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This article deals with therank insignia of the Austro-Hungarian Army, as worn by theAustro-Hungarian Army after the reorganisation in 1867 until 1918.

In the Austrian armyrank insignia are traditionally calledParoli(pl.Parolis) and are worn asgorget patch or collar tap, appliquéd to the gorget fore-part of the uniform coat, uniform jacket and/or battle-dress.

Paroli(rank insignia) 1867–1918

with celluloid distinction star and Edelweiss badge

Stabsfeuerwerker with silk distinction stars (1914–18)

Major with silver galloon

Therank insignia – so-calledParoli – of theAustro-Hungarian Army (1867–1918) were worn on the fore-part of the sleeves for jackets, but never onshoulder straps of shirts, service jackets, and dress uniforms. This extended to theCommon Army as well as to theImperial-Royal Landwehr. However, the mountain corps wore additionally anedelweiss since 1907 behind the distinction star(s).

The rank or distinction stars of enlisted personnel and non-commissioned officers (NCO) were made from whitecelluloid, those of the ranksFeldwebel andStabsfeldwebel have been made from white silk since 1914. The rank stars of the junior officer ranks normally consisted of relief metal.^[1] Pertaining self procured uniforms, embroidered (from metallic fibre) rank stars might have been selected. The embroidered version was mandatory for staff officer ranks frommajor (OF3^[2]) onwards.^[3]

For all other k.k. badges of the Austrian-Hungarian mountain corps from OR1-rank^[4]Jäger(en: hunter/ private) to the OF5-rank^[2]Oberst(en: colonel)

Even on the field shirts, officer rank stars showed the button-colour of the uniform jacket.^[5]

However, staff officers had additionally to wear a galloon on the uniform sleeve. If the galloon colour was silver, the colour of the buttons and the stars had to be golden and vice versa. On the galloon there was a serrated ornament. Generals wore always silver stars on golden galloon. From that derives, that the colour of the rank stars and galloons had nothing to do with the rank.

On coats rank insignias had never been worn. Officers of the so-calledKaiserschützen as well as of the "Landwehr infantry regiments number 4 and 27" (also Mountain infantry regiments 4 and 27) wore on their dress uniforms shoulder straps with the imperator's insignias (not to be mixed up with the particular rank). For any rank description there had to be provided as well an equivalent expression in Hungarian language. Military units, who consisted mainly of Czech, Slovakian, and/ or Polish personal, used unofficially the rank term in their mother language. NCOs were counted to the enlisted personnel, and did not made up a separate rank group.

TheCadet(Kadett), in its position as aspirant to the professional officer career, ranked as well to the enlisted rank group. The cadet ranks counted to the appropriate nominal rank, however, behind the next higher rank. E.g. the "Cadet-gefreiter" was counted for theGefreiter, however, behind theCorporal, who himself was lower than the "Cadet-corporal".

The characteristic of the cadet ranks was the so-called distinction-galloon on the sleeve ends. It was similar to the feldwebel-galloon, however, from gold colour instead of emperor-yellow. The particular rank was added as well.

Designation	Performance 1908–1918
Rank insignia collar
Rank description	Kadett(en: Cadet)		Kadett(en: Cadet)
	1908–1914	1914–1918 (with silk stars)	1908–1914 mountain infantry	1914–1918 (with silk stars)
(Hungarian)	(Hadapród)

The ranksStabsfeldwebel,Stabsoberjäger,Stabsfeuerwerker andStabswachtmeister were introduced to the k.u.k. armed forces in 1913. Before it was equivalent to theBezirksfeldwebel (en: District-Sergeant) of theGendarmerie (as part of theLandsturm; in AustriaLandwehr). To the Feldwebel–uniform theStabsfeldwebel/Bezirksfeldwebel wore a headgear similar to the officers cap, however, without the characteristic golden officers distinction.

In 1913 the sleeve distinction consisted of a 1.3 cm broad feldwebel-galloon made from imperator-yellow silk. Additionally three white rank celluloid stars were appliquéd. In June 1913 the rank insignia was changed. The galloon was now silver designed, and the rank stars were made from white silk and embroidered.

In 1915 the ranksStabsfeldwebel/Stabswachtmeister undOffiziersstellvertreter (en: officer deputy) were summarised to the new rank grouphigher/ senior NCOs (höhere Unteroffiziere).

