Feldwebel

Feldwebel (Fw or F, field usher) is a non-commissioned officer (NCO) rank in several countries. The rank originated in Germany, and is also used in Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, and Estonia. The rank has also been used in Russia, Austria-Hungary, occupied Serbia and Bulgaria. Feldwebel is a contraction of feld meaning 'field' and weibel, an archaic word meaning 'usher'. Weibel comes from the Old High German weibôn, meaning to go back and forth (as in 'wobble'). There are variations on Feldwebel, such as Oberstabsfeldwebel ('Superior Staff Field Usher'), which is the highest non-commissioned rank in the German army and air force. The rank is used in several countries: fältväbel, fel'dfebel', feldfebel, vääpeli and veebel. In Swiss German the spelling Feldweibel is used. Rank insignia of the Austro-Hungarian Army Feldwebel was a typical infantry rank of the k.u.k. Austro-Hungarian Army (1867–1918). It might have been comparable to NCO-rank OR8./ Company Sergeant-major ranks in the British Army. In the k.u.k. Austro-Hungarian Army Feldwebel was equivalent to: Beschlagmeister I. Klasse (Master-Blacksmith 1st class) cavalry, Feuerwerker (Master-Sergeant, fire worker) artillery, Oberjaeger (Master-Sergeant) of the mountain troops and rifles, Rechnungs-Unteroffizier I. Klasse (Fiscal sergeant 1st class), Regimentshornist (Regimental bugler), Regimentstambour (Regimental drummer), Wachtmeister (Master-Sergeant) cavalry, Waffenmeister I. Klasse (Weapon master 1st class) artillery and weapon arsenal, Einjährig-Freiwilliger-Feldwebel (Master-Sergeant – volunteer serving one year), and Kadett-Feldwebel (Cadet-Master-Sergeant). The rank insignia was a gorget patch on the stand-up collar of the so-called Waffenrock (tunic), and consisted of three white stars on 13 mm ragged yellow silk galloon. The gorget patch and the stand-up collar showed the particular Waffenfarbe (corps colour). Examples (selection) In the Bulgarian army, фелдфебел (pronounced feldfebel) existed from the late 19th century to the late 1940s, when the German-type military organization was phased out in favor of a new doctrine, identical to the Soviet one.