View source for Korporal

{{short description|Germanic variant of the English Corporal}}
{{About|the Germanic rank name|the equivalent rank in English|Corporal}}
{{Italic title}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2021}}

'''''Korporal''''' is the German and Danish spelling of the English [[corporal]]. ''Korporal'' is used in a number of armed forces as the lowest rank of the non-commissioned officers group. However, in the German [[Bundeswehr]], it is considered a high enlisted personnel rank. In Switzerland the rank is used in the [[Fire Department]] as well.

In former German armed forces, the designation of the lowest NCO rank was "Corporal".

==Austria==
{{see also|Ranks of the Austrian Bundesheer}}
{{Infobox military rank
| name           = ''Korporal''
| image          = {{nowrap|[[File:Austria-OR-3.svg|75px|Anzug 75/03]] [[File:Bundesheer - Rank insignia - Korporal.png|65px|Rockkragen]] [[File:Kpl OR3-Tellerkappe AT.jpg|65px|Tellerkappe]]}}
| caption        = 
| image2         =
| image3         =
| caption2       =
| country        = {{flag|Austria}}
| service branch = {{army|Austria}}<br />{{air force|Austria}}
| abbreviation   = 
| rank           = 
| NATO rank      = 
| Non-NATO rank  = OR-3<ref>{{cite web |title=Rank Insignias |url=https://www.bundesheer.at/english/forces/ranks.shtml#notes |website=bundesheer.at |publisher=Ministry of Defence |access-date=19 November 2021 |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517011202/https://www.bundesheer.at/english/forces/ranks.shtml#notes |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| formation      = 1867
| abolished      =
| higher rank    = ''[[Zugsführer]]''
| lower rank     = ''[[Gefreiter]]''
| equivalents    =
| history        =
}}

'''''Korporal'''''<ref name="DDN1">[[Duden]]; Origin and meaning of "Korporal", in German. [http://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Korporal]</ref> ('''Kpl''') is a rank of the enlisted men rank group (EN group) in the [[Austrian Bundesheer]], and is equivalent to NATO-Rang code ''OR-3''. In the [[Austro-Hungarian Army|k.u.k Army]] it still counted to the NCO rank group and was allowed to wear the yellow-black port epée.

Today and in the comparison to the German [[Bundeswehr]] it is equivalent to the EN-rank “Hauptgefreiter/ Stabsgefreiter ”. In peacetime the Korporal might be tasked to command a small sub unit, e.g. a [[fireteam]] (de: Trupp, 2 to 8 men) or a [[squad]] (de: Gruppe, 8-13 men).

During United Nations missions and in NATO Partnership for Peace the rank ''Korporal'' will be designated in English with [[Corporal]] (Cpl) and is equivalent to NATO-Rang code ''OR-3''.

=== k.u.k. Army ===
{{see also|Rank insignias of the Austro-Hungarian armed forces}}
''Korporal'' ({{langx|hu|Tizedes}}) was also a rank of the [[Austro-Hungarian Army|k.u.k. Austro-Hungarian Army]]. Rank insignia were two white celluloid-star on the stand-up collar of the ''[[Waffenrock]]'' on gorget patch ({{langx|de|Paroli}}). Stand-up collar and background of the gorget patch showed a particular [[Waffenfarbe (Austria)|egalisation colour]]. This rank was corresponding to the ranks of enlisted men as follows:

*''Bataillonshornist'' (Battalion bugler)
*''Bataillonstambour'' (Battalion drummer) 
*''Geschütz-Vormeister'' (Gunner-corporal) artillery
*''Gewehr-Vormeister'' (Machinegun-corporal ) infantry
*''Unterjäger'' (Rifles-corporal) mountain troops
*''Waffenmeister'' 3. Klasse (Weapon master 3rd class) artillery and weapon arsenal

