The rank of Obermann was seldom bestowed
and records evidence from World
War II indicates most
Allgemeine-SS members were promoted directly from SS-Mann
to the rank of SS-Sturmmann. In cases were Obermann
would have been awarded, it was typically to maintain
an SS-member’s Waffen-SS and Allgemeine-SS ranks
at equal levels, since the two branches of the SS were
considered separate services.
The insignia for Obermann was a silver
pip centered on the upper left sleeve of the grey SS
field uniform. Some photographic evidence indicates
this insignia was also worn on the black parade uniform,
were it would be centered on the sleeve above the swastika armband. However, more often than not, an Obermann wearing
the black SS uniform would not display additional insignia
other then the blank collar patch of an SS-Mann.
Promotion to Obermann was typically
granted after six months to one year of service in the
Allgemeine-SS. The rank ceased to exist in 1945, but
has seen resurgence in the modern German language to
indicate a senior member of an organization, such as
a union foreman.
