Junker (SS rank) facts for kids
The word Junker was a special rank used by the Schutzstaffel (SS) in Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945. The SS was a large organization under the Nazi party. This rank was for people who wanted to become officers in the SS's armed forces. These forces were first called the SS-Verfügungstruppe and later became known as the Waffen-SS.
To become an SS-junker, a person first had to join the SS. They needed to serve for at least six months to a year. After this time, they could be considered for officer training.
Usually, a member of the Waffen-SS who reached the rank of rottenführer had two choices. They could either become a non-commissioned officer (NCO). Or, they could try to join the officer group of the Waffen-SS. If they wanted to be an officer, they needed a written recommendation from their commander. They also had to pass special checks to see if they were suitable to become an SS officer.
If someone was accepted into the SS officer program, they would go to a special school. These schools were called junkerschulen (junker schools). When they arrived at the school, they would be given the rank of SS-junker. Sometimes, people kept their old enlisted rank for a while. They would only become an SS-junker after a trial period at the school.
Levels of Junker Rank
The SS-Junker rank had four different levels. These levels were Junker, Oberjunker, Standartenjunker, and Standartenoberjunker. The badges for these ranks looked the same as the badges for SS non-commissioned officers. To move up between these junker ranks, students had to pass different tests. These tests included written exams, physical challenges, and field exercises.
When a student reached the rank of SS-standartenoberjunker, they were almost an officer. They were allowed to wear a silver chin strap on their uniform, just like an SS officer. Then, they would be sent to a real SS unit in the field. This was for their final test and evaluation. If they passed this last exam, the standartenoberjunker would be promoted. They would become an SS-untersturmführer. This promotion usually happened in a special ceremony.
The whole process for an SS-junker to become a full SS officer took a long time. It usually lasted between 18 and 24 months. The SS had plans to create special SS academies after World War II ended. These academies would be four-year schools, similar to military academies today. However, as World War II continued, the Waffen-SS needed more and more soldiers. Because of this, officer candidates received much shorter training by 1945. Some candidates even became officers directly in the field without ever going to a junkerschule.
The military rank of Junker stopped existing in the German armed forces in 1945. This happened when Nazi Germany was defeated. Today, the rank of fahnenjunker is used in the Bundeswehr, which is Germany's current military. This rank is for officer candidates in the army and navy.
Images for kids
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SS-Junkerschule Bad Tölz, SS-Junker in class
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Bad Tölz.- SS Junker School, gate building