Designation	Performance 1913–1914
Rank insignia collar
Rank description	Stabsfeldwebel	Stabsfeuerwerker Artillery	Stabswachtmeister Dragoon	Stabsoberjaeger Mountain infantry
(Hungarian)	(Törzsőrmester)

Designation	Performance 1914–1918
Rank insignia collar
Rank description	Stabsfeldwebel Stabswachtmeister	Stabsfeuerwerker Artillery	Stabsfeldwebel Railway regiment	Stabsoberjaeger Mountain infantry
(Hungarian)	(Törzsőrmester)

Theofficer aspirant(Offizieranwaerter (OA)/Tisztjelölt) of the reserve undertook military training as aOne-year volunteer (Einjaehrig-Freiwilliger (EF)/Egyévi Önkéntesi). The distinguishing badge was an imperator-yellow silk square-galloon on the upper part of the cuff. In 1915 the galloon was removed after passing the final examination. It was replaced by the so-called bright "EF-button" to be worn on the collar. The EF-button was fixed behind the nominal rank stars, and was removed on promotion to first officer grade.

Designation	One-year volunteer with EF-button
Rank insignia collar
Rank description	Cadet One-year volunteer	Corporal One-year volunteer
(German)	(Kadett EF)	(Korporal EF)

The rank "Cadet officer-deputy"(Kadett-Offiziersstellvertreter) was renamed toEnsign(Fähnrich) in 1908. The service insignia was a map case, made from black coloured leather, and to be worn on the waist belt. More characteristics were the black officer's cap, however with imperator-yellow side ornament (instead from gold). The white celluloid star was replaced by a silver coloured star. Also in this year, the old term (rank) "Kadett-Feldwebel" was replaced by the new one Cadet(Kadett /Hadapród).

Designation	Cadet officer-deputy until 1908		Ensign 1908–1918
Rank insignia collar
Rank description	Kadett-Offizierstellvertreter		Fähnrich
(Hungarian)	(Hadapród-Tiszthelyettes)		(Zászlós)

In addition to the gorget rank insignias, the so-called distinction, the individual rank was indicated by the yellow distinction-galloon on the parade headgear, calledshako(Tschako,Csákó) a special version of helmet.

• Gefreiter: Was to be identified with a yellow, black-carved 0.5 Austrian inch (~0.5 cm) thick round cord
• Corporal: Wore a 1.5 Austrian inch (~4 cm) broad the yellow distinction-galloon (with zigzag trim ornament)
• Zugsführer,Wachtmeister, and Cadet officer-deputy (Ensign): As to the corporal, however, concentric divided by a 1/24 Austrian inch (~1 mm) small black stripe

The distinction galloons and pipings for enlisted ranks and NCOs were made from yellow sheep's wool, for Ensigns since 1908 from yellow silk, and for officers from gold yarn. Pertaining private procured special editions to enlisted ranks and NCOs, silk trims have been allowed as well.

TheWaffenfarbe(en: corps colour) had to be in correlation to the appropriate military unit, branch, or branch of service.

• 
  k.u.k. Hussars
  (brick-red corps colour)
  
• 
  k.u.k. Hussars
  (dark-blue corps colour)
  
• 
  k.u.k. Hussars
  (light-blue corps colour)
  
• 
  k.u.k. Hussars
  (ash-grey corps colour)
  
• 
  k.u.k. Hussars
  (white corps colour)
  
• 
  k.u.k Artillery
  (black corps colour)
  

(RK means the Rangklasse (Rank classification. As the k.u.k. Army was never a member of NATO, it did not use NATO Rank Codes)

