the regular Korporal appointment was to squad leader (de: Gruppenführer, 8-13 men). However, in 2014 this appointment was upgraded to Wachtmeister (OR-5). The Korporal rank was converted to military specialist without any command function.

Korporal is also a rank designation in the "Switzerland armed forces postal system", and in CBRN Defence.

In United Nations missions and in NATO Partnership for Peace the rank Korporal will be designated in English with Corporal (Cpl).

Other armed forces[]

The Netherlands[]

In the Netherlands the promotion to "Korporaal" is possible after a longer service time in the enlisted men rank group. There are two corporal ranks:

  • Korporaal OR-3
  • Korporaal der 1e klasse OR-4

Vatican City[]

In the Pontifical Swiss Guard there are two corporal ranks:

  • Korporal and
  • Vizekorporal

Poland[]

In the Polish armed forces there are the two Kortporal OR4-rank :

  • Kapral [short: kpr.] (en: Corporal)
  • Starszy kapral [short: st.kpr.]) (en: Senior corporal)

Prussia[]

In Prussia the "Corporal" commanded an up to 30 men strong so-called Korporalschaft. The rank sequence was as follows:

In 1856 the designation korporal was changed to Unteroffizier. Until 1807 the (aristocrat) officer aspirants were called Freikorporal (transl. Free corporal).

Examples[]

References[]

  1. ^ Duden; Origin and meaning of "Korporal", in German. [1]
  2. ^ Forsvaret.dk: Hæren får igen korporaler
  3. ^ Forsvaret.dk: Fra konstabel til korporal
  4. ^ Forsvaret.dk: Første korporaler udnævnt i Søværnet
  5. ^ SK-nyt 2-2012
  6. ^ http://www3.hjv.dk/hjvopstil/MHV/MHV-Struktur.htm
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c Cingi, Hanife (25 August 2020). "Korporal und Stabskorporal – Frequently Asked Questions für Soldaten und Soldatinnen". bundeswehr.de (in German). Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  8. ^ Fiebig-Schulze, Jennifer (3 August 2020). "Auftakt für die Korporale". bundeswehr.de (in German). Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  • Die Streitkräfte der Republik Österreich, 1918-1968, Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Militärwissenschaftliches Institut, 1968.
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