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General (Germany)
General (Germany)
General (Germany)
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General
General
Army and Air Force insignia
Country Germany
Service branch German Army
 German Air Force
Rank groupGeneral officer
RankFour-star
NATO rank codeOF-9
Pay gradeB10
Formation1956 (modern)
Next lower rankGeneralleutnant
Equivalent ranksAdmiral

General (German pronunciation: [ɡenəˈʁaːl] ⓘ) is the highest rank of the German Army and German Air Force. As a four-star rank it is the equivalent to the rank of admiral in the German Navy.

The rank is rated OF-9 in NATO. It is grade B10 in the pay rules of the Federal Ministry of Defence.

Rank insignia

[edit]

On the shoulder straps (Heer, Luftwaffe) there are four golden pips (stars) in golden oak leaves.

Heer Luftwaffe Gorget patches
  • General (field suit)
    General
    (field suit)
  • General (retired)
    General
    (retired)
Bundeswehr sequence of ranks
junior rank:
Generalleutnant

(German officer rank)
General

senior rank:
no higher rank

Early history

[edit]

By the 16th century, with the rise of standing armies, the German states had begun to appoint generals from the nobility to lead armies in battle.[citation needed]

A standard rank system was developed during the Thirty Years War, with the highest rank of General usually reserved for the ruling sovereign (e.g. the Kaiser or Elector) and the actual field commander holding the rank of Generalleutnant. Feldmarschall was a lower rank at that time, as was Generalwachtmeister.[citation needed]

By the 17th and 18th centuries, the rank of general was present in all the militaries of the German states, and saw its greatest usage by the militaries of Bavaria and Prussia. It was these two militaries that created the concept of the “general staff”, which was often manned entirely by members of the nobility.[citation needed][dubious – discuss] To be a general often implied membership in the noble class.

19th century

[edit]

During the Napoleonic Wars, the ranks of German generals were established in four grades, beginning with Generalmajor, followed by Generalleutnant, General and Generalfeldmarschall. The standard uniforms and insignia, used for over a century, also developed during this period. The title of General included the officer's branch of service, leading to the titles of General der Infanterie ("general of the infantry"), General der Kavallerie ("general of the cavalry") and General der Artillerie ("general of the artillery").

In 1854, Prussia introduced the rank of Generaloberst (lit. General Superior, supreme general, usually (mis)translated colonel-general) so that officers could be promoted further than General without becoming a Generalfeldmarschall, as this rank was usually bestowed only for extraordinary achievements during wartime service. Later, another special grade known as Generaloberst im Range eines Generalfeldmarschalls (supreme general in the rank of a field marshal) was first used in Bavaria to denote supreme generals who were given the authority of field marshals without the actual rank.

During the German Empire, the insignia of German generals was established as a heavy golden shoulder board with up to four pips (stars) denoting seniority as a general.[citation needed] The rank of Generalfeldmarschall displayed a crossed set of marshal's batons on the shoulder board. German generals also began wearing golden ornaments (Arabeske) on their collars, in contrast to the collar bars (Doppellitzen) worn by elite units, or the plain colored collars of the rest of the German military forces.[citation needed]

The grade of "supreme general in the rank of a field marshal" (Generaloberst im Range eines Generalfeldmarschalls) was introduced in the Prussian/Imperial army in 1871. It was bestowed on senior generals usually holding the appointment of an army inspector and therefore army commanders designate in the case of hostilities. The shoulder board rank was crossed batons with three pips. The rank of supreme general proper (with three pips only) was created in 1901. In the Prussian army, the rank of field marshal could be awarded only to active officers in wartime if they had won a battle or stormed a fortress. In times of peace, the rank was awarded as an honorary rank to friendly princes and as Charakter (honorary) to generals of merit when they retired — "general with the honorary rank of field marshal" (General mit dem Charakter eines Generalfeldmarschall) - which was cancelled in 1911. At the same time, the rank insignia for supreme general with the rank of field marshal was changed to four pips without batons.[citation needed]

