Maat ( [ˈmaːt], lit. ' mate') is a naval rank, of German origin, used by a number of countries. The term is derived from the low German māt ( comrade). [1] Via the Dutch language, the word became a nautical term and described the assistant to a deck officer. Since the second half of the 17th century Maate were the lowest class of non-commissioned officers aboard a warship.
Denmark
In 1951, it was decided to end the conscription–based military in Denmark and transition to a professional military. As such, the math rank was introduced, replacing the rank of menig given to all conscripted soldiers. With the math rank, soldiers were signed on to a contract following completion of basic training. By 1960, the math rank was replaced by the constable rank system. [2]
Estonia
| NATO code | OR-5 | OR-4 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estonian | Vanemmaat | Maat | Nooremmaat |
Estonian Navy
[3]
|
|
|
|
| Senior mate | Mate | Junior mate | |
| Official translation | Petty officer 1st class | Petty officer 2nd class | Petty officer 3rd class |
Germany
| Maat | |
|---|---|
 Shoulder board / cuff title / mounting loop | |
| Country | 
Germany |
| Service branch |
German Navy |
| Abbreviation | MT |
| NATO rank code | OR-5 |
| Formation | 1955 Modern |
| Next higher rank | Obermaat |
| Next lower rank | Oberstabsgefreiter |
| Equivalent ranks | Unteroffizier (Army & Air force) |
However, Maate is also the collective name to all junior NCO-ranks (ranks: Maat, Seekadett, and Obermaat) in the modern day's German Navy.
In navy context NCOs of this rank were formally addressed as Herr/ Frau Maat also informally / short Maat. The sequence of ranks (top-down approach) in that particular group is as follows:
Unteroffizier ohne Portepee
- OR-5: Obermaat / (Heer/ Luftwaffe) Stabsunteroffizier
- OR-5: Seekadett / Fahnenjunker
- OR-5: Maat / Unteroffizier
History
In the Prussian Navy and the Kaiserliche Marine Maate were Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee. According to their specialization, Maate would be known as e.g. Steuermannsmaat ( Coxswain's Mate), Feuerwerksmaat ( Ordnance Mate), Bootsmannsmaat ( Boatswain's Mate) or Maschinistenmaat ( Machinist's Mate). [4] Maate were recruited among conscripts who volunteered to serve for a minimum of six years. After approximately four years they could expect to become Maat. Re-enlistment was common but in most specialities the career options would end with achieving the rank of Obermaat; only after 18 years in service was a promotion as supernumary Vizefeldwebel possible, and only if there was a billet open. The 1914/15 naval budget included 7857 billets for Maate and 5237 for Obermaate. [5]
Kriegsmarine
| Maate ( Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Title | Maat | |
| Epaulette (Shore troops only) |
| |
| Collar tab |
| |
| Sleeve insignia |
|
|
| Steuermannmaat | Bootsmannmaat | |
| German Army equivalent | Unteroffizier | |
| US Equivalent | Petty officer, third class | |
| Source: [6] | ||
Poland
| NATO code | OR-4 | OR-3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polish | Bosmanmat | Starszy mat | Mat |
Polish Navy
[7]
|
|
|
|
| Boatswain mate | Senior mate | Mate | |
See also
- Ranks of the German Bundeswehr
- Rank insignia of the German Bundeswehr
- Ranks and insignia of NATO navies enlisted
References
- ^ Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Deutschen. sv Maat
- ^ Nørholtz, Tine (2019). "HKKF: 60 år" [HKKF: 60 years] (PDF). Fagligt Forsvar (in Danish). 3. Hærens Konstabel- og Korporalforening: 19–22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2022.
- ^ Wörterbuch zur deutschen Militärgeschichte, sv Maat.
- ^ Deutsche Militärgeschichte 1648-1939. Vol. VIII, p.283,285,292.
