SS-Stabsscharführer

SS-Stabsscharführer (short: Stascha; address: Stabsscharführer; lit. 'Staff squad leader') was not a rank[1], but a position title or appointment, mainly used in the Waffen-SS, equivalent to the Hauptfeldwebel of the Wehrmacht (Heer and Luftwaffe) between the years of 1938 to 1945.

Stabsscharführer
(position title or appointment)
appointment insignia, ("double piston rings")
Country Nazi Germany
Service branch Waffen-SS
AbbreviationStaschf
Ranksenior NCOs, e.g.
Formation1938
Abolished1945
Equivalent ranksHauptfeldwebel
Company sergeant major
(Waffen-SS / Wehrmacht)
Waffeen-SS
SS-Stabsscharführer
Heer, Luftwaffe
Hauptfeldwebel

Usually it was the senior NCO ("senior squad leader") of his company-sized SS-subunit. His duties were largely administrative and he was not expected to accompany his unit into combat. Those holding the function of SS-Stabsscharführer had to be addressed Stabsscharführer regardless of the actual rank title, e.g. Sturmscharführer, Hauptscharführer, or infrequent Oberscharführe. The position of SS-Stabsscharführer was unique to the Waffen-SS or SS command of concentration camps, and was not used by branches of the Allgemeine-SS (general SS).

In accordance with Hauptfeldwebel of Heer and Luftwaffe, the SS-Stabsscharführer had many nicknames, including Spieß ("Spear") and Mutter der Kompanie ("company mother"). He also wore two rings of NCO braid around the cuff of his sleeves, similar to the Wehrmacht.

The position of Stabsscharführer is most often considered equivalent to a first sergeant in the militaries of other nations, e.g. Commonwealth company sergeant major, or U.S. company-level first sergeant.

References
  1. GORDON WILLIAMSON: “The SS Hitler´s Instrument of the power”; published by KAISER; appendix, p. 250, service ranks of the SS and the equivalent to the Wehrmacht; copyright 1994 by Brown Packaging Books Ltd., London.
  • Heinz Hoehne: "The Order of the Death's Head: The History of the SS"; 2008 published by Bassermann, … D-81673 Munich; p. 150 – THE RANKS OF THE SS (in comparison to the Heer) – ISBN 978-3-8094-2255-6.
  • Die Bestie von Buchenwald: "The Beast of Buchenwald"; 1989 published by Pierre Durand, … ; 4th edition. – Berlin: Military publishing house of the GDR – ISBN 3-327-00043-3.
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