World War II

[edit]

The German rank of General saw its widest usage during World War II. Due to the massive expansion of the German armed forces (Wehrmacht), a new “wave” of generals was promoted in the 1930s that would lead Germany into war.[citation needed]

Equivalent
NATO code		 OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6

German Army

Luftwaffe
Generalfeldmarschall Generaloberst General of the branch Generalleutnant Generalmajor

Waffen-SS 		No equivalent
SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer and
Generaloberst of the Waffen-SS 		SS-Obergruppenführer and
General of the Waffen-SS 		SS-Gruppenführer and
Lieutenant general of the Waffen-SS 		SS-Brigadeführer and
Major general of the Waffen-SS

Generalfeldmarschall

[edit]

In 1936, Hitler revived the rank of field marshal.

Generaloberst (Colonel general / Supreme general)

[edit]

The rank of Generaloberst is usually translated as "colonel general", but perhaps better translation would be "supreme general". A Generaloberst was usually an army commander.

General of the branch (Full general)

[edit]

In WW2 the German three-star rank General of the branch (de: General der Waffengattung, or short General) was formally linked to the branch of the army Heer, or air force Luftwaffe, in which the officer served, and (nominally) commanded: in addition to the long established General der Kavallerie, General der Artillerie and General der Infanterie, the Wehrmacht also had General der Panzertruppen (armoured troops), General der Gebirgstruppen (mountain troops), General der Pioniere (engineers), General der Fallschirmtruppen (parachute troops), General der Flieger (aviators), General der Flakartillerie (anti-aircraft), General der Nachrichtentruppen (communications troops) and General der Luftnachrichtentruppen (air communications troops). A General of the branch was usually a corps commander.

Generalleutnant

[edit]

The German Generalleutnant was usually a senior division commander.

Generalmajor

[edit]

The German Generalmajor was usually a junior division commander

The staff corps of the Wehrmacht, medical, veterinary, judicial and chaplain, used special designations for their general officers, with Generalarzt, Generalveterinär, Generalrichter and Feldbischof being the equivalent of Generalmajor; Generalstabsarzt, Generalstabsveterinär and Generalstabsrichter the equivalent of Generalleutnant; and (the unique) Generaloberstabsarzt, Generaloberstabsveterinär and Generaloberstabsrichter the equivalent of General.

With the formation of the Luftwaffe, air force generals began to use the same general ranks as the German army. The shoulder insignia was identical to that used by the army, with the addition of special collar patches worn by Luftwaffe general officers. The supreme rank of Reichsmarschall (Reich Marshal) was created in 1940 for Hermann Göring.[citation needed]

Waffen-SS

[edit]

In 1941, the Waffen-SS began using general ranks in addition to standard SS ranks. An Oberst-Gruppenführer of the Waffen-SS, for example, would be titled Oberst-Gruppenführer und Generaloberst der Waffen-SS. The Ordnungspolizei (Orpo) also used similar police ranks. The Waffen-SS had no field marshals, but the rank of Reichsführer-SS held by Heinrich Himmler was considered to be the equivalent of a field marshal (Generalfeldmarschall) during the war years.[1]

The senior colonel rank of SS-Oberführer has sometimes been considered to be a brigadier general equivalent; however, this is incorrect. The rank (in particular among the Waffen-SS) was not considered equivalent to a general officer, was not entitled to the grey lampasses and lapel facings of a general, and wore the shoulderboards of an army full-colonel or Oberst.[2][3]

Modern usage

[edit]

In the Bundeswehr, the rank of Brigadegeneral was inserted below the rank of Generalmajor. While the rank titles of Generalmajor, Generalleutnant and General were retained, each of those titles now denotes a higher rank than before (e.g. the Generalleutnant is now a three-star general).