;Korporal in adjutation of the k.u.k. infantry
<gallery widths="100px" perrow="4">
Korporal im k.u.k. InfRgt 21.png|{{center|Inf.Rgt. Nr. 21}}
Einjährig-Freiwilliger Korporal im k.u.k. InfRgt 38.png|{{center|Inf.Rgt. Nr. 38}}
Korporal im k.u.k. InfRgt 39.png|{{center|Inf.Rgt. Nr. 39}}
Einjährig-Freiwilliger Korporal im k.u.k. InfRgt 58.png|{{center|Inf.Rgt. Nr. 58}}
Korporal im k.u.k. InfRgt 60.png|{{center|Inf.Rgt. Nr. 60}}
Korporal im k.u.k. InfRgt 71.png|{{center|Inf.Rgt. Nr. 71}}
Korporal im k.u.k. InfRgt 75.png|{{center|Inf.Rgt. Nr. 75}}
Korporal im k.u.k. InfRgt 83.png|{{center|Inf.Rgt. Nr. 83}}
</gallery>

==Denmark==
{{see also|Military ranks of Denmark}}
{{Infobox military rank
| name           = Corporal 
| native_name    = {{lang|da|Korporal}} 
| image          = {{nowrap|[[File:Denmark-Army-OR-4-M11.svg|50px]] [[File:Rank insignia of korporal of the Royal Danish Navy.svg|50px]] [[File:Denmark-AirForce-OR-4.svg|50px]]}}
| image_size     = 
| alt            =
| caption        = Army, Navy and Air force insignia 
| image2         = 
| image_size2    = 
| alt2           =
| caption2       = 
| image3         = 
| image_size3    = 
| alt3           =
| caption3       = 
| country        = {{flag|Denmark}}
| service branch = {{ubl|{{army|Denmark}}|{{navy|Denmark}}|{{air force|Denmark}}}}
| abbreviation   = 
| rank group     = [[Enlisted rank|Enlisted]]
| rank           = 
| NATO rank      = OR-4
| Non-NATO rank  = 
| pay grade      = M113
| formation      = 1609
| abolished      = 
| higher rank    = {{lang|da|[[Sergeant#Denmark|Sergent]]}}
| lower rank     = {{ubl|{{lang|da|[[Constable#Denmark|Overkonstabel af 1. grad]]}}|{{lang|da|[[Specialist (rank)#Denmark|Marine-/Flyverspecialist]]}}}}
| equivalents    = 
| history        = 
}}

In 1609, [[Christian IV of Denmark]] created a permanent [[Military organization|organization]] with regiments of the [[Royal Danish Army]]. A regiment would be assigned one {{lang|da|[[Rittmeister|ritmester]]}}, one {{lang|da|[[Lieutenant|løjtnant]]}}, one {{lang|da|[[Fähnrich#Denmark|fænrik]]}}, and two {{lang|da|korporal}}s.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Madsen |first1=Emil |title=De nationale Tropper, samt Hærvæsenets Styrelse i det 16. Aarhundrede |journal=Historisk Tidsskrift |date=1904 |volume=5 |issue=7 |page=134 |url=http://img.kb.dk/tidsskriftdk/pdf/hto/hto_7rk_0005-PDF/hto_7rk_0005_97050.pdf |access-date=6 August 2023 |language=da}}</ref>

The first given insignia in 1812, when the rank was given two [[Chevron (insignia)|chevrons]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Petersen |first1=Karsten Skjold |title=Kongens klæder - Hærens uniformer og udrustning i Danmark-Norge |trans-title=The king's clothes - Army uniforms and equipment in Denmark-Norway |date=2014 |publisher=Historika |location=Slovenia |isbn=978-87-932-2900-6 |edition=1st |page=106 |language=da}}</ref> It was originally the lowest NCO.

