2nd Panzer Division
CONTACT:
hawkml@bentonrea.com
marcin@oregontrail.net

  		2nd Panzer Division
2nd Panzer Division

2nd Panzer Division
RANK AND PROMOTIONS

Rank in the German forces is earned through attendance, contribution, and performance. Additionally, before being considered for promotion, and individual must possess a complete uniform, including field gear (see uniform and equipment regulations). All new members enter the unit as a private, and it is mainly up to the individual how fast he wants to achieve rank and responsibility. The German forces will always have a realistic balance of rank.

NCO and officer positions will be filled by appointment as the need arises. Exceptions may be granted for extraordinary acts or circumstances. Any exceptions to the published criteria must be approved by the unit commander's committee. All German ranks and units are shown with their approximate equivalent American ranks in parentheses.

PROMOTION CRITERIA

Schütze, Flieger, SS-Mann (Private): All new members.

Oberschütze, SS-Obermann (Private First Class): 12 battle days.

Gefreiter, SS-Sturmmann (Lance Corporal): 24 battle days, or the purchase of an authentic vehicle or crew-served weapon.

Obergefreiter, SS-Rottenführer (Corporal): Eligible after 36 battle days. This position is appointed by the unit commander's committee and many things are taken into account such as:
1. Strong attendance.
2. Strong recruiting effort.
3. High level of authenticity.
4. Leadership ability and responsibility.
5. Understanding of weapons, and field safety.
6. Knowledge of German field tactics.

Unteroffizier, SS-Unterscharführer (Sergeant) and above: Same as for Obergefreiter, Stabsgefreiter and SS-Rottenführer. This position is appointed by the unit commanders committee. These ranks are very demanding and take up a great deal of time and effort. The above criteria is increased greatly and the positions must be filled by men with very strong attendance and records, outstanding enthusiasm and talented leadership abilities. These ranks will normally be awarded only in accordance with the rank ratios as listed below.

RANK RATIO

The German forces will adhere to a strict and realistic rank structure at all times. The promotion of individuals to these positions will be dependent on the amount of men that go into the field on an average basis. For all practical purposes, we will follow the authentic German rank breakdown for each unit level. The rank that shall command the units are shown below, along with the number of men required:

Kompanie (Company): Oberleutnant, SS-Obersturmführer (1st Lieutenant): 100-150 men.

Zug (Platoon): Leutnant, SS-Untersturmführer (2nd Lieutenant): 25-40 men.
1. Gruppe (1st Squad): Feldwebel, SS-Oberscharführer (Staff Sergeant) - [also acts as platoon sergeant]: 12 men.
2. Gruppe (2nd Squad): Unteroffizier, SS-Unterscharführer (Sergeant): 12 men.
3. Gruppe (3rd Squad): Unteroffizier, SS-Unterscharführer (Sergeant): 12 men.

Each of the three squads will have at least one Gefreiter or SS-Rottenführer who will be the second in command of that squad.