The sea-cadet designates a soldier in the lowest NCO rank in Germany with the German Federal Armed Forces within the group of careers of the officers of the German navy. In the other armed services this rank is called Fahnenjunker.

Soldiers in this rank can give crews of instructions within the borders set by the superior regulation (VVO).

Imperial navy

In the imperial navy the cadet and (struggle-higher) the sea-cadet were ranks of the naval officer candidates. 1899 the ranks renamed in sea-cadet and wo1 to sea. In the imperial army these ranks corresponded to the wo1 and Portepee wo1. The sea-cadet ranked between the leading seaman and upper leading seaman. The wo1 to sea ranked among the NCOs with Portepee and stood directly behind the sergeant.

The training lasted approximately 3 years. The candidate was employed as a cadet (sea-cadet). After six months of practical training on one cadet school ship and six months theory at the naval college Kiel (since 1910 in the distribution of the sea-cadet examination (wo1 examination) and the transport took place to the sea-cadet (wo1 to sea). While a two-year school ship journey took the candidate the first naval officer examination and became the Unterleutnant without patent carried, if he A) and kept b) it receive a favorable testimonial the naval officers of its naval station for "“corpsable"” and this in a choice stated (Kooptationsrecht of the officers). After six months of practical service the Unterleutnants was kommandiert to the officer course at the naval college. After successful examination of occupation of naval officer the Unterleutnant received the officer patent. (See all-highest regulation over the addition of the naval officer corps of 24. March 1885)

After approximately two years as Unterleutnant the transport took place to the second lieutenant and/or first lieutenant to sea. Only starting from this time the pay was enough for The naval officer candidates and Unterleutnants were however dependent on the support of their families. In fact the career of the naval officers was open therefore only to sons of the rich Oberschicht; only particularly talentierte candidates (or such with good relations) received a national support as "“king cadets"”.

The naval officer candidates carried the sailor jacket with three buttons on the sleeve impacts and on the shoulders a black-red durchzogene clip made of silver braid. In addition a white shirt with hitting a corner collar ("“parricide"”), black binder and darkens trousers. The cap resembled the model of the naval officers, but was missing with the rank-low the oak leaves embroidery around the Kokarde. Further a Dolch with white ivory grasp put on, with the rank-higher with Portepee belonged to the equipment.

The naval officer candidate ranks cadet and sea-cadet became also in the Austria-Hungarian k.u.k. Navy uses.

Royal Navy

In contrast to the imperial navy the otherwise often copied English Royal Navy knew long time only one naval officer candidate rank: the Midshipman, which was posed to the German wo1 to sea directly. This enjoyed various privileges of the naval officers, so carrying a officer-similar uniform and the stay on the afterdeck. After existence of the officer exam the appointment as the lieutenant (about first lieutenant to sea) took place.

See also: Ranks of the imperial navy

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The imperial navy

Articles in category "Sea-cadet"

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