By 1972, the rank was only temporarily given. On 1 October 2008, 23 {{lang|da|[[Constable#Denmark|Overkonstabel]]}} from the Army were the first to be permanently appointed {{lang|da|korporals}}, since 1972, while simultaneously being made an enlisted rank.<ref name="Hærenfårigenkorporaler">{{cite web |title=Hæren får igen korporaler |trans-title=The Army gets corporals again |url=https://www.forsvaret.dk/HOK/Nyt%20og%20Presse/Øvrige%20nyheder/Pages/Hærenfårigenkorporaler.aspx |website=[[forsvaret.dk]] |publisher=Hærens Operative Kommando |access-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606235019/https://www.forsvaret.dk/HOK/Nyt%20og%20Presse/%C3%98vrige%20nyheder/Pages/H%C3%A6renf%C3%A5rigenkorporaler.aspx |archive-date=6 June 2011 |language=da |date=1 October 2008}}</ref>

On 9 March 2012, 12 naval and 12 aviation specialists, were appointed {{lang|da|korporals}}. In the Navy, the degree is intended for employees who act as assistant instructors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Første korporaler udnævnt i søværnet |trans-title=First Corporals Appointed in the Navy |url=http://forsvaret.dk/SOK/Nyt%20og%20Presse/oevrigenyheder/Pages/Førstekorporalerudnævntisøværnet.aspx |website=forsvaret.dk |publisher=Søværnets Operative Kommando |access-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318105537/http://forsvaret.dk/SOK/Nyt%20og%20Presse/oevrigenyheder/Pages/F%C3%B8rstekorporalerudn%C3%A6vntis%C3%B8v%C3%A6rnet.aspx |archive-date=18 March 2012 |language=da |date=13 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hansen |first1=Hanne |title=Fra konstabel til korporal |journal=SKnyt: Marinekonstabelgruppens fagblad |date=April 2012 |volume=15 |issue=2 |pages=14–16 |url=http://www.co-sea.dk/files/Søværnets%20Konstabelforening/Fagblade/2012/SKnyt_02_2012web.pdf |access-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830215105/http://www.co-sea.dk/files/S%C3%B8v%C3%A6rnets%20Konstabelforening/Fagblade/2012/SKnyt_02_2012web.pdf |archive-date=30 August 2021 |trans-title=From Constable to Corporal |publisher=Specialtrykkeriet Viborg |location=Rødovre |language=da |issn=1601-3204}}</ref>

{{clear}}

==Germany==
{{see also|Rank insignia of the German Bundeswehr}}
{{Infobox military rank
| name           = {{lang|de|Korporal}}
| native_name    = 
| image          = {{nowrap|[[File:HD H 15 Korporal HFla L.svg|75px]] [[File:Germany-Navy-OR-4c.svg|75px]]}}
| image_size     = 
| alt            =
| caption        = {{lang|de|Heer}} shoulder and {{lang|de|Marine}} sleeve insignia
| image2         = 
| image_size2    = 
| alt2           =
| caption2       = 
| image3         = 
| image_size3    = 
| alt3           =
| caption3       = 
| country        = {{flag|Germany}}
| service branch = {{ubl|{{army|Germany}}|{{navy|Germany}}|{{air force|Germany}}}}
| abbreviation   = Korp
| rank group     = [[Enlisted rank]]
| rank           = 
| NATO rank      = OR-4<ref>{{cite web |title=Die Laufbahn der Mannschaften (M/W/D) |url=https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/ueber-die-bundeswehr/dienstgrade-laufbahnen-bundeswehr/laufbahn-mannschaften |website=bundeswehr.de |access-date=5 July 2023 |language=de}}</ref>
| Non-NATO rank  = 
| pay grade      = A6
| formation      = 2021
| abolished      = 
| higher rank    = {{lang|de|[[Stabskorporal]]}}
| lower rank     = {{lang|de|[[Oberstabsgefreiter]]}}
| equivalents    = 
| history        = 
}}

{{lang|de|Korporal}} (''abbr.'' Korp<!--, on lists TBA-->) is the second highest [[enlisted rank]] in the [[Bundeswehr]], that might be comparable to [[corporal]] in Anglophone armed forces. However, {{lang|de|korporal}} belongs to the rank group of enlisted men, as distinguished from the corporal in Anglophone armed forces which is a [[non-commissioned officer]].