Prior to the reunification of Germany, general officer rank designations in the German Democratic Republic were based on the Soviet model. Generalmajor was still the lowest general officer grade, followed by Generalleutnant, Generaloberst (now three stars instead of four) and Armeegeneral. In 1982, the GDR government established the rank of Marschall der DDR, although no one was ever promoted to this rank.

See also

[edit]

Notes and references

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

General (Germany)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
In the German Bundeswehr, the rank of is the highest commissioned officer rank in the (Heer) and (Luftwaffe), corresponding to the NATO officer rank code OF-9 and equivalent to a four-star general in other member states' forces. This rank denotes supreme strategic leadership, with incumbents typically serving in top command positions such as the , who advises the Federal Government on military matters and holds operational authority over the armed forces. The General rank forms the pinnacle of the Bundeswehr's general officer hierarchy, which progresses from (OF-6, one star) and (OF-7, two stars) to (OF-8, three stars), culminating in General (OF-9, four stars). for the rank include four silver stars on the epaulets for service dress and a collar patch with special golden embroidery on a bright red background, distinguishing it from lower general ranks. Holders of this rank are responsible for overseeing large-scale operations, international alliances like , and national defense policy implementation, often requiring decades of service and advanced strategic education. Equivalent ranks exist in specialized branches, such as the Medical Service's (also OF-9 in applicable contexts), ensuring parity across the Bundeswehr's diverse while maintaining the unified command structure under the Federal Ministry of Defence. The rank's prestige underscores Germany's post-World War II military framework, emphasizing defensive operations and within the European and transatlantic frameworks.

Rank Overview

Hierarchy and Designations

The hierarchy of general officer ranks in the German military forms the apex of the command structure, encompassing roles from divisional leadership to supreme wartime authority. These ranks, denoted by officer codes (OF), reflect a structured progression aligned with increasing levels of operational responsibility, though German designations historically emphasize specificity to branches (e.g., General der Infanterie) rather than a generic "full general" title, which emerged more distinctly in the . Unlike Anglo-American systems, where (two-star) precedes (three-star) in a straightforward numerical progression, German ranks like (OF-7) and (OF-8) invert this seniority in but maintain equivalent command scopes, with no standalone "general" rank until modern standardization. The standard general officer ranks in the contemporary (German Armed Forces) begin at the one-star level and extend to four stars, corresponding to NATO codes OF-6 through OF-9. Historically, higher ranks such as and were reserved for wartime escalations and are not part of the peacetime structure. These designations evolved to denote not only authority but also expertise in specific arms, with responsibilities tied to unit scales: from brigades and divisions to operations and beyond. Holders of the OF-9 rank often serve as of the Army or in senior positions.
RankNATO CodeTypical Command LevelDescription
BrigadegeneralOF-6BrigadeEntry-level general officer, responsible for commanding a brigade-sized formation (approximately 3,000–5,000 personnel), focusing on tactical operations and integration of combined arms. In the Heer (Army), this rank handles brigade-level planning and execution.
GeneralmajorOF-7DivisionCommands a division (approximately 8,000–12,000 active personnel), overseeing multi-brigade operations, logistics, and coordination in theater-level maneuvers. This is the routine divisional command rank in German forces.
GeneralleutnantOF-8Joint or multinational commandsLeads joint operations, such as the Bundeswehr Joint Force Command (managing operational-level tasks across services), emphasizing strategic deployment and inter-service coordination. This rank often involves staff oversight in multinational contexts like NATO.
GeneralOF-9Supreme commandHighest peacetime rank, with responsibilities for operational planning, resource allocation, and high-level command in joint or allied operations (e.g., Chief of the Army). Equivalent to a four-star general in NATO structures.
The term "" originates from the Latin generalis, meaning "general" or "universal," denoting broad authority; it entered German military in the via French général (as in capitaine-général) and Dutch influences during the , evolving from adjectival modifiers to standalone ranks by the . This underscores the rank's conceptual role as an overarching leader, distinct from more specialized titles in earlier European armies.

