Fähnrich is an officer candidate rank in the Austrian Bundesheer and German Bundeswehr. The word Fähnrich comes from an older German military title, Fahnenträger (flag bearer), and first became a distinct military rank in Germany on 1 January 1899. However, Fähnrich ranks are often incorrectly compared with the rank of ensign, which shares a similar etymology but is a full-fledged (albeit junior) commissioned officer rank. In the German Landsknecht armies, recorded from ca. 1480, the equivalent rank of a Cornet existed. The cornet carried the troop standard, also known as a "cornet". The rank also exists in a few other European military organizations, often with historical ties to the German system. Examples are the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland (see Fänrik). The French Army has a similar position called an Aspirant. In the Finnish Army and Air Force, Vänrikki (Fänrik) is the lowest commissioned officer rank, which is granted to the soldiers in the national service that have completed their reserve officer course on the day they are released from their 347-day service. Finnish Vänrikki are thus of equal rank to the German lieutenant (also a platoon leader).

Austria

Austrian Bundesheer

Fähnrich, short Fhr, is the lowest commissioned officer rank in the Austrian Armed Forces.

Austria-Hungary (until 1918)

Fähnrich was the lowest officer rank in the k.u.k. Common Army. In 1838 it was renamed to Unterleutnant 2. Gebürnisklasse, from 1849 to Unterleutnant 2. Klasse, since 1868 to Unterleutnant, and finally approximately from 1868 to Leutnant. In 1908 Fähnrich was re-introduced as lowest cadet-officer rank in order to replace the 1869 rank designation Kadett-Offiziersstellvertreter. Fähnrich, Kadett-Offiziersstellvertreter respectively completed training and education on the less famous so-called k.u.k. Kadettenschule. As the Kadett-Offiziersstellvertreter was the highest NCO-rank, became Fähnrich a separate rank-class. However, graduates from the much more famous Militärakademie became the officer patent for Leutnant. In the k.u. Royal Hungarian Honvéd army Zászlós was the equivalent to the Fähnrich rank. It accounted immediately to the officer corps.

Denmark

In 1609, Christian IV of Denmark created a permanent organization with regiments of the Royal Danish Army. A regiment would be assigned one ritmester, one løjtnant, one fænrik, and two korporals. By 1717, the ranks of Fendrich and Cornet of the Royal Life Guards were placed in the Eight class in the Danish order of precedence, normal Fendrichs and Cornets were placed in the Ninth class. Between 1951 and 1970, Fenrik and Overfenrik were part of Fenriksgruppen, which served as Warrant officers.

Finland

Germany

Bundeswehr

A Fähnrich of the Bundeswehr is a soldier who serves in the ranks, first as Fahnenjunker (OR-5, comparable to the junior non-commissioned officer rank Unteroffizier), then in subsequent grades: Fähnrich (OR-6, equivalent to Feldwebel), and Oberfähnrich (OR-7 equivalent to Hauptfeldwebel). In the German Bundeswehr, an officer candidate can reach the rank of Fähnrich after 21 months of service. The German Navy equivalent is "Ensign at sea". An officer candidate's career is indicated by the enlisted rank with a thin silver cord on the shoulder strap.

History

Imperial German Army

National People's Army

Following the creation of the National People's Army, a Fähnrich rank group was created.

Netherlands

Norway

In the Norwegian Armed Forces, the rank of Fenrik is the lowest ranking commissioned officer, with the NATO code of OF-1.

Sweden