Unterleutnant zur See

Unterleutnant (NPA-original abbreviation Ultn.; en: translation "Under-lieutenant" or "sub-lieutenant") was an officer of the German Democratic Republic's army (e.g. the National People's Army from 1956–1990) of the lowest commissioned officer (CO) rank comparable to NATO rank codes OF1c. It belonged to the rank group of lieutenants or subaltern officers. The equivalent OF1c-rank of the Volksmarine was Unterleutnant zur See (en: "sub-lieutenant at sea").

The rank was first introduced in 1662-74 by France and was also adopted by some other countries' armed forces.

In a number of German armed forces of the 19th century before German unification in 1871 there was the following graduation: Oberleutnant (Premierlieutenant - OF1a) and Leutnant (Secondelieutenant OF1b); without the rank Unterleutnant.

However, until 1898 there was the rank Unterleutnant zur See in the Imperial German Navy. This rank was equivalent to the Secondelieutenant of the Imperial German Army (de: deutsches Heer).

In the Reichswehr, Wehrmacht, and Bundeswehr there was never a rank Unterleutnant.

Depending on the former Soviet military doctrine as well as to the other armed forces of the Warsaw Pact the so-called GDR armed organizations, the Unterleutnant was the lowest officer rank.

In the NPA and in the GDR border troops the lieutenant officer sub-rank group consisted of Unterleutnant (OF1c), Leutnant (OF1b), and Oberleutnant (OF1a).

This officer rank could be assigned to military appointments as follows: officer of the operations service, political officer, officer of the technical service, supply, procurement, and military justice service.

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