Insignia and Uniforms

In the German military, the insignia for ranks are prominently displayed on epaulettes or shoulder boards, utilizing a combination of , pips, and to signify hierarchy and branch affiliation. The rank is identified by two arranged within a golden laurel wreath on the shoulder boards, while the features three such , and the General four , all set against a branch-colored underlay. These elements are typically embroidered in metallic thread, with the positioned centrally on the wreath for clarity and visibility. Branch-specific symbols, such as crossed swords for or a winged for , may be incorporated below or adjacent to the wreath in the Heer (Army and (Air Force) to denote specialization, though these are standardized across general ranks to maintain uniformity. For the Marine (Navy), equivalent admiral ranks—Konteradmiral, Vizeadmiral, and —employ a similar star-based system on shoulder boards for field and service uniforms, but with executive curls or stripes on the cuffs for formal contexts, adapting the Heer/ design to naval traditions. The evolution of insignia materials reflects functional adaptations over time, with pre-1945 designs favoring elaborate thread embroidery on epaulettes for ceremonial prominence and prestige among general officers. Post-1955 standards shifted to subdued, matte finishes—often in olive drab or black thread—for field applications to minimize detection, while retaining metallic or silver for service and variants. Placement varies by uniform type: shoulder boards dominate service and dress, with optional collar tabs for formality, whereas field uniforms prioritize Velcro-attached slip-ons for quick removal during operations. Uniform integrations for generals emphasize practicality and tradition across contexts. In Heer service dress, a stone-grey jacket pairs with shoulder boards on epaulettes, often accented by a bearing the and branch wreath; service dress uses a similar blue tunic with aviation eagles on the chest. Marine generals wear blue service uniforms with on both shoulders and cuffs, complemented by a white coverall variant for shipboard use. Parade uniforms amplify formality with full gold-embroidered wreaths, braided tunics, and sabers, as seen in ceremonial events, while field dress adopts multi-terrain patterns with subdued on modular vests and helmets, ensuring rank visibility without compromising stealth. These adaptations maintain the general's authoritative presence across Heer, , and Marine while aligning with interoperability standards.

Historical Development

Origins to 18th Century

The rank of Generalmajor emerged in the armies of the Holy Roman Empire during the 17th century, particularly amid the chaos of the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648), where it denoted a senior officer responsible for commanding divisions or overseeing artillery and logistics in imperial forces. This title, derived from the earlier "Generalwachtmeister" (sergeant major general), reflected the growing need for specialized command structures in large-scale conflicts involving mercenary armies and shifting alliances among Catholic and Protestant states. Figures like Hans Ludwig von Erlach exemplified its use, rising to Generalmajor in imperial service and contributing to key campaigns that highlighted the rank's role in coordinating fragmented contingents from various principalities. In Brandenburg-Prussia, the Great Elector Frederick William (r. 1640–1688) introduced early reforms that laid the foundation for structured roles, establishing the Quartermaster-General’s Staff in 1668 as a precursor to a formalized general staff system. Modeled on Swedish organizational principles observed during the war, this body included officers like Lieutenant-Colonel Gerhard von Bellicum as Quartermaster-General, supported by adjutants and a Master of Ordnance, to handle logistics, engineering, and for an expanding from rudimentary wartime levies to a standing force of around 30,000 men. These innovations emphasized the elector's direct control as supreme war lord, tying general-like positions to the nobility and fostering a merit-based advisory cadre that influenced later Prussian . Higher general ranks beyond Generalmajor remained scarce until the 18th century, with titles like Feldmarschall serving as prestigious precursors reserved for supreme commanders in imperial or princely armies. Originating from the medieval Frankish "marescalci" (master of the horse), the Feldmarschall evolved into a field command role by the 17th century, often held by nobles like , who wielded near-autonomous authority during the but without a standardized hierarchy above major generals. This gap underscored the ad hoc nature of forces, where overall leadership depended on imperial appointments rather than fixed ranks. The use of general ranks was highly decentralized across the Holy Roman Empire's principalities, with variations in titles and responsibilities reflecting local traditions and resources. In Bavaria and Saxony, for instance, the rank of Generalwachtmeister persisted into the 18th century as an equivalent to major general, overseeing cavalry inspections and brigade coordination in smaller standing armies that supplemented imperial contingents. These officers, often drawn from noble families, managed wartime mobilizations and peacetime garrisons, adapting French and Swedish influences to fit the fragmented political landscape of over 300 semi-autonomous states. By the mid-18th century, as principalities like Prussia and Austria professionalized their forces, such titles began standardizing toward modern general designations, though regional differences endured until broader reforms.