=== History ===
The ranks {{lang|de|Korporal}} and {{lang|de|[[Stabskorporal]]}} were introduced by the Bundeswehr in October 2021<ref name="FAQ">{{cite web |last1=Cingi |first1=Hanife |title=Korporal und Stabskorporal – Frequently Asked Questions für Soldaten und Soldatinnen |trans-title=Corporal and Staff Corporal – Frequently Asked Questions for Soldiers |url=https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/aktuelles/meldungen/korporal-stabskorporal-faq-1625086 |website=bundeswehr.de |access-date=22 January 2021 |language=de |date=25 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250325061230/https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/aktuelles/meldungen/korporal-stabskorporal-faq-1625086 |archive-date=25 March 2025}}</ref> as the new most senior ranks for enlisted men, senior to [[Oberstabsgefreiter]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fiebig-Schulze |first1=Jennifer |title=Auftakt für die Korporale |trans-title=Prelude for the Corporals |url=https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/organisation/personal/auftakt-fuer-die-korporale-949784 |website=bundeswehr.de |access-date=22 January 2021 |language=de |date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808185526/https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/organisation/personal/auftakt-fuer-die-korporale-949784 |archive-date=8 August 2024}}</ref> This was done to allow soldiers who perform well and want to take more responsibility to reach a higher pay grade (''A6'' for {{lang|de|Korporal}}, that is the same pay grade as the [[Non-commissioned officer|NCO]] rank {{lang|de|[[Stabsunteroffizier]]}} (OR-5)) and thus make the career in  the enlisted ranks more attractive.<ref name="FAQ"/>

Soldiers have to have served for at least three years in the rank of {{lang|de|Oberstabsgefreiter}} before being considered for promotion.<ref name="FAQ"/>

In September 2021, the rank insignia for {{lang|de|Korporal}} and {{lang|de|Stabskorporal}} were introduced.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bombeke |first1=Yann |title=Neue Dienstgrade: Korporal und Stabskorporal im Zulauf |url=https://www.dbwv.de/aktuelle-themen/blickpunkt/beitrag/neue-dienstgrade-korporal-und-stabskorporal-im-zulauf |website=dbwv.de |publisher=Deutscher BundeswehrVerband |access-date=6 November 2021 |language=de |date=24 September 2021}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Norway==
{{see also|Military ranks and insignia of Norway}}
In Norway, the rank is only used by the [[Norwegian Army]]. Here {{lang|no|Korporal}} is split into 4 classes and is the "specialist officer" ({{langx|no|spesialistbefalet}}) rank group.<ref name="Norway" />

{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px; text-align:center;"
|- style="background-color:#CCCCCC; text-align:center;"
! NATO Code||colspan=2|OR-4||OR-3||OR-2
|-
| rowspan=2| '''{{army|Norway}}'''<ref name="Norway">{{cite web |title=Militære grader |url=https://www.forsvaret.no/om-forsvaret/uniformer-grader-medaljer/grader |website=forsvaret.no |publisher=Norwegian Armed Forces |access-date=26 May 2021 |language=no |date=4 February 2021}}</ref>
| [[File:Norway-Army-OR-4b.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Norway-Army-OR-4a.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Norway-Army-OR-3.svg|50px]]
| [[File:Norway-Army-OR-2.svg|50px]]
|-
| {{lang|no|Korporal 1. klasse}}
| {{lang|no|Korporal}}
| {{lang|no|Visekorporal 1. klasse}}
| {{lang|no|Visekorporal}}
|-
| colspan=5| {{hr}}
|-
! Literal translation
| [[Corporal 1st class]]
| [[Corporal]]
| Vice corporal 1st class
| Vice corporal
|-
| colspan=5| {{hr}}
|-
! Official translation<ref>{{cite web |title=Military ranks |url=https://www.forsvaret.no/en/about-us/uniforms-ranks-and-medals/ranks |website=www.forsvaret.no |publisher=Norwegian Armed Forces |access-date=21 March 2022}}</ref>
| Corporal 1st class
| Corporal
| Specialist 1st class
| [[Specialist (rank)|Specialist]]
|}

== Switzerland ==
{{see also|Military ranks of the Swiss Armed Forces}}
{{Infobox military rank
| name           = {{lang|de|Korporal}}
| image          = {{nowrap|[[File:CHE OR4 Kpl.svg|75px|Schulterstück eines Korporals der Schweizer Armee]]}}
| caption        = 
| image2         =
| image3         =
| caption2       =
| country        = {{flag|Switzerland}}
| service branch = {{army|Switzerland}}<br />{{air force|Switzerland}}
| abbreviation   = 
| rank           = 
| NATO rank      = OR-4
| Non-NATO rank  = 
| formation      = 
| abolished      =
| higher rank    = ''[[Wachtmeister]]''
| lower rank     = ''[[Obergefreiter]]''
| equivalents    =
| history        =
}}

In the [[Military of Switzerland]] the ''Korporal'' is the lowest NCO-rank. The rank is higher than the enlisted rank [[Obergefreiter]].

Until the so-called Army reform XXI (with effect from January 1, 2004) the regular ''Korporal'' appointment was to [[Squad|squad leader]] (de: [[Gruppenführer]], 8-13 men). However, in 2014 this appointment was upgraded to [[Wachtmeister]] (OR-5). The ''Korporal'' rank was converted to military specialist without any command function.

''Korporal'' is also a rank designation in the "Switzerland armed forces postal system", and in ''CBRN Defence''.

In United Nations missions and in NATO Partnership for Peace the rank ''Korporal'' will be designated in English with [[Corporal]] (Cpl).

{{clear}}

== Other armed forces ==

=== The Netherlands ===
In the [[Netherlands]] the promotion to "Korporaal" is possible after a longer service time in the enlisted men rank group. There are two corporal ranks:
*''Korporaal'' OR-3
*''Korporaal der 1e klasse'' OR-4

=== Vatican City ===
In the [[Swiss Guard|Pontifical Swiss Guard]] there are two corporal ranks:
*Korporal and
*Vizekorporal

=== Poland ===
In the [[Polish Armed Forces|Polish armed forces]] there are the two Korporal OR4-rank :
* Kapral [short: kpr.] (en: Corporal)
* Starszy kapral [short: st. kpr.]) (en: Senior corporal)

=== Prussia ===
In [[Prussia]] the "Corporal" commanded an up to 30 men strong so-called ''Korporalschaft''. The rank sequence was as follows:
*''[[Gefreiter]]''
*''Korporal''
*''Sergant'' and/or ''Feldwebel''
In 1856 the designation ''korporal'' was changed to ''[[Unteroffizier]]''. Until 1807 the (aristocrat) officer aspirants were called ''Freikorporal'' ({{translation|Free corporal}}).

== Examples ==
<gallery>
File:ES-Army-OR4.png|{{flag|Estonia}}<br />''Kapral'', OR-2
File:LV-Army-OR4.png|{{flag|Latvia}}<br />''Kaprālis'', OR-4, Army
File:Nl-landmacht-korporaal.svg|{{flag|Netherlands}}<br />''Korporaal'', OR-3, Army
File:GrenOR4.png|{{flag|Norway}}<br />''Korporal'', OR-4
File:Kapral m.svg|{{flag|Poland}}<br />''Kapral'' Army special forces
</gallery>

== References ==
{{reflist}}
* ''Die Streitkräfte der Republik Österreich, 1918-1968'', Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Militärwissenschaftliches Institut, 1968.

{{German military ranks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Korporal}}
[[Category:Military ranks of Germany]]
[[Category:Military ranks of Austria]]
[[Category:Military ranks of Switzerland]]
[[Category:Austro-Hungarian Army]]
[[Category:Military ranks of Norway]]