Fahnenjunker (short Fhj or FJ, English: officer cadet; lit. 'flag junker') is a military rank of the Bundeswehr and of some former German armed forces. In earlier German armed forces it was also the collective name for many officer aspirant ranks. It was established by the Presidential order of the Federal president on rank insignia and uniforms of soldiers.^[1]

Quick Facts Fahnenjunker, Country ...

Fahnenjunker
Heer and Luftwaffe shoulder insignia
Country	Germany
Service branch	German Army  German Air Force
Abbreviation	Fhj
Rank	German NCO rank
NATO rank code	OR-5
Non-NATO rank	E-5
Formation	1966
Next higher rank	Stabsunteroffizier
Next lower rank	Oberstabsgefreiter
Equivalent ranks	Seekadett

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Fahnenjunker is the entrance rank to an officer aspirant career. According to the salary class, it is equivalent to the Unteroffizier ohne Portepee ranks Unteroffizier of the army or air force, and Maat of the Deutsche Marine. It is also grouped as OR-5 in NATO, equivalent to Sergeant, Staff Sergeant in the US Armed forces.

In the army context, NCOs of this rank were formally addressed as Herr/ Frau Fahnenjunker also informally / short Fahnenjunker.

The sequence of ranks (top-down approach) in that particular group is as follows:
Unteroffizier ohne Portepee

• OR-5a: Stabsunteroffizier / (Marine) Obermaat
• OR-5b: Fahnenjunker / Seekadett
• OR-5c: Unteroffizier / Maat

Preceded by junior Rank Oberstabsgefreiter

'Fahnenjunker'

Succeeded by senior Rank Stabsunteroffizier Unteroffizier

• Fanjunkare