19th Century Reforms

Following the in 1815, reorganized its military structure as part of the post-Napoleonic restoration, formalizing the existing ranks to support a more centralized and professional army. The ranks of (), (), and the branch-specific (general of ) and (general of ) were standardized as the core hierarchy for commanding divisions, , and higher formations, respectively. This formalization aligned with the establishment of permanent army and the renaming of the Staff to the General Staff under Carl von Müffling, emphasizing merit-based advancement and operational efficiency over noble privilege. In the lead-up to German unification, the introduced the rank of (colonel general) in 1854, positioned between General der Infanterie/Kavallerie and the rare (field marshal), to recognize exceptional senior leaders without diluting the prestige of the highest command. With the in 1871, this rank system was extended and unified across the contributing states, incorporating branch-specific designations like General der Artillerie (general of ) to reflect the growing specialization in , including and emerging technical arms. These changes supported the integration of diverse state armies into a federal force under Prussian dominance. Helmuth von Moltke the Elder, appointed in 1857, significantly advanced the role of general officers through his leadership in the of 1866 and the of 1870–1871. Moltke's innovations, including decentralized and railway-mobilized corps under general oversight, elevated the General Staff's influence, allowing generals to execute strategic plans with greater autonomy while maintaining centralized direction from . His reforms during these conflicts solidified the general staff system as the backbone of Prussian-German military effectiveness. The standardization and expansion of general ranks coincided with rapid army growth, driven by industrialization and unification; the number of generals rose from 143 in 1806—many of whom were purged post-Jena—to over 50 active high-ranking officers by 1890, enabling command of an enlarged force that reached peacetime strengths exceeding 500,000 men. This proliferation underscored the shift from a defensive post-Napoleonic posture to an offensive imperial capability.

Imperial Era and World War I

In the established by the in 1871 and expanded after unification, the rank of general (General) encompassed several grades, including , , and the highest peacetime grade of General der Infanterie, Kavallerie, or Artillerie, positioned above in the hierarchy. By , on the eve of , the structure included approximately 25 full generals (Generale) who commanded the 's 25 or served in key staff roles, reflecting the peacetime organization of 25 corps districts that mobilized into field for deployment. These officers, drawn primarily from the Prussian tradition, oversaw a force of about 800,000 active soldiers and reserves, with the as supreme commander exercising authority through the General Staff. As progressed, the scale of operations necessitated expansions in command structure, including the creation of temporary higher commands for army groups to coordinate multiple field armies on vast fronts. The rank of , established in 1854, was used to honor leaders of army groups and reflect the war's demands for elevated authority; , promoted to in December 1914, commanded the successful breakthrough at Gorlice-Tarnów in 1915, leading to his further promotion to . This allowed for better management of the growing army, which by mid-war fielded over 250 divisions. Meanwhile, and assumed de facto supreme control in August 1916 as and First Quartermaster-General, respectively, under the Third Supreme Command (), directing strategy across all theaters until the war's end. By 1918, the Imperial German Army had promoted over 200 officers to general ranks across all grades to sustain its massive mobilization of nearly 13.2 million men, though attrition and the need for divisional and corps commanders drove this expansion. Casualties among these senior officers were relatively low compared to enlisted ranks amid total German military deaths exceeding 2 million. The war's conclusion brought rapid demobilization following the armistice on November 11, 1918, reducing the army from over 3.5 million frontline troops to skeleton forces and sharply curtailing general officer billets as part of the transition to peacetime constraints.