- ^ Handbook on German Military Forces 1945. TM-E 30-451. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, plate XVI, XVII.
 | This German military article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This article on a military rank or appointment is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
Maat ( [ˈmaːt], lit. ' mate') is a naval rank, of German origin, used by a number of countries. The term is derived from the low German māt ( comrade). [1] Via the Dutch language, the word became a nautical term and described the assistant to a deck officer. Since the second half of the 17th century Maate were the lowest class of non-commissioned officers aboard a warship.
Denmark
In 1951, it was decided to end the conscription–based military in Denmark and transition to a professional military. As such, the math rank was introduced, replacing the rank of menig given to all conscripted soldiers. With the math rank, soldiers were signed on to a contract following completion of basic training. By 1960, the math rank was replaced by the constable rank system. [2]
Estonia
| NATO code | OR-5 | OR-4 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estonian | Vanemmaat | Maat | Nooremmaat |
|
Estonian Navy
[3]
|
|
|
|
| Senior mate | Mate | Junior mate | |
| Official translation | Petty officer 1st class | Petty officer 2nd class | Petty officer 3rd class |
Germany
| Maat | |
|---|---|
|
Shoulder board / cuff title / mounting loop | |
| Country |
Germany |
| Service branch |
German Navy |
| Abbreviation | MT |
| NATO rank code | OR-5 |
| Formation | 1955 Modern |
| Next higher rank | Obermaat |
| Next lower rank | Oberstabsgefreiter |
| Equivalent ranks | Unteroffizier (Army & Air force) |
However, Maate is also the collective name to all junior NCO-ranks (ranks: Maat, Seekadett, and Obermaat) in the modern day's German Navy.
In navy context NCOs of this rank were formally addressed as Herr/ Frau Maat also informally / short Maat. The sequence of ranks (top-down approach) in that particular group is as follows:
Unteroffizier ohne Portepee
- OR-5: Obermaat / (Heer/ Luftwaffe) Stabsunteroffizier
- OR-5: Seekadett / Fahnenjunker
- OR-5: Maat / Unteroffizier
History
In the Prussian Navy and the Kaiserliche Marine Maate were Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee. According to their specialization, Maate would be known as e.g. Steuermannsmaat ( Coxswain's Mate), Feuerwerksmaat ( Ordnance Mate), Bootsmannsmaat ( Boatswain's Mate) or Maschinistenmaat ( Machinist's Mate). [4] Maate were recruited among conscripts who volunteered to serve for a minimum of six years. After approximately four years they could expect to become Maat. Re-enlistment was common but in most specialities the career options would end with achieving the rank of Obermaat; only after 18 years in service was a promotion as supernumary Vizefeldwebel possible, and only if there was a billet open. The 1914/15 naval budget included 7857 billets for Maate and 5237 for Obermaate. [5]
Kriegsmarine
| Maate ( Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Title | Maat | |
| Epaulette (Shore troops only) |
| |
| Collar tab |
| |
| Sleeve insignia |
|
|
| Steuermannmaat | Bootsmannmaat | |
| German Army equivalent | Unteroffizier | |
| US Equivalent | Petty officer, third class | |
| Source: [6] | ||
Poland
| NATO code | OR-4 | OR-3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polish | Bosmanmat | Starszy mat | Mat |
|
Polish Navy
[7]
|
|
|
|
| Boatswain mate | Senior mate | Mate | |
See also
- Ranks of the German Bundeswehr
- Rank insignia of the German Bundeswehr
- Ranks and insignia of NATO navies enlisted
References
- ^ Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Deutschen. sv Maat
- ^ Nørholtz, Tine (2019). "HKKF: 60 år" [HKKF: 60 years] (PDF). Fagligt Forsvar (in Danish). 3. Hærens Konstabel- og Korporalforening: 19–22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2022.
- ^ Wörterbuch zur deutschen Militärgeschichte, sv Maat.
- ^ Deutsche Militärgeschichte 1648-1939. Vol. VIII, p.283,285,292.
- ^ Handbook on German Military Forces 1945. TM-E 30-451. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, plate XVI, XVII.
| This German military article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
|
| This article on a military rank or appointment is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |