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The Waffen-SS
developed their own ranking system, different from the German Army and based on the rank
hierarchy of the SA. Note that on paper a distinction was made if the person wearing the
rank was not an ethnic German, the "SS" prefix was replaced with
"Waffen" (e.g. "SS-Rottenführer" with
"Waffen-Rottenführer" or sometimes a "Legions-Rottenführer")
Also note that non-German formations would have the Sigrunen on the right collar patch
replaced with the appropriate unit insignia denoting the appropriate ethnic status or
divisional insignia.
To add to the confusion, the SS would sometimes incorporate the branch of service into a
rank title (e.g. "Oberkanonier" - artillery officer) and the SS officers serving
with paramilitary Police units would incorporate that its unique rank structure as well.
Waffen-SS rank insignia was worn at the shoulder and at the collar - usually just the left collar for enlisted men, and both collars for officers. In addition, caps, shoulders straps would have colored thread piping called Waffenfarbe - with a color denoting a particular branch of service, e.g. pink for Panzer units, yellow for signals, and red for artillery. The SS set up their own rank structure similar to the German Army but with some significant variations. Despite Himmmler's order to the contrary, SS troopers addressed their divisional commanders not by their SS rank but as "General," so by December 1942 senior Waffen-SS officers from Bridgadef&uuhrer up were allowed to use dual Waffen-SS/Heer ranks (e.g. "SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Waffen-SS" - similar to how SS officers assigned to Police units would use the same format but with Police rank replacing the Army rank - e.g. SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei)
Mannschaften
| Shoulder strap
Chevron
Left collar-patch |
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| Rank |
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| Shoulder strap Collar-patch |
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| Rank |
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Offiziere
| Shoulder strap Collar-patch |
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| Rank |
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Generale
| Shoulder strap Collar-patch |
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| Rank |
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Camo-ranks
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