Weimar Republic and Interwar Period

The , signed on June 28, 1919, imposed severe restrictions on the German armed forces to prevent future aggression, limiting the —the army of the newly established —to a total strength of 100,000 men, including no more than 4,000 officers, and explicitly dissolving the while prohibiting its reconstitution in any form. These constraints initially precluded ranks above , as the army was restructured into just seven infantry divisions and three cavalry divisions without or army-level commands that would require higher positions. To circumvent the ban on a general staff, the Weimar government created the Truppenamt (Troop Office) within the Ministry in 1919, disguising traditional general staff functions under the guise of administrative and training roles, thereby preserving strategic expertise among a cadre of experienced officers. Under the leadership of , who served as Chef der Heeresleitung (Chief of Army Command) from 1920 to 1926, the emphasized elite training and officer development to maintain combat readiness despite the treaty's demilitarization, with only 6–8 generals in active service by 1926, all focused on cadre preservation and covert doctrinal innovation rather than operational expansion. Von Seeckt, drawing briefly on precedents for mobile warfare and staff efficiency, prioritized a professional, apolitical force capable of rapid expansion in a , while ranks like were assigned to oversee brigade-level training units within the constrained divisional structure. The Truppenamt, headed by figures such as Colonel Joachim von Stülpnagel, functioned as the de facto general staff, coordinating secret collaborations with foreign powers like the for prohibited training in tanks and aviation, ensuring the army's intellectual continuity without violating overt treaty terms. The saw gradual erosion of these limits through clandestine rearmament, particularly after Adolf Hitler's appointment as on January 30, 1933, which enabled the restoration of higher general ranks and a secret buildup of the officer corps to more than 20 generals by the mid-1930s, laying the groundwork for overt expansion while still under nominal civilian oversight. This covert growth involved increasing the number of Generalmajors and Generalleutnants for emerging and roles, supported by the Truppenamt's ongoing work on plans that anticipated treaty repudiation. By 1935, when Hitler publicly announced rearmament and the reintroduction of , the Weimar-era constraints had been effectively nullified, transitioning the general ranks from a tightly controlled training apparatus to the foundation of a modern mass army.

Nazi Germany and World War II

The reintroduction of the Wehrmacht in 1935 marked the revival of the German general staff system, which had been restricted under the Treaty of Versailles, allowing for the rapid expansion of senior officer ranks as part of Nazi rearmament efforts. By October 1939, the number of general officers had grown to 275, reflecting the buildup to war and the restoration of a hierarchical command structure across army branches. This expansion emphasized specialized roles, with generals overseeing infantry, artillery, and emerging armored units, though it also sowed seeds for later ideological influences on promotions and loyalty oaths to Hitler. During , promotions accelerated to reward battlefield successes and consolidate Nazi control over the military hierarchy. The rank of was revived by Hitler in April 1936, with War Minister as the first recipient, symbolizing the fusion of political and military authority. Following the victory in the , Hitler promoted 12 generals to in July 1940 during a ceremony in , including figures like and , to boost morale and recognize strategic leadership. The rank of was frequently awarded for commanding corps or armies, as seen with Erwin Rommel's promotion on February 1, 1942, after his successes in with the . By May 1943, the total number of general officers, including branch-specific titles such as (responsible for armored forces), had surged to 1,044, illustrating the scale of wartime mobilization but also exposing vulnerabilities in command loyalty. Hierarchy abuses became evident in events like the July 20, 1944, assassination attempt on Hitler, known as , which implicated numerous high-ranking officers and led to purges within the general staff. In the aftermath, over 5,000 suspects were arrested, and key figures such as Günther von Kluge, commander of Army Group Center, committed suicide on August 19, 1944, to evade execution for suspected involvement; others, including generals like , were tried and hanged by the Nazi regime. These executions highlighted the politicization of ranks, where ideological conformity trumped military merit. Parallel developments occurred in the , the combat arm of Heinrich Himmler's SS organization, which expanded from a small bodyguard unit to a force rivaling the in size and autonomy during the war. The adopted a rank structure equivalent to army generals, such as SS-Obergruppenführer (comparable to General) and SS-Oberstgruppenführer und (equivalent to ), with distinct insignia including silver-piped collars bearing SS runes and symbols on uniforms to denote elite status. Approximately 38 officers reached general-equivalent ranks in the by 1945, including Paul Hausser's promotion to SS-Oberstgruppenführer und in August 1944, the first such dual title granted, underscoring Himmler's push for parity with regular army commands despite ongoing tensions over resources and authority.