Grade	Rank in German / Hungarian,equivalent in English	Rank insignia
		example	description
Gemeine	Infanterist /Honvéd |Jäger |Dragoner | Ulan |Husar |Kanonier |Pionier |Trainsoldat |Sanitätssoldat		without rank insignia
	Infantryman |Rifleman |Dragoon |Uhlan |Hussar |Gunner |Engineer | Trainmen | Medical
Charges	Gefreiter /Őrvezető |Vormeister |Patrouilleführer		1 white star
	Private 1st class | Gunner 1st class | Rifleman 1st class
	Korporal /Tizedes |Geschütz-Vormeister |Gewehr-Vormeister |Unterjäger |Bataillonstambour |Waffenmeister 3. Klasse |Bataillonshornist		2 white stars
	Corporal | Gunner-Corporal | Machinegun-Corporal | Rifles-Corporal | Battalion drummer | Weapon master 3rd class | Battalion bugler
	Zugsführer /Szakaszvezető |Kurschmied |Rechnungs-Unteroffizier 2. Klasse |Waffenmeister 2. Klasse		3 white stars
	Sergeant - Sgt) |Stabsführer | Fiscal Sergeant 2nd class | Weapon master 2nd class
no RK	Feldwebel /Őrmester |Wachtmeister |Feuerwerker |Oberjäger |Rechnungs-Unteroffizier I. Klasse |Waffenmeister I. Klasse |Beschlagmeister I. Klasse |Regimentstambour |Regimentshornist |Einjährig-Freiwilliger-Feldwebel |Kadett-Feldwebel (only until 1908)		3 white stars, 13mm yellow silk galloon
	Master-sergeant | Cavalry master-sergeant | Artillery master-sergeant | Rifles master-sergeant | Fiscal Sergeant 1st class | Weapon master 1st class | Master-Blacksmith 1st class | Regiment drummer | Regiment bugler | Feldwebel - volunteer serving one year | Kadet-Feldwebel
no RK	Stabsfeldwebel /Törzsőrmester |Stabswachtmeister |Stabsfeuerwerker |Stabsoberjäger		3 white stars, 13mm imperial-yellow silk galloon with 2mm broad black middle strap, 3mm above a 6mm braiding since June 1914: silver galloon with silk stars
	1st Sergeant | Cavalry 1st sergeant | Artillery 1st sergeant | Rifles 1st sergeant
no RK	Kadett-Offiziersstellvertreter /Hadapród-Tiszthelyettes, cancelled in 1908		Golden galloon as to Feldwebel with 1 silver-plated star
	Cadet-officer-deputy
	Kadett /Hadapród established in 1908		3 white stars on 13mm gold galloon since June 1914: 3 stars fromwhite silk on 13mm gold galloon
	Cadet
no RK	Offiziersstellvertreter /Tiszthelyettes since 1915		one 13mm silver galloon, above one 6mm galloon with one brass star
	Officer deputy
no RK	Fähnrich /Zászlós		1 silver star on 13mm on 13mm gold galloon
	Ensign

Designation	Enlisted/Private ranks
Rank insignia
Rank description	Infanterist	Jäger	Dragoner	Ulan	Husar	Kanonier	Pionier	Trainsoldat	Sanitätssoldat
Branch	Infantry	Mountain infantry	Cavalry			Artillery	Military engineering	Supply	Medical corps
(English)	(Infantry man)	(Jäger)	(Dragoon)	(Lancer)	(Hussar)	(Gunner)	(Engineer)	(Private)	(Medical)

Designation	Enlisted/Lance-corporal ranks
Rank insignia
Rank description	Patrouilleführer			Gefreiter			Vormeister
	k.k. Mountain troops	k.u.k. Rifles		Machine-gun units	Infantry generic
branch	Rifles		Cavalry	Infantry		Military engineering	Artillery
(equivalent)	(Rifle 1st class)		(Private 1st class)				(Gunner 1st class)

Designation	Enlisted / Corporal ranks
Rank insignia
Rank description	Korporal k.u.k. Radfahrtruppe	Korporal k.u.k. Regimentsmusik	Unterjäger	Korporal	Geschütz-Vormeister	Korporal	Korporal	Korporal
Branch	Infantry		Mountain infantry	Cavalry	Artillery	Military engineering	Supply	Medical corps
(English)	(Cpl k.u.k. cyclistes)	(Regimental musician corporal)	(Mountain infantry corporal)	(Corporal)	(Corporal)	(Gunner-corporal)	(Corporal)	(Corporal porter unit)	(Corporal)

Designation	Enlisted / Sergeant ranks
Rank insignia
Rank description	Zugsführer	Rechnungs- Unteroffizier 2. Klasse	Zugsführer	Zugsführer	Kurschmied	Waffenmeister 2. Klasse	Zugsführer	Zugsführer (Kraftfahrtruppe)	Zugsführer (Sanitätstruppe)
Branch	Infantry		Mountain infantry	Cavalry		Artillery	Military engineering	Supply	Medical corps
(English)	(Zugsführer)	(Viscal NCO 2nd class)	(Zgf)	(Zgf cavalry)	(Blacksmith)	(Ordnance Sergeant 2nd class)	(Zgf mil. engineering)	(Zgf vehicle troops)	(Zgf medical corps)

Designation	Feldwebel / Master Sergeant ranks
Rank insignia
Rank description	Feldwebel	Kadett-Feldwebel	Oberjäger	Kadett-Oberjäger	Wachtmeister	Kadett-Wachtmeister	Feuerwerker	Kadett-Feuerwerker	Stabführer(Musikkorps)
Branch	Infantry		Mountain infantry		Cavalry		Artillery		Military band
(English)	(Master-sergeantl)	(Cadet master-sergeant)	(Rifles master-sergeant)	(Cadet master-sergeant )	(Cavalry sergeant)	(Cadet master-sergeant)	(Artillery master-sergeant)	(Cadet master-sergeant)	(Tambour-Major)

