SS-Ranks
	The Waffen-SS developed their own ranking system, different from the German Army and based on the rank heirarchy of the SA. Note that on paper a distinction was made if the person wearing the rank was not an ethnic German, the "SS" prefix was replaced with "Waffen" (e.g. "SS-Rottenführer" with "Waffen-Rottenführer" or sometimes a "Legions-Rottenführer") In the field, SS terminology was often replaced with German Army equivalents - for example, Waffen-SS divisional commanders were commonly referred to as "General" regardless of SS rank. Also note that non-German formations would have the Sigrunen on the right collar patch replaced with the appropriate unit insignia denoting the appropriate ethnic status or divisional insignia. WAFFEN-SS RANKS SS Rank Right Collar Left Collar SS-Schültze SS-Oberschültze (junior/senior privates) SS-Sturmann (lance-corporal) SS-Rottenführer (Corporal) SS-Unterscharführer (Senior-Corporal) SS-Scharführer (Sergeant) SS-Oberscharführer (Color-Sergeant) SS-Hauptscharführer (Sergeant-Major) SS-Sturmscharführer (Warrant-Officer) SS-Untersturmscharführer (2nd Lieutenant) SS-Obersturmscharführer (1st Lieutenant) SS-Hauptsturmscharführer (Captain) SS-Sturmbannführer (Major) SS-Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant-Colonel) SS-Standartenführer (Colonel) SS-Oberführer 1942-45 (Brigadier-General) SS-Brigadeführer 1942-45 (Major-General) SS-Gruppenführer 1942-45 (Lieutenant-General) SS-Obergruppenführer 1942-45 (General) SS-Oberstgruppenführer 1942-45 (Colonel-General) Reichführer-SS (Heinrich Himmler) Wafffen-SS rank was also indicated by a series of shoulder patches, tunic patches and sometimes, on camoflauge clothing, another set of combat patches. In addition, an SS soldier's branch of service was indicated by the Waffenfarbe (color ribbon) that bordered the shoulder patch - for example yellow ribbon for signals, toxic green for military police, pink for Panzer troops, etc. Unfortunately this complex subject matter is beyond the scope of this site.