Post-World War II and Modern Bundeswehr

Following the end of and the Allied occupation, reestablished its armed forces as the on November 12, 1955, aligning its rank structure with standards to facilitate integration into the alliance, which joined earlier that year. The initial leadership included experienced officers such as Lieutenant Generals , who became the first , and , both sworn in during the founding ceremony and drawing from pre-1945 military backgrounds to build the new force. The rank of was reintroduced at the top of the officer hierarchy, equivalent to NATO's OF-8 and OF-9 grades, but the higher wartime rank of was not reinstated, reflecting the democratic and defensive orientation of the new military. During the , the expanded rapidly to serve as NATO's frontline conventional deterrent in , growing to approximately 495,000 active personnel by the 1980s, with general officers overseeing expanded commands in the Heer (Army) and (Air Force). Joint operational structures were developed in the post-1960s era under the Federal Ministry of Defence, enabling coordinated branch efforts while maintaining service-specific general roles, such as the Inspector of the Army and Inspector of the Air Force, both typically held by three-star Generalleutnants (OF-7 equivalent). This evolution emphasized collective defense without centralized wartime authority above corps level until later reforms. German reunification in 1990 led to the dissolution of the East German (NVA) on October 2, with its facilities and equipment transferred to the ; however, no NVA generals were integrated due to ideological and vetting concerns, though around 3,000 officers and 7,600 non-commissioned officers from the east were provisionally accepted after rigorous screening. The unified structure retained the NATO-aligned general ranks, with the Inspector General of the holding the four-star General rank (OF-9 equivalent) as the highest uniformed position. In the modern era, generals have commanded international missions under and frameworks, exemplified by Alfons Mais leading Regional Command North in from 2018 to 2019 as part of the ISAF and Resolute Support operations. As of 2025, General Carsten Breuer serves as the 17th and , appointed in March 2023, overseeing responses to contemporary security challenges including support for and preparations for potential reinforcements amid discussions on reintroducing elements of , such as mandatory registration for males over 18 agreed in 2025. Gender inclusivity has advanced, with women first admitted to the in 1975 and the appointment of Verena von Weymarn as the inaugural female general in 1994, serving as of the ; today, over 24,000 women serve, comprising about 13% of personnel and holding senior roles across branches (as of August 2025).

References

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  34. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA198043.pdf
  35. https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/nmah_432706
  36. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-july-20-1944-plot-to-assassinate-adolf-hitler
  37. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/waffen-ss
  38. https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/declassified_185912.htm
  39. https://www.bmvg.de/en/history
  40. https://www.historynet.com/these-nato-generals-had-unusual-backgrounds-they-served-in-the-third-reich/
  41. https://www.bundeswehr.de/en/about-bundeswehr/history/cold-war
  42. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0095327X9602200303
  43. https://www.bundeswehr.de/en/about-bundeswehr/history/army-of-unity-german-reunification
  44. https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-long-military-mission-in-afghanistan/a-54884893
  45. https://www.bmvg.de/en/organisation/the-chief-of-defence
  46. https://www.bundeswehr.de/en/about-bundeswehr/identity-of-the-bundeswehr/equal-opportunities/women-bundeswehr
  47. https://www.jstor.org/stable/45346956
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