Designation	Stabsfeldwebel / First Sergeant ranks
	1913–1914	1914–1918	1913–1914	1914–1918	1913–1914	1914–1918	1913–1914	1914–1918	1906–1918
Rank insignia
Rank description	Stabsfeldwebel		Stabsoberjäger		Stabswachtmeister		Stabsfeuerwerker		Militärkapellmeister
Branch	Infantry		Mountain infantry		Cavalry		Artillery		Military band
(English)	(1st sergeant)		(Rifles 1st sergeant)		(Cavalry 1st sergeant)		(Artillery 1st sergeant)		(Military bandmaster)

Designation	cancelled 1908		established 1908			1908–1918	1915–1918
Rank insignia
Rank description	Kadett-Offiziersstellvertreter		Kadett		Kadett Einjähriger-Freiwilliger	Offiziersstellvertreter	Fähnrich
English	Cadet officer-deputy		Cadet		Cadet volunteer serving one year	Warrant officer	Ensign

The different colors of the rank patches and buttons on the tunic are the marks for identifying the infantry regiments (except Generals)

Description			Rank class	Insignia
German	Hungarian	English		Army	Mountain infantry
Low grade officer ranks
Leutnant also: Assistenz-Arzt Leutnant-Rechnungsführer	Hadnagy	Second lieutenant	RK XI
Oberleutnant also: Oberarzt Oberleutnant-Auditor Oberleutnant-Rechnungsführer	Főhadnagy	First lieutenant	RK X
Captain ranks
Hauptmann also: Rittmeister Regimentsarzt Hauptmann-Auditor Hauptmann-Rechnungsführer	Százados	Captain	RK IX
Staff officer ranks
Major also: Stabsarzt Major-Auditor	Őrnagy	Major	RK IIX
Oberstleutnant also: Oberstabsarzt 2. Klasse Oberstleutnant-Auditor	Alezredes	Lieutenant colonel	RK VII
Oberst also: Oberstabsarzt 1. Klasse Oberst-Auditor	Ezredes	Colonel	RK VI

Note

The embroideries of the collars of the ranks major to colonel were always in the same color as the tunic buttons (silver/gold). The rank stars were converse (silver embroidery - golden star(s))
The ranks lieutenant to captain had stars in the same color as the tunic buttons.

Commander-in-chief and generals
Gorget patch
Command flag		—N/a
Title	Feldmarschall	Generaloberst	General der Waffengattung General der Infanterie General der Kavallerie Feldzeugmeister	Feldmarschall-Leutnant General-Oberstabsarzt General-Chefauditor	Generalmajor
English	Field-marshal	Colonel general	General of the branch General of the infantry General of the cavalry General of the artillery	Lieutenant field-marshal General-Chief Staff Surgeon General-Chief Auditor	Major general

In the course of uniform reorganisation pertaining theImperial-Royal Landwehr (de: k.k. Landwehr), the service coat (Waffenrock orUniformrock) of all enlisted personnel was substituted by a tunic (Bluse) in general. The rotary-coloured gorget patch was replaced by a standard gorget patch (Paroli) in grass-green with rank insignias. According to the special function, e.g. as member to a "machine gun unit", theEdelweiss on the gorget patch was additional.

In the Austrian-Hungarian armed forces there existed five guard units. In two of them served exclusively officer grades. The remaining three of them were called "Enlisted men guards" (Mannschaftsgarden).

• 
  Gardeinfanterist
  (Guardsman)
• 
  Gardereiter
  (Guard trooper)
• 
  Gardekorporal
  (Guard corporal)
• 
  Gardezugsführer
  (Guard sergeant)
• 
  2. Gardewachtmeister
  (Guard cavalry master sergeant 2nd class)
• 
  Gardefeldwebel
  (Guard feldwebel)
• 
  1. Gardewachtmeister
  (Guard cavalry master sergeant 1st class)
• 
  Trabanten Garde
  (Guard - Companion life-guards)
• 
  Vizesekonde-wachtmeister
  (2nd vice master sergeant of the companion life-guards)

There was no difference between the rank insignias of the officers in comparison to regular troops.

k.k. Estate riflemen units and companies were established in the 15th/16th century and did belong to the so-calledLandwehr (en: home guard). However, k.k. Estate riflemen troops did not wear regular uniforms. After k.k. Estate riflemen troops had to be involved in 1915 to regular military engagement, the Austrian-Hungarian administration was forced to procure these units with regular uniforms. To emphasise the character and status of the Estate riflemen, they did wear slightly different rank insignias. Officer collar patches showed a gold embroidered rosette. Pertaining enlisted personnel and NCOs the rosette was silver embroidered. Because silver and gold embroidery was deficit, the rosettes were finally replaced by celluloid stars, as this was the case to regular troops. The rank insignias were fixed on the collar patches (Parolis) showing at the background the corps colour of the Riflemen infantry (also: Hunter-troops or Riflemen-troops;Jägertruppe) "Grass-green".Tyrolese collar patches showed the silver metallic "Tyrol eagle" behind the rosette/star. For theVorarlberg estate riflemen the eagle was replaced by a white metallic shield with the "Vorarlberg coat of arms".

