Oberstleutnant


Oberstleutnant is a rank of commissioned officer in the armed forces of German-speaking countries, including the German Bundeswehr, Austrian Bundesheer and the Swiss Army. It was in use in past militaries like the German Wehrmacht, German Imperial Army and Austro-Hungarian Army. It is equivalent to the Lieutenant colonel rank of English-speaking countries. It is below the Oberst and above the Major. The rank should not be confused with the lower-ranked but similar-sounding Oberleutnant, which is the equivalent of the First lieutenant.
Typically, suffixes can be applied to the word Oberstleutnant to specify the individual type of officer. Retired officers that are not incapacitated from service continue to use their title with the suffix a.D. or aD, an abbreviation of außer Dienst, 'out of service'. Suffixes that specify military specialization in active service include Oberstleutnant i.G. for general staff officers or Oberstleutnant d.R. for reservists. The suffix i.R., implying retirement without the legal specification of a.D., is unofficial.

Germany

Bundeswehr

The armed forces of West Germany and unified Germany since 1955, the Bundeswehr uses the Oberstleutnant rank in the German Army and German Air Force. Equivalents in the other branches are Fregattenkapitän for the German Navy, Oberfeldarzt for medical staff, Flottillenarzt for naval medical staff, Oberfeldapotheker for apothecary staff, Flottillenapotheker for naval apothecary staff, and Oberfeldveterinär for veterinary medical staff.
Within the German state employee paygrade system, the Oberstleutnant is placed within Besoldungsgruppe A and receives either the A14 or A15 paygrades, depending on individual seniority. Thus, the Oberstleutnant is paid an equivalent wage to that of first-class consuls and legates in the foreign service or state-employed school directors, ambassadors and general consuls.
The age limit for Oberstleutnant-rank officers is 61.
The Oberstleutnant's shoulder straps in Army and Air Force are marked by two vertically aligned starts above oak leaves.

Bundesgrenzschutz

The Bundesgrenzschutz police force used the rank Oberstleutnant until 1976, and was subsequently replaced by the terms Polizeioberrat and Polizeidirektor during the government's effort to differentiate between West Germany's police and armed forces.

Wehrmacht & Waffen-SS

The Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany used the rank of Oberstleutnant for Army and Air Force, much in the same style the Bundeswehr does. The Waffen-SS used the rank Obersturmbannführer as an equivalent.

Nationale Volksarmee (NVA)

The National People's Army of East Germany used the rank Oberstleutnant for its army and air force, whereas the Volksmarine used the term Fregattenkapitän.

Austria

armed forces, the Bundesheer, uses the rank Oberstleutnant as its sixth-highest officer rank. Like in Germany and Switzerland, Oberstleutnants are above Majors and below Obersts. The term also finds usage with the Austrian Bundespolizei and Justizwache. These two organizations are civilian in nature, but their ranks are nonetheless structured in a military fashion.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, Oberstleutnant is the fifth-highest officer rank and is, like in Germany and Austria, subordinate to the Oberst and superior to the Major.
Because of the multilingual nature of Switzerland, Oberstleutnant-rank officers might also be referred to as lieutenant-colonel, tenente colonello or litinent colonel.
Junior rank
Major

Oberstleutnant		Senior rank
Oberst