Major was the highest rank of the Estate riflemen troops.

• 
  Unterjäger (Vorarlberg)
  (Corporal - Vorarlberg)
• 
  Zugsführer (Vorarlberg)
  (Master corporal - Vorarlberg)
• 
  Leutnant (Tirol)
  (2nd Lieutenant - Tyrol)
• 
  Oberleutnant (Tirol)
  (1st Lieutenant - Tyrol)
• 
  Hauptmann (Vorarlberg)
  (Captain - Vorarlberg)
• 
  Major (Tirol)
  (Major - Tyrol)

As regards tomilitary officials, there were in force exactly the same rules who applied tomilitary officer ranks. However, military officials wore only four-leaved star rosettes instead of the rank stars (the only exception: officials with explicit star ranks!).

Fiscal officials (Rechnungsführer) in line service have been provided always with silver color buttons.

Further exemptions from the principal rule are described as follows

• Military officials with port epée: Staff ranks wore a galloon with applied "cross-band ornament" (Kreuzbandmuster)
  • Military commissariat official: in the Common Army – golden color buttons; in the home guard (Landwehr) silver color buttons
  • Military construction engineers: in the Common Army – silver color buttons; in the home guard golden color buttons),
• Military officials without port epée: Staff ranks wore a galloon with "waved cross-band ornament" (gewelltes Kreuzbandmuster)
  • Auditors: in the Common Army gold color buttons; in the Home guard silver buttons
  • Military surgeon officer corps: in the Common Army gold color buttons; in the Home guard silver buttons (with the appropriate variations of collar)

• 
  Rank class XII - here:Aspirant in the Railway regiment or Telegraph regiment
• 
  Rank class XI - here:Untertierarzt
  (Sub veterinarian)
• 
  Rank class X – here:Kassenoffizial
  (Cashier's official)
• 
  Rank class IX – here:Artilleriezeugs-oberoffizial
  (Artillery ordnance senior official)
• 
  Rank class VIII – here:Stabsapotheker
  (Staff pharmacist)
• 
  Rank class VII - here:Oberintendant 2. Klasse
  (Senior commissioner 2nd class)
• 
  Rank class VI - here:Oberverpflegs-verwalter 1. Klasse
  (Senior food supply administrator 1st class)

The gallery below shows examples of different kinds ofAdjustierung (en: uniforms).

• 
  k.u.k. Patroilleführer, Feldjäger
  (k.u.k. Rifleman 1st class, light infantry)
• 
  Korporal der Husaren
  (Corporal of the Hussars)
• 
  Einjährig-Freiwilliger, Korporal
  (Volunteer serving one year, Corporal)
• 
  Zugsführer (Ungarische Uniform)

  
  (Sergeant Hungarian uniform)
• 
  Stabswachtmeister (der Traintruppe) vor 1913
  (Cavalry 1st sergeant, train troops before 1913)
• 
  Stabsfeldwebel (ungarische Uniform) nach 1913
  (1st Sergeant, Hungarian Uniform)
• 
  Fähnrich (Deutsche Uniform)
  (Ensign, German uniform)
• 
  Oberleutnant der Landeschützen
  (1st Lieutenant Mountain Infantry)
• 
  Hauptmann im Generalstab
  (Captain in the general staff)
• 
  Hauptmann (Deutsche Uniform)
  (Captain, German uniform)
• 
  Oberst
  (Colonel)
• 
  Feldmarschall Gala
  (Field marshal Gala tunic)
• 
  Verpflegsakzessist
  (Food supply accessionist/ Official)

• Adjustierung
• Ranks in the Austro-Hungarian Navy

• Schriften des Heeresgeschichtlichen Museums in WienDas k.u.k. Heer im Jahre 1895, EditionLeopold Stocker, Graz, 1997ISBN 3-7020-0783-0
• Rest, Ortner, IllmingDes Kaisers Rock im 1. Weltkrieg, EditionMilitaria, Vienna, 2002ISBN 3-9501642-0-0

• Military insignia
• Austro-Hungarian Army
• Military ranks of Austria
• Military units and formations established in 1867
• Military of Austria-Hungary

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